Antique Roadshow guest reacts to valuation of alarm clock
An Antiques Roadshow guest was left stunned by the valuation of her inherited alarm clock during the latest episode of the popular BBC show.
The episode, which aired on Sunday night (September 15), was hosted by Fiona Bruce and took place at Pitzhanger Manor in Ealing, West London. Among the fascinating finds were a unique engagement ring, a handwritten note by Oscar Wilde, and an Olympic medal from the 1930s. However, it was the valuation of an alarm clock that truly amazed one guest.
Antiques expert Alastair Chandler examined the clock, initially appearing unimpressed by its outer appearance. “So from the outside, this looks like a plain, simple box. It looks like it had a bit of a life, a bit of adventure,” he remarked. But once opened, the box revealed a beautifully detailed carriage clock.
“If we open it up to reveal this rather exquisite and highly decorated carriage clock," Chandler continued. "Judging by the condition of the box, which has done its job to protect it, this probably had some interesting travels and history of its own.”
He then asked the guest to share more about the clock's background. She explained, "Well, the clock I inherited from my grandparents, and my grandparents were living in China before the war. Possibly they bought it in China and brought it back to the UK when they left. As a child, it was on my grandparents' mantelpiece, and to me, it was just the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.”
Chandler revealed an interesting detail about the clock’s origin, noting: “It’s got these wonderful, vivid colours with the gold and the blues. But the clock itself is actually French.”
The expert concluded by offering an estimated price for the clock: "With this clock in this condition, if it was to come up in auction, I would imagine it would have an auction estimate of £2,000 to £3,000."
Thrilled by the unexpected valuation, the guest responded, “Wow, that’s more than I was expecting, I must say.”
