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Old 23 January 2021, 04:37 AM   #1
Big Jay
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Box/papers...where do they go?

Lately, browsing the 2nd hand older market, I am coming across a lot of watches without box and papers.

This may be a dumb question but...how does one lose that sort of thing?

My watches box/papers, wife's, the certification for her ring, etc. are all locked up safely. I'm just struggling to figure out why and how so many watches get separated from them.

Is it maybe something as sad as a death and the watch(es) go up for estate auction without the kit being located?

Carelessness?

Other?

I'm just really curious as to what everyone's thoughts are on this.
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Old 23 January 2021, 04:39 AM   #2
jerseydan31
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I would imagine casual owners don't care and throw them away.

The hard core collector would keep it.....
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Old 23 January 2021, 04:39 AM   #3
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Stolen.
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Old 23 January 2021, 04:40 AM   #4
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Stolen.
Actually, and sadly, probably a very valid point. Never really thought about that.
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Old 23 January 2021, 04:41 AM   #5
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my dog ate them. i swear.
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Old 23 January 2021, 04:43 AM   #6
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Brainstorming

1) Indifference by original buyer
2) Handed down through life events but the box/papers didn't travel with the item
3) Lost/Misplaced during a move
4) Sold
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Old 23 January 2021, 04:44 AM   #7
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I often wonder the same, especially with newer references (not estate pieces, etc). But as mentioned above, I think a casual owner who just wanted "a rolex" probably doesn't understand or care for the value these items bring and toss them. Mine are all stacked up in my closet and cannot see how I would misplace or lose them.
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Old 23 January 2021, 04:44 AM   #8
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Most watch owners aren’t WIS and are not as anal as a lot of watch collectors and so don’t worry about box and papers, they’ll get mislaid or thrown out.
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Old 23 January 2021, 04:46 AM   #9
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my dog ate them. i swear.
Looks like you better invest in scotch tape and some time to follow your dog around the yard then!
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Old 23 January 2021, 04:47 AM   #10
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Stolen.

That’s my bet. On older watches, completely understand, but with newer watches, people spending serious coin on a watch these days know the value of the box and papers.


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Old 23 January 2021, 04:50 AM   #11
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I was being a little cheeky with that response.

1. Many people toss out old boxes for lots of things. People like me packrat all their old boxes even for things I bought 15 years ago... Time to clean that out actually.

2. A small fire or leak in a basement or attic may render the boxes damaged / destroyed without destroying the watch itself, especially if stored separately.

3. Pests. Termites, Mice, Roaches, Silverfish etc can all find themselves destroying papers and boxes. Eating, living in, crapping in, nesting in. If you find a dead mouse in your carboard rolex box you may just toss it out instead of trying to save it.

4. Space. I can store 10 watches in a small watch case but their corresponding boxes would take up 1/3 a cubic yard of volume. Some people just don't have the space to store boxes that they don't perceive at that moment to have value. Many people don't buy a watch for the purpose of selling it again. So storing the original box doesn't resonate with them.
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Old 23 January 2021, 04:52 AM   #12
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Let’s be honest... a Rolex box looks like a cheap green plastic box. It doesn’t look like anything worth saving. It’s one of the most disappointing and underwhelming parts of Rolex’s augmented product.
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Old 23 January 2021, 04:55 AM   #13
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People threw them away, because they are and were relatively worthless. I have my boxes and papers just in case my daughter wants it for when i eventually let her pick what she wants. For me, it’s worthless. It takes up space and I’ve never looked at my box or paperwork again after the initial purchase. The caveat is selling. If you plan on buying and selling it’s a must.


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Old 23 January 2021, 05:01 AM   #14
Big Jay
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SN13 View Post
I was being a little cheeky with that response.

1. Many people toss out old boxes for lots of things. People like me packrat all their old boxes even for things I bought 15 years ago... Time to clean that out actually.

2. A small fire or leak in a basement or attic may render the boxes damaged / destroyed without destroying the watch itself, especially if stored separately.

3. Pests. Termites, Mice, Roaches, Silverfish etc can all find themselves destroying papers and boxes. Eating, living in, crapping in, nesting in. If you find a dead mouse in your carboard rolex box you may just toss it out instead of trying to save it.

