How important are the box, papers and hangtags?

[ccaballero]

Trusted seller plus recent RSC service card is as good as having original papers. Alternatively, buy without papers and send to RSC for service

[Ssunnylee24]

How important?
Not as important as the quality of the watch and the asking price from the seller.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by digitalcrocodile

Hello. I am curious to know how the box, papers and hangtags affect the value of a Rolex watch? I assume some of these are extremely helpful in establishing the provenance of a vintage watch, but what about for newer watches? Also, is the box unique to the watch that came in it? Thanks, Robert

As you have read so far, there are a lot of opinions, but there is a lot of myth here too.

No "collector" is going to pass up a good condition "collectible" because it doesn't have an old box and paper; that would be plain silly. However, those old papers may be worth as much as the watch too because they are very, very, rare to still be with their precious.

Modern watches, I wouldn't pay much extra. There are plenty of watches around with and without so your watch "with papers" isn't any more special than the other guys and there are plenty of buyers for both.

Most used watches will never see collector-status. Don't pass up a good watch without for a marginal example just because it has an outdated warranty paper. Condition is paramount.

[DCVT]

It's interesting that this topic is right next to the thread about my lost/stolen DaytonaC. Seems like most buyers strongly prefer having papers; is it more important to have papers for newer, more highly in-demand watches vs. vintage collector pieces? Is that due to potential for buying a stolen watch? What happens when you buy a stolen watch, send it to RSC and it comes back flagged as stolen?

[Rolexsd4000]

Speaking of collecting
This has tremendous sentimental value and it’s a piece that never gets sold . I do not have original box papers back then it was a warranty paper .
Been serviced by RSC NYC . All receipts and what was done .
She is a beauty .
I started this answer to the thread about what I do with stickers and how important it is (to me )
So with pics let’s put this thread to bed ....


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[Jim Smyth]

I have bought and sold/traded both ways. Price will always be better with all the paperwork. If the price is right and you want a certain watch that doesnt have paperwork, then a trip to RSC will take care of that problem. Will come back with a fresh new 2 year warranty card with your watches serial number which should carry the same weight as original paperwork IMO.

[TheRolexKingofLV]

They are mandatory for me.

[maximus1]

No sure thing on a preowned watch, but box papers and hang tags helps.

[T.Rex]

While nice to have....Papers from a something like a 16610/14060 usually really just add to the price of the watch. If you need them, Ebay has complete sets of virtually everything. I wear my watch daily and the box is just put aside. Now if it's a newer model than it's a must due to the warranty... obviously.

[vladamir15]

I think the value falls between $500-$1000.

[Ssunnylee24]

Originally Posted by Jim Smyth

I have bought and sold/traded both ways. Price will always be better with all the paperwork. If the price is right and you want a certain watch that doesnt have paperwork, then a trip to RSC will take care of that problem. Will come back with a fresh new 2 year warranty card with your watches serial number which should carry the same weight as original paperwork IMO.

Amen

[arosado]

If you are keeping the watch has less value than selling it in the long run.

[49ers101hitters]

They’re not important. You can’t wear boxes.


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[Gaijin]

This has been discussed many many times on here. If you are buying to keep, just wear and have no intention of ever selling then you can skip all the boxes, papers etc..


However if you like to play around with new watches every now and then and want to sell to find a new watch you are going to get a much better resale with a full set.

[Fabrice M]

If you are a collector, it’s a must. It will add 10-15% to the watch value, in some case more.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by Jim Smyth

I have bought and sold/traded both ways. Price will always be better with all the paperwork. If the price is right and you want a certain watch that doesnt have paperwork, then a trip to RSC will take care of that problem. Will come back with a fresh new 2 year warranty card with your watches serial number which should carry the same weight as original paperwork IMO.

Which it does not, service papers are second best and only if from a RSC.
It's about having the original set complete. I don't care at all about the actual validity of the warranty. Never needed any on a Rolex

[RollieRoll]

Originally Posted by vladamir15

I think the value falls between $500-$1000.

Depending on the piece it could be more than that

[SkyKing31]

It depends .. I prefer to have the boxes, papers, and hang tags .. You'll usually get a little more money if your selling your watch with everything it came with .. As for the newer watches (6 digit reference with warranty card) it is a must for those items accompany the watch if I am going to buy it pre owned .. Not everyone feels the same way I do though .. That is why I said it depends.

[ragsk]

Just dug this up.

So for my watches I normally dont keep the tags but everything else. Never thought about keeping them.

For example I have a Daytona 116520 with white dial. I bought it brand new in 2006. I have the following:

1. Box
2. Outer box
3. Daytona instruction booklet
4. Rolex Wallet that holds:
- Guarantee Certificate with watch serial number and AD stamp and date
- A Rolex calendar card
- Translation booklet (?)
5. A service booklet (Votre Rolex Oyster)
6. Original purchase receipt in my name from an authorised dealer (which has the watch serial number on it)

I don't have any tags nor stickers. Shame I should have kept them. The dealer my have removed them when sizing the watch or I may have just thrown them away.

Is it really such a deal breaker from some? I would never have considered keeping them until I read this thread and others.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by mailman

For a watch that's currently in production they're a must for me. As far as value goes, you'd have to check sales ads for watches with and without the accessories.

This exactly. I assume box and papers cost a little more but it just feels right. Like buying a car with the window sticker and all the manuals.

[uhren917]

Originally Posted by ragsk

Just dug this up.
...

I don't have any tags nor stickers. Shame I should have kept them. The dealer my have removed them when sizing the watch or I may have just thrown them away.

Is it really such a deal breaker from some? I would never have considered keeping them until I read this thread and others.

IMO, you have most all of it. Tattered stickers though to me arent that important. However, for all my purchases I keep everything now, even the stickers. I offered trading an older 5 reference watch to get a newer 6 reference Submariner and the full set made a difference of $400.

Here is a good video on this subject.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KbdXXTU0Ko