The Moonwatch doesn’t need any introduction here on Fratello (in case it does, go here), but this doesn’t apply to everyone. Like this guest on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow.

The BBC aired a new episode of Antiques Roadshow yesterday evening. One of the guests bought a Speedmaster Professional pre-Moon watch at a car boot sale. When someone offered him £50 for it, he luckily turned them down.

However, he still didn’t have a clue about the watch. Watch expert Richard Price explained the importance of this watch to the owner, and why he was so right not to sell it for 50 quid to some shark (who probably knew very well what he was looking at). The owner paid only £5 for it at the car boot sale, but his instinct told him it was worth more than the £50 he’d been offered.

Antiques Roadshow

Richard Price values this watch (a reference 145.012) at £5,000. But even though it has been thoroughly worn, I’d say that it is a bit on the safe side. It has the Dot-Over-Ninety bezel, the correct handset (although the hour hand is bend). Worst case, this could be a 145.022-68 “Transitional”, with caliber 861. The pushers are bit short though, those might even be of a 105.012. Still, it would be a very safe bet for 5 quid. It is not the first time a Speedmaster is featured on Antiques Roadshow. In the past, an even more impressive Speedmaster Ultraman was discovered…

Have a look at the video clip below.

Full episodes can be viewed here. It is only available in the UK and for registered users. A VPN connection might solve that issue though.