World · India Bureau
Canadian woman discovers rare $191,000 Rolex inside bargain thrift-store sofa
A fortuitous discovery has turned into a windfall for a Canadian woman who found a vintage Paul Newman Daytona watch worth nearly $191,000 tucked inside a second-hand sofa she had purchased for just $25 four years earlier.
LSN India ·
The remarkable find came to light when the woman reached into the furniture to retrieve her mobile phone, stumbling upon the valuable timepiece in pristine condition. The rare Rolex, featuring the iconic Paul Newman dial, had remained hidden within the sofa's interior throughout the years since her initial purchase at a thrift store.
The discovery underscores the growing collector interest in vintage Rolex watches, particularly those bearing the Paul Newman design—a sought-after variant among horologists and luxury watch enthusiasts worldwide. Such timepieces have become increasingly valued in recent years as the vintage watch market experiences robust demand.
The incident serves as a reminder that unexpected valuables can be concealed within everyday purchases, particularly second-hand items with undisclosed histories. The woman's extraordinary stroke of fortune highlights the potential financial surprises that sometimes accompany thrift-store acquisitions, transforming a nominal $25 investment into a substantial asset.