Rolex Paperwork important or not

[judodave1964]

Hi all, just wondered if you could give your thoughts on the following, I went into
a local watch dealer who specialise in used Rolex's to get a price on servicing my
my 2002 sub date, I had bought my watch from there a few years ago and I ended trading my sub against the same model but this one was a 2009 model but without paperwork but with box, tag and booklets and their guarantee certificate. I paid £295 in difference which I thought was pretty good as I won't need a service for a few years. My only worry is the watch came to the dealers shop via a third hand. if the original buyer from new sold this and kept the paperwork and then in the future made an insurance lost claim,where would I stand. Rolex can only verify the day that you inquire that the watch is not stolen or lost.

[ydna808]

I would think the guarantee certificate with your name on it and the original sales receipt would validate you are the new owner of the watch. Make sure dates on both paperwork match up.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by judodave1964

Hi all, just wondered if you could give your thoughts on the following, I went into
a local watch dealer who specialise in used Rolex's to get a price on servicing my
my 2002 sub date, I had bought my watch from there a few years ago and I ended trading my sub against the same model but this one was a 2009 model but without paperwork but with box, tag and booklets and their guarantee certificate. I paid £295 in difference which I thought was pretty good as I won't need a service for a few years. My only worry is the watch came to the dealers shop via a third hand. if the original buyer from new sold this and kept the paperwork and then in the future made an insurance lost claim,where would I stand. Rolex can only verify the day that you inquire that the watch is not stolen or lost.

The Rolex paperwork = nothing more that a two year warranty much like you get with say electrical products.Once the warranty has expired well its just a bit of paper.And these bits of paper and plastic cards are the easiest to fake,and having a bit of paper/card do not prove ownership of the watch.

[dive_and_ride_1965]

I seriously believe in the importance to have/keep/buy/sell... full original set that INCLUDE papers of course, what ever how many owner the watch had or warranty expired...

[TimeToGo]

Some folks prefer the full package. The established provenance adds to the original value.

At the end of the day, you will only be wearing the watch...not the papers..

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by judodave1964

Hi all, just wondered if you could give your thoughts on the following, I went into
a local watch dealer who specialise in used Rolex's to get a price on servicing my
my 2002 sub date, I had bought my watch from there a few years ago and I ended trading my sub against the same model but this one was a 2009 model but without paperwork but with box, tag and booklets and their guarantee certificate. I paid £295 in difference which I thought was pretty good as I won't need a service for a few years. My only worry is the watch came to the dealers shop via a third hand. if the original buyer from new sold this and kept the paperwork and then in the future made an insurance lost claim,where would I stand. Rolex can only verify the day that you inquire that the watch is not stolen or lost.

You do have a sales receipt don't you?

You did by from a respectable business you can trust?

What are the chances if you did everything right, that someone would try to run a scam on you? Highly unlikely.

[beshannon]

To me paperowrk and boxes are important.

Not because they mean anything but because I like to have the complete package.

If everyone thought that, I would have the box and paperwork to go with my Fathers 1952 Omega. All I have is the watch and the memory but no information about when, where or why it was bought.

[bondtoys]

@OP

it would worry me that with a 3 year old watch everything is present but the certificate.
Maybe there is a reason for the absence and one reasons may not be very good.

For me: No certificate = No deal!

[train-time]

Tags, boxes, books, papers or card are nice to have, but I won't pay extra for them. It's the watch and the price that counts. I wear and enjoy the watch, not the papers and life is way too short to sweat the little things.

[slcbbrown]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

Some folks prefer the full package. The established provenance adds to the original value.

At the end of the day, you will only be wearing the watch...not the papers..

Well said. "Paperwork" for a watch is not the same thing as car registration/title.

[Watchzombie]

Good to have items. But condition of the watch would be more important.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by slcbbrown

Well said. "Paperwork" for a watch is not the same thing as car registration/title.

Well speaking for myself all this talk of paperwork what is the so called Rolex paperwork.Well today its now a two year warranty,before it was a one year warranty.And afraid today boxes and these so called Rolex papers don't always guarantee a genuine watch.Myself always buy on condition of watch and have no need for bits of plastic, boxes,or a in most cases a outdated warranty paper/card. And would most certainly not pay extra for in reality is just packaging except in a very very rare vintage Rolex watch .As when buying used if no service history its always wise to have watch serviced,and after said service.Guess what you get Rolex service papers but that bit of paper will be a current two year valid warranty.

[DG123]

$1,000 to $1,500.

Originally Posted by judodave1964

Hi all, just wondered if you could give your thoughts on the following, I went into
a local watch dealer who specialise in used Rolex's to get a price on servicing my
my 2002 sub date, I had bought my watch from there a few years ago and I ended trading my sub against the same model but this one was a 2009 model but without paperwork but with box, tag and booklets and their guarantee certificate. I paid £295 in difference which I thought was pretty good as I won't need a service for a few years. My only worry is the watch came to the dealers shop via a third hand. if the original buyer from new sold this and kept the paperwork and then in the future made an insurance lost claim,where would I stand. Rolex can only verify the day that you inquire that the watch is not stolen or lost.

[floater156]

It would probably help to have original box and papers for resale value. Other than that, once the warranty runs out, who cares? - You're the only one wearing your watch. :)

[Adam.]

