Man pays $6 for watch at Goodwill thrift store, sells it for $35,000

PHOENIX – A watch collector spotted a rare Swiss timepiece in a Phoenix thrift store, bought it on sale for $5.99 and then sold it for $35,000.

Zach Norris said he checked out the Goodwill store’s watch section while shopping for a golf cart in January.

Norris told KTVK-TV that he was excited when he recognized the 1959 Jaeger-LeCoultre diving watch.

Paul White, vice president of Scottsdale-based Oliver Smith Jeweler, a dealer for the brand, said a watchmaker authenticated Norris’ discovery.

Norris shared his good fortune on a website for watch collectors, and another enthusiast bought it. He says the proceeds will help pay for his wedding and shared some of the profit back to Goodwill.

Goodwill spokeswoman Summer Dunham says Norris’ find shows there are deals to be had at the thrift stores.

Norris’ advice for anyone hoping to also hit it big trolling thrift stores?

“You can do it. Research everything. Just take your phone in there and if you see something that looks goofy, you haven’t seen it before, Google it. You never know.”

This story was originally published February 18, 2015 at 2:17 PM with the headline "Man pays $6 for watch at Goodwill thrift store, sells it for $35,000."