The Money or the Box

[Rock]

As a relative innocent in relation to matters Rolex, perhaps more experienced members could educate me on the 'importance of Papers' in relation to a Rolex purchase.
I can see that a given standard of watch with Box & Papers usually sells for a higher price. Am I correct in thinking that the value of the Papers is:
1. It verifies the date of original purchase and therefore how long the watch has been in circulation. (We know its rough build date from its Serial No.)
2. More importantly, it verifies the build specification allowing some insight into whether dial, bezel etc has been changed.
I am preparing to purchase my next Rolex, probably from TRF sellers, and am thinking about whether I need to be looking for B&P as an essential requirement.
I bought my Cellini with B&P & aside from the Papers telling me when it was first sold (several years after build) I am wondering if they really add value.
Thanks in anticipation....

[Dr. Robert]

IMHO, it's better if you can get the box & papers.

[Speed]

Do a quickie search on "papers" Tons of good / contentious threads.

Many contend papers can be faked as well and boxes can be purchased second hand.

Bottom line, B&P are important if you plan to resell. If not, not so much.

[sakuraba]

The box and papers don't mean much to me. Speaking for myself, once I get a watch, I store the accessories in a cabinet and never see them again until it's flipping time. The document of greater importance to me is a recent service paper from an RSC which tells me how long I have before another service.

Buying from a reputable seller is far more important to me in ascertaining a watch's authenticity.

Papers do come in handy when it comes time to sell. You're able to tap the market of those who do care about these things, and those who don't.

Now if it were the plastic bezel protectors...

[2th Dr]

You crack me up Jib!

[Zed Homme]

Having the b&p definitely adds value, and will make a watch easier to sell. I agree with your second point but not the first. It is not unheard of for a watch to sit at the AD for a year or longer till it sells. Therefore, the papers cannot determine the actual build date more accurately than the serial number.

If I trust the seller, I am willing to buy a watch without b&p, especially as the lack of the allows one to negotiate a better price. However, if a resell is a possibility down the road, the extra $$ for them is money well spent...

EDIT, I should have read more closely as you referred to how long the watch has been in circulation, not how old it actually is. My mistake...

[Yazo]

As a buyer I want everything the watch originally came with... down the the receipt of purchase if possible.

[sakuraba]

Originally Posted by 2th DR

You crack me up Jib!

I hope Oscar sees the humor too.

[Speed]

Hey Jib!

I think Larry may be along soon to pooh pooh the papers...

[sakuraba]

Originally Posted by Speed

Hey Jib!

I think Larry may be along soon to pooh pooh the papers...

Hey Bill!

With Larry's box collection, I really don't blame him.

[bodybump]

Originally Posted by sakuraba

I hope Oscar sees the humor too.

Let me buy your cabinet Jib!!!

[sakuraba]

Originally Posted by bodybump

Let me buy your cabinet Jib!!!

Hey buddy!

[Colnago]

The same watch with box and papers will always sell for slightly more than one without....a complete set is always preferable....however, having the box and the papers tucked away in a drawer at home will not make the watch any better at telling the time....or make it look or feel any better.....as long as you know it is authentic and when it was last serviced there's not much else to worry about....unless you plan to sell it and want absolutely top dollar when you do....a watch with service papers will always sell, it has provenance then and some kind of guarantee......but as has been said, papers and boxes can be faked, probably a lot easier than the watch itself.....

[Tools]

Give me the cheap watch any day.............. and keep your paper......

[Colnago]

Originally Posted by Tools

Give me the cheap watch any day.............. and keep your paper......

Have to agree Larry....when I recently bought my Tudor Chrono I asked the seller...

"Are there any papers with the watch and does it have a box?"

The seller came back and said...

"No, there's no box or papers, if there had been I would have been charging a lot more"

I just laughed up my sleeve and got a bargain....I will not be selling it unless things go really pear shaped sometime in the future.....the watch is still the same watch.....

[Rock]

Thanks for the ideas.
I'm one of those people who doesn't buy until he is sure of what he wants and then tends to keep it. I don't see myself reselling any watch I buy. I think I'm hearing that if you intend to keep the watch and buy from a reputable (& knowledgeable seller) then the papers probably fall into the 'nice to have but not essential' category.
I would like to know that any watch I bought was in original condition (i.e. had not been modified in any way) A box would be nice if a non-original one was not too expensive.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Rock

Thanks for the ideas.
I'm one of those people who doesn't buy until he is sure of what he wants and then tends to keep it. I don't see myself reselling any watch I buy. I think I'm hearing that if you intend to keep the watch and buy from a reputable (& knowledgeable seller) then the papers probably fall into the 'nice to have but not essential' category.
I would like to know that any watch I bought was in original condition (i.e. had not been modified in any way) A box would be nice if a non-original one was not too expensive.

You can buy a box all day long for a hundred bucks............. You can be sure too that if it comes with a box, the seller is also charging you that same hundred..............

[Safetrends]

Originally Posted by Tools

You can buy a box all day long for a hundred bucks............. You can be sure too that if it comes with a box, the seller is also charging you that same hundred..............

Larry great to see you, are you still in Alaska?