Buying an Aquanaut without papers, advice?

[tonysoprano100]

My brother is buying his first PP., an Aquanaut 5167.

Brand new on Chrono 24 to an store called Sky Diamonds in NYC.

All reviews looks fine, the price is 36.000 and the rest of the websites are like 42.000.

Reasons?
The watch is with the box and without papers, thats why the price.

Is so important the papers on a Patek?

[MoosicPa]

Brand new without box and papers raises a red flag for me.

[taylorhall]

^ this.

Situations like these might suggest stolen. Hard to believe someone paying 20K for a watch wouldn't keep a nice polished wooden box with accompanied paperwork.

[tonysoprano100]

Originally Posted by MoosicPa

Brand new without box and papers raises a red flag for me.

With box but not papers.

[m3tek44]

That's lot of $$$ without but paper. I would NOT do it.

[LJubel328]

Originally Posted by m3tek44

that's lot of $$$ without but paper. I would not do it.

+1

[Mr. Miami]

Originally Posted by tonysoprano100

My brother is buying his first PP., an Aquanaut 5167.

Brand new on Chrono 24 to an store called Sky Diamonds in NYC.

All reviews looks fine, the price is 36.000 and the rest of the websites are like 42.000.

Reasons?
The watch is with the box and without papers, thats why the price.

Is so important the papers on a Patek?

um no. not in a million years. i am going to be buying a 5167a next july and i will tell you i am not buying one without box and papers? no way for that kind of money. that’s crazy. i’ve seen other grays with 2015-2019 ask between $34k-39k for one with box and papers.

[WatchEater666]

I don't personally care about box and papers but most people do. For that reason I always buy full sets when possible as it makes it easier to resell when/if you get bored.

[dauster]

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

I don't personally care about box and papers but most people do. For that reason I always buy full sets when possible as it makes it easier to resell when/if you get bored.

I think people care about the box and papers to make sure the watch is not a fake, if I could save a couple thousand $ and make sure the watch is legit I would not care about a full set - I think the minority of people care about the box and paper because they are collectors and want to have everything together.

[m3tek44]

I see nashvillewatch has 5167A 2019 complete set (box& paper) for $37,750. Cheaper with complete set. Something to think about....

[m3tek44]

Forgot to mention HQ Milton (San Francisco) has 2020 complete set as well. Scott is the person you want to reach out.

[tonysoprano100]

Originally Posted by m3tek44

Forgot to mention HQ Milton (San Francisco) has 2020 complete set as well. Scott is the person you want to reach out.

Thanks a million for your help buddy,
I saw it, 39.950

[Dr Process]

Seriously, how do folks lose the papers?!

I recently moved. Lost some silverware. Not documents that accompany a $30k investment.

[MrBigSmiles]

Paper is important. I would t buy if someone sells without ANY papers. Even an extract would be nice.


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[Humble michael]

Nope unless it’s super cheap - this one isn’t! Don’t do it . I would offer 30k and get serial no and Check with Henri Stern PP in nyc to make sure it’s not reported stolen .james in San Antonio Tx

[Gmt21]

Originally Posted by Dr Process

Seriously, how do folks lose the papers?!

I recently moved. Lost some silverware. Not documents that accompany a $30k investment.

With Rolex and other watches, and I assume here as well, watches are bought directly from ADs that aren't following the rules for over retail to greys. They "lose" the papers because if found PF would know which AD sold the watch and rescind their license to sell.

This is commonplace - look at Jomashop for example. So many watches with no papers.

[offrdmania]

And just 3 months ago a non papered 5167a was 27K and one with a complete set was 30. Crazy money for a 20K watch!

[JSCP]

no papers no buy... too risky.

[theflywrist]

I wouldn't do it! Not just that it is pricy, but it could be a sketchy situation. For the sake of the argument and assuming the original owner genuinely misplaced the papers, I'd still rather go all the way and have a full set on any modern Patek.

[ts3]

Originally Posted by JSCP

no papers no buy... too risky.

This, for modern Patek.

Missing box does not matter much IMHO. It is not specific to the watch and you can get it on ebay or chrono24 any time.

[rayshipley]

Don’t do it.

[Offline99]

Mental load of ownership would be too great.


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[Passionata]

just walk away

[Pimpsy]

Originally Posted by Gmt21

With Rolex and other watches, and I assume here as well, watches are bought directly from ADs that aren't following the rules for over retail to greys. They "lose" the papers because if found PF would know which AD sold the watch and rescind their license to sell.

This is commonplace - look at Jomashop for example. So many watches with no papers.

They know which dealer had the watch based on the serial number alone so I don't understand how ditching the papers changes anything?

At a certain price I guess I would consider but generally I would not buy any modern PP without papers.

[MCMartiny]

I echo the advice given by others, a full set or at least on with original papers provide peace of mind. Since this is your brother's first Patek, he should go for a full set from a trusted seller. Peace of mind is worth a couple of $1000s,

[JSolution]

Am yet to own a patek. However own a few Rolex without papers. No big deal.

[daveo5]

I purchase my Patek, pre-owned, without papers if it has a PP service seal on the case back, and service box and service papers.


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[Gmt21]

Originally Posted by Pimpsy

They know which dealer had the watch based on the serial number alone so I don't understand how ditching the papers changes anything?

At a certain price I guess I would consider but generally I would not buy any modern PP without papers.

The serial numbers are kept private usually. How many Rolex greys broadcast that? The numbers are always covered up in photos.

Rolex has been know to purchase watches from greys to get that info and bust the Ads.

[WatchEater666]

Originally Posted by dauster

I think people care about the box and papers to make sure the watch is not a fake, if I could save a couple thousand $ and make sure the watch is legit I would not care about a full set - I think the minority of people care about the box and paper because they are collectors and want to have everything together.

Box and papers don't help that much with fakes. Especially bigger well known brands?

[CamSLC]

I've had some Rolex's (25-30 years old) that I've bought at sold without B&P that subsequently were less money in and out. However with a modern PP I would not be interested.