Papers or no papers

[Kobin]

I am on a hunt for a 5513. I know what I want, I know what I can afford. I am not desperate to buy quickly and I can wait until I find the watch that I want.

So what about the paperwork? I would only buy from somebody that I can trust. Do I really need original papers? I wouldn’t want to sell the watch in the future. I want to own it and I want to wear it.

On the other hand one might argue a watch is only complete with the original papers. Which will cost me because watches including papers are usually more expensive – no rocket science.

What do you think? Are you prepared to pay a ‘documents surcharge’? Should I just purchase the perfect watch as soon as it comes along, pay less and not worry about papers?

[Vincent65]

You don't 'need' papers. They're nice to have, but you pay more, and you can't wear them.
Having said that, I'm glad I have B&P with my vintage, but I was not shopping for that - it was the watch first, and that's what was available.

[FrankNYC]

Absolutely no papers for a watch I'm going to wear; it's not worth the premium to me.
Now, If I were a collecter looking for an "investment grade" watch that I will not wear and leave in a safe...

[greekbum]

Buy the nicest watch you can afford and if it has papers its a bonus IMHO.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

You don't 'need' papers. They're nice to have, but you pay more, and you can't wear them.
Having said that, I'm glad I have B&P with my vintage, but I was not shopping for that - it was the watch first, and that's what was available.

Originally Posted by FrankNYC

Absolutely no papers for a watch I'm going to wear; it's not worth the premium to me.
Now, If I were a collecter looking for an "investment grade" watch that I will not wear and leave in a safe...

Originally Posted by greekbum

Buy the nicest watch you can afford and if it has papers its a bonus IMHO.

dP

[Frogman4me]

Originally Posted by greekbum

Buy the nicest watch you can afford and if it has papers its a bonus IMHO.

+1

Not a deal breaker, nowadays I prefer no papers

[htinez]

Given a choice between a good quality watch without papers and a lower quality watch with papers I'd go for the former IMHO.

[Kobin]

Oh wow, I wasn't expecting that. Everybody agree? Interesting, I kinda felt the same as I am definitely not an investor.

Cheers!

[Time Exposure]

Now that rainy season begins here in California, I'm going to stop wearing the papers as they will get soggy.

A watch without papers wouldn't stop me from buying the watch but I would prefer them. Given your situation, don't bother.

[lhanddds]

We don't need no stinkin papers

[padi56]

Originally Posted by lhanddds

We don't need no stinkin papers

Its makes be laugh out loud when I see post regarding the so called Rolex papers.These papers are not like the Declaration of Independence or the Magna Carta.All they are in reality is in most cases a out dated warranty,while I would agree on some rare vintage it would be great to have the so called full set.But many of these so called full sets are the easiest to fake with todays technology.Give me a watch in good condition over one in lesser condition with a out dated bit of paper and a packaging box.

[Roley]

I have never paid premium for a watch with papers. I require documentation for any acquisition that I make. (No papers...no deal) That’s just me.

[mks4]

The primary cool thing about box and papers is opening it for the first time and having the exact same "new" watch sensation as when buying a current model. 10 minutes after that and the packaging is forgotten unless you dressed up in bellbottoms to be "period correct" for the unveiling.

Also, box and papers seem silly and overrated when I see a beat-up watch with them.

[Michael M.]

Papers for me are NOT a must.....the condition of the watch is more important to me

[Gaijin]

Man. You guys are hard core. I want the full meal deal when I buy a Rolex. Box. Papers. Tags. Polishing cloth. Bezel cover if I can get it.

Found a used flawless Z serial LV in Tokyo last week for $4900 at a grey dealer. No box or papers. I passed. I really wanted that watch too.

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Man. You guys are hard core. I want the full meal deal when I buy a Rolex. Box. Papers. Tags. Polishing cloth. Bezel cover if I can get it.

Found a used flawless Z serial LV in Tokyo last week for $4900 at a grey dealer. No box or papers. I passed. I really wanted that watch too.

I'd say that make you the one who's "hard core"...

[pdoukas]

Like most, I do not require papers. I purchase from trusted sellers and have the watch inspected by a competent watch maker to verify authenticity.

