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 as a "complete package" with box and papers. There are two good reasons for this: Firstly, having a complete set of papers increases security during the purchase, as counterfeits are often sold without the accompanying documentation. Secondly, watches with a box and, above all, papers are generally easier to resell. This article explains the written accessories that accompany Rolex wristwatches, answers questions about authenticity testing, and highlights the importance of boxes and papers with regard to market value.

The most important things in brief

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

• Proof of authenticity: The papers that accompany a Rolex confirm the authenticity and origin of the watch. The documents provided by the retailer upon purchase include the warranty card, the certificate of authenticity, the purchase receipt, the instruction manual, and the service booklet, which is intended to document maintenance work.

• Increased value: When experienced collectors go in search of a Rolex, they clearly prefer a watch with complete documentation. A watch with documentation almost always fetches higher prices than a comparable piece without original documentation.

• Purchase protection: When purchasing used watches, documentation is an important protection against counterfeits. It answers important questions about the warranty, reference, and year of manufacture, and allows buyers to verify the watch's authenticity.

What documents come with a Rolex watch?

When you purchase a Rolex watch from the manufacturer, the following documents are included 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. For Rolex luxury watches, the warranty on the functionality of the timepiece is typically valid for five years from the date of purchase, excluding wear and tear and loss. The card also bears a dealer's stamp and the date of purchase, which can be used to verify the authenticity of the watch in the event of a subsequent resale. The warranty card also contains the serial number and model number (reference). These details allow you to determine the specific model and the period in which the watch was manufactured.

Certificate of authenticity

The certificate of authenticity is arguably the most important document for a Rolex watch and is issued by authorized Rolex retailers. It confirms that the watch in question is a tested and authenticated original from the brand.

Invoice and receipt

The invoice or receipt provided by the retailer upon purchase serves as proof of ownership and should always include the purchase date. This document will indicate whether warranty claims are still valid in the event of a warranty claim.

Operating instructions

A Rolex item is usually sold with an instruction manual. The manual may provide tips for caring for the watch and information on how to properly handle and maintain it.

Service booklet

The service booklet documents repairs and maintenance work carried out so that the watch's service history remains traceable.

Authenticity Check: How to Identify a Real Rolex

The ultimate question when buying a Rolex from a seller who isn't an authorized dealer is: Is the watch genuine? If it comes with a box, Rolex certificate, and warranty card, and there's a receipt, that's essentially a guarantee of authenticity. However, it's still advisable to take a closer look and check things like the serial number. To do this, first compare the number engraved on the case with the number on the certificate of authenticity. If they don't match, you may be dealing with a fake. If the numbers match, next look them up in the catalog to determine when the respective series was produced. Then, again, compare the production year with the documents. If no discrepancies are noticed during this process, you most likely have an original Rolex watch.

Aside from the paperwork, a fake can often be identified by these characteristics:

• Particularly light weight

• Poor workmanship

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

• Uneven, jerky pointer movements

• Blurry or fuzzy engraved serial number

The value of Rolex watches with full papers

The complete presence of the paperwork is one of the factors that greatly influences a watch's resale value. This is no surprise, given that it's undeniable that it's difficult to authenticate a watch as genuine without the paperwork. Watches with complete certificates sell significantly better than those without paperwork and usually change hands for significantly higher prices.

The buying process: What to look out for

These tips will ensure more security in the purchasing process:

• It's recommended to purchase from an authorized, reputable retailer, either locally or online. They're well-versed in the world of Rolex luxury watches, can provide expert support in locating the desired original, answer questions, and offer the buyer maximum assurance regarding the watch's authenticity.

• Anyone who decides to purchase a watch from a private individual takes a certain risk compared to buying from a reputable dealer. This makes it all the more important to review the documents, verify the details, and ideally seek the assistance of an expert.

• The most important information to check that Rolex papers contain are the serial and model numbers, the date of purchase and the name of the previous owner.

• The rule is: A price that is too good to be true is often a serious warning sign, because scammers often lure customers - especially on the Internet - with supposedly original watches for comparatively little money.

Care and storage of Rolex papers

When purchasing Rolex watches, including the box and all the paperwork, it's essential to ensure that these important documents don't get lost. It's best to keep them neatly organized in a folder in a safe, moisture-proof place where you can access them at any time. In most cases, it's not possible to simply replace lost documents. Rolex makes this particularly clear with regard to the warranty card, advising that in the event of a loss, you should still contact the authorized retailer through whom the purchase was made. We'll discuss the options available in this case later in this blog post.

The market for used Rolex watches

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

Sale without papers

In general, Rolex watches without original papers are often offered at significantly lower prices than those with full certificates. This is due, among other things, to the papers' function as proof of authenticity, which simply isn't possible without them. The risk the buyer has to take when purchasing a model without papers logically reduces the price.

Influence of the papers on the price

Conversely, complete "packages" with box and certificates drive up the value of the watch. This is, of course, also due to the significantly higher demand for watches with documents and a box. Many collectors don't even glance at "paperless" watches offered for sale. The price difference between a Rolex with all the papers and the same watch without papers can be 20% or more.

Purchase and sale

As mentioned above, it's essential to check the documentation for a Rolex before purchasing it to reduce the risk of falling victim to a fraudster. All in all, watch enthusiasts who lack extensive expertise in authenticity testing are advised to either seek professional support or purchase exclusively from authorized dealers or reputable sellers, rather than from private individuals. When purchasing from Horando, for example, the question of a Rolex's authenticity doesn't even arise, as all our watches are professionally inspected and authenticated before they arrive in our shop.

Subsequent procurement of documents

There's probably nothing more frustrating when it comes to watches than losing the papers. As mentioned above, it's not always possible to replace missing documents. In some cases, replacement documents can be obtained through authorized dealers or the manufacturer, Rolex itself, but this is not guaranteed. Furthermore, it's important to be aware that issuing new documents can be quite expensive.

Factors for the value

Apart from the presence of the papers, these factors and features determine the value of a Rolex:

• Condition and signs of wear

• Reference and year of production

• Demand and availability

• Enclosed 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 sought-after vintage models with complete papers and box, have a particularly high collector value.

Conclusion

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