BBC’s Flog It! antiques expert David Fletcher found himself facing an unexpected surprise when he undervalued a Longines Aviator Watch that had been passed down through generations.
Jane, the owner, brought the vintage timepiece for valuation on the show, explaining it was inherited from her great aunt’s family and discovered during a house clearance. She admitted she had little knowledge of its history but was captivated by its beauty.
David admired the watch, especially noting its unique features. He pointed out the secondary dial in the center, which is adjustable to track elapsed time—a mechanism invented by an American airman named Weem, designed to aid navigation for aviators. He praised the watch’s near-original condition, highlighting the silver Continental case stamped with 1929 import marks, as well as the original leather strap and hallmark-embossed buckle.
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Initially, David estimated the watch’s auction price between £400 and £600, explaining that while similar models had sold for more recently, he believed this was a cautious and sensible estimate to attract buyers without deterring interest.
However, the auction revealed a very different story. As the bidding opened, David noticed what appeared to be a phone line bid. The auctioneer confirmed multiple offers were already on the table, starting the bidding at an impressive £2,500.
Jane and David exchanged surprised glances as the bids quickly climbed, reaching a stunning final sale price of £4,100—far exceeding the original valuation.
Jane expressed plans to use part of her unexpected windfall to repair an old grandfather clock. Meanwhile, a humored but sheepish David acknowledged he would likely face good-natured teasing for his misjudgment.
Flog It! remains available to watch on BBC iPlayer.