Would you Rather have a Bracelet on your Pre-Owned Rolex or Original Box & Papers?

[Watchfamm]

Which one is more important from a Collector’s Perspective? Bracelet on your Rolex (or any other brand) or Original box & papers?

[ras47]

As a non-collector and daily wearer, the bracelet. As a collector, however, a bracelet is easily replaced. Original box and papers not so much.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by Watchfamm

Which one is more important from a Collector’s Perspective? Bracelet on your Rolex (or any other brand) or Original box & papers?

I don't fully understand the question. Context might help. Are you considering two different watches, one with the original bracelet but not box and papers, an the other without the original bracelet but with box and papers?

[Watchfamm]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

I don't fully understand the question. Context might help. Are you considering two different watches, one with the original bracelet but not box and papers, an the other without the original bracelet but with box and papers?

Yes I’m actually trying to find out from a Collector’s Point of View is it important to have a bracelet on the watch without bnp or have bnp without a Bracelet.
Would you rather lose on the Bracelet or box and papers?

[Javier2.0t]

Personally I’d rather give up the box and papers.
Although with a vintage Rolex you’d probably get more out of original box and papers than a bracelet.

[Likestheshiny]

I wear my only Rolex on a leather strap, and I'd still choose the bracelet. I'd take a complete watch over complete paperwork any day.

[Chadridv]

kind of depends on the price difference. If the value of the bracelet is reduced from the purchase price appropriately, i'd prefer the B&P. Those can't be replaced.

However, it kind of depends on the watch too. We talking vintage? Some vintage watches might have parts easily accessible, while others are near impossible to find the original parts.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by Watchfamm

Yes I’m actually trying to find out from a Collector’s Point of View is it important to have a bracelet on the watch without bnp or have bnp without a Bracelet.
Would you rather lose on the Bracelet or box and papers?

If I were a collector, I would opt to lose on neither. If I were buying for myself, I'd want the bracelet more than box and papers.

[You]

I'd rather have a bracelet especially on the gold and two tone models.

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[Watchfamm]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

kind of depends on the price difference. If the value of the bracelet is reduced from the purchase price appropriately, i'd prefer the B&P. Those can't be replaced.

However, it kind of depends on the watch too. We talking vintage? Some vintage watches might have parts easily accessible, while others are near impossible to find the original parts.

I agree bnp can’t be replaced but with patience you can probably find age appropriate bracelet


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[Watchfamm]

Originally Posted by You

I'd rather have a bracelet especially on the gold and two tone models.

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For sure Gold and TT Bracelets are different story. For example if you were to buy a 14060m if you had to choose, would you rather have Bracelet or box and papers for it?

[marcellomatt5]

My friend says: “i use the watch, not the box and papers.”

Make sense to me...

I had a Tudor BB blue that I bought new and with leather strap. At the time of selling I admit I would have preferred to have bought one with the bracelet. the difference was huge. Others with bracelet and without the papers had a better sale.

Rolex it’s a little different market (vintages to), but if not the case, i think the bracelet worth more.

[Watchfamm]

Originally Posted by marcellomatt5

My friend says: “i use the watch, not the box and papers.”

Make sense to me...

I had a Tudor BB blue that I bought new and with leather strap. At the time of selling I admit I would have preferred to have bought one with the bracelet. the difference was huge. Others with bracelet and without the papers had a better sale.

Rolex it’s a little different market (vintages to), but if not the case, i think the bracelet worth more.

I’m personally a huge fan of Bracelets on watches especially Oyster Bracelets. I’d choose the Bracelet over leather any day but at the end of the day as mentioned above box and papers are irreplaceable ps I wear my vintage Constellation on leather just once a week and I go through the leather/Lizard strap in a month or two. That 200-300 dollars difference in retail price between leather and steel is definitely worth it, because Bracelets cost $500+ individually that being said since Bracelets from third party sources are rare and highly in demand there’s always going to be a significant mark up vs. Retail price difference between leather and steel bracelet.


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[Hamstur]

I would not buy a Rolex missing either bracelet or B&P.

[marcellomatt5]

Originally Posted by Watchfamm

I’m personally a huge fan of Bracelets on watches especially Oyster Bracelets. I’d choose the Bracelet over leather any day but at the end of the day as mentioned above box and papers are irreplaceable ps I wear my vintage Constellation on leather just once a week and I go through the leather/Lizard strap in a month or two. That 200-300 dollars difference in retail price between leather and steel is definitely worth it, because Bracelets cost $500+ individually that being said since Bracelets from third party sources are rare and highly in demand there’s always going to be a significant mark up vs. Retail price difference between leather and steel bracelet.


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Certainly. In this case, the only thing I would seek would be some proof of origin. To me a service card would serve. since it is not a very collectible piece and I have a price that is consistent with the state and the lack of box and paper.

[CRM114]

There is only one example of original papers for any watch, and it's connected to the case/movement. Other things can be sourced that are period-correct for that model including the bracelet, box, etc. That said, keep in mind when collecting something sold "with original papers" that papers can be counterfeited more easily than the watch, and there are more experts out there who can spot a counterfeit watch more readily than faked papers. The existence of original papers does not guarantee the authenticity of the watch.

Some bracelets, however, aren't easy or are expensive to source especially to be originally-correct. Vintage Day Dates, for example. The bracelet is just as defining to that model as it's Day complication, but so many bracelets were sold/melted in the past you'll see a large number of watch heads only or with bracelets produced by various non-Rolex manufacturers. Buying a correct Day Date bracelet can be as expensive as buying the watch itself.

[Watchfamm]

Originally Posted by CRM114

There is only one example of original papers for any watch, and it's connected to the case/movement. Other things can be sourced that are period-correct for that model including the bracelet, box, etc. That said, keep in mind when collecting something sold "with original papers" that papers can be counterfeited more easily than the watch, and there are more experts out there who can spot a counterfeit watch more readily than faked papers. The existence of original papers does not guarantee the authenticity of the watch.

Some bracelets, however, aren't easy or are expensive to source especially to be originally-correct. Vintage Day Dates, for example. The bracelet is just as defining to that model as it's Day complication, but so many bracelets were sold/melted in the past you'll see a large number of watch heads only or with bracelets produced by various non-Rolex manufacturers. Buying a correct Day Date bracelet can be as expensive as buying the watch itself.

100%, Thanks for the insight


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[037]

I'd rather have the bracelet assuming the endlinks, links and clasp code are correct and match the production year of the case. That's where many fall short. They're the correct style of bracelet but aren't original to the watch.

[atm08]

Box and papers

[BrazenC5]

The original punched papers. Everything else is easily sourced.

Hand written serial paperwork is generally not given a premium as easily faked.

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[Speed]

Originally Posted by Watchfamm

Yes I’m actually trying to find out from a Collector’s Point of View is it important to have a bracelet on the watch without bnp or have bnp without a Bracelet.
Would you rather lose on the Bracelet or box and papers?

Depends on the watch.

[JohnnyNoDate]

Condition first - always. Then parts (dial, hands, bezels, bracelets).

IMO experienced collectors could not care less about book and papers if they find the best piece possible. They just add weight to the price.

[Tools]

Collectors don't collect just anything that comes along.

Neither choice is "original", so why would I add it to my collection.