“Bares for Rares”
Witwe moves dealers to tears with the sad story of her watch
Silvia Richter is auctioning off a watch that belonged to her late husband at “Bares für Rares”.
© ZDF
The watch belonged to her late husband and because her wedding anniversary was on the 18th, Silvia Richter wants 1800 euros. The traders are initially unwilling to pay the sum – until they hear the story.
It is often the right story that makes a product a bestseller. Silvia Richter tells a story in “Bares for Rares” that is close: The 65-year-old woman from Eutin has a watch with her that she found in her husband’s estate, who died in 2019.
Before she enters the expert room, she thinks about the deceased. “I’m curious to see whether my husband has another surprise in store for me after his death,” says Richter.
“Bares for Rares”: The dealers are moved
Meanwhile, Heide Rezepa-Zabel is busy with the watch, a Patek Philippe that was made in Switzerland around 1900-1905. A very valuable brand, but in a strange variant: It is a ladies’ pocket watch that has been converted into a wristwatch.
As far as the desired price is concerned, the seller has a clear idea: “Every 18th my husband said: Today is the wedding anniversary. Every month – not just once a year,” explains the widow. That’s why she would like 1800 euros. Expert Rezepa-Zabel’s estimate is a little lower, she estimates the watch at 1500 to 1600 euros. So there is still a lot missing.
In the dealer room, Susanne Steiger starts with 800 euros. The highest bid comes from Thorsden Schlößner, who is willing to pay 1500 euros. But then Silvia Richter tells her story, which leaves none of the dealers unmoved: “My husband told me about the watch for 20 years.” She found them in the locker in Wiesbaden, across from the casino. Then she explains why she would like 1800 euros, her “magic sum”.
Schlössner is deeply moved and immediately adds the missing amount: “I’ll give you the 1800 euros. I like the magical story.”
“The lady had tears in her eyes,” says Schlößner. “Me too,” admits Sarah Schreiber. “Super touching”. Susanne Steiger had the final word: “Jewellery is emotion.”
source: “Bares for Rares” in the ZDF media library
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