Rolex Papers - Should it be a deal breaker?

[big972]

Hi all,

I need some advise? I'm currently looking at a preloved 2010 TT DJ2 with a grey dial and green roman numerals. The price is reasonable and the watch is in mint condition. Unfortunately, the papers doesn't come with it. The dealer has discounted the watch due to this so I am a bit reluctant to get it as long term value will be affected. I don't intend to sell it but just in case I do at least I can sell at a more reasonable price. Anyway, any advise or opinion is much appreciated

Thanks

[Naya72]

I am usually worried about where the watch coming from, that is why I need the paper..
But if I know and trust the seller, I am ok with that..

[big972]

Thanks Naya, it's a reputable dealer so no issues There. I also bought from them in the past. Although this is the case I'm just being particular About the papers.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by big972

Hi all,

I need some advise? I'm currently looking at a preloved 2010 TT DJ2 with a grey dial and green roman numerals. The price is reasonable and the watch is in mint condition. Unfortunately, the papers doesn't come with it. The dealer has discounted the watch due to this so I am a bit reluctant to get it as long term value will be affected. I don't intend to sell it but just in case I do at least I can sell at a more reasonable price. Anyway, any advise or opinion is much appreciated

Thanks

The so called papers all they are is just a warranty paper/card much like you get with say a TV.And would doubt if any modern day Rolex would be classed as being or getting collectible in near future.The most important bit is the watch the warranty paper/card is only of real importance if you need any warranty work in the warranty period.Now when its time to get the watch serviced you will get RSC service papers with all the watch information plus that paper will be a two year current warranty. As you state you are not going to sell it why worry over a bit of paper or card.And today these so called papers are the easiest to fake and papers dont always prove any watch is the genuine article but buy from a reliable source the watch is the most important.

[Dan Pierce]

Hell no. If the watch is legit, you trust the seller, and agree on the price, it's a non issue.
dP

[CarFreak]

If you're going to keep it and trust the dealer, get it. Hopefully you are saving some money since it's missing.

If you like to flip watches, it's harder to sell without one.

[DiamondJack]

I posted this on another thread yesterday but it's also appropriate here....

Papers only really add value on vintage sets since, back in the day, Rolex's were not that expensive (relatively) and the papers had no known value and therefore were rarely kept.

However, jump forward 30 or 40 years ...... and because vintage Rolex's with a complete set of paperwork are quite difficult to come by and do sell for a premium (often 15% - 20% more than a loose watch) everybody keeps all the paper work and boxes, sales receipts etc on their new watches.

Therefore by default, the paperwork everybody is now keeping and storing safely will have little or no extra value in 10, 20 or 30 years time.

If it aint rare, it aint valuable........

Although it clearly does help to flip a watch quicker than one without all the goodies...... probably because people are falsely attaching future value to them.....

[bondtoys]

If you follow the "For Sale" section here on the board, you will learn that a new watch WITHOUT the card will sell for a lot less (10%-20%) than with it.

So your advantage should be at least in that ballpark.

I'd also ask myself and the seller, why that card has been lost on a modern watch. One of the reasons MAY be that it has been stolen somewhere and the original owner still has the card.

[aandrianto]

If it has no paper, you should bring it to RSC to determine if:
-it is 100% authentic and
-whether it needs servicing or not.

They will inform you

[padi56]

Originally Posted by aandrianto

If it has no paper, you should bring it to RSC to determine if:
-it is 100% authentic and
-whether it needs servicing or not.

They will inform you

Do a bit of paper always mean the watch is genuine I think not, and as the OP stated watch was from 2010 so its doubtful if it would need a service yet.

[train-time]

Papers are way over-rated

[big972]

Thanks guys! Very informative and gives me a more broader perspective. Appriciate your responses...

[77T]

Papers matter to some buyers who may be worried about the seller. That is a false sense of security IMHO. Papers (or now the plastic card) are more easily faked than the average buyer can detect.

So go for it!

[Raulex]

I never had , and never will , buy a Rolex without its original papers.

Now imagine in a few year you want to sell it, and I want to buy this model. I'll never buy yours because the lake of original papers. I'm not the only one thinking like that, so you loose future potential buyers with this watch.

If you don't imagine to sell it anyday, then it's not an issue (as long as it isn't a fake or robbed watch).

[Keeperoftime]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Hell no. If the watch is legit, you trust the seller, and agree on the price, it's a non issue.
dP

+1

[White_Au]

I would just have it verified as a legit Rolex at an Authorized Dealer, then buy it.
(However, if you know/trust the seller then I wouldn't worry)

[psv]

If the watch is real, it is real, but just keep in mind that it will rather severely affect the resale value of the watch and also making it much harder to resell.

