Watches

1914 Patek Philippe Pocket Watch

Appraisal: 1914 Patek Philippe Pocket Watch

Transcript

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.

Appraiser

Paul Hartquist

Hartquist Jewelers
St. Paul, MN

Updated Value (2016)

$1,500,000 Auction

Updated Value (2018)

$2,000,000 - $3,000,000 Auction

APPRAISED VALUE (2004)

$250,000 Auction

Event

St Paul, MN

Theme

Things to Use or Wear

Form

Timepieces, Pocket Watch

Appraiser Speciality

Watches

Material

Metals & Alloys, Gold

Period

20th Century

Update: December 19, 2016

1.5 million?! You read that right. After this appraisal was recorded in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 2004 it was discovered that this was a unique Patek Philippe pocket watch. It was specially made in 1914 for George Thompson, an Anglo-American entrepreneur living in St. Paul. Appraiser Paul Hartquist explained to ROADSHOW that the new information enhanced interest in the piece significantly. This watch ultimately sold at Sotheby’s in 2006 for $1,541,212 USD including buyer’s premium. For more information on the sale visit Sothebys.com.