Removing name from papers before sale?

[qrc36]

Tried searching the forum (and on the internet) but didn't find an answer.

As we all know, we write our names and addresses on the papers when buying a Patek from an AD.

Would it damage the value of my watch if I decide to remove / cross out my name and address so that it becomes illegible - to protect my own identity? Obviously, I don't want the buyer to know my home address.

What surprises me is that looking at listings online (e.g. Phillips auctions) I can see the papers and the name is still on it for all to see.

Any insights?

[illiguy]

I think it could for some discerning collectors. If displaying publicly for sale, I’d block out through image edit. For the hard copy, wouldn’t the buyer already know your address to some extent based on the nature of the transaction and shipping? This assume a private sale. I had a 5711 with the home address listed for someone in SLC (US). I found it odd and antiquated.

[Benzsiam]

I preferred not to purchase anything if the original document alter.

[jon_jon]

This question/topic comes up here on a regular basis.

The following are the main points from previous threads:
1) Some ADs do Certificates with blank name and/or address
2) Some people use a business or work address on the Certificate
3) If someone really wants to know where you live, most people can find out that information through various sources.
4) Some people do not register their watches with Patek in order to stay anonymous
5) Patek has been more vigilant about ADs giving out blanks Certs due to increase in flippers. Flipper sometimes use false names and/or names of people who are paid to use their name and yet are not real owners of the watches
6) As someone mentioned above, best to blank out the name and address on the photo with editing software when selling online. If you alter the Certificate by "blackening" the name and address, be aware you will likely get less offers and lower offers.

[HMHM]

I think that's the price to pay for that extra personal touch with the watch though. Patek could have followed the Rolex path of taking all the details out of the warranty card except for the date of purchase but that would only serve in making it easier to flip the watch as we are now seeing on the grey market. Ultimately, the watch tells a story about the owner and even when sold to someone else, the history lives on.

[CastorKrieg]

Originally Posted by qrc36

Tried searching the forum (and on the internet) but didn't find an answer.

As we all know, we write our names and addresses on the papers when buying a Patek from an AD.

Would it damage the value of my watch if I decide to remove / cross out my name and address so that it becomes illegible - to protect my own identity? Obviously, I don't want the buyer to know my home address.

What surprises me is that looking at listings online (e.g. Phillips auctions) I can see the papers and the name is still on it for all to see.

Any insights?

Patek will learn about it either way when the watch comes back for maintenance. As for not letting the buyer known the buyer known your address think about it this way:

You are selling tens of thousand of dollars worth of an item to someone that is willing to pay the same.

Do you really have a reason to fear anything?

[PPcollector]

If you think polishing a watch is frowned upon…blacking out or altering the Original Certificate is blasphemy! Altered documents will definitely be avoided like the plague and only one on one sales will be possible for such timepiece with caveat that buyer will pay a “discount “ due to the alteration.

The extract from archives was one way around the issue of privacy because ppl would just say they lost their original certificate and a request is made to Patek for an extract from archives to prove the watch and serial matched what Patek manufactured. Due to this “loop hole” that flippers took advantage of to sell recently acquired references, Patek effectively closed that route this year with new regulations on when and how often an extract from archives could be obtained.

I would definitely not alter the certificate…

[qrc36]

Thanks all for your insights - learned a lot from you all!