Brand new watch but with dated papers - any concerns?

[Gigaton Punch]

Hi all. I am looking at a new AP that is brand new/in box, but it's being given at a pretty good discount (30%) because the papers are dated (almost three years).

Any reasons to be worried about a watch that is brand new but has been sitting in its box for years?

Thanks.

[yxc145]

the only thing is that the warranty may have started 3 years ago and you only have 2 years left.

[MonBK]

Why not post in the AP section?

[JR16]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Why not post in the AP section?

Agree- may get better advice there.


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[Leungtennis]

The #1 Rule for buying watches is buy the Seller, not the watch. If your seller is reputable and honest, then you will have no problem. If you are unsure, try to find another seller or pay market rate to buy at an AD or reputable source.

[Chadridv]

Is this from an AD or secondary market? Find out if the watch will come with a warranty. APs can be a little finicky in my experience. 30% seems like a nice discount depending on the model, but I wouldn’t rule out service required a little sooner than a watch with less shelf life.

If it were from an AD or a reputable place that offered a warranty, I wouldn’t worry too much about it, but from a grey market/private seller, you might want to take the first service into consideration when budgeting for the purchase.

The cost of the service would vary depending on the model.

[Chadridv]

Duplicate post.

[AK797]

Pics?

[SMD]

Originally Posted by yxc145

the only thing is that the warranty may have started 3 years ago and you only have 2 years left.

I don't think a watch with papers dated three years ago qualifies for the 5 year warranty.

[yxc145]

Originally Posted by SMD

I don't think a watch with papers dated three years ago qualifies for the 5 year warranty.

if it is a watch bought by someone 3 years ago, why wouldn't it have the warranty? it will just have 2 years left. Many BNIB watches are selling on the forum just like that.

[tng11]

Originally Posted by yxc145

if it is a watch bought by someone 3 years ago, why wouldn't it have the warranty? it will just have 2 years left. Many BNIB watches are selling on the forum just like that.

Because back then, APs only came with 2 year warranties (extended to 3 if waterproof checked or registered) and not 5 years.

[SMD]

Originally Posted by tng11

Because back then, APs only came with 2 year warranties (extended to 3 if waterproof checked or registered) and not 5 years.

Bingo

[2nastie]

Originally Posted by tng11

Because back then, APs only came with 2 year warranties (extended to 3 if waterproof checked or registered) and not 5 years.

Completely agree. It will be out of warranty already or shortly if the papers are dated 3 years ago.

Unless the watch is still wrapped in plastic, I would probably just classify the watch as “mint/great” condition vs BNIB. Not trying to be technical, but the watch has been around for 3 years you won’t possibly know what has happened during this time unless it was the original owner saying he put it in the safe for 3 years or the AD/Boutique had it sitting there for that long.

Anyhow, agree with the others. Buy the seller. The seller would probably show his typical business practices based on reputation and experience. It is just as important as the watch itself. If the watch sat there for three years, you might just want to see how it runs for a period of time. Might require a service, as oils could’ve gotten old simply for the watch not running at all. Just because it hasn’t been used doesn’t mean the movement inside is 100% prestine.

Good luck!

[GB-man]

I would want it to be under warranty. I bought a safe queen fully stickered but it needed a service right off the bat. No problem as it was still under warranty

[PJ S]

Originally Posted by 2nastie

... If the watch sat there for three years, you might just want to see how it runs for a period of time. Might require a service, as oils could’ve gotten old simply for the watch not running at all. Just because it hasn’t been used doesn’t mean the movement inside is 100% prestine.

Modern day synthetic oils don't degrade inside that sort of timeframe.
The movement will be as pristine as the day it left Le Brassus.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Gigaton Punch

Hi all. I am looking at a new AP that is brand new/in box, but it's being given at a pretty good discount (30%) because the papers are dated (almost three years).

Any reasons to be worried about a watch that is brand new but has been sitting in its box for years?

Thanks.

the other thread got deleted, so ill post here.

Its a used watch, no matter if the stickers are still one. 30% off for a used 15400 isnt the deal of the century. doesnt mean you shouldn't buy it, but it is priced as a used watch. A grey market watch is always used as someone else bought it first. No warranty either as its expired.

[yxc145]

Originally Posted by tng11

Because back then, APs only came with 2 year warranties (extended to 3 if waterproof checked or registered) and not 5 years.

I see. then that could be a problem.

[2nastie]

Originally Posted by PJ S

Modern day synthetic oils don't degrade inside that sort of timeframe.
The movement will be as pristine as the day it left Le Brassus.

Fair enough, but it comes down to how and where the watch was stored thus I used "could've" in my reference as a cautionary item.

[gmstevenson]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

the other thread got deleted, so ill post here.

Its a used watch, no matter if the stickers are still one. 30% off for a used 15400 isnt the deal of the century. doesnt mean you shouldn't buy it, but it is priced as a used watch. A grey market watch is always used as someone else bought it first. No warranty either as its expired.

Generally this is true but there are Trusted Sellers who are able to provide watches that are effectively brand new in box and where the warranty can come straight from the authorized dealer to the purchaser. Thus, while the end purchaser may not be the original owner (and the watch is not new in that sense) it is effectively new and covered by a full warranty as if it were purchased by the end user from the AD itself (especially since AP doesn't put the buyer's name on the warranty card). Here, of course, the watch was held too long for the warranty to be useful.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by gmstevenson

Generally this is true but there are Trusted Sellers who are able to provide watches that are effectively brand new in box and where the warranty can come straight from the authorized dealer to the purchaser. Thus, while the end purchaser may not be the original owner (and the watch is not new in that sense) it is effectively new and covered by a full warranty as if it were purchased by the end user from the AD itself (especially since AP doesn't put the buyer's name on the warranty card). Here, of course, the watch was held too long for the warranty to be useful.

right, but there has to be a reason to buy grey and its usually price. you can get "used" BNIB from a grey dealer w/ papers dated this year for a hefty discount too. Those watches will also have a 5 year warranty vs the OP's watch which will have zero warranty. I was more advocating getting a newer example and not necessarily not to buy grey.