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Old 19 January 2020, 11:47 PM   #1
Storky
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Icon20 Vintage Watch Box Project?

Hi
I have collected 'vintage' Rolex for around 20 years.
I know that years ago a project such as this was started but I believe the thread is now closed.

Various questions and posts have been made here for years regarding 'which is the correct box for my Rolex'.

We know this is not an exact science, and the question should be 'Which box COULD be the correct box for my watch' Because it seems you get whatever box your AD feels like giving you (maybe not so much nowadays though). The watches and boxes are shipped to an AD separately, without a particular watch in mind.
'Back in the day' I reckon the Rolex dealer may just of grabbed the box that they thought suitable.

So.... as a long term collector I was considering compiling a very comprehensive list of boxes with a table of known box references that correspond to owners watches.
Possibly at a later date developing this into a website in the same way that we have great websites such as:
www.5513mattedial.com
www.gmtmaster1675.com
www.drsd.com etc

Giles from Oakleigh watches (Who I have yet to meet!) wrote an interesting article on his website:https://www.oakleighwatches.co.uk/do...e-correct-box/

When the long-haired, flared trouser bedecked salesman brought out the white and green box that was supplied with the watch, his customer was disappointed. He had seen the nice brown one with the seahorse on it in the window and asked if he could have one of those instead please? This man was spending £270 on a watch and the salesman needed to make him happy so of course, he did what the customer asked.

The last thing that the salesman was thinking was that in 40 years time, this watch would be worth £10,000 and having the correct box would matter – and to some, I mean really matter.


I couldn't do this alone and thought I'd put the idea out there.
What do you think guys?
If it has been done in comprehensive way please let me know!

Here's pic of a few of my boxes just to whet your appetites... there are two coffin boxes (middle left) with the same reference numbers printed on the bases, but the covering material is totally different!
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Old 22 January 2020, 05:31 AM   #2
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Well that idea had a huge response!
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Old 22 January 2020, 05:49 AM   #3
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Nobody cares...
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Old 22 January 2020, 05:55 AM   #4
roh123
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There was a great site for this before. Unfortunaley closed since years.

http://www.rolexephemera.com/

To be honest it isn’t rocket science to find out what’s what nowdays but of course an archive would be helpful for those not being able to use google.
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Old 22 January 2020, 05:58 AM   #5
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Nice

Hi Storky, you have a nice collection going on there, Ive only 1 vintage Rolex and the box that came with, I will post a photo when I get time, good luck with your thread, all the very best "H"
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Old 22 January 2020, 06:39 AM   #6
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Great idea, Storky.
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Old 22 January 2020, 11:55 AM   #7
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Nobody cares...
That's not very nice
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Old 22 January 2020, 02:34 PM   #8
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That's not very nice
Agreed.
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Old 22 January 2020, 04:37 PM   #9
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I think this is brilliant idea that needs to be resurrected

Happy to help

Julian


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Old 22 January 2020, 06:37 PM   #10
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Hi guys,

I have two vintage boxes they told me that they are from the sixties.

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Old 22 January 2020, 07:42 PM   #11
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Well that idea had a huge response!
Great idea!
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Old 22 January 2020, 07:42 PM   #12
athom
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Nobody cares...
Not true !
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Old 23 January 2020, 02:15 AM   #13
Storky
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Thanks guys!

Quote:
Originally Posted by spoilsofwar01 View Post
Hi Storky, you have a nice collection going on there, Ive only 1 vintage Rolex and the box that came with, I will post a photo when I get time, good luck with your thread, all the very best "H"
Quote:
Originally Posted by emersm View Post
Great idea, Storky.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BamaHammer View Post
That's not very nice
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingface66 View Post
Agreed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by watch-guy.com View Post
I think this is brilliant idea that needs to be resurrected
Quote:
Originally Posted by robbrum View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by athom View Post
Great idea!
Quote:
Originally Posted by roh123 View Post
To be honest it isn’t rocket science to find out what’s what nowdays but of course an archive would be helpful for those not being able to use google.
Thanks everyone!
It will take a long time out I'll get on it.
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Old 24 January 2020, 05:14 AM   #14
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68 Rolex box

As promised this is the box that came with my 1968 Submariner 5513,

I'm now wondering if its correct I'll await the responses
Attached Images
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File Type: jpg RB 2.jpg (260.5 KB, 361 views)
File Type: jpg RB 3.jpg (260.1 KB, 361 views)
File Type: jpg RB 4.jpg (259.0 KB, 356 views)
File Type: jpg RB 5.jpg (244.4 KB, 367 views)
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Old 24 January 2020, 05:41 AM   #15
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Quote:
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As promised this is the box that came with my 1968 Submariner 5513,

