Comments:
I will be interested in others comments and experience, but for second hand watches I like to have papers that have been stamped or signed with the name and address of the dealer or boutique, the watches serial number and the original purchase date. It adds to the pedigree and history of the piece.
If the papers are unstamped and undated then you don't know if they originally came with the watch, or indeed how the watch came to be in the owners hands. Reprinted papers, a mixture of different boxes and papers put together to make the watch more expensive or to add a false sense of security for a fake or frankenwatch. All these are possible explanations.
And I am assuming there is no warranty repair question in your mind. But that also gets murky, particularly when there is a stamp or name of a dealer but no purchase date. Many Grey Market watches come like this. Dealers offload stock to secondary sellers that they can't shift themselves. It is sometimes called Open Papers, but that may mean no purchase date or no date AND no dealer stamp.
Hope that goes some way to answering your question.
Buyer beware.
Andrew
... the proof of purchase for warranty repair purposes with Seiko?
Andrew
... outside of the warranty period should not be affected by lack of receipt or 'papers'. As long as the watch is not stolen (many companies keeps lists of reported stolen watches and just wait for them to be submitted for service) and you are paying for the service it should not be an issue. Outside of the warranty period I have not been asked to provide proof or data of purchase.
Andrew
So, it doesn't add anything to the watch.
Best,
Nicolas
I have 40 or so Seikos and I have cards in all states and conditions - empty, filled, partially-filled, etc. Notice the warranty card clearly says they will keep it if you do have service.
I have service receipts from Japan, from CoServe in the US, and from aftermarket stores, and I think the card or a dealer's sales receipt (or both) will get you service in most instances with Seiko. Or you can return it to the store where the first buyer bought the watch from, if you know it. They can help you.
But warranty service is only one thing and if "flipping" a watch is your thing, you might want flawless documentation. I've only had one watch serviced under warrant - a Maurice La Croix. I was probably 3rd owner in 6 months, but had all the paperwork. It was fixed in 2 weeks, no problems at all.
Paying for service is another thing entirely.
Being willing to pay and then being refused service is extraordinarily irritating, and not unknown if you get a small-volume Swiss watch and can't account for how you got it.
Or if you have a nice used Rolex, for example, and want a service and to change a day wheel from one language to another. No can do, they said. In writing.
Or if you have a Swiss quartz watch and want a first-time battery replacement and are quoted hundreds of dollars from the authorized dealer ...
Alas ... Watches
Blank guarantee booklets
Dear all,
Many online watch platforms have a buying and selling section. Just like this great place. Often you see watches being offered with blank guarantee booklets. I understand this is not the way it should be, but I feel it still represents the origin of the watch. Can some of you please enlight me the value of blank guarantee booklets? Do they still stand for something on the second hand market? Thanks for you insights.
Regards Rik
So many possibilities ...
I will be interested in others comments and experience, but for second hand watches I like to have papers that have been stamped or signed with the name and address of the dealer or boutique, the watches serial number and the original purchase date. It adds to the pedigree and history of the piece.
If the papers are unstamped and undated then you don't know if they originally came with the watch, or indeed how the watch came to be in the owners hands. Reprinted papers, a mixture of different boxes and papers put together to make the watch more expensive or to add a false sense of security for a fake or frankenwatch. All these are possible explanations.
And I am assuming there is no warranty repair question in your mind. But that also gets murky, particularly when there is a stamp or name of a dealer but no purchase date. Many Grey Market watches come like this. Dealers offload stock to secondary sellers that they can't shift themselves. It is sometimes called Open Papers, but that may mean no purchase date or no date AND no dealer stamp.
Hope that goes some way to answering your question.
Buyer beware.
Andrew
Seiko comes to mind...
Every Seiko I've ever bought, except for one, be it AD, department store or grey, came with a blank warranty card. I don't think this is the case with, say, Omega or Breitling, unless the grey seller sends the goods without all the cards or warranty papers, then you're on your own. Caveat emptor! Thank you.... ^_^
So the sales receipt becomes ...
... the proof of purchase for warranty repair purposes with Seiko?
Andrew
Thanks for your insights
My basic though is exacly that, fully filled out papers is best. Fully blank papers aren't worth that much you say.
Grey market is interesting too.
Does any of this influence the normal servicing of the watch, outside the one or two year warrenty?
Thanks for your insights, exactly what I was looking for. Always be aware.
Cheers! Rik
Servicing ...
... outside of the warranty period should not be affected by lack of receipt or 'papers'. As long as the watch is not stolen (many companies keeps lists of reported stolen watches and just wait for them to be submitted for service) and you are paying for the service it should not be an issue. Outside of the warranty period I have not been asked to provide proof or data of purchase.
Andrew
Blank guarantees are not valid. And don't mean that the paper came with the watch.
So, it doesn't add anything to the watch.
Best,
Nicolas
Nicolas, I believe the G is between the brand and the holder of G, be it blank or not. [nt]
No message body
Not all Seiko cards are blank
I have 40 or so Seikos and I have cards in all states and conditions - empty, filled, partially-filled, etc. Notice the warranty card clearly says they will keep it if you do have service.
I have service receipts from Japan, from CoServe in the US, and from aftermarket stores, and I think the card or a dealer's sales receipt (or both) will get you service in most instances with Seiko. Or you can return it to the store where the first buyer bought the watch from, if you know it. They can help you.
But warranty service is only one thing and if "flipping" a watch is your thing, you might want flawless documentation. I've only had one watch serviced under warrant - a Maurice La Croix. I was probably 3rd owner in 6 months, but had all the paperwork. It was fixed in 2 weeks, no problems at all.
Paying for service is another thing entirely.
Being willing to pay and then being refused service is extraordinarily irritating, and not unknown if you get a small-volume Swiss watch and can't account for how you got it.
Or if you have a nice used Rolex, for example, and want a service and to change a day wheel from one language to another. No can do, they said. In writing.
Or if you have a Swiss quartz watch and want a first-time battery replacement and are quoted hundreds of dollars from the authorized dealer ...
Alas ... Watches