Are international warranty papers as valuable as USA?

[Bensrolex]

I am considering a 1991 Datejust (I guess that counts as vintage as of this year??). It comes with original box and papers from an Asian country. I was wondering if anybody has observed any sort of bias in market valuation...if two identical 1991 Datejust with box and papers were sitting side by side, and one was from China and one was from San Francisco, would value estimates/saleability differ? I of course hasten to add that I in no way wish to offend, don't personally believe there should be any valuation difference, but also sadly wouldn't be surprised if there is. Happy New Year.

[fsprow]

No difference to me.

[swaini3]

No difference to me.

[MorningTundra]

Most wouldn't consider a watch from 1991 to be "vintage". The current nomenclature seems to be "modern classic"...

The country of origin makes no difference to me, and China is known to be a huge market for Rolex. So no surprise many pre-owned originate there.

Accessories only have "value" if you plan to sell the watch (it can make selling easier/faster if the package is complete).

Accessories might be "worth" more to a dealer/flipper, who will invariably pay you less for the watch in order to make a margin...

To experienced private buyers, the value of accessories is low, given how easy it is to assemble a set from Ebay (including counterfeit warranty cards).

To the inexperienced private buyer, accessories might have more perceived value. How much value depends on the level of inexperience.

So the question is subjective and any differences, nominal.

If you're in the market for a Datejust, just buy one you'll enjoy owning.

Don't overthink the future profit potential, unless you're planning to buy and sell at scale.

[supernova]

Both watches were made in the same factory in Switzerland, so no difference at all.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[springer]

Originally Posted by MorningTundra

Most wouldn't consider a watch from 1991 to be "vintage". The current nomenclature seems to be "modern classic"...

The country of origin makes no difference to me, and China is known to be a huge market for Rolex. So no surprise many pre-owned originate there.

Accessories only have "value" if you plan to sell the watch (it can make selling easier/faster if the package is complete).

Accessories might be "worth" more to a dealer/flipper, who will invariably pay you less for the watch in order to make a margin...

To experienced private buyers, the value of accessories is low, given how easy it is to assemble a set from Ebay (including counterfeit warranty cards).

To the inexperienced private buyer, accessories might have more perceived value. How much value depends on the level of inexperience.

So the question is subjective and any differences, nominal.

If you're in the market for a Datejust, just buy one you'll enjoy owning.

Don't overthink the future profit potential, unless you're planning to buy and sell at scale.

My experience has been somewhat different than your comments. Regarding the classics, most buyers, whether experienced or not, who are looking for classic GMTs, Datejusts or other classics, prefer nice complete sets when compared to watch only purchases.

I believe that the value of complete sets is the same for both private and experienced buyers. Most, in my opinion, prefer a nice watch with a complete set.

As far as the OP's original concern, I have not noticed a difference in value/pricing for complete sets regardless of where the watch was originally sold. The condition of the watch is paramount in any purchase. If the purchase involves a "set," the value of the set is based also plays into the value based on how complete and correct the set is and its relation to how correct and nice the watch is.

[MorningTundra]

Originally Posted by springer

My experience has been somewhat different than your comments. Regarding the classics, most buyers, whether experienced or not, who are looking for classic GMTs, Datejusts or other classics, prefer nice complete sets when compared to watch only purchases.

I believe that the value of complete sets is the same for both private and experienced buyers. Most, in my opinion, prefer a nice watch with a complete set.

As far as the OP's original concern, I have not noticed a difference in value/pricing for complete sets regardless of where the watch was originally sold. The condition of the watch is paramount in any purchase. If the purchase involves a "set," the value of the set is based also plays into the value based on how complete and correct the set is and its relation to how correct and nice the watch is.

I agree with you that a complete set certainly catches the attention.

And a buy-choice between two Datejusts of the same condition and similar price, will favor the full set.

Personally (and I'm jaded), I wouldn't put much of a price premium on modern Datejust accessories. Perhaps a few hundred bucks if I thought I might want to move it on one day.

Vintage accessories, I concede are a whole different proposition.

[1665fan]

Yes they are as valuable

[crowncollection]

No difference


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[77T]

I would think about the verification process - papers are easier to forge than building replica’s.

You don’t want a mix-up.

Presuming both are genuine, condition is the same, and full sets for both choices, then it is really meaningless in terms of value. Rolex made each watch just as carefully as any other long before knowing to which continent it would shipped.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Bensrolex]

thanks all for the comments. they generally reflected what I had hoped and understood to be the case. I am just by nature a fan of maintaining as much documentation and history as possible along with whatever objects of art I purchase, whether that's an antique violin or a watch. Since I'm a younger collector and will own my pieces for many decades, I can only imagine that appraisals and evaluations by reputable sources, original accessories, and other guideposts to an item's history and provenance can only be of added interest and value to future owners.

[79280_116520]

if both are legit, desirability and value should be the same. they ALL come from the same factory in Switzerland.

personally i find it more intriguing when the origins of sales/papers are in far off places...

[Hub6152]

I’m not sure that Rolex were actually selling watches in China back in the early 90’s. In which case it would seem you are talking about Hong Kong rather than China (let’s leave the recent political changes out of this).

Hong Kong has been a reputable centre for selling Rolex long before any of us were born, and many thousands of watches have been purchased there by countless foreigners as well as locals. Many a US Vietnam vet would have purchased a Rolex there too while taking an R&R break in HK.

So their validity among collectors is not in question.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by supernova

Both watches were made in the same factory in Switzerland, so no difference at all.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

^^^

[baumare]

There is not difference, they all come from Mamma Rolex in CH.
With that been said I personally found the Japanese paper warranty a work of art.

In Italy for example Italian warranty are perceived as a plus from collectors, in fact when they sell a watch the Italian Client Code 170 is always mentioned.
Second favorite are the USA paper, because there are more info about the watch, like the type of dial and the red letters stamped on the front for dates.

[joli160]

Same in Germany, country code 100 is something by neighbors are crazy about.
I have Rolex from all over the place, doesn’t bother me one bit.

[Das]

Lots of vintage Rolex watches were bought by military overseas, especially from Asian countries, and doesn't seem to hurt the value of those.

Why would it anyway?