Original paperwork is not as important as taking the watch to an AD to have the watch authenticated. If I have a paper from a RSC or AD authenticating the watch I am satisfied!

I would not pay extra for papers. An AD charges $30 to authenticate and that's happening even if there are original papers.

[Johny]

important to some but not to others.

[FremStar]

Though I am a fan of complete sets on my journey for a 1655 I did secretly take Peters advice and purchased my 1655 from Eric Ku on what I and the folks I directly sought advice from, a mint specimen sans papers & hangtags. The fact that the complete sets I saw were $7-$8k more and had beat up bracelets, wrong dials, etc. I couldn't be more happier!

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by FremStar

Though I am a fan of complete sets on my journey for a 1655 I did secretly take Peters advice and purchased my 1655 from Eric Ku on what I and the folks I directly sought advice from, a mint specimen sans papers & hangtags. The fact that the complete sets I saw were $7-$8k more and had beat up bracelets, wrong dials, etc. I couldn't be more happier!

Condition is King.

Great looking watch Sam.

[boost2perfection]

It's important to me... Just like the above posts i want and need to have everything that comes with the watch.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by boost2perfection

It's important to me... Just like the above posts i want and need to have everything that comes with the watch.

Different kettle of fish its a vintage 1655 and not like any modern day Rolex say from the late 1980s where there are millions of them around. And all basically the same except for condition a few cosmetic details, fonts and different case stamps..

[FremStar]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Condition is King.

Great looking watch Sam.

Thank you Dan!

Originally Posted by padi56

Different kettle of fish its a vintage 1655 and not like any modern day Rolex say from the late 1980s where there are millions of them around. And all basically the same except for condition a few cosmetic details, fonts and different case stamps..

Ladies and Gents! Not trying to brown nose, however, Peter does have valid points on the papers and complete sets! Not until I started doing my homework on vintage models I had no idea that many of these so-called complete sets had fake punched papers! It is a very scary world out there when it comes to vintage. On the other hand with modern pieces that are a dime a dozen the papers, boxes, hang tags, etc can be easily found, all in all buy the seller as reputation is king within the watch community! Just my 2 cents for whatever it's worth I never got the chance to thank you Peter, however, thanks for all your informative posts... I've read every single one on this topic! ;-)

[DJ Hawaii]

Put 2 of the same watches for sale on these boards and I guarantee the one with the box and papers will sell for more.

[Miller723]

Originally Posted by dive_and_ride_1965

I seriously believe in the importance to have/keep/buy/sell... full original set that INCLUDE papers of course, what ever how many owner the watch had or warranty expired...

I very much agree with your point of view[IMG]http://www.*********************[/IMG]

[FremStar]

Originally Posted by DJ Hawaii

Put 2 of the same watches for sale on these boards and I guarantee the one with the box and papers will sell for more.

Not necessarily true... If they were both the same condition, yes. If the loose piece was mint and the complete set had a beat up example you would be surprised!

[Tools]

Originally Posted by judodave1964

. . .
My only worry is the watch came to the dealers shop via a third hand. if the original buyer from new sold this and kept the paperwork and then in the future made an insurance lost claim,where would I stand. Rolex can only verify the day that you inquire that the watch is not stolen or lost.

If a previous owner made a fraudulant insurance claim, they would go to jail - it's a crime; they would not take your properly purchased watch away from you..

Rolex only starts an inquiry if they have received a proper loss/theft report from a proper authority.. If these sorts of things keep you awake at night, you should only buy from an Authorized Dealer.. ;)

[judodave1964]

Just got in from work thanks for all your reply's, I did phone Rolex Uk lost/stolen line today and an automated voice said the service has been stopped on recording lost watch's and stolen watch's can only be reported in writing with a supporting police crime number. Anyway this is my 4th sub watch over the last 20 years which have all come from this dealer but the first without paperwork. I'm more concerned that the watch is in good condition so the most important thing is I'm pleased with watch, but with all the scams you hear I just want to be 100% sure. There is a AD about 5 miles from me, so I will take it there and get it checked independently and then just enjoy the watch. I take it they would offer a verification service. One thing I did not make clear is the dealer bought the watch on its own but added the box and booklets himself, he says that most of the Rolex's he buys often come without any documentation but are checked thoroughly before being sold as his reputation is paramount.

[GradyPhilpott]

Except during the warranty period, the value of the boxes and papers have only the value that you and perhaps some prospective buyer place on them.

I have kept the boxes and papers for all my Rolex watches, even though I never intend to part with the watches.

It's all a matter of preference.

[SALTY]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

Some folks prefer the full package. The established provenance adds to the original value.

At the end of the day, you will only be wearing the watch...not the papers..

I agree. It's important to have the papwerwork for two years, after that it's much ado about nothing. A receipt proving bonafide acquistition is handly when dealing with a RSC - or the cops!

[Rags]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

Some folks prefer the full package. The established provenance adds to the original value.

At the end of the day, you will only be wearing the watch...not the papers..

Couldn't have said it better!!!

[judodave1964]

Took the watch in the morning to local AD, nice helpful guy there checked the watch over and said 100% ok, he new the the dealer I bought it off, he reckoned put the watch in next year or year after for a service through Rolex and new warranty card will be as good as. Plus with a couple of price increases by that time, the watch will have been a good buy.