Buying a Rolex without a box

[flynnbod]

Hi. Obviously it’s possible to buy a pre-owned Rolex watch on its own, with papers, or with box and papers (and if you’re really keen, the “full set”). The price obviously rises in each case.

Whilst I won’t sit and look at b&p for long after I get it, I like the comfort of knowing I have them. However it looks like there’s a massive premium (£500+) to include the box vs watch and papers only. Seems crazy when you can pick up a Rolex box from eBay and other sources at 10-20% of that price. Appreciate some buyers want the original box but is that it? Or are these “genuine Rolex boxes” actually generally fake when sold separately like this?