Why is Box & Papers so important?

[josh6262]

What is the reason that so many people care so much about the original box and papers. The warranty is over after a year and the papers do not show ownership or clear title to the watch. They are meaningless except that they came with the watch when first purchased. The box gets placed in storage and never used with the watch. But a pre-owned Rolex can be worth a few hundred or even a few thousand dollars more with these two useless items. Can anyone help me understand the reasons for this?

[WatchWeb]

It looks prettier displayed in its original box rather than in some bubble wrap in a generic box.

Papers I guess give price of mind at first glance that it is genuine Rolex.

IMHO

[Lumberjact]

No idea. I don't see the logic to placing value on the packaging of any product. I wear the watch, not the packaging.

[kilyung]

For me it's added insurance that the watch wasn't stolen. Otherwise they're worthless.

[RolexDivers]

If the watch does not have paper BUT you can prove you bought it from some
heavy seller on TRF, then that definitely is peace of mind too!!!

[77T]

Saving the box and papers will make your resale go smoother (if you ever do sell).
If you're keeping it for life, then the box has some value on eBay because people often need one to complete a set.

[josh6262]

Originally Posted by kilyung

For me it's added insurance that the watch wasn't stolen. Otherwise they're worthless.

That doesn't really make any sense. What if the thief stole the watch with the box & papers?

[josh6262]

Originally Posted by 77T

Saving the box and papers will make your resale go smoother (if you ever do sell).
If you're keeping it for life, then the box has some value on eBay because people often need one to complete a set.

I know it does. The question is why?

[77T]

Originally Posted by josh6262

I know it does. The question is why?

Because the market for Pre-owned Rolex puts a value on it. It's like asking why people pay more for Starbucks - there could be a hundred different answers.

[eric23]

Gives me something to fill my closet with.

[bycrom]

I asked this same question a few days ago, adding my thread link for reference.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=265157

[Speed]

Ahh...the eternal question.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by kilyung

For me it's added insurance that the watch wasn't stolen. Otherwise they're worthless.

Originally Posted by josh6262

That doesn't really make any sense. What if the thief stole the watch with the box & papers?

Who keeps their watch in the original box with the papers and what burglar is anal/knowledgeable enough to search for matching box/papers? Besides, I said it was ADDED insurance against purloined property.

[brkanand]

I need to be absolutely certain that I am buying a genuine product. Original papers also mean a lot to me. This of course is a personal interpretation

Agreed each one to his own but why do some people throw away the original Rolex box? (and not the watch!?) Is the box truly worthless then?

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by brkanand

I need to be absolutely certain that I am buying a genuine product. Original papers also mean a lot to me. This of course is a personal interpretation

Agreed each one to his own but why do some people throw away the original Rolex box? (and not the watch!?) Is the box truly worthless then?

Not everyone is as sick as us. Some people buy the watch and walk out of the store without any box or papers. It's no less authentic.

[forestone]

Originally Posted by kilyung

For me it's added insurance that the watch wasn't stolen. Otherwise they're worthless.

I agree.

Cheers,
Forest 1

[imono]

Originally Posted by 77T

Because the market for Pre-owned Rolex puts a value on it. It's like asking why people pay more for Starbucks - there could be a hundred different answers.

Has anyone tried the $7.00 Starbucks coffee flavor yet?

[68camaro]

It mattered to me, I bought here from trusted seller and I wanted both boxes, papers, tags for mainly three reasons:
1. To make it a complete set. Having all the paraphernalia on a purchase of this cost just seems to make it fully complete to me (irrational maybe)
2. Having all papers gives extra assurance of authenticity
3. If I need to resell, I do believe market will put premium on watches with original boxes, etc

My two cents......

Chuck

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by josh6262

What is the reason that so many people care so much about the original box and papers. The warranty is over after a year and the papers do not show ownership or clear title to the watch. They are meaningless except that they came with the watch when first purchased. The box gets placed in storage and never used with the watch. But a pre-owned Rolex can be worth a few hundred or even a few thousand dollars more with these two useless items. Can anyone help me understand the reasons for this?

To me they are part of the original from the manufacturer package.

As for the box, some of my watches are stored in them so they serve their purpose

[scarab007]

Probably the same reason why people ask for a carfax and want to know if you had service done at the dealership versus an independent when buying a used car. People get a piece of mind from certain things and when buying a preloved Rolex the box and papers help calm the nerves a bit.

I personally kept all my papers, box and receipt just for the fact of having them and if I do need to sell, I can prove authenticity.

[subtona]

its not.

[Roller07]

Why are the papers and box important?

The world may never know.

[CDNWatchNut]

I would give preference to a watch that comes with them, but it's not a deal killer for me if the watch is right. It does seem to be more of an issue for buyers of Rolex than with other brands.

[gregmoeck]

The watch can still be stolen if it comes with card or papers, however like many of us on this board we are flippers, we dont keep watches long and sell them or trade them. It's an easier sell or trade if you have a full package, keeps up the value a bit, and the card is a little ease of mind that the watch is real.

[GradyPhilpott]

When a Rolex is purchased new, it comes with a box, some booklets, a warranty card, and a receipt.

All of that is what you pay for and if ever you decide to sell it, then the buyer would be getting exactly the same thing, if those items are preserved.

If you buy a Timex, you also get a box, a booklet or two, some sort of warranty document, and a receipt.

If ever you wanted to sell your Timex, well, you'd be hard pressed to find a buyer and if you did, you might be able to buy a pack of cigarettes with the proceeds.

The Rolex will keep it's value much better and may even appreciate over time and insofar as there are buyers who put a premium on the box and papers, the seller will benefit by having those items as part of the sale.

It doesn't have to make any sense, because that's just the way it is.

Whoever said that markets must be logical?

[Rags]

Some people just want the entire package when purchasing a preowned watch, I know I prefer to have all the papers and boxes..

[NeedHelp]

I have a 116710 on the way from a trusted seller here on TRF. It DOES NOT have either the box or papers. I will not loose one moments sleep. I have owned many Rolex watches over the years and have yet to wear or use the box and papers. For a collectors set such as a red sub or DRSD I can see where being complete would add value. For say a 16610 which there are millions of and I can not see being rare in our life time I just do not see the value. I would place value on a service receipt because it states the date of service and provides piece of mind in estimating when another service may be needed.

[Speed]

You would see the value if you tried to sell your watches.

[mjclark32]

What else would I put in my cabinet to never look at???

[Palmasea]

For all the obvious reasons that many have already mentioned, I'm all for keeping all documents, including the receipt, warranty card, instructions, service papers etc..but frankly, I dislike having to store the useless boxes - expecially the huge Panerai ones.