However, I plan on handing down the watches that I do have. What my children do with them afterwards is up to them. In order to get the most from those watches I send the watch to The RSC for service papers. The service papers provides a couple of things for me. First, it provides ownership, so in the event of theft or loss my insurance is covered or I can possibly be reunited with my watch. Secondly, it provides authenticity beyond a doubt that everything is Rolex! Finally, in the event I do have to sell them, I'll have a much easier time doing so. But paying a premium for papers is not in future.

[Kobin]

Originally Posted by pdoukas

However, I plan on handing down the watches that I do have. What my children do with them afterwards is up to them. In order to get the most from those watches I send the watch to The RSC for service papers. The service papers provides a couple of things for me. First, it provides ownership, so in the event of theft or loss my insurance is covered or I can possibly be reunited with my watch. Secondly, it provides authenticity beyond a doubt that everything is Rolex! Finally, in the event I do have to sell them, I'll have a much easier time doing so.

Good point, agreed.

[Darlinboy]

Can't wear papers... All else being equal, I would not pay more.

[lsavoldi]

Not for me. Bought a watch from a well known seller with papers that looked absolutely perfect.
Got a message from a forum member who had sold the watch to the seller.
Detail: with no papers!!!
Papers appeared out of the blue, and the problem is that even my watchmaker, who worked 20 years for Rolex, could not tell if they were real or fake.
Watch itself is fantastic, but I have paid a premium for trash. Learning process, the hard way.
Bottom line: Unless you are a real expert or buy from the proved original owner, you can get scammed just like I was.
luciano

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by lsavoldi

Not for me. Bought a watch from a well known seller with papers that looked absolutely perfect.
Got a message from a forum member who had sold the watch to the seller.
Detail: with no papers!!!
Papers appeared out of the blue, and the problem is that even my watchmaker, who worked 20 years for Rolex, could not tell if they were real or fake.
Watch itself is fantastic, but I have paid a premium for trash. Learning process, the hard way.
Bottom line: Unless you are a real expert or buy from the proved original owner, you can get scammed just like I was.
luciano

that sucks/blows paper chunks, sorry to see this

[jmp909]

Originally Posted by lsavoldi

Not for me. Bought a watch from a well known seller with papers that looked absolutely perfect.
Got a message from a forum member who had sold the watch to the seller.
Detail: with no papers!!!
Papers appeared out of the blue, and the problem is that even my watchmaker, who worked 20 years for Rolex, could not tell if they were real or fake.
Watch itself is fantastic, but I have paid a premium for trash. Learning process, the hard way.
Bottom line: Unless you are a real expert or buy from the proved original owner, you can get scammed just like I was.
luciano

Can you provide details? This should not be a *well known* seller on here if he or she is faking papers. (I mean to say they should not continue to be well known, at least in a positive way)

[Kiwinz]

Take Your time and buy from a trusted Seller and get the dial type and patina that You like.

Good Luck.

...don't forget, even fakes can have papers.

[cornerstore]

If you are keeping it forever papers are just that, paper. However if you will one day sell the watch then after buying and selling a number of watches one things is clear in my experiencer, papers=better price=quicker sale. To underscore that point I had an Omega Seamaster,I wore it from 1992 to 2008.I sold the Omega on EBay for 50% more money than the going rate and had the winning bid take out my reserve one hour into the auction .I was told by the buyer that I got that premium because the watch was in good condition but more importantly to him I had the original sales slip from 1992.

[RC2]

Rule of thumb. Buy the seller.

[eparisini]

Buy a stunning watch, buy the seller, don't care about papers!

[Alexus]

Originally Posted by eparisini

Buy a stunning watch, buy the seller, don't care about papers!

+1 except if you are doing an investment :)

[wokafu]

the papers only 'valuable' when you about to sell it IMHO...since you're not ...paper or not it doesnt matter

[Kingair]

If it was a really 'special' watch I would go for papers and pay the premium

But . . . . papers you put somewhere in a drawer . . . maybe in your vault . . . or just get lost during the years . . .

So I would opt for a watch in better condition over the paper premium . . .

And I wear my watches (and not the papers) . . .

Wearing them . . . that's why I buy them ;-)

My .02

HAGOne

[hnt1987]

paper is a bonus to have for selling the watch again in the future, but it is not necessary.

Just open the case in the back of the Rolex; if all of the movement parts look authentic, then it's a Buy with or without paper.

It's all up to you!!!