Patek Philippe watch found in Cornwall home sells for £59,000

A rare 1930s Patek Philippe & Co Calatrava Reference 448 wristwatch sold for £59,000 at an international auction held by Hansons Cornwall. The timepiece was discovered by family members cleaning a home in Camborne, Cornwall, after the previous owner passed away. The watch was found inside an old jewelry box, and a 2011 diary entry from the owner noted the existence of a valuable watch.

Experts initially estimated the watch's value between £5,000 and £10,000. However, its rarity is attributed to its stainless steel case; during the 1930s, Patek Philippe typically used precious metals, making stainless steel examples exceptionally scarce. The 28mm watch features a small seconds dial and a fully functional mechanism.

The auction attracted collectors from the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, China, and Saudi Arabia. The final bidding war occurred between an online bidder from Japan and a telephone bidder from China. The watch is scheduled to be shipped to Hong Kong.