Bad box conditions: does this affect value of the set?

Posts
242
Likes
407
Hi all,

I have a Speedmaster Automatic date, bought in the early 90s. My question is related to the bad condition of its box and the affected value of the set.
Posting some pictures to directly see the actual conditions (getting every day worse):



Thanks to all for any advice or observation.
 
Posts
23,318
Likes
51,920
Just advertise it as a Crackle Box and charge a premium. 😁
 
Posts
2,029
Likes
7,163
To be expected with these cheap boxes. Amazing that you still have the box, tbh.
 
Posts
242
Likes
407
Thanks all for your answers. I was thinking to replace with a red (generic) one, but I don't know if a real collector would appreciate that.
 
Posts
33,428
Likes
38,137
On that and most 90s / 2000s Omegas nobody will really care, the boxes were all really poor quality anyway. On a BA145.022-69 Speedmaster its a different story but for Omegas like this people care about the watch and wearing it, not how it looks on a shelf.
 
Posts
16,854
Likes
47,854
Seen red boxes from the same era in a lot worse condition than that box 😗

 
Posts
6,832
Likes
13,796
To me not only to does not de-value the watch but quit the opposite as it seems like it's the "original" box rather than a box you purchased separately.

The interest on the box is really about provenance and watch care practices and guarantees (i.e a watch owner that keeps the original box for 30 years probably valued or cared for his or her watch). rather than about the box itself.

Of course someone without the box may care for the watch plenty or more, it is just an added guarantee that's all.
 
Posts
7,557
Likes
13,953
The box means little from this era, they were all poorly made. Having the papers would be good though.
 
Posts
622
Likes
1,014
Just advertise it as a Crackle Box and charge a premium. 😁
Don't give them ideas, last thing we want is to see damaged boxes advertised with 'amazing patina'!
:whipped:
 
Posts
8,890
Likes
28,366
I was thinking to replace with a red (generic) one, but I don't know if a real collector would appreciate that.

I don't know what a "real collector" is, but the lack of a box has never stopped me buying a second hand Omega watch.

Any "value" that watch has, is based on the watch - the box, as others have suggested, was junk the day it left the factory - which is fine, 'cos you don't wear the box. 😉
 
Posts
253
Likes
444
Omega and their boxes...I mean it’s not for thread but for a separate forum. The quality was so poor that if I see watch from 90’s with box in perfect condition, I’m immediately suspicious. In most cases the box is not original and it’s newly bought box or different box. So in my opinion keep your box with the watch which means all is original and time period correct. The only recommendation would be - keep the watch away from the box so you don’t need touch the box. Often you open it worth condition it will be.
 
Posts
16,854
Likes
47,854
I don't know what a "real collector" is, but the lack of a box has never stopped me buying a second hand Omega watch.

Any "value" that watch has, is based on the watch - the box, as others have suggested, was junk the day it left the factory - which is fine, 'cos you don't wear the box. 😉

I would buy a watch in a brown paper bag that previously had donuts in it if it meant it was cheaper.....
 
Posts
29,186
Likes
75,418
Omega and their boxes...I mean it’s not for thread but for a separate forum. The quality was so poor that if I see watch from 90’s with box in perfect condition, I’m immediately suspicious. In most cases the box is not original and it’s newly bought box or different box. So in my opinion keep your box with the watch which means all is original and time period correct. The only recommendation would be - keep the watch away from the box so you don’t need touch the box. Often you open it worth condition it will be.

Yes, a crappy looking box is a sign of authenticity, much like a misaligned chapter ring in a Seiko. 😀
 
Posts
5,059
Likes
15,582
Yes, a crappy looking box is a sign of authenticity, much like a misaligned chapter ring in a Seiko. 😀

Topic for another thread 😀
 
Posts
242
Likes
407
The box means little from this era, they were all poorly made. Having the papers would be good though.

Thanks all for your answers. Yes, I have all the papers, two services included.