UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry Box
The stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.

The woman’s mother, who lived in Camborne, had told her daughter that she had an expensive watch tucked away, even noting it in her diary in a 2011 entry.
When Darren Ashley, senior valuer at auction house Hansons Cornwall, examined the watch, it became clear the woman was not exaggerating.
The watch turned out to be a rare Patek Philippe & Co. Calatrava Ref. 448, circa the 1930s, with serial number 822731 and case number 610667.
The dial is inscribed “Patek Philippe & Co Geneva” and has a subsidiary seconds dial. The jeweled movement is signed and numbered by the watchmaker.
The case is stainless steel, a rarity for Patek Philippe that made it of special interest to collectors, said Ashley.
“When I finally had the watch in my hands and was able to examine it properly, I knew we had something extremely rare,” he said.
“But one of the things I loved most was its mechanical perfection. This was a watch dating back around 90 years that had spent decades within the same Cornish family and, when it was placed in my hands, it was still finely ticking away.”
The family put the watch up for sale at Hansons Cornwall’s “The Cornwall Antiques Sale” with a pre-sale estimate of £5,000-£10,000 ($6,800 to $13,600).
The auction was held Aug. 25, and buyers sprung up from around the world, including the United States, Japan, China, and Saudi Arabia.
After an intense bidding battle, a telephone bidder in Hong Kong won with a final bid of £59,000 ($79,892), more than six times its high estimate.
“The pre-sale interest was phenomenal. We had interest from serious collectors across the world, but nothing quite prepares you for watching that level of bidding unfold in the room,” said Darren.
Three members of the late woman’s family were in the audience, while others followed along at home.
“It is one of those results that reminds you why this business is so exciting. Something extraordinary can still be sitting quietly in a jewelry box just a few miles away,” said Ashley.
The circa 1930s Patek Philippe originally belonged to the woman’s grandfather, who lived in Wadebridge and worked as a solicitor’s clerk in Bodmin.
He passed it on to his daughter, who kept it safe all those years.
The woman’s family thinks the watch may have been gifted to their grandfather by their grandmother, who loved to spend money on designer clothing and luxury items, they said.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said the family’s good fortune shows how important it is to seek expert advice on inherited items.
“What a wonderful result and a wonderful story. This little watch had passed quietly through generations of a Cornish family, its late owner knowing she had something valuable but perhaps never imagining quite how sought-after it would become,” he said.
“Patek Philippe represents the pinnacle of fine watchmaking and, when rarity, quality, and provenance come together, the results can be spectacular.”
The Latest

Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.

Alberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.

Four directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

The jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.


The Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.

The auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

Fine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.

Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.

Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.

With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.

Laughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.

Gretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.

The California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.

A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 13.

The auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.

Zaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.

Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.

The British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.

The “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.

Nelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.

Cat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.

Arnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.

The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.

Engagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.

























