A Vietnam veteran’s quiet decision to tuck away a Rolex for nearly five decades turned into one of the most unforgettable moments in *Antiques Roadshow* history. During a taping in West Fargo, North Dakota, the man was told that the watch he bought in 1974 for just a few hundred dollars could now be worth as much as **$700,000**. The revelation was so overwhelming that he collapsed to the ground, leaving appraisers and the audience stunned. Time magazine described it as one of the show’s most viral episodes ever.
The man, identified publicly only as “David,” said he purchased the watch while serving in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War. According to a JCK detailed report, David explained that he wanted a Rolex like the ones he had seen fellow servicemen wear, but after receiving it, he decided it was “too nice to wear.” Instead of using it daily, he locked it away in a safety deposit box where it remained untouched for decades, alongside the original receipt, warranty papers, and packaging.
“I put it away for nearly 50 years… I never wore it.” — Vietnam vet on the Rolex that made him collapse when he heard its value. — @Time
The Rolex itself was no ordinary timepiece. Appraiser Peter Planes identified it as a **Rolex Oyster Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6263**, a model heavily sought after by collectors for its rarity and iconic design. In mint condition and complete with paperwork, it is considered one of the “holy grails” of vintage watches. As Hodinkee noted in its breakdown, it’s almost unheard of to find one so perfectly preserved, particularly given its military-era history.
When Planes first gave a conservative estimate of $400,000, David’s legs buckled, and he nearly fainted on camera. Laughter and gasps rippled across the room. But the shock deepened when the appraiser continued, noting that in the pristine condition presented — with untouched straps, box, and factory sticker still on the case back — the watch could fetch between $500,000 and $700,000 at auction. Local North Dakota coverage captured the stunned reaction.
“In this condition, I don’t think there’s a better one in the world.” — Antiques Roadshow appraiser on $700,000 Rolex — @JCK
For David, who had paid exactly $345.97 for the watch in 1974, the news was beyond comprehension. NBC News recounted how producers had to pause the taping as David fell backward, overwhelmed by the appraiser’s words. “That’s unbelievable,” he muttered, his voice breaking between disbelief and joy. Viewers watching later described the clip as one of the most emotional reactions in the program’s long history.
Experts say what makes the watch so valuable is not just the model but the meticulous preservation. Many Rolex Daytona models were worn extensively, scratched, repaired, or modified over time. David’s decision to keep his in untouched condition, complete with paperwork and original box, elevated its value to a level rarely seen. CNN’s coverage explained that collectors prize originality above all else, and this piece was the definition of a time capsule.
A Vietnam vet bought a Rolex for $345 in 1974. This week, Antiques Roadshow told him it’s now worth up to $700,000. — @CNN
The emotional impact of the episode spread quickly. Millions watched the clip online, with hashtags like #AntiquesRoadshow and #RolexMoment trending across platforms. Collectors marveled at the find, while everyday viewers expressed a mix of awe and regret, wondering about the forgotten items sitting in their own attics or safety boxes. As Rolling Stone observed, the story resonated not just as a viral clip but as a symbol of unexpected fortune waiting in the most ordinary places.
David’s reaction struck a chord because it wasn’t about sudden wealth but about the weight of history. Here was a man who served during one of America’s most divisive wars, who returned home quietly, and who had never flaunted his purchase. Instead, he preserved it, perhaps unknowingly protecting one of the finest Rolex examples in existence. NPR highlighted that the Rolex had become both a personal memento and a financial revelation — a reminder that objects can carry legacies beyond their material worth.
The viral Antiques Roadshow clip has veterans sharing their own stories of wartime keepsakes turning priceless. — @NPR
For Antiques Roadshow, the moment was a dream scenario. The show has featured countless valuable discoveries, but few with this combination of military service, emotional authenticity, and financial shock. Producers called it “a once-in-a-lifetime appraisal,” and the segment has since been replayed across global news outlets. Collectors are already calling it one of the most important televised appraisals in the history of the series.
David himself has not said whether he plans to sell the Rolex or keep it in his family. For now, he seems content to marvel at what he unknowingly safeguarded for so long. And for millions watching, his collapse, his stunned laughter, and his whispered disbelief remain etched as proof that even ordinary lives sometimes hold extraordinary treasures waiting to be uncovered.