Rolex watch bought for £70 could fetch £45,000

[khalifam]

A watch bought for £70 in 1964 is valued at up to £45,000

It was owned by rescue diver Simon Barnett, who died in 2019

His son Pete Barnett, from Diss, Norfolk, is now selling the Rolex Submariner

He only discovered his father's military log books and photos after his death


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2elv925n2go




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[brandrea]

Wow, I’d never let something like that go.

To each their own I guess

[fooey]

What a shame he has to sell it.
But if he does, then I wish him good luck

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[GolfJunkie]

No way I'd be selling that watch.

[enjoythemusic]

With a great story and documentation, hope a museum gets it to display.

I'd never sell it. 'Loan' it to a MIL museum.

[MrGoat]

Man. I couldn’t imagine having to part with something so spectacular and meaningful. I hope it brings much more than the estimate and Simons legacy lives on in someone’s collection.


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[MrMercedes]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Wow, I’d never let something like that go.

To each their own I guess

100%

[Old Geezer]

We're largely WIS here and it's to fathom selling something like this but I certainly understand that some people are not moved to keep other people's stuff, even their own parent's stuff.
I hope it brings good money.

[Snowballs]

I suspect the siren's call of large $$$ has surpassed the need for family history.

It is a sad situation similar to families who are selling rare military medals (like a Victoria Cross) for large payouts.

[alwayshere]

Ah.... the good one inheritance to be sold ad.

Agree with the last couple of posts - it is what it is.

I mean, even if your son didn't sell the watch and passes it on to his kids, they may sell it. Can't guarantee family heirlooms stay within the family.... sad to say.

[Haywood_Milton]

It is interesting to note that the watch shown on the BBC website and about to sell at auction is from the same batch as (and with a case number fewer than 400 away from) that which was shown to us by Dr.Smellody only in February ( https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?p=12693575 ), but the two watches have an underline in different places on the dial.

Entirely gratuitously, here is my slightly earlier America's Cup presentation 5513 with both underline AND double SWISS text :



Insta : haywood_milton_rolex

[swish77]

It's a cool story, but has the watch been relumed? Odd patina on it, no? Could be the lighting, I suppose. Also, more minor, bezel insert is newer. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself.)

Always nice to have some provenance on a nice old Sub actually used by a diver. Still, it's a lot of money based on its condition, unless the original owner was famous, which I'm not sure he was. Seems to be a bit of media/auction house hype here.

[Speedbird-1]

BBC Antiques Roadshow watch bought for £70 could fetch £45,000 at auction
10 May 2023 at 4:27 pm

Historic 1963 Rolex Submariner watch set to be auctioned on Friday. (SWNS)

A Rolex watch bought for £70 and which featured on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow could fetch more than £45,000 at auction.

Peter Barnett, 57, inherited the timepiece from his father Simon Barnett just before he died in 2019, aged 80.

The historic 1963 Rolex Submariner watch was bought by Simon, a Royal Navy search and rescue diver, while deployed in Singapore in 1964.

It remained on his wrist throughout his 23-year career, helping him keep track of time while he was involved in several dangerous rescue missions.

The late Simon Barnett during his time in the Navy. (SWNS)

Peter has decided to sell the watch after experts on BBC's Antiques Roadshow last year valued it at between £50,000 and £60,000.

Peter, from Diss, Norfolk, said: "The watch is very precious to our family and it's not a fashion piece – it was involved in a number of important rescue missions.

"It's been a hard decision, but I feel selling it now is the right thing to do."

While bittersweet, the appearance on the BBC show helped Peter piece together more of his father's career in the navy.

After the show a number of former servicemen also got in touch to share their adventures with him.

The watch can be seen in countless photographs taken of Simon during his time in the Royal Navy, capturing its place in naval history.

The sale at TW Gaze auction rooms on Friday is accompanied by several newspaper cuttings, letters and images - with the lot carrying an estimate of between £30,000 and £45,000.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

Man. I couldn’t imagine having to part with something so spectacular and meaningful. I hope it brings much more than the estimate and Simons legacy lives on in someone’s collection.

Maybe he couldn't stand his dad. Who knows the motives behind the sale?

[cardiel]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Maybe he couldn't stand his dad. Who knows the motives behind the sale?

err how about the good old fashioned motive: £

[Haywood_Milton]

Now sold for £40,000 hammer and more like £50,000 with buyer's fees.

[77T]

I think Peter made the best choice in the long run. Documenting one’s forebears is the best part. Adding that to the family legacy and sharing it is perhaps the best for the future generations.

When there is just one valuable exemplar in a case such as this, the future squabbles among multiple heirs can create long-held jealousy.

Yet no one has ever been able to squabble over a story well told.


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[marty497]

Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton

Now sold for £40,000 hammer and more like £50,000 with buyer's fees.

Just one bid from the internet, a bit of an anticlimax after the build up.

[Dr.Smellody]

Super interesting. Makes me wonder about the underlines and their placement. Did they have a couple of machines set up to add the underline each set to different locations s? I guess we will never know unless there is someone still alive who performed the work and is willing to talk.

[Styles Bitchley]

Originally Posted by 77T

I think Peter made the best choice in the long run. Documenting one’s forebears is the best part. Adding that to the family legacy and sharing it is perhaps the best for the future generations.

When there is just one valuable exemplar in a case such as this, the future squabbles among multiple heirs can create long-held jealousy.

Yet no one has ever been able to squabble over a story well told.


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Insightful perspective.