How Important Are Box And Papers?

[ttomczak]

It's mandatory for me. Just the way I am wired.

[d0190535]

Absolutely mandatory for me.

[Ruud Van Driver]

Whatever your view on box and papers, if your watch gets stolen they could be invaluable in proving that the watch is yours should the police or RSC recover it. Ask Tom (Gaijin)

[Calatrava r]

are a must for me on a modern watch. Too much out there to buy used without box and papers. In modern times (post 2000) people keep the papers and boxes. In the 80s and 90s they just threw them away or lost them, frequently. if a newer watch is naked it raises red flags to me.

[KingRichard]

I have mixed feelings about this topic and I'm fairly undecided. I would say that if you are looking to purchase a watch that you a sure you won't flip later on, then would saving that much be worth it without box and papers?

[aleeboy]

Originally Posted by Blakerhodes

If you are going to wear the watch and never sell it , who cares if it has box and papers ? You can't wear the papers , if the watch is legit and you trust the seller I think you are fine.

This is true. Papers effect the resale value as not everyone is purchasing a watch to keep it. There are countless serial flippers out there!

[henry333]

If it comes with it,,,sure why not.. if not it won't hurt.
If it comes with a card etc ..it don't mean it's fake .
They make fake automatic watches , box and a plastic card won't help much.
The old style paper is a lot hard to make but it's gone.

[dave023]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

are a must for me on a modern watch. Too much out there to buy used without box and papers. In modern times (post 2000) people keep the papers and boxes. In the 80s and 90s they just threw them away or lost them, frequently. if a newer watch is naked it raises red flags to me.

This.

[UnicoJG]

Very important, especially regarding peace of mind.

[WEST HAM ROLEX]

If you are going to keep the watch and never sell,,,,not important for either
If you are thinking of trading,,,better to keep them

[IwateJapan]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Ok. You're missing the point. We are talking about some bad guys that stole my watch then pawned my watch and some cops that were swamped with work and finally some pawn shop folks that were out ¥ 1,750,000.

We can agree that the papers are not a bill of sale. I bought the watch from DavidSW. I offered to contact David and have him send me a receipt. They said finally after seeing the papers "We believe you." Phew. Without those papers with the serial number on them I was sunk. They of course could have said this proves nothing, you could be in cahouts with the thief. A reasonable common sensical person looking at the totality of it all is going to understand that I am the owner and there is no way I am making this up or know the bad guys.

Trust me. Having the box, tags and papers were a game changer with the police and the pawn shop. It literally stopped them dead in their tracks from blowing me off and hoping I would go away. Retired big city street cop here and I saw officers and detectives on a daily basis doing whatever they could to find some loophole/ rationale to get a complainant to go away. Lessens their already overwhelming (probably never get around to it/no follow up caseload.) I even still had the Fedex box.

Not to mention the pawn shop's "Oops!" "We bought a hot watch." realization.

Oh and yea, the papers were not in my name. I bought it used. But just the fact that I brought all that in and pics of my watch made them finally punch in the serial number into their pawn shop database revealing that a convicted felon had pawned my watch using his own ID, thumbprint and being recorded the whole time.

Bam.

This was in Japan or America?

You used yen for the example.

Are you in Japan now? And does Japan have a database like that


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[colin46]

I wouldnt buy a used Rolex Watch without them

[beshannon]

Personally I enjoy having the complete set of things that go with the watch.

If I am spending this kind of money, I want everything it left the factory with.

A used Seiko, just give me the watch.

[chows99]

Hmmm, if i am buying a vintage or neo-vintage watch, I am pretty fine with non b&p since it costs almost 1k more for it. Condition is all i look for in the watch.

[BentleyReese]

If you are going to resale...have the watched serviced at a RSC right before you resale or within a certain time period. I like to have mine serviced when I acquire the watch (as a default base level and then if after 5 years...then serviced again prior to resale. RSC will evaluate the watch...state its current condition, and then on the final receipt you will have what they did to the watch with matching serial number inking service to the watch.

You can pick up box and booklets and chrono tag all piece meal on this forum...to make a complete set with the RSC paper receipt.

These days with counterfeits, I am sure there are counterfeit papers out there as well.

[Bello_nyc]

Idc about box and papers, if I’m planning on keeping the watch!

[yxc145]

I used to not care. Now it is a must. not only help with the value, but also make sure you are buying a good, authentic, non-stolen watch.

[mahefa]

For me it is hard to understand how somebody can lose Rolex box and papers. Of course force majeure like angry girlfriend or box and paper eating pet; but how does it disappear from the closet. I quess it is one of those ’life is a box of chocolate’ things :)

[DuncanInLeeds]

If you've ever had a watch stolen, having those papers makes filling out the insurance claim a hell of a lot easier I can tell you!

[mikkolopez]

^ this and the fact that if the watch gets recovered you can prove its yours if you've got the b&p.

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[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by Bello_nyc

Idc about box and papers, if I’m planning on keeping the watch!

For me, they help to give me some comfort that the watch comes from a legitimate source.

By way of example, the perps that pulled this ( https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=564948) assuredly will not be selling with box and papers

[Xerxes77]

Originally Posted by HL65

There are so many threads on this topic. Many people will only consider complete sets others could care less. If you were to sell clearly you will get less and eliminate a large portion of the buying public me included.

[Tangier11]

If I am not going to resell they mean nothing to me

[RolexNorth]

If possible, at least get the warrantee card. For modern Rolex's, you can buy all the other stuff piece by piece from AD's, TRF vendors, other owner's/collectors.

I figure, if you can get the watch and warrantee card for $1000 off, it will cost you $500 max to buy all the other stuff back. The box being the most expensive piece.

[subx]

"papers are not important "... says only to those whose watch does not have them....
-> papers ARE very important, and a huge price difference when present.

[Kestrel]

I think what is being said here is that we need to store all watch transactions on a blockchain. That would quiet the speculation of where did the watch come from and was every transaction authorized by the owner.

[hart23]

not so important, but you need the card for resale purposes.

[JR16]

Originally Posted by hart23

not so important, but you need the card for resale purposes.

Pretty sure if you get watch serviced by RSC, it will come back with all the documention you need for resale purposes.


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[Nikrnic]

If it makes you sleep better with a little patience you can source them out, I did for my sub it took a few weeks to get everything for under $200. Of course no warr. card

[Wiener48]

Would say very important. The older the more. For a vintage Rolex from the 60s, 70s 30-50% more?

Also, invoices, original sales invoice etc.,...

What do the experts say?