Rolex papers: Which certificates of authenticity should be included with a watch?

Many watch enthusiasts and collectors attach great importance to purchasing their luxury wristwatches in a “complete package” with box and papers. There are two good reasons for this: Firstly, the availability of complete papers increases the security of the purchase, as counterfeits are often sold without the corresponding documents. Secondly, watches with a box and, above all, papers are generally easier to resell. This article explains the written accessories for the Rolex wristwatch, answers questions about authenticity checks and highlights the importance of boxes and papers in terms of market value.

The most important facts in brief

These aspects of Rolex papers are discussed in more detail below:

• Proof of authenticity: the papers that come with a Rolex confirm the authenticity and provenance of the watch. The documents provided by the dealer at the time of purchase include the warranty card, the certificate of authenticity, the proof of purchase, the operating instructions and the service booklet, which is intended to document maintenance work.

• Increase in value: If experienced collectors are looking for a Rolex, they clearly prefer a wristwatch with complete papers. A watch with papers almost invariably fetches higher prices than a comparable example without original documents.

• Purchase protection: Papers are an important protection against counterfeiting when buying used watches. They answer important questions about the warranty, reference and year of manufacture of the watch and make it possible to verify its authenticity.

Which documents come with a Rolex watch?

If you purchase a Rolex watch from the manufacturer, these documents are included with the watch in addition to the box (original packaging):

Rolex warranty card

The warranty card contains the most important information about the warranty provided by the retailer. Rolex luxury watches are normally guaranteed for a period of five years from the date of purchase, excluding wear and tear and loss. In addition, the card is stamped with a dealer's stamp and the date of purchase, from which conclusions can be drawn about the authenticity of the watch in the event of subsequent resale. The serial number and model number (reference) are also noted on the warranty card. These notes can be used to identify the period in which the watch was manufactured and the specific model.

Certificate of authenticity

The certificate of authenticity is probably the most important document for the Rolex watch and is issued by authorized Rolex dealers. It confirms that this watch is a tested and authenticated original of the brand.

Invoice and proof of purchase

The invoice or proof of purchase, which is handed over when purchasing from a specialist dealer, serves as proof of ownership and should always include the date of purchase. This is because: In the event of a warranty claim, this document can be used to determine whether warranty claims (still) exist.

Operating instructions

A Rolex item is usually sold with an instruction manual. The instructions sometimes give tips on how to care for the watch and provide information on how to handle and maintain it correctly.

Service booklet

Repairs and maintenance work carried out are documented in the service booklet so that the service history of the watch remains traceable.

Authenticity check: How to identify a genuine Rolex

The question to ask when buying a Rolex from a seller who is not an authorized retailer is: Is the watch genuine? If it is sold with a box, Rolex certificate and warranty card and there is a proof of purchase, this basically already speaks for its authenticity. Nevertheless, it is advisable to take a closer look and check the serial number, for example. To do this, first compare the number engraved on the case with the number on the certificate of authenticity. If these do not match, you may be dealing with a fake. If the numbers match, the next step is to look them up in the directory to find out when the respective series was produced. The year of production is then compared with the documents. If there are no discrepancies in this process, you most likely have an original Rolex watch.

Apart from the papers, a fake can often be recognized by these characteristics:

• Particularly light weight

• Shoddy workmanship

• Inconsistent details (e.g. on the crown, numerals or hands)

• Uneven, jerky hand movements

• Fuzzy or “blurred” engraved serial number

The value of Rolex watches with complete papers

The complete presence of the papers is one of the factors that has a major influence on the resale value of a watch. No wonder, since it cannot be denied that it is difficult to authenticate a watch as genuine without papers. Watches with fully enclosed certificates sell much better than watches without papers and usually change hands at significantly higher prices.

The buying process: what to look out for

These tips ensure greater security in the purchasing process:

It is advisable to buy from an authorized, reputable dealer locally or online. They know their way around the world of Rolex luxury watches, can use their expertise to help you find the desired original, answer questions and offer the buyer maximum certainty regarding the authenticity of the watch.

Anyone who decides to purchase a watch from a private individual is taking a certain risk compared to buying from a reputable dealer. This makes it all the more important to inspect the papers, check the data and, ideally, seek the assistance of an expert.

The most important details to check, which include Rolex papers, are the serial and model numbers, the date of purchase and the name of the previous owner.

The following applies: A price that is too good to be true is often a serious warning sign, as fraudsters - especially on the Internet - often lure you in with supposedly original watches for comparatively little money.

Care and storage of Rolex papers

If you purchase Rolex watches including the box and all papers, it is essential to ensure that the important documents are not lost. It is best to keep them neatly sorted in a folder in a safe place where they are protected from moisture and can be accessed at any time. In most cases, it is not possible to simply replace lost documents. Rolex makes this particularly clear with regard to the warranty card and advises customers to contact the retailer through whom the purchase was made in the event of loss. In the remainder of this blog article, we will discuss the options available in this case.

The market for pre-owned Rolex watches

Numerous popular Rolex models are constantly available on the secondary market, some of which are offered with boxes and papers, others without. But how exactly does the presence or absence of documents affect market prices?

Sale without papers

Basically, it can be said that Rolex watches without original papers are often offered at much lower prices than watches with all certificates. This is partly due to the function of the papers as proof of authenticity, which simply does not exist without documents. The risk that the buyer has to take when purchasing a model without papers logically reduces the price.

Influence of the papers on the price

Conversely, complete “complete packages” with box and certificates drive up the value of the watch. The reason for this is, of course, the significantly higher demand for watches with documents and box. Many collectors do not give “paperless” wristwatches a second glance. The price difference between a Rolex with all papers and the same watch without papers can be 20% or more.

Buying and selling

As already mentioned, it is essential to check the documents of a Rolex before buying it in order to reduce the risk of falling for a fraudster. All in all, watch enthusiasts who do not have much expertise in authentication themselves are advised to either seek professional assistance or to buy exclusively from authorized dealers or reputable suppliers and not from private individuals. When buying from Horando, for example, the question of the authenticity of a Rolex does not even arise, as all our watches are professionally checked and authenticated before they reach the store.

Subsequent procurement of papers

There is probably nothing more annoying when it comes to watches than losing the papers. As previously mentioned, it is not always possible to replace the missing documents. It may be possible to obtain replacement documents from authorized dealers or the manufacturer Rolex itself, but this is not guaranteed. It is also important to note that issuing new documents can be quite expensive.

Factors for the value

Apart from the existence of the documents, these factors and characteristics also determine the value of a Rolex:

• Condition and signs of wear

• Reference and year of production

• Demand and availability

• Inclusion of the box

It can often be observed that highly limited models, which are only produced in small numbers and thus never saturate the market, as well as coveted vintage models with complete papers and box have a particularly high collector's value.

Conclusion

They prove the authenticity of a watch, provide information about the model, date of purchase, year of manufacture and owner and document service and maintenance work: The papers of a Rolex wristwatch are undoubtedly important documents. As they play a decisive role in determining the price at which a watch can be resold, it is essential to take good care of the papers, keep them safe and treat them with care.