An Air Force veteran was in for the surprise of a lifetime when he learned that a Rolex watch he purchased over four decades ago for a few 100 bucks is now worth more than $400,000. The unidentified man discovered the shocking news about his 1971 Rolex Oyster Cosmograph from appraiser Peter Planes on last week’s episode of Antiques Roadshow. The man explained that he purchased the silver Rolex watch when he was stationed in Thailand from 1973-75 after noticing that many airline pilots were wearing them. In November 1974, he ordered the Rolex through the military base exchange for $345.97 with a 10% discount. By April 1975, the prized watch had finally arrived – but the veteran said he couldn’t bring himself to wear it as intended. Over the next 30-40 years, the man said he kept the watch inside a safety deposit box, only taking it out “two or three times to look at it, but that was about the extent of it.” He also managed to keep its warranty paper with a “blank guarantee,” as well as the paperwork, receipts, and original box. Taking this into consideration, Planes said the watch was likely to be worth at least $400,000, due in part to its face having “Oyster” written on it, an extremely rare feature he said was a “mark to dial.” After hearing his watch was worth thousands, the man jokingly collapsed next to Plane, showing his disbelief over his prized possession.