Can I sell a Rolex Without papers? Here’s the Answer!
Can you sell a Rolex without papers?
”Papers” in the context of Rolex watches refer to the guarantee card or paper that is accompanied by the watch when originally purchased by an official Rolex retailer.
The guarantee has one main purpose, which is to give you a manufacturer’s guarantee for the watch. If you don’t have the original guarantee card, you won’t be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. This means, if you have any issues with your watch, regardless if it’s a manufacturer’s issue or not, you will have to pay to have it repaired.
But can you sell a Rolex without papers?
Can you sell Rolex without the original papers?
The short answer to that question is yes. But there is more to it than that. And first, we need to understand what the papers of a Rolex watch do.
Over the years, the ”papers” Rolex uses have changed a number of times. Originally, the guarantee for Rolex watches was actually a paper, containing the watch’s reference number, serial number, date of purchase, and retailer. In late 2006, Rolex started to introduce a new type of guarantee card. This card is a credit card style guarantee card made in plastic, unlike the original which was in paper form. This is the reason why the original warranty card is still referred to as ”papers”.
So to elaborate on the actual question, yes, you can sell your Rolex without the original papers, but almost certainly, you will get less money for it compared to if you would have the original papers. The ideal situation is of course that you have the box, papers, manual, and other original accessories. This will make your watch more sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts and thus increase its value.
The papers have the biggest importance within the warranty period of the watch. Rolex has a five-year warranty, and because the warranty will only be valid if you have the papers, it is of special importance. When the warranty has run out (after five years), the papers are essentially pointless. It may seem strange that having no papers after that affects the value, but there are actually several good reasons for this:
- Rolex will under no circumstances issue a new guarantee card. Because the card is unique to the watch, there is no way to replace it either. Many people want to have the complete set of a Rolex watch, as when sold new, the papers are actually the only thing you cannot replace.
- It works as a form of ”guarantee” of authenticity. Whilst a card is by no means a guarantee that the watch is authentic, it increases the likelihood.
- It reduces the likelihood that the watch has been stolen. The vast majority of watches stolen do not come with the original warranty card.
The older a watch is, the less important the original papers are. This is of course unless it’s a highly sought-after collector’s piece, where the original papers can make all the difference in the world, and even increase its value by 10, 20, 30, sometimes, even more, percent. But generally speaking, the papers will almost always increase the value of your watch and make it more attractive to buyers. It is possible to sell a Rolex without the papers, but expect slightly less than for one in the same condition that includes the original papers. Usually a few percent, but other factors such as condition, service history, dial configuration, etc will also affect the value.
The booklets such as the manual and user’s guide are sometimes and sometimes not included in the definition “papers”, but the single most important thing is the guarantee/warranty since this is the only thing that cannot be replaced.
hi,
I have an 18K Gold Rolex given to me in 2000. It does not have papers. Rolex Oyster Perpetual. Day-Date. It has all of the trademarks that make it real; How does one go about selling a watch. How is it authenticated..is it left with thejeweller, or can one attend while it is being evaluated? How do I know if the purchaser is telling me the truth?And, l;astly, are there specific kinds of dealers who are specialists in this that can be trusted.I askbecause everyone says it looks real, but those interested in buying say its a fake….its very frustrating and I do not want to get ripped off. And, do not feel comfortable “leaving” it with someone. Thank you.
Hello Deborah,
Our watch experts have the expertise to provide detailed information about your Rolex watch and can authenticate it. You can order a consultation here:
https://millenarywatches.com/watches/watch-consulting/
Kind regards,
MW
Right..have you sold it yet,I have the princess Rolex watch.
Hello I have similar case with Deborah ..I have Rolex oyster perpetual day date and want to know if it’s real because it has no paper
Hello Gideon,
For questions regarding authenticity, please refer to our watch experts:
https://millenarywatches.com/watches/watch-consulting/
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
I have found my Rolex watch that I thought had been stollen 33 years ago when my husband and I started to finally remolded my bedroom with big walk-in closet I am embarrassed to say that it’s very dirty but since I very serious back diseases and many surgeries I never looked for the “lost watch” and paperwork got thrown away many years ago I can’t afford having it cleaned because my husband of 19 years was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis this year and mom died 4 months ago I have to try to sell it so can I clean it my self
Why so much about your closet ?
Are you kidding me?
I would like to have my rolex cleaned, the jeweler I took it to said he would charge me 350.00. It has diamond bezels , I don’t want to leave it for a week. Is there a location where its rolex guaranteed.? Help… MVW
Hello,
Cleaning a Rolex is not really a “big deal”, but the best is to take it to an official Rolex retailer and they will be able to help you.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
Hi I’ve recently went to have my Rolex day date 2 oyster perpetual strap replaced and on removing the strap the gentleman said to me that the numbers have been removed and it might be stolen how do I go about sorting this out as I bought this back in 2010
Hi,
If you have the warranty/guarantee papers, you can identify the serial number this way.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
If i sell my ROLEX GMT-MASTER II 18k Gold without paper and box,how much the cost should be decrease for a real..Because i want to keep the paper and box for my memory for having the high value wathc and as my memory to the watch when i sell..i got a buyer that decrease the price from 40,000usd tu 20,000usd for my rolex without paper and box.Is it worth it to me to sell mu wathc to this buyer or what price should i tell him for the last price?Help me
Hi,
Without the original box and papers, count with a reduction in value of between approximately 10-20% compared to a watch with it.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
I bought a Rolex off a carboot last year. I was going to take it to a jeweller to get it confirmed and priced it has no box or papers but im sure its the real deal. Is there somewhere i can check and get a value.
Hello,
For authentication and appraisal, please refer to this page:
https://millenarywatches.com/?s=consulting&post_type=product
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
I bought my Rolex Oyster Perpetual as a young 2nd Lt navigator in the USAF. I needed an accurate chronometer and the AF only had stem wind ‘master watches’ which really did not do a good job. Bought the watch at the BX in Tachikawa AFB, Japan in Feb 1960. It has been all over the world (including exactly over the North Pole in 1962). I do not have the original papers(that I know of). The watch has been back to Geneva at least twice (once for a master spring replacement, for no charge) so I am sure my name is registered as the original and only owner. Can that be certified for a sale? The watch has just been cleaned and timed (probably for the last time in my lifetime). All maintenance has been performed by certified Rolex dealers over its lifetime. Original cost was $106.00 maintenance costs have been in excess of $3000.00 over the years
Hi,
Thanks for sharing! And thank you for your service. You couldn’t have chosen a better and more durable watch.
Rolex does not store any data about original owners.
Best is to have it appraised and get an appraisal/authentication letter.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
Hi, I bought a Rolex watch from someone who found it, and he was previously unable to obtain information about it from the agent in Cairo, because of the lack of its documents It has the appearance of luxury and has divisions for the days of the week, the date, 24 hours/day and confirmed its golden content through gold sellers. Can you verify its authenticity and value by sending you some pictures of it?
I have Rolex Daytona 1992 watch I want to sell it but I have no paper it was given somebody
I have a Rolex oyster perpetual date adjust. Very old wind up watch . I don’t have the box or papers and would like to sell it . What is the best way to do this.
Hi,
We would advise you to contact an auction house, list it on chrono24, or contact a watch dealer who may be interested in buying it.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches