A year after a priceless Patek Philippe slipped off a swimmer’s wrist and into the Mediterranean Sea, a determined diver has miraculously recovered the timepiece.
Losing a luxury watch is a nightmare scenario, but losing one in the vast expanse of the ocean is akin to a lost cause. Yet, against all odds, a Danish collector was reunited with their cherished Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time, thanks to the expertise of a hobby diver named Giorgio.
The watch, estimated to be worth between $75,000 and $80,000 on the pre-owned market, slipped off the owner’s wrist while they were enjoying a swim off the coast of Mallorca, Spain, in the summer of 2023. Undeterred by the seemingly impossible task, the owner enlisted the help of Giorgio, who runs a hobby diving business called Mallorca Detecting, specializing in recovering lost valuables.
Giorgio employed a meticulous approach to the search, creating a numbered grid system to methodically cover the search area. Armed with a metal detector, he dove into the depths, facing numerous false alarms from discarded metal objects. After three dives and nine hours of painstaking work, he finally struck gold, discovering the watch hidden in seagrass at a depth of 33 feet.
The timepiece was in rough condition, encrusted with coral and showing signs of rust. However, there’s hope for restoration, with experts optimistic about bringing the Patek Philippe back to its former glory. The successful recovery is a testament to Giorgio’s skill and determination, and a dream come true for the watch’s owner.