They way I see it, you don't really lose any money by buying one with papers because the watch will also be worth more, and much easier/faster to sell if you get bored with it. It is a no brainer to me, get one that is complete and I'm fairly sure that the trusted sellers here on TRF can find you one at a very similar price what your local store can sell you that one without papers.

[FNFZ4]

A complete watch is always best to buy because you know the watch is not stolen. Buying from a trusted seller here in the forums assures you that they have done due diligence on the watch like check if it's stolen etc....

Since its a 2010 you can get the serial from the flange aka rehaut and call the rsc in Dallas. Ask them when the watch was last serviced. I know it's too early for it to be serviced but if it's stolen they will say we can't release information for the watch please bring it in to an RSC for inspection. Happened to a friend who got a watch from craigslit.

Now it's understandable that some people for some reason they throw away the box and papers. To them it's nothing. My next question would be, where is the green handtag? That too is also important to make sure the serial and model matches the watch.

[FNFZ4]

Originally Posted by Edward Arthur

Papers are way over-rated

Until you buy a stolen watch drop it off at RSC and you get a big surprise.

[Jibba]

I am a bit anal and really place a high value on a full kit unless buying a vintage piece. that being said, if the price were right and the seller was trusted, my mind could be changes. Good luck!

[joeh]

Originally Posted by big972

Hi all,

I need some advise? I'm currently looking at a preloved 2010 TT DJ2 with a grey dial and green roman numerals. The price is reasonable and the watch is in mint condition. Unfortunately, the papers doesn't come with it. The dealer has discounted the watch due to this so I am a bit reluctant to get it as long term value will be affected. I don't intend to sell it but just in case I do at least I can sell at a more reasonable price. Anyway, any advise or opinion is much appreciated

Thanks

No one has said it yet but will you be able to sleep at night knowing you have no documentation to support your new watch? My guess is that you will have a few sleepless nights without them.

[ManCityFan]

i would not do it. to me, the discount is almost never worth the stress over authenticity or the hassle when it comes time to sell.

[HORNBLOWER]

Its all about the watch. For me papers are only a bonus but not a deal breaker.

[azguy]

Boy, every time this question is asked the balance shifts from "who cares" to "always get papers".

OP, if anything is curious it's that there could be some warranty left depending on when in 2010 the watch was sold. That's worth something, if true...

I will tell you, my local AD, does a lot of trade in's and destroys the papers so the next buyer does not have as they put it "personal and confidential" information about the previous owner. In fact, when I was trying to purchase a pre-owned piece from them, they actually showed me the papers but they would not be included in the sale and they would not even provide a photocopy. There was no way in the world they were giving them up, it cost them a sale and they did not care. It's their policy, no exceptions....

I hate the fact that papers add value; it's like saying your Porsche is worth $5,000 less because you don't have the factory window sticker

Only you can decide, but keep in mind, store fronts are always more expensive and I would search the trusted sellers here to see if they could source the same watch, for less, with papers

[handsfull]

Educated watch collectors/buyers purchase Rolex's with OR without papers and have done so for DECADES....safely. Your mistaken if you think your guaranteeing authenticity with paperwork, it requires a visual inspection.

I personally 'prefer' a warranty card/papers...but if the price reflects the missing warranty cert, I'm a buyer.

[Like To Watch]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Hell no. If the watch is legit, you trust the seller, and agree on the price, it's a non issue.
dP

X 2

[rad87gn]

If it's from a trusted source it does not matter. Real deal is still the real deal no matter what.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by big972

Hi all,

I need some advise? I'm currently looking at a preloved 2010 TT DJ2 with a grey dial and green roman numerals. The price is reasonable and the watch is in mint condition. Unfortunately, the papers doesn't come with it. The dealer has discounted the watch due to this so I am a bit reluctant to get it as long term value will be affected. I don't intend to sell it but just in case I do at least I can sell at a more reasonable price. Anyway, any advise or opinion is much appreciated

Thanks

As you can see, you have opened a can of worms.. So called "papers" are an Internet phenomena. Sellers have learned that people who sit on their couches and buy on the 'Net will pay extra for the papers and boxes that they can pick up anywhere.

Those of us who actually comb the streets, estates, and Dealers know that you simply do not often find watches with "papers", especially not from a Dealer, and they do not add anything to a "non-vintage" purchase except on the Internet.

They also do not prove authenticity - ever.. all they do is give you another item that you need to determine the authenticity of.. You MUST be sure that paper is not counterfeit the same way you MUST determine if the watch is authentic.. one never authenticates the other...

In any event.. sounds to me like you have a good deal from a reputable Dealer to consider..

[Timber Loftis]

Frankly, I'd choose a good discount over worthless papers any day. And on a DJ with such a gorgeous dial? Take it.

[A.J.R.]

Wouldnt bother me on a used Rolex.