4. Space. I can store 10 watches in a small watch case but their corresponding boxes would take up 1/3 a cubic yard of volume. Some people just don't have the space to store boxes that they don't perceive at that moment to have value. Many people don't buy a watch for the purpose of selling it again. So storing the original box doesn't resonate with them.
Yes but you weren't exactly wrong. I'm beginning to realize the box/papers seem to only matter for purposes of sale. Then again, it would feel good to hand my child/children my watches some day with the boxes and papers, telling them to take good care of them for me.
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Old 23 January 2021, 05:02 AM   #15
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Do you have the box your toaster came in?
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Old 23 January 2021, 05:02 AM   #16
Big Jay
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Do you have the box your toaster came in?

Do you have a $10,000 collectible toaster?
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Old 23 January 2021, 05:27 AM   #17
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I throw away all “luxury” packaging, apple products, mont blanc pens, seiko and g-shock boxes.
For some reason only Rolex stuff I keep, despite the boxes being of poor quality.
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Old 23 January 2021, 05:41 AM   #18
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Some people either don’t consider it super valuable or collectible. I don’t think anything wrong with a non WIS not hanging on to everything in the set.

But a WIS, i mean we should be keeping every sticker. (J/k of course)
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Old 23 January 2021, 05:42 AM   #19
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A watch dealer who I’ve used provides watches to premiership players / managers etc, says they are not interested in the slightest in the box once they’ve taken it out, either binning it or saying you can keep that. When they ask him about changing the watch, he asks if they’ve got the box...no idea where it is


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Old 23 January 2021, 05:42 AM   #20
fsprow
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For me, the "cheapo" Rolex box goes right in the trash - warranty papers / card same destination when warranty has expired.

The Patek and Audemars boxes are beautiful and well made. I save them. As I used to with Rolex President boxes, very nice. No longer.
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Old 23 January 2021, 05:48 AM   #21
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But a WIS, i mean we should be keeping every sticker. (J/k of course)
you take the stickers off?

i keep boxes for a few months, then toss.

i hung onto the box my ExpII came in for a little bit, but a fellow here was looking for a box so i sold it to him fairly cheaply.
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Old 23 January 2021, 05:49 AM   #22
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Before I became a real collector, I got rid of the box and papers from my first Rolex. Now I know better and am teaching my kids the same. The casual buyer who just wants the watch, doesn't really care about the box and papers.
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Old 23 January 2021, 05:51 AM   #23
Golfguy77
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Do you have a $10,000 collectible toaster?
I get where you’re coming from, but some people just look at it as a watch. Probably never crossed their mind to save it for a possible sale down the road. I on the other hand probably won’t sell mine either, but I still have everything stored away.
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Old 23 January 2021, 05:54 AM   #24
Big Jay
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I get where you’re coming from, but some people just look at it as a watch. Probably never crossed their mind to save it for a possible sale down the road. I on the other hand probably won’t sell mine either, but I still have everything stored away.
Maybe it's just the way we are. I just feel like certain items should always be retained with their original box and papers. I guess on the other hand, I can't fault someone for not being that way.
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Old 23 January 2021, 06:00 AM   #25
bradyb
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I've always kept boxes and papers over the years, but I used to throw away Rolex anchors and hangtags. Ouch!
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Old 23 January 2021, 06:12 AM   #26
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I don't know if it still applies, but there was a time when travelers would buy a Rolex in "the Caribbean" put on the watch and ditch the box papers before arrival at the airport, as they didn't wish to properly pay a tax upon returning home.
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Old 23 January 2021, 06:26 AM   #27
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It's just a watch. It tells time. I have no recollection of the box. It probably collected dust for a few years then went on to a landfill.
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Old 23 January 2021, 06:31 AM   #28
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I’d wager some get lost throughout ownership as previously mentioned, but a good portion end up being stolen. There was a thread a couple months back where someone’s watch was stolen and ended up at a gray market dealer for sale. The authorities found it and subpoenaed the dealer for who sold it to them, etc.

Edit: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...ght=subpoenaed
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Old 23 January 2021, 06:32 AM   #29
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I bought my dad a watch and turns out he lost the box with warranty and I lost the receipt

Everything of mine is logged however. So as someone who is very careful, it does happen,
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Old 23 January 2021, 06:34 AM   #30
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Can't wear the box and papers and a lot of folks just throw them away.
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