A surprising find has brought an unexpected windfall to a Michigan college student. Olivia Gilcher, a student in Michigan, recently purchased a "mystery bundle" on Facebook Marketplace for a modest $65. To her astonishment, the bundle contained a rare luxury item—a vintage Gucci Change Bezel 1100L watch from the 1980s.
The watch, featuring a gold bangle and green finish, was nestled among eight pounds of old jewelry. Upon discovering the watch, Gilcher couldn't believe her eyes. It was a "dream piece" she had long desired, yet the need for additional income as a college student compelled her to consider selling it.
“It was a dream piece that I’d wanted for years — but, on the other, I always needed ‘extra income’ as a college student.”
Before deciding to sell, Gilcher meticulously examined the watch's engraved logo, SKU number, and construction. Her thorough inspection convinced her of the watch's authenticity.
“I examined the engraved logo, SKU number, and overall construction, and everything checked out,” she explained. “Even then, I still couldn’t believe it, so I opened the back of the watch to check the movement, and that confirmed its authenticity.”
Despite her initial excitement about owning such a piece, Gilcher's practical needs won out. The watch felt tight when she tried it on, prompting her decision to sell.
“I tried it on, and it was a little tight – that felt like my sign that I should let it go,” she admitted.
Gilcher eventually sold the vintage Gucci watch for $550. Though this price may seem a fraction of its value, it substantially exceeded her initial $65 investment. The estimated retail value of this timepiece today is nearly $3,000.
“The retail price in the late 1980s was between $500 and $1,000 – that would be equivalent to approximately $1,493 to $2,985 in 2025, adjusted for inflation,” noted experts familiar with vintage luxury goods.
This remarkable find highlights the unpredictable nature of buying random grab bags online. While Gilcher doesn't typically make much profit from selling jewelry, this particular transaction proved to be an exception.
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