Is there a standard for the meaning of "Full set"?

Faz · Aug 12, 2021

While window shopping the sales boards, I came across a few pieces that are being advertised as "Full set". I'm a little perplexed. Shouldn't a "Full set" piece include the watch, original bracelet/strap, all the original packaging, accessories, original sales receipt and warranty documentation?

I've seen many watches advertised as "Full set" where a box, a warranty card and the watch is described as "Full set". Misleading? Yay or nay?

Fallout Boy · Aug 12, 2021

Buying a vintage watch, I would say: B,P, and watch (with orig. metal bracelet / original clasp for leather bracelet ) is full set.

kov · Aug 12, 2021

Faz
I've seen many watches advertised as "Full set" where a box, a warranty card and the watch is described as "Full set".

It can well be that those sellers don't even know what else should be in that set to qualify for full.

STANDY · Aug 12, 2021

Don’t get Full Full set mixed up with Full set.

Then there is the Rolex anchor sellers that have quoted
“Buy this Anchor to make your set full”
This which leads to the fake/made up full set.

Welcome to watch marketing by pseudo dealers 80% fact 20% pixie dollar dust……

Canuck · Aug 12, 2021

A full set. Original box, shell, hang tag, warranty, wallet, pertinent instruction manual.

Donn Chambers · Aug 12, 2021

For most watches other than Rolex, a full set refers to the watch, the box it came in, the manual, and all the warranty cards (and wallet). If it was a special set (I.e., with extra straps, strap change kit, etc) that is all there too.

for Rolex watches, it’s all that, every single piece of plastic that came on the watch, every possible hang tag, a DNA profile of the original owner, an original receipt, and the receipt for every service. 😀 and if any of that is not there, you will hear complaints!

tyrantlizardrex · Aug 12, 2021

I tend to think of it as "everything the watch came with when new, if you were buying it as a retail customer".

A couple of examples:

My 2002 Speedmaster Professional has:

Watch, bracelet, black leatherette box, outer white protective box, black leatherette card holders, stamped cards, instruction booklets, hang tag - I've also got the receipt, but think that could be thought of a nice to have extra, rather than part of the set.

My 2003 second generation X-33 has:

Watch, bracelet, astronaut box, cards, instruction manual, hang tags, outer box.

My tintin has a bit more... things I'd think of as dealer packaging, because as a consumer you wouldn't typically see them, or be given them (unless you asked):

Outer shipping box, that goes outside the outer retail box, that the big inner wooden box comes in.

Plastic shipping coffin that the watch normally lives inside a dealers safe in/is shipped from Swatch in.

Dan S · Aug 12, 2021

Faz
I've seen many watches advertised as "Full set" where a box, a warranty card and the watch is described as "Full set". Misleading? Yay or nay?

I agree this is incorrect and misleading. If the seller doesn't have everything originally sold with the watch (or they don't know what was included), they should just say B&P instead of "full set".

ATWG · Aug 12, 2021

I agree with Donn, in vintage, it adds value predominantly to Rolex. For me, a minimum requirement is, Warranty (most critical), hang tag(s) with serial, calendar, sleeve, translation certificate, and Boxes. The sales receipt is a bonus but not a necessary driver. I love seeing complete sets like these.

Archer · Aug 12, 2021

Faz
While window shopping the sales boards, I came across a few pieces that are being advertised as "Full set". I'm a little perplexed. Shouldn't a "Full set" piece include the watch, original bracelet/strap, all the original packaging, accessories, original sales receipt and warranty documentation?

Not sure exactly what you mean by the original sales receipt, but if it is the register receipt I would not consider that a requirement for a full set personally.

mydeafcat · Aug 12, 2021

Canuck
A full set. Original box, shell, hang tag, warranty, wallet, pertinent instruction manual.

This accurately describes my perception of ‘full set’.

Faz · Aug 12, 2021

That's some of the point I was trying to make. When I started in this hobby, the original sales receipt, at least not so long ago, was considered a must, by some serious buyers/collectors in order to constitute a "Full set".

As far as I'm concerned, if there's anything missing from the original packaging, documents, accessories and goodies, it can't be called "Full set". Sellers are labelling incomplete sets as such simply because they have a box and a warranty card.

tyrantlizardrex · Aug 12, 2021

Archer
Not sure exactly what you mean by the original sales receipt, but if it is the register receipt I would not consider that a requirement for a full set personally.

Looking through bits an pieces the other day, and the thermal register receipts I have for some stuff have now faded to nothing... I can imagine collectors of the future, their minds warped by instagram and youtubers, insisting that without these blank bits of yellowed paper, my watches are worthless. 😁

spe777 · Aug 12, 2021

"Full set" to me means presentation box, watch (and with whatever accessories it came with--e.g. extra strap, bracelet, links, tools, medallion, etc.), manual(s)/booklets, and warranty card. I don't care about the paper outer boxes and I think most people (who are not looking to flip) don't as well. Original receipt I'll include it if I have it, but I think that is really the extreme if you're expecting it included.

For vintage, I think "Full set" is generally watch + presentation box and if you get a manual/warranty card, too, that's a nice bonus.

Archer · Aug 12, 2021

tyrantlizardrex
Looking through bits an pieces the other day, and the thermal register receipts I have for some stuff have now faded to nothing... I can imagine collectors of the future, their minds warped by instagram and youtubers, insisting that without these blank bits of yellowed paper, my watches are worthless. 😁

Yes, that was exactly my thought - they don't last long.

Evitzee · Aug 12, 2021

A full set is what the manufacturer intended the first buyer to get. That usually means the watch, manual, guarantee card/paper and the proper box. But the coffin, no, and hangtag probably not as these items were often not given to the buyer. What bums me out is relatively new watches in the wrong box and with some accessories missing presented as 'complete '. Dishonest.

I scan all thermal receipts so I can at least print a copy out.

ConElPueblo · Aug 12, 2021

I've sold two "Near Full" sets here:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/near-full-set-gold-cap-omega-constellation-14-381.86824/

https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-constellation-14393-project-€900.124293/

The first one was a bit tongue-in-cheek as it only missed the sleeve for the warranty card, but this would be close to my definition of a Full Set.

The most important aspect to me would be that there should be a certain amount of plausibility that the parts came together to begin with. One seller on this forum is a bit loose on that part, IMO 😉

Tx3double · Aug 28, 2021

Full set is everything that it came with originally as far as packaging, INCLUDING any warranty cards, papers, etc.

Dan S · Aug 28, 2021

spe777
For vintage, I think "Full set" is generally watch + presentation box and if you get a manual/warranty card, too, that's a nice bonus.

IMO the warranty card is the single most important piece, so there's no way there could be a full set without it.

ConElPueblo · Aug 28, 2021

Dan S
IMO the warranty card is the single most important piece, so there's no way there could be a full set without it.

I'd much rather have a watch + warranty card instead of watch + box.

Is there a standard for the meaning of "Full set"?

Faz

Fallout Boy

kov

STANDY

Canuck

Donn Chambers

tyrantlizardrex

Dan S

ATWG

Archer

mydeafcat

Faz

tyrantlizardrex

spe777

Archer

Evitzee

ConElPueblo

Tx3double

Dan S

ConElPueblo

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