This must sound familiar: you’ve decided to splurge on a new watch, and the salesperson is putting it inside its enormous, fancy-looking box. It makes the watch look like it’s worth even more than it already is, and it kind of feels nice to carry the weighty thing out of the shop. But then you arrive home, take the watch out of that box, store it somewhere, and never think about it again. So, how much does watch packaging actually matter?
I’ll go over a few examples below, and then I’ll have my say on what I think would be the best way forward. But this article is also a request to you, dear Fratelli, to tell us what you think about current watch packaging. Make sure to leave your views down in the comments. But first, let me tell you about my experience with watch packaging.
My first experience with a typical example of watch packaging was with the box that came with my Oris Art Blakey. That’s a limited-edition watch that came in a special box and with a booklet about Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. I read the little booklet and then put everything except the watch back into the box. I stored it away and never looked at it again until I had to pack everything for my house move last week. It wasn’t like I had a lot of time to look inside every single watch box that I’d stored, though.
I quickly put all the boxes inside a bigger box, and I ended up with two big boxes full of smaller watch boxes. Now those two big boxes are sitting in the new house, waiting to be opened. But actually, I’m not sure when or if I’ll do that. I’ve thought about displaying the boxes in a nice place in the house, but that feels a bit flashy and over the top. It might also be nice to take out any cool reading material or props and put them on a shelf. Unfortunately, though, I think all those well-made boxes will stay hidden inside those moving boxes for the foreseeable future.
However, I do appreciate all those particular boxes for the different watches. The nicest one I have came with my Autodromo Intereuropa. It’s a flat blue and white lacquered wooden box that feels heavy in the hand. It has tiny hinges, closes with magnets, and oozes quality. It’s exactly what you’d expect with a luxury watch. If I were going to put any of my watch boxes on display, this one would work well for that.
Of course, my Cartier Santos Galbée XL came with La Maison’s signature red box. It’s another well-made box with a push-button mechanism to open it. I don’t think it’s something I would like to put on display, though, just like the green wooden and leather box that came with my Rolex Explorer reference 114270. It’s a nice little box, and that green color is very emblematic, but no, it’s going back into the moving box.
A year and a half ago, I bought the new Omega Speedmaster Professional. It came in quite a big box, inside of which was a little travel case. Although that’s a nice approach, even that travel case is still inside the bigger box. It’s simply not small enough to travel with.
The box that came with my Breguet 5907 is a beautiful wooden and leather one that was made by hand in Italy. It suits the watch, but again, it’s so big. In that sense, I prefer the small box that came with my Serica 5303-3. It’s big enough to ship the watch in, and it doesn’t take up as much space as the other examples I mentioned above. But more brands are thinking about how to package their watches too.
I know that when you order from Zenith’s online boutique, you can opt for more environmentally friendly packaging. I haven’t seen it in real life yet, but I can imagine that it’s similar to what Breitling is doing with its watch packaging. It’s a more sensible and modular solution made from 100% upcycled plastic bottles. Just like the Serica packaging, it’s easy to store away, and it can even be used when you’re traveling with your watch.
Another idea I just came across is this box from G-Shock that can also be used as ambient lighting. There’s an LED light inside, and the motif on the box makes for a nice spectacle at night. It’s a shame that only one of these will be made, but it could serve as inspiration for other brands.
I think I’d be happy if every watch came in a practical pouch or travel case. And even if I don’t use it for traveling, it won’t take up all my storage space in the new house. That’s why I totally get why Thomas chose to ship his future VPC watch in a nice leather watch pouch. But what would you prefer? Are you a fan of those big, luxurious (wooden) boxes? Do you put them out on display, or do you also store them in the attic? Let me know in the comments below.
And maybe you’ve come across really nice watch packaging that I didn’t mention. I’d be curious to hear what you’ve seen around. Maybe we can come to the perfect solution together.
When purchasing a pre-owned watch, an important factor considered by buyers and collectors, apart from price and authenticity, is the presence of the watch box and papers. That is, if the watch comes with its original box, certificates, and factory paperwork.
Most pre-owned watch retailers include this detail in their listings, a sign that it is of importance to many buyers – but why is that exactly?
