Service card vs original papers vs. CPO

[cascadez71]

1. Would you value service papers (still valid for 18 months) essentially equal value to original papers/card when buying preowned?

I feel they must be rather similar in 'value', both presumably demonstrate provenance. I suspect selling you will get less for service papers than original, but difference is marginal?

2. What is the CPO value worth to you when buying used? Cost of one service?

And yes, I am only comparing between trusted sellers and CPO. Looks like "non trusted sellers" aka. reddit/watchexchange sellers with >1 year history and >50 feedback will save maybe 7-10% on a steel professional model vs. trusteds.

[Tools]

Sellers always want every jot and tittle to be "worth" more, while buyers don't want to pay extra for what they expect to be included.

1. Condition is paramount. You would never pay extra for paper for a lesser watch when you can get a mint example for the same cost. "Papers" are fluid and mean something different to everybody and are not always a plus or minus set value.

2. CPO has not been in the market long enough to see a value basis. It will be worth more today simply because it cost more to buy one, in a few years it is little more than another used watch, although it helps provenance.

[Portofino2023]

The CPO price premium is enormous. Beautiful mint Hulk’s trade $16K-$18K. CPO they are asking $25K-$27K. Huh? The watch is 50% more valuable because it’s had a service?

[Easy E]

To me, the CPO is only worth the cost of a service.

[Flypanam]

I think the most important thing about all these documents, as mentioned above, is provenance / proof of authenticity.

*ALL ELSE BEING EQUAL* meaning, same watch, same year, same collateral, same condition, all serviced at the same time (even if this is not actually realistic for logistic reasons) an original warranty card, a service card, and a CPO card, will all establish the same thing. The watch was inspected by Rolex and is completely original.

This has been my experience with CPO... CPO costs a lot more. More than it's worth. It's likely cheaper to buy a naked watch and have it serviced by Rolex, so they can first of all give it a complete service, and also provide a service card and pouch.

However, I got lucky, and got a third party pre-owned CPO watch. Meaning.. a guy bought a CPO watch from an AD, had it for literally less than a month, didn't like it, sold it to a third party (me) for market value, which was several thousand less than CPO. I now have a full CPO kit, including the card which establishes provenance, a serviced watch, and the remainder / majority of the 2 year warranty, for the same price I would have paid for a used watch with the original card but without remaining warranty. To me this was worth it in this extremely specific circumstance where someone else's loss was my gain.

[joli160]

1. No, not even close.
It’s not about the warranty, a service is very cheap and you can obtain service papers any time you want how often you like for the cost of a service about $800.
Service papers don’t guarantee anything either, the watch can be tampered with after the service.

Original papers are issued only once and forget about getting a replacement card. All else being equal the one you want to have has the original papers.
Lots of people think different but facts are very clear, market shows us that naked watches or service paper only are a lot cheaper and much more difficult to sell.

CPO even less interesting, tells us that the watch has been dressed up to sell with a fresh guarantee. Not necessarily fully serviced even. Much prefer the original set which came with the watch on its birth year.

[majidessa]

There are pros and cons to each depending on watch model and location
CPO
- Full authentication by Rolex that all parts are genuine and meets Rolex criteria for resale.
- All parts that are deemed necessary to replace by Rolex are replaced during service (movement, braceles, dials ...etc).
- It gives more assurance that the watch is not Stolen.
- Sometimes orginal papers and box are also provided (as i have heard).
- Main issue is the high premium. If CPO pricing was competitive, grey dealers will be out of business.

As a buyer, orginal papers are important but they have zero benefit if warranty has expired, and they won't give any assurance that the watch is all genuine or trouble free.

A recent service card will provide more assurance but not the same as CPO.

[77T]

Regarding a recent service card providing more assurance versus CPO, I'd like to hear from recent CPO buyers.

The service card has this feature:
https://www.rolex.com/en-us/watch-ca...x-service-card



I wonder if any CPO owners have been able to do that with the CPO card?

Why ask?
Because these cards are easy to counterfeit but the chip and the App makes the service card more secure.

I'm hoping the CPO card has the same chip feature.




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[1William]

It is all about the seller and the watch. The CPO program is a money grab from the AD's who are trying to cash in on the secondary market. It has not worked against the Secondary Market, only made it stronger and it looks like a bargain in comparison. If you think our Trusted Sellers are high on the watch prices, try out the CPO market. They pray on the uninformed and scared. Those who can not or will not do research into secondary pricing and are scared of the internet or legitimate secondary dealers. There are so many great watches out there form legitimate dealers that all it takes is some time and energy to do a little research. In the end, this is another question about money.

[Calatrava r]

No. When buying pre-owned, a complete set is the most desirable and nothing else comes close. Used watches may need service and that is a cost of ownership, not a value enhancer. Same as with a car.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Condition first. Paperwork second. A watch with service history (ie. RSC service card) - assuming it's relatively recent, is just as good as a watch with original warranty papers. An unpolished watch in original and pristine condition without papers is far more desirable than an overpolished watch with service parts that has original paperwork.

Collectors will often pay a premium for original paperwork ofc, especially if we're talking an older 4 digit and other rarer references.

[PBJ1925]

If the question is how would I value the various Rolex cards if all things are relatively equal of the watch that are issued by the crown:

OG Card / Papers > CPO Card > Rolex Service Card