Woman Buys Mystery Bag From Facebook—'Literally Shaking' Over What's Inside

A student from Michigan State University has revealed an incredible thrifting discovery—a 1980s designer watch worth hundreds of dollars.

Olivia Gilcher is a jewelry fanatic, always on the lookout for something special to add to her collection. She has been purchasing mystery jewelry grab bags since 2022, drawn to the excitement of uncovering hidden treasures.

It all started when she spent $100 on a 20-pound bag from a local thrift store, which led her to post her first TikTok video showcasing the unique pieces inside. That video went viral, sparking an online community of fellow jewelry lovers. Gilcher has since expanded her search beyond thrift stores to estate sales and Facebook Marketplace.

Her most incredible discovery yet came from one of these Marketplace purchases: an 8-pound jewelry grab bag. As she filmed her unboxing for her followers, she first found a set of bezels—rings designed to fit around a watch face.

"[It] immediately reminded me of a TikTok I had seen years prior about a Gucci watch with interchangeable bezels—a piece I'd been dreaming of ever since," Gilcher told Newsweek. "I didn't think it could be real, but when I pulled out the watch itself, my heart stopped."

Thanks to her experience working at a luxury watch company, Gilcher knew how to spot an authentic piece. She inspected the engraved logo, SKU number and other key details. To confirm her suspicions, she opened the back of the watch to check the movement. It was real.

The Gucci 11/12 series, also known as the 1100L, was a highly sought-after watch in the 1980s, with customers lining up outside stores to buy it. The design's main appeal was its versatility—wearers could swap out bezels to match their outfits, making it a fashionable statement piece of the era.

For Gilcher, the discovery was bittersweet. As much as she adored the watch, she debated whether to keep it or sell it. "I'd wanted it for years. But as a college student, a little extra income is always tempting. When I tried it on, it was a bit tight, which felt like a sign that it wasn't meant to be mine—at least, not this time," she said.

Instead, she decided to list the watch for $650, hoping that one day she will purchase one in her own size.

Gilcher shared the discovery in a video on TikTok, where it has gained over 460,000 views. In the video, she said she was "literally shaking" as she checked the details on the Gucci timepiece. In the comments, people shared their reactions to the discovery. Katie said: "I gasped," while qvale6 wrote: "You're so lucky, I've always wanted this."

"I got a watch like this from my grandma and its my prized possession," recalled Ellyn. While TikToker sebbenss wrote: "Literallllyyyy my dream watch i always check the jewelry in thrifts."