Antique expert John Benjamin has always had an eye for identifying amazing and unique antiques, but on a recent episode of Antiques Roadshow, the star noticed something “completely wrong” with a guest’s Cartier watch.
John has previously credited his most memorable find being an antique Cartier watch and was thrilled to see a similar version make its way to Stoner Park.
A guest on the show wanted to receive a valuation for his wife’s most cherished piece of jewellery and John was more than happy to assist.
Despite the excitement that both John and the guest shared, expert John noticed that the watch wasn’t an original from Cartier.
(Image: BBC)
Admiring the watch John firstly began by saying: “Well, this is an absolutely charming little bracelet watch and I have to be honest with you, it reminds me of the very first piece of jewellery that I ever recorded on a Roadshow nearly 30 years ago.
“And it was a Cartier wristwatch. You’ve brought along a beautiful Cartier wristwatch – now what’s your story with it and where has it come from?”
The guest who was also pleased with the item replied: “It’s my wife’s watch. She inherited it from a great aunt who we believe got it back in the 1930s.
“She wears it once a year, basically,” he explained before the expert quizzed: “And does she like it and do you like it?”
(Image: BBC)
“She loves it. I like it because it’s different from anything you would see these days,” the owner of the watch commented.
Going into further analysis and evaluation on the item John explained: “This is so delicate and very much it’s of the time it was made.
“You say 1930 but I wonder if it might have been made around the 1920s.
“There is the signature on the dial, on this silver dial with these pretty-shaped numerals going around in a platinum case,” the expert observed.
He added: “Look at the diamond chips because they’re very subtle, very small and they’re not very sparkly. It’s just because they’re so small really.”
(Image: BBC)
Knowing that something wasn’t quite right with the item John continued: “The batons on the shoulders, or the red stones, are rubies and then you’ve got this rather awkward looking strap. Have you ever thought about the strap?”
The guest then replied: “Yeah, we’ve questioned if it was original.”
John responded: “If I look at the tongue piece, it’s stamped is nine-carat gold. In other words, the strap is completely wrong for it.
“Finally, when we look at the marks on the back, did you happen to notice that mark there? That’s a little French platinum mark.
“So, the watch head we’re assuming is Cartier. That strap though is not right,” the expert explained to the guest.
John also explained that the fact it wasn’t an entirely original piece meant there was going to be “an impact on the price”.
Despite the watch not being a complete original, John still gave the item a fairly high valuation.
The expert said: ” I think if I were putting it into auction, my opinion is about £4,000 to £5,000 for it- It’s good to see it.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