I'm now wondering if its correct I'll await the responses
Afraid that’s a much later box. Five-digit references.
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Old 24 January 2020, 05:49 AM   #16
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I too think this is a great idea! If I do get a box,which is highly unlikely at this point it would be nice if it is period-correct. Hopefully this brilliant thread will answer that question. Did they use different boxes for Rolex purchased at Tiffany back in the 70s? Well played Storky!
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Old 24 January 2020, 05:58 AM   #17
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Rolex watches do not come to dealers in boxes. The box that a dealer gives you at the time of sale may be somewhat arbitrary as to what they have on hand. My SD43 came in a gigantic box, the biggest Rolex box I've ever seen which is probably correct for a watch that size. But I've seen other people with same watch that came in the regular size box. I really don't think that a particular model watch is assigned to a specific box. Could be wrong but just my guess.
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Old 24 January 2020, 06:07 AM   #18
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Rolex watches do not come to dealers in boxes. The box that a dealer gives you at the time of sale may be somewhat arbitrary as to what they have on hand. My SD43 came in a gigantic box, the biggest Rolex box I've ever seen which is probably correct for a watch that size. But I've seen other people with same watch that came in the regular size box. I really don't think that a particular model watch is assigned to a specific box. Could be wrong but just my guess.
All modern references have the box size on the white tag.
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Old 24 January 2020, 06:10 AM   #19
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All modern references have the box size on the white tag.
good to know, thanks
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Old 24 January 2020, 06:21 AM   #20
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Afraid that’s a much later box. Five-digit references.
Awwwwww well........ I bought the watch over 4 years ago and the prices have risen enough for me to be happy, its a vintage Rolex with a Rolex Box... enough said, Cheers for the heads up.
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Old 24 January 2020, 06:54 AM   #21
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All modern references have the box size on the white tag.
X3
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Old 24 January 2020, 07:32 AM   #22
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Awwwwww well........ I bought the watch over 4 years ago and the prices have risen enough for me to be happy, its a vintage Rolex with a Rolex Box... enough said, Cheers for the heads up.
Hey... but it’s a genuine Rolex box, and not as if you have purchased a full ‘original’ set!?
Probably 1990’s, Give it a few years and that will be considered a vintage box. It’s the last style (with the cushion and envelope) used prior to the modern green ‘wave’ top boxes that I believe were introduced around 2005. This is a generalisation though, as some models were supplied with completely different designs / colours ... Day-Date’s, Lady’s etc.

I have lots of work to do and I intend to begin photographing and compiling images of inner and outer boxes / reference numbers soon.

Thanks for posting.
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Old 24 January 2020, 07:38 AM   #23
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I love this idea.

Question.
When did the average AD start giving the correct material along with the box for watches? 2000s?
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Old 24 January 2020, 07:43 AM   #24
Storky
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I too think this is a great idea! Did they use different boxes for Rolex purchased at Tiffany back in the 70s? Well played Storky!
I haven’t a clue, but I know for a fact that the two (unworn) Domino’s pizza Air-Kings I had were supplied with standard boxes!
Could well be different for Tiffany though.....
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Old 24 January 2020, 07:52 AM   #25
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I love this idea.

Question.
When did the average AD start giving the correct material along with the box for watches? 2000s?
Do you mean booklets, warranty wallets etc?
If so probably yes. I don’t think it really used to matter too much then (in the 90’s or earlier)
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Old 24 January 2020, 09:03 AM   #26
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Do you mean booklets, warranty wallets etc?

If so probably yes. I don’t think it really used to matter too much then (in the 90’s or earlier)

Books, wallets , etc...
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Old 25 January 2020, 06:35 AM   #27
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In my small experience the booklets and stuff was always correct, it was just the box that they took what they had, what the customer wanted or what they assumed was correct.

This is for three watches bought in the 70s.
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Old 26 January 2020, 12:25 AM   #28
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This was from the in-house Rolex UK magazine in the 1970's:



It was fairly vague in its instruction, so retailers could be liberal with their choice of box with each watch sold. So much for Rolex and their boxes being a precise science!!

It's interesting to see there is more given over to the Cellini range and Tudor!

Sorry, uploaded from my phone! :(
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Old 26 January 2020, 05:08 AM   #29
Storky
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This was from the in-house Rolex UK magazine in the 1970's:



It was fairly vague in its instruction, so retailers could be liberal with their choice of box with each watch sold. So much for Rolex and their boxes being a precise science!!

It's interesting to see there is more given over to the Cellini range and Tudor!

Sorry, uploaded from my phone! :(
Hi Mike
Great info, thank you!
Is your magazine dated?
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Old 24 February 2021, 12:59 AM   #30
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Great info on here!

I have accumulated alot of old Rolex watch boxes from a collector/dealer in Japan.
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