box and papers, important or not?

[worldofoyster]

the warranty card is important even though it's out of warranty, it has the model number, AD and buyer info, it's a way to authenticate the watch. box, not so much, those you can purchase separately down the road.

[puma1552]

You never know what the future holds or how you'll feel about the watch in the future, so I would always want B&P. If you do sell, it works out the same either way - higher initial cost and higher resale, or lower initial cost and lower resale. If you don't sell, sure your costs are higher up front, but it would give me more assurance that the watch is neither stolen nor fake. No, it isn't a full authentication, but it would still make me feel better.

To me I just don't really understand how such expensive purchases have the B&P go missing. I understand it's just a box, but when I buy something expensive - anything - I always keep the box and papers. Just seems weird to me that some people would just take that Rolex box - and the papers - and toss them in the trash.

[subprimero]

I would not buy the particular watch you want without b&p.

[watchnwine]

Boxes sell for between $200-$350 and don't matter to me. Papers - especially in this case - are much more important.

[thesharkfactor]

Originally Posted by Swearengen

I think the one I had said 16610LV on one of the tags, the papers didn't mention anything LV specific. But it was a few years ago

Yes this is correct, the early LV's only had 'LV' on the white tag! So you really need the white tag to prove the watch is a real LV.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by yoda888

I've been searching for a 5-digit Kermit. There seems to be quite a range of pricing for this watch, and a premium if it includes box and papers.

Am I crazy? How important is the box/papers? . . .

Box and papers are only important if they are important to you, in most cases.

In the case of the 16610LV, it is identical to the LN, except for the cosmetic dial/hands/bezel combination, which can be easily changed.

Original paperwork with an authentic LV or V build designation provides assurance that it is not a doctored watch. Original LV's with paper are rare and command a premium, but that premium is negotiable depending on the current market.

In most cases boxes and papers are not worth nearly as much as for the unique collectiblels, even though sellers want you to believe otherwise.

[alphadweller]

I'd only buy without papers if I personally know the seller and he bought it from an AD. If not, there's always the option to have the watch checked by the RSC before purchase but it's a hassle, so I'd rather avoid unless it's a grail of some kind and there's no alternative.

[Ketler]

Another thing to keep in mind. There’s a good chance if someone saved the box, the papers and all the bits and pieces they’re probably a little more likely to take good care of their watch. This, of course, is not always the case but over the years, I’ve found that most people who are Fastidious enough to carefully preserve the box and all the bits usually take pretty good care of their watch as well. Just food for thought.

[Kreyzhorse]

Originally Posted by rolex1982

if you plan to keep the watch and wear it, it’s not important. If you want to resell it after a period i would go with box and papers.

+1

[Kinnakeet]

I prefer a complete set.

[101031-28]

Originally Posted by rolex1982

if you plan to keep the watch and wear it, it’s not important. If you want to resell it after a period i would go with box and papers.

+1

[HogwldFLTR]

Buy the seller and not the box and papers. Both can be faked.

[Jackie Daytona]

Not really worth it IMO. They provide no value when wearing and enjoying the watch.

Still kinda nice to have but not that important.

[JDsnewwatch]

It's funny because I have two answers to this question. 1) For Rolex: Yes, Box and Papers are a must (for me). 2) For every other brand: nice to have, but I don't need them.

If you go to sell a nice IWC, the box and papers don't make a big difference in the ask price. Rolex on the other hand has two distinct ask prices, with and without box and papers. Is just how it is.

[Calatrava r]

It is much harder to sell a watch without the box and papers. At some point, almost everybody will sell, if they have no heirs who would wear their watches.

[DoctorsOrders]

I would say a recent RSC service card is more valuable than original papers

[Joearch]

Doesn’t serial number provide Rolex with the info to determine if the watch was originally a LV?

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Joearch

Doesn’t serial number provide Rolex with the info to determine if the watch was originally a LV?

Sure. However, Rolex is not very forthcoming with information on a watch unless you are buying a full service at the time.

[rmurphy]

I definitely prefer a full set. I used to not care as much but the more watches that I buy the more important it has become to me, mainly because I have seen that there’s a distinct difference in the real and perceived value of the particular piece. I’m not familiar with the LV per se but from the answers from everyone who does seem to know, I’d say it’d be the smart thing to have.


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[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by Joearch

Doesn’t serial number provide Rolex with the info to determine if the watch was originally a LV?

Yes but try getting that info out of Rolex.

box and papers, particularly for a watch like this, which is highly collectible, and a lot of monkey business surrounding the make


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[MJZRolex]

For me, I only buy with watch and papers. It makes me more comfortable with the purchase and easier for resale if you decide to move to a different watch in the future.

[faimag]

For me, box and papers are a must for any 6 digit ref.
For 5 digit refs, I would say 50-50 but for a Kermit I would definitely go for B&P.
For 4 digits, B&P is a rarity so I don't mind without.

[crowncollection]

Originally Posted by DoctorsOrders

I would say a recent RSC service card is more valuable than original papers

This


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[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by DoctorsOrders

I would say a recent RSC service card is more valuable than original papers

Exactly! As long as it is all original, save the $$ and invest it into getting it properly serviced by RSC.

[Manamana]

The probability of buying a stolen watch is high when buying a new Rolex reference without papers. I believe you can be charged with possession of stolen goods if the watch is reported as stolen even if you legally unknowingly bought from a brick and mortar shop. You will have to surrender the watch to authorities and may be prosecuted. Rules vary depending on your country of course. Even if you are not charged most won't be comfortable with that probability from a moral ground.

[Normunds]

Now some of you start to sound bit paranoid :)

While probability that watch without b&p might be stolen is higher than watch with b&p, not all or even majority of watches without b&p are stolen. I think that probability that watch without b&p might be stolen is quite low actually if you are looking at a pool of all watches for sale at any given moment.

[dja]

I've been buying and selling for over thirty years and from what I've seen I would say box and papers adds about ten percent to the value for the most part. (400 for a 4,000 watch, 1,000 for a 10,000 model. But if the model is rare, in mint shape and vintage, box and papers could add twenty five to thirty percent to the value or even more.