Antiques Roadshow: Hidden in a garage for 30 years was one of the ‘most remarkable’ finds ever made: ‘It’s hard to believe’

Antiques expert John Benjamin has sifted through hundreds of treasured items throughout his career.

But none have stunned him quite like this.

Stored in a garage for 30 years was a worn-out, broken watch. What the owner thought was a piece of “scrap” turned out to be “one of the most remarkable” finds ever made on Antiques Roadshow.

Passed down from her father, the owner was unknowingly holding a $100,000 heirloom – until one incredible detail gave it away. 

Stream episodes of Antiques Roadshow for free on 9Now.

“It’s so distressed. I mean… It’s in a mess, isn’t it?” said John as he inspected the quality of the watch presented to him.

In the video above, John evaluates just how much the watch is worth. 

But upon closer inspection, the jewellery specialist’s face lit up.

“Do you see that mark there?” John said.

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To the expert’s eye, the watch had a platinum stamp, 18K gold backing, French markings and one telling “movement”.

“The movement is by something called the European Watch & Clock Company Limited,” he explained.

The same company who made their movements for one very significant company: Cartier.

“Oh my god,” said the owner in disbelief. 

Knowing this, the owner’s heart raced as she prepared to learn it’s current value.

“I’m scared,” she said.

You can catch the evaluation in the video below:

The owner was simply stunned.

“Worth getting fixed, maybe?” she laughed.

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And that’s exactly what she did as the owner presented the same watch, now restored, to the same expert three years later.

It’s new value? An eye-watering £40,000-£50,000 (approx. AU$82,186-$102,677).

Now with the famous Cartier logo, you can see the watch in its restored glory right here:

”It’s hard to believe it’s the same watch,” said John.

During the episode, we learned the the watch belonged to the owner’s father. He inherited from her great-uncle who had quite the interesting tale.

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“He worked in London and he was a maître d in a gentlemen’s residence,” she explained. “A private gentleman’s club.

“He acquired [it] from a gentleman who unfortunately ran up quite a substantial account…”

And we think we know where this is going. Let’s just say that debt was more than paid.

This isn’t the first time a family heirloom inherited an astonishing value. Catch more incredible finds below:

Stream episodes of Antiques Roadshow for free on 9Now.

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