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What to do about disintegrating late 90's/early 2000's red Omega box?

Owlsu
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I bought a late 90's/early 2000's Speedmaster broad arrow relaunch (57 replica) and it's got one of those typical of the era red boxes that disintegrate and transfer red dye over everything it comes into contact with.

What's the best thing I can buy that's period correct to ensure that the watch actually has a box long term (aka in like 10, 20, 30, 40 years from now) I feel like I should have some sort of back up while it's still actually easy and cheap to buy boxes from that era.

The two choices I have in mind for my 1999 model are these, unless anything better or more accurate exists.

1000000134.jpg 1000000135.jpg
 
NotJackson
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I have a couple of those disintegrating red boxes also, including the one for my ‘57 replica. The black box you picture is what I got with my late 90’s (transitional) 3570.50, so it’s probably pretty close to being accurate in time. That said, the newer wood boxes are easy to find and look like they’re going to last. I don’t think you can go wrong either way.
 
JwRosenthal
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Red box is what came with it originally. swapping it out with another won’t be the “original” box and you will know that, the next owner will too- so the additional box is just another box you will have to store that isn’t the “correct” box and will add no value to it in the long run….because it’s not the original box.
Plus, unless the watch is unworn with factory stickers and hang tag on it- it’s a used watch. Doesn’t matter how complete the kit is, it’s a used watch. So a prettier, non original box with a used watch in it…you get where I’m going.
 
Indices
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I did see the “Nekkid Watchmaker” repair an old red Omega box a while back, maybe this will help?

 
JimInOz
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Those red boxes are shit. They have no value in that condition and just pollute all of your other boxes.
Just cut the medallion off for a keepsake and set fire to the damn thing.
 
Donn Chambers
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I’m with everyone else here saying don’t worry about it. Unless you are dealing with a Rolex or some limited edition with special packaging, a box and paper on a 25-year-old standard Omega watch adds nothing to the value.

And I’d probably make you pay me to take that crappy red box off your hands.
 
JwRosenthal
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During the late 60’s- early 70’s, Leica had lovely packaging for their equipment.
IMG_2475.jpeg IMG_2476.jpeg


But the fatal flaw was the red velvet lining.
IMG_2477.jpeg


If a lens was stored in the box for an extended period of time and was subject to humidity, the red lining would stick to the equipment and damage the finish. I’ve seen ultra rare NOS lenses and cameras lose half their value due to the red menace.
 
Speed2Sea
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Related question: I own a Breitling and another timepiece where the box interiors are artificial leather and are unfortunately falling apart. Does anyone know if the interior of the current boxes that come with Omega watches is real leather or artificial leather? I assume real leather holds up better.
 
E
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Indices Indices
I did see the “Nekkid Watchmaker” repair an old red Omega box a while back, maybe this will help?

if you are crafty, you can restore pleather but it requires a bit of work, i've seen some good turn outs, not in watch boxes but same scenario.
 
gbesq
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I'd pick up one of the newer style blonde laquered wood Omega boxes. They are easy to find on eBay, very attractive and well made, and the newest version, if complete, even includes the red leather travel box. There are some good fakes coming from Asia, so I would try to buy one from a private seller with good feedback.
 
Jakeys
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Donn Chambers Donn Chambers
I’m with everyone else here saying don’t worry about it. Unless you are dealing with a Rolex or some limited edition with special packaging, a box and paper on a 25-year-old standard Omega watch adds nothing to the value

Respectfully disagree about not caring about papers on a 25 year old Omega. Watches around then were coming with their international warranty, chronometer certificate and pictogram cards and I'd only want a watch that includes at bare minimum the matching serial warranty card. I'd want the box too for completion's sake, but it's less important given the condition issues. They're too fragile to actually use any more for their intended purpose.
 
gbesq
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Jakeys Jakeys
Respectfully disagree about not caring about papers on a 25 year old Omega. Watches around then were coming with their international warranty, chronometer certificate and pictogram cards and I'd only want a watch that includes at bare minimum the matching serial warranty card. I'd want the box too for completion's sake, but it's less important given the condition issues. They're too fragile to actually use any more for their intended purpose.
To each his own, but unless it is a VERY special watch, the original box and papers add little value. I am much more focused on whether a watch is in good original condition. If a watch comes with box and papers, fine, but the presence or absence of them won't change a deal for me. For those of us who have medium to larger sized collections, too many boxes simply become a storage problem.
 
padders
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You’d be surprised at the value box and papers add. I get to see behind the dealer curtain sometimes since my job role is peripheral to a jewellery co. A dealer of my acquaintance adds 7.5% value each for box and papers on a mainstream model, rising to more like 12.5% each for a Limited Edition where the full set is so much more important and valuable and as such a loose LE watch is only worth 75% of a full set at most.

Perhaps I should add this is for the correct box and papers. Not just any old box added to fluff the value.
 
JwRosenthal
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padders padders
You’d be surprised at the value box and papers add. I get to see behind the dealer curtain sometimes since my job role is peripheral to a jewellery co. A dealer of my acquaintance adds 7.5% value each for box and papers on a mainstream model, rising to more like 12.5% each for a Limited Edition where the full set is so much more important and valuable and as such a loose LE watch is only worth 75% of a full set at most.

Perhaps I should add this is for the correct box and papers. Not just any old box added to fluff the value.
Thus my point. A ratty 60’s Rolex box original to the watch is worth more to a collector than a pristine one that’s not correct to the watch.
Just put the red box in a ziplock to it doesn’t shed on everything else and leave it alone
 
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