The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I am thinking of buying a used superocean 44 watch from a dealer, it is authentic but does not come with any papers. Just curious how much this would effect future resale price and what other purpose do the papers serve?

Trying to gauge the value difference of a watch with papers vs a watch without so I know how much to pay.

Thanks!

If the warranty has expired then there is no practical benefit to having the papers. People will want sets when they buy so it impacts value, but presumably it also affects the price that you pay so the resale hit is already factored in - you only lose out if you buy the watch with papers and then lose them yourself.

Personally, I would not spend the kind of money Breitling demands without the complete box and papers. But that's just me.

_________________
Chronomat Evolution / Mother of Pearle Face
SuperOcean 44 / Blue / Ocean Racer Strap
Tag / Formula Chrono / Black

Breitling isn't demanding anything, and they're not involved in the sale of an out-of-warranty used watch. Lack of papers gives the potential buyer a lever to try to get the price down, and get a watch for a lower price. Many buyers are happier with an affordable price.

To the OP: check recent ebay sales, for an idea of prices. If the watch has been for sale for a while, try to use that for leverage, too.

I think it has about a 10% impact on the value.

_________________
-RJ

If that's the case, it's no wonder we see the prices we do on boxes, etc., sold by themselves.

no box and papers... no deal!

Which is why I have got a lot of the deals that I have. I don't have the same phobia as some on B&P, maybe because of the fact that with vintage pieces you have to assume that they aren't available. Because I never sell the papers are truly irrelevant to me (unless a warranty is involved), so it's a perfect opportunity to get something for a lower price.

That's why Roff, and others, have some leverage with these sellers.

The watch I am looking at has the box but no papers. It is priced accordingly i believe, (just under 2k for a superocean 44 on pro2)

Imo papers are only important to those that don't plan on keeping their watches. If the price is right I could care less about the papers.

If the watch is no longer under warranty, I would prefer it to have no papers and no box. I don't keep the watch in the box regardless, and I don't see the point in paying a premium for papers which have no actual meaning or purpose (once out of warranty) that are just going to sit in a closet somewhere. I'd prefer to get a better deal on the watch itself.

And if I do have to sell, as other have noted, I theoretically wouldn't be taking any larger hit as I should have paid a discounted price in the first place and it should be a wash for anyone except the original watch purchaser who did not keep the papers.

Not hijacking, just taking the topic further afield: In your case, papers would not necessarily keep me from purchasing, especially if were a good/great deal.

Having typed that, when I buy previously owned limited editions (which is my primary focus, in terms of collecting), I insist on all relevant paperwork be included, warranty or not. I will accept the non-inclusion of generalized books and manuals that can easily be replaced, however. In conclusion, matching/numbered certificates for LE's are a deal breaker for me.

unless it was a impossible to pass bargain i would not buy any breitling whitout the complete bundle... but its just me

_________________
Breitling Chrono Avenger Black Dial whit Pro II Ti, Diver Pro I
Breitling BlackBird Big Date brushed whit SS Bracelet, brown croco
Breitling BlackBird Blacksteel 528/2000 Whit Dp2 Deployment
Omega Planet Ocean Chrono 9300 Co-axial Ceramic on SS bracelet

I just cannot understand that someone loose the papers and boxes, it is such a big and special purchase that you keep everything together in my opinion... For me it is just the whole pakkage that brings the joy out of it!