'Full Sets'

I mentioned full set in the <$1,000 watch thread only because that happened to be what I got for the $$. But more importantly it was the specific reference I wanted….and coincidentally it was also the lowest priced one on Chrono24 in the past several months. I’ve never specifically made the full set a requirement for a purchase simply because I’ve never bought a watch for which it added any value, and it isn’t important enough for me to pay up to get the box and papers. It’s nice to get the owner’s booklet just as a reference, though.

 

I only buy full sets. Maybe because every watch I've bought new I retained the box and papers. It adds a level of authenticity, even if it's just perceived.

 

It’s kind of like mileage, full records or service history of a car….sellers say it adds value while buyers insist that it doesn’t. I do keep boxes and papers for the few new watches I’ve ever bought (well, except for the Vietnam Seiko…I had other things on my mind).

 

I have the sales receipt for my Father's Rolex 16018, malachite face, date-just from 1979 that he bought from Wright Kay Jewelers. Wright Kay no longer exists.

That receipt is important because it is personal. I can always buy another malachite date-just, but I can never get that receipt.

 

If you have 20+ high end watches without the storage space to keep the boxes, I have questions.

 

I have maybe a half dozen boxes for watches I've bought over the years. The ones I kept were either weird, like a couple of the cheapo-ish Ferrari watches I bought that had a 360 intake cover for the box, or because I just liked the look of the box, and they're a convenient storage place for papers, manual and extra watch links.

I'd like to have one for the Omega I bought used, but not gonna happen, just stupid money for them on ebay, and no way to really know if they're real. And I'd love to have one for the 1950's Vacheron that my uncle gifted to my father, either as a wedding gift or 1st child gift, never found out what it was as I didn't know the watch existed until after my dad passed away, and my uncle couldn't recall. I do have the original factory paperwork for that watch, but a correct box would simply add to the enjoyment for me, and maybe someday for whichever one of my kids wants the watch.

D

 

The seller of the Omega C-shape Constellation I recently bought offered the box as a separate transaction. I declined

 

Full set is just the watch market equivalent of the extended warranty imo, its a perceived added value at resale but a box and a piece of paper doesn't make your watch any more authentic than it is, it either is or isn't. I always negotiate based on price and condition on pre-owned watches irrespective of having a full set or not. That said, I store my watches in their box if I have it and yes they do take up space, but I get a certain enjoyment of looking for, retrieveing and opening the box to get the watch. Of course I'm talking about your run of the mill Rolex, Omega, Cartier here and not true collectibles, where a full set versus non full set dramatically affects the price.

 

Personally I think the “full set” on a pre owned watch is important in that it shows the owner was conscientious about owning the watch enough to care for the boxes and paperwork, and by extension they were likely attentive to condition and servicing of the watch itself. I seek out watches (when used) with all of the extras included and keep all the stuff when I buy new. It’s not dissimilar to our collector cars that have all the books and records as well as any books and magazines they’ve been in along with historical stuff available for each. It’s all part of the collecting process.

 

WatchCharts show a premium for full set. But the real oddity is the 6% premium for unworn. Makes sense for flipping brand new but not otherwise.

 

I think it also depends on the model too.

A 6062 with full set is nearly impossible to obtain, but if you want one you're gonna pay a ton regardless and probably won't be deterred for lack of a full set.