Would You Pay $400 Extra For a Full Set?

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Only you know the answer.

By the way, in my opinion spending more than 1000$ in a bezel or insert is ridiculous.
Particularly when a service bezel is readily available from the manufacturer and I can’t really tell the difference unless someone pointed out those differences….oh, they moved the dot…and the font of “tachymetre” is slightly larger…hmm, that’s interesting in a trivial kind of way…how much?? You have got to be out of your fυcking mind!
 
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Particularly when a service bezel is readily available from the manufacturer and I can’t really tell the difference unless someone pointed out those differences….oh, they moved the dot…and the font of “tachymetre” is slightly larger…hmm, that’s interesting in a trivial kind of way…how much?? You have got to be out of your fυcking mind!

The most funny cases are the 220 bezel and the blue insert for the rolex 1675. Both are frequently faked.
 
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The most funny cases are the 220 bezel and the blue insert for the rolex 1675. Both are frequently faked.
I still don’t understand this one, blue back or whatever back, why are people looking at the back of their bezels and how much different is it than other generations of bezels for that watch. I get that it’s nice to have original parts- but thousands of dollars for a part that’s truly a consumable.

When the red part of my bezel on my 16750 finally fades out to water downed Kool-aid, I plan to put a service bezel on it. Of course I won’t get rid of the original one because apparently they have some value 🤨
 
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Particularly when a service bezel is readily available from the manufacturer and I can’t really tell the difference unless someone pointed out those differences….oh, they moved the dot…and the font of “tachymetre” is slightly larger…hmm, that’s interesting in a trivial kind of way…how much?? You have got to be out of your fυcking mind!
there's a big (aesthetic) difference between Rolex service vs original and Omega service vs original. Big difference of differences.
Although, agree anything over $1,000 is bonkers. There's a Rolex 5508 insert currently for sale on another forum for €24k!
 
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Title pretty much sums it up.

Looking to purchase a 90s Bond era Seamaster and I can save almost $450 by getting one “without box/papers”, but my gut is saying I should suck it up and pay the extra for the peace of mind.

Wanted to gauge your thoughts on this and if it’s worth that much more money? Maybe in the long run it’s the right decision?

Thanks in advance!
If im buying a newer watch that is still under warranty i like to have a full set, Personally just for my self makes be feel better knowing i have all maktching documents. If it is out of warranty and i never plan on selling it i dont really care about a full set, Older vintage pieces no need for box and papers.
 
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By the way, in my opinion spending more than 1000$ in a bezel or insert is ridiculous.
Particularly when a service bezel is readily available from the manufacturer and I can’t really tell the difference unless someone pointed out those differences….oh, they moved the dot…and the font of “tachymetre” is slightly larger…hmm, that’s interesting in a trivial kind of way…how much?? You have got to be out of your fυcking mind!

Thread drift, but I have had some pretty crazy offers for this insert, approaching my original purchase price for the watch. People love the super-fat font print and the fade, which definitely will not be replicated by a service insert.

 
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Thread drift, but I have had some pretty crazy offers for this insert, approaching my original purchase price for the watch. People love the super-fat font print and the fade, which definitely will not be replicated by a service insert.

I get it, but just couldn’t see paying real money for that (the insert).
When my 501’s started fading out and getting threadbare in the knees, it was time for a new pair of jeans. I also polish my work boots. When the trend of pre-worn looking jeans popped up in the 80’s I really scratched my head.
 
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I should suck it up and pay the extra for the peace of mind.

Well, although I don’t care about boxes and such, the last watch I bought came with inner and outer boxes.

The serial number on the outer box sticker doesn’t match the serial number of the watch. (I have no reason to suspect it wasn’t the box in which the watch was originally delivered. It seems quite plausible that the jeweler simply put the watch in the wrong box. There are markings on the box that support such a hypothesis.)

The foam cushioning in the inner box has begun to deteriorate from age, leaving small bits and pieces all over the place. Those bits are awfully sticky, too, making them a pain to clean off.

So I definitely didn’t get any peace of mind from the boxes. Instead I got a small mess to clean up and an old, rather large, smelly box that I don’t know what to do with but somehow can’t bear to dispose of.

YMMV
 
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Over the past few days I’ve dipped in and out of this thread and read all the posts!!!! A lot of different views 😀 Personally, I think I’d only pay a high premium for box and papers if I was buying a grail or vintage watch, i.e. something special to me. As for storage, as others have said, it’s much easier to keep watches in a box with individual compartments.
 
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Over the past few days I’ve dipped in and out of this thread and read all the posts!!!! A lot of different views 😀 Personally, I think I’d only pay a high premium for box and papers if I was buying a grail or vintage watch, i.e. something special to me. As for storage, as others have said, it’s much easier to keep watches in a box with individual compartments.
Humble brag- just showing your box off…uh-huh.
 
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Humble brag- just showing your box off…uh-huh.
In fairness I could have removed the watches but the thought just didn’t cross my mind… and what’s a post without a watch picture!?
 
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and what’s a post without a watch picture!?
And because you shared an image, I can now say that I really dig your SMP with the faded bezel 👍
 
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There is not a clear cut answer here, sometimes the box is important and sometimes the paperwork is important....it depends. A couple of perfect examples are the 3570.40, the Japan Special - Racing model made in 2004 in 2004 examples, and the 3570.31, the Japan Special - Mitsukoshi made in 2003 in 300 examples, both watches sold only in Japan. But there is absolutely nothing to distinguish these watches from other Speedmasters of that time other than the unique dials and hands, there are no special backs, no special engraving or numbers, no special boxes, no special red cards, absolutely nothing to distinguish these watches as a limited edition piece. And since Omega sold these dials freely for many years afterwards there are more made-up versions of these watches than originals. So if you have one of these originals and you don't have the original signed, dated card your watch is worth less than a complete set, no one is going to say 'the box and papers don't matter'. Sure, you can get Omega to look up the serial number and tell what the reference number is but that won't suffice. For watches that have special boxes and special documentation their secondary values depend on having everything complete. There is a ST2 Ultraman on C24 being sold without boxes and papers for $12,500, it's been listed for awhile because the asking price doesn't adequately compensate for the lack of everything that came with this watch. On run of the mill older stuff it probably doesn't make a whole lot of difference, but on newer, LE stuff it's very important. I can do without the hangtag, the coffin and the brown outer shipping box, but everything else has to be there.
Edited:
 
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A thousand years in the future a museum will be grateful for your choosing the full set with hangtag and receipt. It will look good in the exhibition of our time; " Not everything was made of plastic in the late middle ages"
 
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There is a ST2 Ultraman on C24 being sold without boxes and papers for $12,500, it's been listed for awhile because the asking price doesn't adequately compensate for the lack of everything that came with this watch.
Agreed with your distinction. FYI, on a local watchforum a Ultraman B&P has been sitting for sale since 08 '22, initial price was €15k, but dropped to 11.5k 2 months ago and 2 weeks ago price increased with 1k 🤨, when it doesn't sell just increase the price.🤦
 
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when it doesn't sell just increase the price.🤦

A well know strategy in the classic car trade, and the increase needs to be substantial. Suddenly the sitter indeed sells fast ... 😁
 
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For me, it’s not necessarily about having the full set, rather than what the full set might say about the owner.

It’s not always the case, but it may suggest how meticulous the owner was about caring for the watch.
 
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If the papers bring you some extra certainty that the watch is genuine, then it may be worth it. But if you are reasonably certain the watch is real and you just want it for resale. Don't. Just order an Omega Absract for it. That is only $150 from Omega. In the US you need to take it to a boutique. In most of the World you can order it online. If the watch is over 30 years old you can get a Certificate of Authenticity for it. If less than 30 only the Abstract is available. I picked one up today. It shows the SN, the movement, the movement serial number, the date of mfg and several other interesting tidbits. I have two others order. The watches are 23 years old in 3 of the 3 cases and 14 years old in the third.
 
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Thread drift, but I have had some pretty crazy offers for this insert, approaching my original purchase price for the watch. People love the super-fat font print and the fade, which definitely will not be replicated by a service insert.


You have said it, crazy offers. Since a long time ago a lot of them were changed in service and not returned back. Where are they now?