It’s not uncommon for sellers to take the items they’re offering home with them at “Bares for Rares”. Either the expertise is so sobering that it makes no sense. Or the bids do not bring the desired price.
It was different with Benno Willmann. The insurance specialist from Offenburg rejected the deal, even though the dealers significantly exceeded the estimated value and offered his desired price.
The 55-year-old was well aware of the value of the item he had brought: “I think I’ll get a dealer card for the watch because this watch is definitely a highlight in the history of wristwatches,” he said in advance. And Horst Lichter also seemed to ring the bell: “Oh wow,” he exclaimed when he saw the Heuer Monaco. “One knows.”
Willmann bought the watch in Italy in 1998 at the Mille Miglia. She was in a “miserable state” at the time, and he later had her repaired. Among other things, the bracelet, the dial and the glass pane, as Sven Deutschmanek did not miss.
The expert first tells something about the manufacturer founded in 1860 by Edouard Heuer. According to Deutschmanek, the company had its wild days in the 1970s, when the colors became brighter, among other things. So also with the “Monaco”. The hype around this model was created by the movie “Le Mans” with Steve McQueen, in which the actor wears this watch.
Benno Willmann would like to get 8,000 euros for the watch. The expert doesn’t quite go along with that. He thinks 6500 to 7500 euros is possible. The seller can live with that, he accepts the dealer card.
At the sight of the valuable watch in the dealer’s room, everyone prepares for an exciting bidding race. “Let’s see who will win the Grand Prix,” says Susanne Steiger, full of anticipation. All the prerequisites for a successful business transaction are therefore in place. At the start, Steiger offers 4000 euros, the price initially rises to 7500 euros.
But then the seller suddenly gets cold feet: “Excuse me. I just notice now, in the end it’s just money. I have a feeling about it.” The clock has accompanied him for so long. Albert Meyer makes one last attempt and offers 8,000 euros. The desired price would thus be achieved.
But by then it’s too late, the decision has been made: “I’m so attached to the watch, I would really like to take it with me again,” says Willmann. “I just fell in love with the watch again, even more,” he explains afterwards.
Source: “Bares for Rares” in the ZDF media library
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