Paperwork...?

[hsr86]

I was curious if anyone has owned a Rolex with No Paperwork? I have been offered a Z serial Rolex but for some reason the guy who the watch was purchased from "lost the papers" in a move. I have been assured the watch is authentic and not stolen, I am able to meet the guy at a Rolex Dealer to have it checked out. What are some opinions of this situation you all have?

[Mrdi]

Meet at the dealer.
Get it authenticated.
Lost papers are a common occurence.

[TARDIS]

Hi Hank:

Buying a pre-owned Rolex without papers is a gamble. You have to trust the seller.

If you are seriously thinking of buying this watch, ask the seller if you can take it to a Rolex dealer for authentification. If he refuses, don't go near it as it may be counterfeit.

Most AD's can authenticate a Rolex for you while you wait. The nice ones will not charge you for it. The others may charge you $20 and throw in an accuracy test.

Cheers
Steve

[scottschoe]

Papers aren't a big issue for me. The only time they're ever valuable is at time of sale, but even then, a RSC service receipt can do the trick.

[hsr86]

It is not rare to buy a 2007 watch with no box or papers? Is there a value you can put on them? Im still stuck on whether or not I want to trade my GMT Master with box and papers for this SD with NO box and papers...

[applebook]

I'd personally spend a bit more and get the watch with original papers. For vintage models, this is not usually an option, for a 2007 watch, why not spend an extra few minutes finding an original piece? They are hardly difficult to find.

[Baptistman]

Unless it was a lot older model, for a Z series I would want it as a complete package. When reselling such a new piece, having no paperwork will without a shadow of doubt effect the re-sale.

[sea-dweller]

Papers will add resale value in the future and prove authenticity of the watch. However, if you get the watch authenticated, and service the watch at an RSC in the future, the service papers will also authenticate the watch. Personally, I would not buy a watch without the original box, manuals and paperwork.

[walds11]

I want the full package and it will help re-sale in the future.

[Mr.RadioActive]

It would be rare to find a Z with no papers. But many get a watch toss the box, and never think about it. That would be rare only because the watch would be covered under warranty, you'd think the owner would of kept it.

[wanasub]

If it's been authenticated and you are happy with the price, go for it and enjoy. Jonathan

[mickeydainish]

Can't see a problem if you get it authenticated by an ad. I would do it if that is the timepiece I wanted .. it's just....well... you have to live with your decision and then you make take a small knock in the future when u flip it?!?

:-)

[sherwin]

i prefer box and papers, but not avaliable and the price is right... then why not. and even better if you can knock down the price a bit. a verification at RSC will prove to be useful in making sure that you are not buying a watch at someones expense (ie. stolen/robbery/etc. you also know you are not supporting crims)

[Trurolexer]

I have two Rolex without b&p. My Perpetual -Date- #1500 and GMT Master 1675. Pardon, possible to me to go to dealer and ask 'em to give me some paper from 'em?

[scottschoe]

Originally Posted by Trurolexer

I have two Rolex without b&p. My Perpetual -Date- #1500 and GMT Master 1675. Pardon, possible to me to go to dealer and ask 'em to give me some paper from 'em?

Rolex won't issue out a second copy of the "papers," but you can probably get copies of your original receipt from the AD.

[Wisher]

I was fullly confident of the brick and mortar store where I got it. I asked about this and was told that in some cases, the original AD that sells the watch to the gray market dealer, does not want to have any proof of the transaction taking place (to avoid Rolex from finding out and getting black-listed), so does not give the paperwork. Sounds plausible. However, your situation is different, buying from an individual seller.

I got the box and everything else BUT paper. As I don't plan to sell the watch in the foreseeable future, I am waiting to have it overhauled at a RSC, and that should then suffice, I would believe. So, depending on how long you want to hold the watch and depending if you can truly verifiy that it is authentic, then why not, as long as the price is right.

[Trurolexer]

Originally Posted by scottschoe

Rolex won't issue out a second copy of the "papers," but you can probably get copies of your original receipt from the AD.

Thanks for your information.

[sherwin]

Originally Posted by Wisher

I was fullly confident of the brick and mortar store where I got it. I asked about this and was told that in some cases, the original AD that sells the watch to the gray market dealer, does not want to have any proof of the transaction taking place (to avoid Rolex from finding out and getting black-listed), so does not give the paperwork. Sounds plausible. However, your situation is different, buying from an individual seller.

I got the box and everything else BUT paper. As I don't plan to sell the watch in the foreseeable future, I am waiting to have it overhauled at a RSC, and that should then suffice, I would believe. So, depending on how long you want to hold the watch and depending if you can truly verifiy that it is authentic, then why not, as long as the price is right.

wow... that is one story i havent heard before, usually in s'pore the 2nd hand dealers do not have the papers as they say that they are protecting the identity of the first owner.

another common occurance, is that the AD stamps the papers in advance leaving date empty and ready for the grey dealer to fill in the particulars

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by Mrdi

Meet at the dealer.
Get it authenticated.
Lost papers are a common occurence.

Good advice!

Originally Posted by scottschoe

Papers aren't a big issue for me. The only time they're ever valuable is at time of sale, but even then, a RSC service receipt can do the trick.

Indeedelydoodely, as Ned Flanders would say!

[Wisher]

Originally Posted by seiko.citizen

the 2nd hand dealers do not have the papers as they say that they are protecting the identity of the first owner.

Yes, I have often heard of this one used too. Also, "The original owner didn't want to leave the paperwork with his [her] name on it."

Originally Posted by seiko.citizen

another common occurance, is that the AD stamps the papers in advance leaving date empty and ready for the grey dealer to fill in the particulars

Yes, I find this often. This practice frustrates me because there is no date stamped giving any time frame as to when the watch first went into circulation. So I don't buy.

[Tools]

Don't get hung up on "box and papers". My guess is that over half of the Rolex buyers in the world can't come up with the box or warranty cert.

If you want a box, keep yours... They're the same...also keep your COSC tag and Swimpruf tag..They're the same too.

Then the only thing you will be missing is the invoice and warranty cert......two pieces of paper that are completely worthless to you..

Here is a key point..... Papers do not prove anything...

They are a bit of history and especially nice if you have a vintage piece...The price can be affected dramatically for a genuine collector.. which most of us are not.

If this guy is the original buyer, get a statement of where (the AD) and when he bought the watch.. or it might be grey market; it doesn't matter, what matters is that at some point in the future your ancestors can read that their family heirloom originally came from such and such a place at such and such a time..

That's it, end of story, that's all "paper" does..