Buying with NO paperwork...

[nch209]

I have a meeting to look at a used 2tone sub tommorow, circa 1993 that is without paperwork from an indivdual- and may look at the platty YM at a local grey dealer that's missing paper. If I was to get a reciept, ran it via NCIC, would this be an acceptable way to purchase said watch.

This paperwork thing, or lack thereof is frustrating. I know I am a stickler, but a friend of mine said he "tossed" his paperwork and box from his sub, and doesn't understand why I care so much.

Confused!!!

[scottschoe]

It's just paperwork. Plus, the papers don't even fit correctly inside the boxes - I can understand why most people would just toss/misplace them.

[sea-dweller]

Personally, I would not buy a watch without box and at least the warranty (chronometer certification) paper. The only exception would be purchasing a vintage piece where the alternative is not to able to own the vintage.

[Widows Son]

If you won't buy a watch without paperwork, you'll do a whole lot of looking and no buying. Check the pre-owned sites, youll find that very few of the pre-owned watches have paperwork. I have three Rolex's which I bought used. Not a one had the original box and paperwork. You buy the seller, not the watch. I would have preferred having all the goodies, but they weren't available. When I buy a new watch or firearm, I save EVERYTHING. I don't understand why someone wouldn't. But the fact is that most people don't think it's important.

[YuppieKid]

/.

[nch209]

I am not so much concerned with authenticity issues, so much I am if its stolen- or at least whether it is stolen. Any competient dealer can verify if its real or not, and I just worry how it was acquired by the seller. NCIC only helps if it was reported, and local law enforcement can run the serial for you. There is also a Swiss watch database to check if its stolen- though I am not sure how thorough it is. Rolex has a stolen registry, but unfortunatally it is a joke and when you call to inquire about it they show how they take the stand of putting their head in the sand...

[veilstylez]

I wouldnt care to much about the paper as long as the deal is good. But if you can get the same watch with paper for the same price then Id get the one with paper. But I've bought plenty of watches without papers...its doesnt prove authenticity, its just "us WIS" that really care....really

[padi56]

Originally Posted by veilstylez

I wouldnt care to much about the paper as long as the deal is good. But if you can get the same watch with paper for the same price then Id get the one with paper. But I've bought plenty of watches without papers...its doesnt prove authenticity, its just "us WIS" that really care....really

Could not agree more boxes and papers are just cosmetic more important is a authentic watch.When you get watches serviced you will get service papers from Rolex thats almost as good as original paperwork.Chronometer papers are just saying that the bare movement has passed the COSC test at that time.

[walds11]

I have said it many times, I want the full package, especially for resale purposes.

[cr1ckett]

I've turned my nose up at heeps of pre-owned watches WITHOUT the papers. I wouldn't feel 100% confident the item was real, or worse, stolen (ie mugged, burguled etc).

I may take a more prudent approach if i decide to but a vintage watch, but it would have to be pretty special.

[Dan Pierce]

I prefer papers but have purchased without with no problems. If it's a good deal the lack of papers is no deal breaker.
dP

[Frampton]

Originally Posted by padi56

When you get watches serviced you will get service papers from Rolex thats almost as good as original paperwork.

Agreed. Original papers are nice, but the service receipt is equally acceptable in my book to confirm authenticity.

[Timber Loftis]

I prefer papers, but the watches are made such that security features on the watch itself are enough to authenticate it, and that's what's important.

[Wolfgang427]

IMO boxes and papers are great to have, but not possible all the time. I rather know I got a good deal, B/P or not.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by wolfgang427

IMO boxes and papers are great to have, but not possible all the time. I rather know I got a good deal, B/P or not.

Absolutely....

And papers, unless they are handed to you directly from an authentication source, prove nothing...

[Atlanta]

If you are buying used anyway - wouldn't matter to me.

[SLS]

Originally Posted by wolfgang427

IMO boxes and papers are great to have, but not possible all the time. I rather know I got a good deal, B/P or not.

X3
~Scott

[Baptistman]

Well I'm, laying down the cash therefore I want a complete package, those are my rules.

[gmt 16750]

Originally Posted by sea-dweller

Personally, I would not buy a watch without box and at least the warranty (chronometer certification) paper. The only exception would be purchasing a vintage piece where the alternative is not to able to own the vintage.

This is more or less my thoughts too - I don't fall into the trap of believing that the original papers authenticate a used Rolex in any way but I still like to have the full package if possible.

[ROLEX MAN]

I would allways go Box and Papers!

It's for the long run!

[sea-dweller]

Originally Posted by cr1ckett

I've turned my nose up at heeps of pre-owned watches WITHOUT the papers. I wouldn't feel 100% confident the item was real, or worse, stolen (ie mugged, burguled etc).

I may take a more prudent approach if i decide to but a vintage watch, but it would have to be pretty special.

[wojtekh]

A while ago(long one) I bought a used gmt with all bells and wistles, papers, warranty etc. upn first service we discovered that it was fake... moral of the story is check, check again and the authenticate with a reputable watchmaker. I learned m lesson.

[Z-Sub]

I prefer papers but papers can be counterfeited just as easily...
I like boxes otherwise I'll be looking for another one after I bought it.
As long as I can trust the person I'm buying it from, then no paper is no problem.

[sea-dweller]

- agreed 100%

Originally Posted by Baptistman

Well I'm, laying down the cash therefore I want a complete package, those are my rules.

[karmatp]

I prefer papers also. I just held off on a Z serial GMT II on TZ that sold today, he was asking $4200. I'm not sure if it sold for less or not but my point is he could not find the warranty card, so I did not send him a pm. I have been looking at it thinking about the fact that it had no card, we'll, I just pm'ed him and he found the card and it just sold. It was listed for a few days at the appropriate price ($4200) for a Z serial GMT II, and nobody bought it until he found the card. I think people do care about the warranty card or papers, but I just missed out on a solid priced GMT II because I thought about it for to long.

I wish sellers on this forum would sell theirs for $4200, I could stop surfing the sales corners for hours a week. I missed out on a late Z serial GMT II pepsi stick dial last week that sold on watchnet for $3995, smokin price but I was too slow.

[springer]

I've purchased them, with and without the papers. Usually, box and papers adds about 10% more to the price.