Are Original Watch Boxes and Papers Important?

When it comes to the pre-owned watch market, one of the biggest points of contention is the importance of watch box and papers. Box and papers can help legitimize or authenticate a watch. In addition, they can add a bit of value. At the same time, it’s relatively easy for a set of box and papers to appear credible when in fact they’re aftermarket. In some cases, the original watch papers may be blank, filled in, and added to the watch more recently. At the end of the day, box and papers are not legal documentation. In addition, they’re not required when transferring ownership of a watch. All that said, it can be challenging to determine if a set of box and papers are genuine. Then, if so, how much value or assurance they really add. Here, we look closely at the nuances of watch box and papers to help you be a more discerning buyer.

This is a Rolex watch with its box and papers:

What are Box and Papers?

Box and papers or a full set will vary by brand. However, there are a few basic items you can expect. When it comes to the box, there will typically be a presentation box that holds the watch itself. This may be lined, leather, or include a travel case. The presentation box will be encased in an outer box, usually made of a more standard material, like cardboard. A standard set of papers may include a combination of several things. This may be a Certificate of Authenticity, warranty card, Certificate of Origin, and/or watch manual. Some watches may even include a purchase receipt or service history.

How much are Box and Papers Worth for a Watch?

As a general rule, box and papers will add roughly 25% to the value of a watch. Regardless, the most important thing when buying a pre-owned watch is the watch itself. Some buyers fall victim to the misconception that box and papers are the most crucial element when buying pre-owned. They’ll buy a watch in poor condition because they feel peace of mind that box and papers accompany it. Instead, a smart buyer knows that the quality of the watch itself is the most critical thing when buying pre-owned. This should be your number one factor when shopping in the second hand market. If a good quality watch has box and papers, it’s an added bonus.

This is what a Patek Philippe watch looks like with its box and papers:

Buying a Watch without Original Box and Papers

When shopping pre-owned, it’s important to know that the older the watch, the less likely it is to have credible box and papers. This is true for two reasons. First, watch box and papers were once considered relatively unimportant and therefore discarded. In addition, watch box and papers are more likely to be lost or misplaced over time. So, if you’re buying an older vintage model and it’s accompanied by box and papers, you should be detailed in assessing their authenticity.

Keeping the Importance of Box and Papers in Perspective

Still, it’s possible another shift is on the horizon when it comes to the emphasis placed on box and papers. In the spring of 2020, Breitling announced they’d be bucking the longstanding industry tradition. Alternatively, they made plans to ditch their box and papers to cut down on environmental waste. Instead, the manufacturer expects to deliver their timepieces in pouches made from recycled materials. With the growing consciousness around unnecessary and environmentally damaging packaging, it will be interesting to see if other watchmakers follow suit in the coming years. Could a trend like this in fact increase the value of box and papers as they become more obsolete? Will it result in the demise of box and papers and render them worthless altogether? In a few years, perhaps we’ll be having an entirely different conversation about the importance of watch box and papers. Only time will tell. 

Here are the box and papers for Jaeger LeCoultre:

 

Here is an Audemers Piguet watch with box and papers:

 

This is what a Girard Perregaux watch looks like with its box and papers: