Air Force Veteran Joyfully Collapses after Learning True Value of His 1971 Rolex Watch on 'Antiques Roadshow'

The Air Force veteran fell to the floor in shock after discovering that the Rolex he purchased nearly a half-century ago could go for several hundred thousand dollars.

The veteran, who has not been identified, was recently featured in PBS's popular show "Antiques Roadshow."

He showed off his unworn 1971 Rolex Oyster Cosmograph to the appraiser, Peter Planes, and explained how he bought the timepiece.

According to him, when he was stationed in Thailand in the 1970s, he was fascinated by the pilots who would wear the watches, so he decided to order a model which he believed would stand up well to water.

"I found this particular watch where I could afford it, and I never used it. I looked at it and I said, `You know, this is really too nice to take down in salty water,'" he said. "I just kept it."

The watch was well-preserved, as well. The veteran kept all purchase and maintenance documents, expanding its worth, said Planes.

At the point when Planes said that the watch the veteran purchased for $345.97 in 1974 could go for $400,000, the veteran took a tumble to the ground in shock.

"You OK?" Planes said. "Don't fall. I'm not done." Flashing a grin and holding on to hear the rest of the great news, the man got up.

Planes additionally declared it one of the most magnificent watches he had ever seen on "Antiques Roadshow."

At that point, Planes informed the veteran that that was a low price, thinking he never wore the watch, making its value as high as $700,000.

The type of watch is in demand from collectors because actor Paul Newman, who died in September 2008, used a similar one in the 1969 film "Winning," which got known as the Daytona Rolex, said Planes.

According to Phillips auction house, actress Joanne Woodward, the widow of Newman, gave him the watch as a gift.

Planes additionally declared it one of the most magnificent watches he had ever seen on "Antiques Roadshow."

In an interview with The Washington Post, Planes said that "Half a million dollars, 700,000 dollars — that's life-changing" for someone.

The lucky veteran acknowledged the final dollar estimate with closed eyes and a word that was bleeped out.