Let’s dig deeper on why watch box and papers matter and when you should go ahead and buy the watch, even without these inclusions.
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What are included in watch Box and Papers?
Accompaniments of a “full set” timepiece will vary depending on the brand, but the basic inclusions are as follows:
This is basically the box that the watch came in. Depending on the brand, this could be made of leather or cardboard. Most brands offer an outer box, a presentation box – usually lined with leather, that may also include a travel case. Note that one can buy these replacement boxes from authorized dealers, with prices ranging from $250 to over a thousand.
Again, depending on the brand, these may include any of the following: the user manual, Certificate of Authenticity, Certificate of Origin, and warranty card.
For certain brands like Patek Philippe, you can also order archive papers of the watch after the sale. With these in your possession, you can find out details such as its date of production and original date of sale.
Some additional items you may find when buying a “full set” pre-owned watch are the original purchase receipt and service history records.
Together, these form the entirety of the “package” you are buying. When purchasing a pre-owned watch, there may be instances where these are all available, and some cases where only some of the contents come with the watch. Basically, you can get:
the watch only
the watch with its original papers
the watch with its original box
the watch with its original box and papers (a complete set)
While these items help confirm the provenance of the timepiece, they don’t necessarily guarantee that a watch is real or authentic. They are not legal documentation and are not required when selling a watch or transferring ownership.
What they do tell you is that the watch was cared for. Someone who keeps the original packaging of the watch, and any other accessories that came with the original purchase, is likely an owner who was detailed enough to keep the watch maintained and cleaned regularly.
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Do Watch Box and Papers matter?
There are several factors to consider when weighing the value of the box and papers in your purchase of a pre-owned timepiece. In general, they do have an impact on the price and desirability of the watch being sold.
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A watch that comes with its original box and papers will cost more than the same model being sold without these inclusions. If you have your eyes set on a watch and would like a better deal, you can opt for a watch without its box and papers that is still in good condition.
Popular watches – such as the Rolex Daytona 116500 or the Rolex Submariner 16610 – are well known in the watch community for consistent demand and holding their value, so in many cases, these watches still have their box and papers intact.
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Desirability
With its original box and papers, a watch is deemed a complete set, making them greatly coveted by collectors and buyers due to their enhanced value and appeal. Collectors actively seek out watches with all the original accessories and documents to augment the overall completeness and value of their collections. As previously explained, watches with their box and papers tend to cost more, and the additional cost reflects the increased desirability and worth attached to possessing the watch with its original box and papers.
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If you are weighing whether you should go for a watch with its box and papers, or just buying the watch itself, other factors come into play:
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When the time comes to sell your watch, the completeness of the package can add a premium to your timepiece. Depending on the brand and model, one can estimate that the watch can increase in selling price by at least $250 with the box and papers intact.
Moreover, boxes that accompany vintage and rare timepieces can even add much more value.
If you are also planning to sell your watch directly to a buyer, having the watch box and papers intact can help you sell the watch quickly, as most buyers take it as a sign that the watch is authentic and in good condition.
If you are sure that you will keep the watch and not sell it in the future, then you may be able to get a better price on a watch that is without the accoutrements.
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One should also consider the age of the watch. Decades ago, people bought watches to pass them down to generations; and the pre-owned watch market was not around yet. Thus, the likelihood that the owner kept the box and paper work is slim, but not impossible.
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Having the watch’s box and papers is a plus, but it is not necessary – and it definitely shouldn’t stop you from buying the watch that you desire.
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Watch box and papers do positively impact its resale value and desirability, and help confirm their history and provenance, but box and papers do not guarantee that a watch is authentic. Your best defense against buying a counterfeit luxury watch is to avoid purchasing it privately, and instead go to a reputable dealer, such as SwissWatchExpo, who can back their products with an authenticity guarantee and warranty.
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While box and papers can significantly boost the value and appeal of a watch, it’s important to recognize that they should not be the sole determining factor for your purchase. The desirability and market value of a watch are also influenced by other factors, such as its brand, model or reference, condition, rarity, and complications or functions it possesses.
There’s no definitive answer as to whether one should buy a watch with box and papers – it all comes down to one’s personal preferences. With this guide, we hope to have helped you make an informed decision when buying your next watch.
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