A vintage Swiss wristwatch sold at auction for £59,000, significantly exceeding its initial estimate of £5,000. The stainless steel Patek Philippe timepiece, believed to be approximately 90 years old, had remained stored among old jewellery for several years following the death of its previous owner in Camborne, Cornwall.

The owner’s daughter recalled that her mother had once mentioned inheriting an expensive watch from her father but was unaware of its true value. The watch was consigned to Hansons Auctions in Penzance, where auctioneer Darren Ashley recognized its rarity early in the process.

Bidding for the watch attracted strong international interest, with competitive offers coming primarily from Japan and China. Ultimately, a buyer from Hong Kong secured the lot. Ashley described the contest between bidders from Japan and China as “incredibly exciting,” highlighting the high demand for vintage watches of this caliber. The sale reflects ongoing robust interest in rare Swiss timepieces among collectors in Asia and beyond.