Antiques Roadshow

GUEST

This watch was handed down from my great-grandfather. He was the owner of the "St. Paul Pioneer Press and Dispatch" back in 1914, when he received this watch. And it was handed down from him to my father, and then he gave it to me.

APPRAISER

It's manufactured by the Patek Philippe Company of Geneva, Switzerland. This is a photocopy of the original warranty depicting some of the complications of this watch. The front of the watch has the hour and minute hand and the second hand. It also has a split chronograph, so you can time two things. It also has a minute register for the chronograph. Off to the side is a slide for chiming the watch. It's called a minute repeater, where you lift up the slide and it'll chime the time to the minute.

GUEST

Okay.

APPRAISER

When we flip the watch over, you have the day, the date, and the month, along with the moon phase. It's also a perpetual calendar, which adjusts for leap year.

GUEST

I'll be damned.

APPRAISER

It's a very complicated watch. In excellent, excellent condition, with the original box. It also has two extra main springs and an extra crystal underneath.

GUEST

Okay.

APPRAISER

It has the original crystals and original 18-karat gold engine turn case. Have you had any appraisals?

GUEST

I had an appraisal done probably 15 years ago. They told me at that time it was probably worth about $6,000.

APPRAISER

They were a little low.

GUEST

(chuckling) Were they?

APPRAISER

Yes. Patek Phillipe is now purchasing those watches for their museum. This watch, at auction, I suspect would bring close to a quarter million dollars.

GUEST

(laughing) No.

APPRAISER

Yes.

GUEST

A quarter million?

APPRAISER

This is one incredible watch. I've never held a watch like this in my hand.

GUEST

What? You're kidding.

APPRAISER

That is one incredible watch.

GUEST

(laughing) It can't be.

APPRAISER

Yes.

GUEST

No way.

APPRAISER

It is an incredible watch.

GUEST

Oh, I can't believe it. (laughs)

APPRAISER

It's the finest watch I've ever held in my hand.

GUEST

Are you serious?

APPRAISER

I've never seen anything like it, other than photos.

GUEST

Oh, my gosh, how do I get it home? (laughs)

APPRAISER

Carefully. Do not drop it.

GUEST

That is unbelievable.

APPRAISER

Keep it in a safe deposit box.

GUEST

Well, that's where I have had it all this time.

APPRAISER

Good.

GUEST

But I... oh, my gosh. That is incredible.