An Antiques Roadshow guest was left gobsmacked after a family heirloom which was bought for £20 was valued to be worth thousands of pounds.
In the latest episode of the BBC show, Fiona Bruce took viewers to one of the grandest houses in Wales, Powis Castle. Despite all the stunning memorabilia on offer, it was one watch in particular that caught the expert eye of Richard Price.
Inspecting the artifact, Richard told viewers: "So I'm wearing a fairly big wristwatch today, but look at the size of that compared to it. Massive. It is heavy. Now, what sort of purpose do you think it served?"
"Well, I have been told that it's a pilot's watch," the guest replied. Explaining to Richard why the watch was so big, the guest added: "To be able to be seen I guess while you're flying. And maybe they wore them on the outside of a uniform, I'm not sure."
"Well, you're absolutely right," the expert agreed. "Now, these were made by various factories, but the one that collectors all want is the German factory of A Lange."
When asked by Richard if she had ever taken the watch apart, she shook her head before the BBC expert added that if it was an A Lange watch it would make a "big difference price-wise".
"Let's have a look, it has its stores number there, and inside, it should then have the details on the movement," the expert said. "And joy of joys it is A Lange, so it's the one they all want."
Antique expert Richard explained that the reason why the watch is so rare today is that the A Lange factory got bombed in May 1945.
"This is why this is something that everybody wants," he shared. "The collectors want the A Lange watch because they are the rarest and the most lovely."
Discussing the all-important price point, Richard asked where the guest's father purchased the watch. She replied: "He got it in Weymouth in a government surplus shop in like the early 70s. He was always poking around old shops, antique shops and government surplus places."
She then confirmed that her dad likely would have only paid £20 for the watch.
"I think I would be delighted to have paid £20 for that then," Richard laughed. "On the market at the moment, dealers are asking between £8,000 and £10,000."
Antiques Roadshow airs on Sunday at 8pm on BBC One.
Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.
READ NEXT:
- BBC Antiques Roadshow expert reluctant to value spoons before uncovering impressive value
- The Chase star Mark Labbett 'turned down for I'm A Celeb four times due to weight'
- ITV The Chase's Mark Labbett's appearance stuns This Morning viewers as he shares real quizzing secret
The Chase contestant leaves viewers stunned with shocking confession
A Place In The Sun buyers reject property within seconds before stepping inside
