Define with ‘papers’

[engineonmute]

Hi All

Looking to purchase my first Rolex and whilst there’s a wealth of good info online, I can’t seem to find the accepted definition for ‘papers’?

Is it just the box & warranty card, is it the card, booklet, bezel protector etc? All of the above?

When buying a Rolex, what should you expect from ‘with papers’?

Appreciate the responses.

[Tools]

It's become an almost meaningless term any more.

Everything can be replaced except the warranty card/paper (which is what the warranty was originally made from)

[Beauregard]

I'd say original warranty document with serial number.

[shawn13ca]

For me, the more the better. I even keep my transaction slip. So if sell, the buyer will get everything I got at purchase.

[RJRJRJ]

To me it means warranty card or warranty paperwork.

Either way, verify with the seller and find out exactly what is included.

[jimcameron]

It may well depend on the age of the Rolex you are considering. My 16800 came with a document that looked like a title for a vehicle, no warranty card as "swiping" was not yet invented.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by engineonmute

Hi All

Looking to purchase my first Rolex and whilst there’s a wealth of good info online, I can’t seem to find the accepted definition for ‘papers’?

Is it just the box & warranty card, is it the card, booklet, bezel protector etc? All of the above?

When buying a Rolex, what should you expect from ‘with papers’?

Appreciate the responses.

The so called papers are nothing more than a in most cases a outdated warranty like you get with most say electrical goods today.And dont prove 100% authenticity of any watch,as they are far easier to fake than the watch.So when buying used always buy the seller first, and buy from a reliable source.

[RolexFan007]

Warranty card or for older models the warranty certificate

[Rolex_noobmaster]

That’s great to know. I am also confused by the term “with papers” does it include the receipt?

[Anton911]

Papers by definition mean either a punched paper warranty,comes with older Rolex or the new style credit card size warranty card,they are the same when referring to papers.
Papers when referred to are warranty paper or card not to be confused with receipts etc when purchasing a watch,nothing more.
More importantly as mentioned previously,warranty cards can be forged so better to buy the seller or even a watch that has been serviced by a RSC as the watch will have what is known as service papers or card from Rolex themselves and also authenticated by Rolex.

[TC94]

For everyone who thinks the papers don’t matter, be sure to watch this classic.

https://youtu.be/li0mRLcGbU8

Papers added $25k to the value. I keep all my receipts, tags, manual, box, etc.
You just never know.

[faimag]

"Papers" means that you get the original certificate of authenticity from Rolex (older-style punched papers or newer-style cards) that has the AD name printed on it, probably also the date of sale (if not, it's referred to as "undated"), and maybe also the name of the buyer (not critical, it can be "unnamed"). "Papers" does not refer to the original receipt, and certainly does not mean service papers/records or third-party authentication documents. Some sellers try to pass the latter two as "papers" and ask for higher prices.

"Full set" or "Complete" means you get box + papers at a minimum (aka "B&P"). If it's just these two, chances are the seller bundled your watch+papers with a box lying around (so you need to make sure it's at least period-correct). Whether or not you get all bits and pieces that originally came with the watch (such as both hangtags, booklets, cert holder, bezel protector, all links, and other little stuff, e.g. the little anchor that used to come with Submariners, or the tool kits that used to come with the Sea-Dweller) is a matter of debate. The more you get the better, obviously. This is the market terms. From a collectors' perspective, full set or complete would mean absolutely everything. Maybe also the original receipt.

Of course, if you want to be sure that this or that bit originally came with the watch, and they were not just added later by the seller, nothing beats your own research and due diligence ;)

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by shawn13ca

For me, the more the better. I even keep my transaction slip. So if sell, the buyer will get everything I got at purchase.

Same

[SoTaxLaw]

Watch “papers” = golf “woods”

[dxbtousa]

Saying goes 'buy the buyer'; make sure your buyer looks and sounds legitimate. Not some back alley discount deal offering up a great Rolex

Look through the for sale ads on this forum buy some of the reputable sellers and understand what a 'complete set' looks like

Box + Sleeve
Chrono Tag + Hang tag
Warranty card w/ matching serial #'s

Watch is as described in ad.


I've bought new watches from AD and don't have bezel protectors always, but I would say the above mentioned is bare minimum. I do usually take a picture of my receipt, for easy future ref if required

[Little machines]

Papers , warranty card ,hang tags etc. is always a plus. When you have papers etc. you have a larger audience that’s willing to buy your watch.

[The Libertine]

Documentation from Rolex identifying the make, model and serial number. Either original warranty papers or RSC paperwork. At least that is what “papers” means to me.

[springer]

Originally Posted by Anton911

Papers by definition mean either a punched paper warranty,comes with older Rolex or the new style credit card size warranty card,they are the same when referring to papers.
Papers when referred to are warranty paper or card not to be confused with receipts etc when purchasing a watch,nothing more.
More importantly as mentioned previously,warranty cards can be forged so better to buy the seller or even a watch that has been serviced by a RSC as the watch will have what is known as service papers or card from Rolex themselves and also authenticated by Rolex.

A slight addition or correction to this post.

USA warranty papers were typed beginning around 1980. There is a transition period from the punched papers to the typed papers in the USA but most USA warranty papers will be typed after or around 1980.

[Casey VP-26]

Papers have always worked for me. (at least the last 40 years anyway).

[RHIII]

Originally Posted by padi56

The so called papers are nothing more than a in most cases a outdated warranty like you get with most say electrical goods today.And dont prove 100% authenticity of any watch,as they are far easier to fake than the watch.So when buying used always buy the seller first, and buy from a reliable source.

This 100%:

[Justingtr]

I wouldn't include the white hang tag, bezel protector, or coffin in "papers" as some ADs don't let these go out the door. Papers means everything that came with the watch and box means box. If it has box and papers it still doesn't mean it has all the links or the outer boxes with it. These are things you have to be specific about asking.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[Bigblu10]

"Papers" is kind of an ambiguous word nowadays. There is a plastic warranty "card". Could also mean the little booklets that also come with the watch. Watches have not come with a paper warranty certificate for many years now. As far as the original purchase receipt from when purchased new, only a very small percentage of folks will even retain this. It is meaningless anyway.

[WatchLurv]

With papers = Warranty card.

Anything else is not needed when selling a watch. That would be called:
"Full set" = Box + instruction booklets + green round thing. As a bonus you may get bezel protector and white tag.

[jrs146]

Originally Posted by dxbtousa

Saying goes 'buy the buyer'; make sure your buyer looks and sounds legitimate. Not some back alley discount deal offering up a great Rolex

Look through the for sale ads on this forum buy some of the reputable sellers and understand what a 'complete set' looks like

Box + Sleeve
Chrono Tag + Hang tag
Warranty card w/ matching serial #'s

Watch is as described in ad.


I've bought new watches from AD and don't have bezel protectors always, but I would say the above mentioned is bare minimum. I do usually take a picture of my receipt, for easy future ref if required

I’d say that the outer white sleeve, bezel protector and white (green) hang tag are all optional. Of course they’re nice to have. But not all ADs include these with every watch.

[bazin]

*****
Example of a typical 100% complete set (incl. purchase invoice) from an unpolished, fully original 1978 Rolex 1675 GMT Master.....