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In this post, I will share my thoughts about purchasing a preowned Rolex watch, notably vintage Rolex watches from the 1960s-80s. Original Box and Papers In conducting a sample pool of listings of five-hundred vintage Rolex watches, 98% of them did not come with the original box or papers. Whether this percentage slightly increases or decreases, it is safe to say most vintage watches will not include the original box or papers. What it means is the seller will usually not know the history of the watch or when the last time it was serviced. Certificate of Authenticity If the watch comes with a certificate of authenticity (COA), it has no bearing to the original factory papers and simply means the watch was inspected by a watchmaker. What it means for the buyer is although the watch has been inspected and determined to be authentic, it does not extend to the watch being serviced (i.e., disassembled, parts inspected, worn parts replaced, parts lubricated, re-assembled and watch timed and regulated). Warranty Along with the COA, some sellers also offer a warranty anywhere from 30, 60 or 90 days or longer (i.e., one or two years). What it means for the buyer is if the watch requires repair at some point, the watch is returned to the seller for inspection. Because the buyer has no control over the repair, who services the watch and what type of repair provided is entirely within the discretion of the seller/retailer. Most retailers buy low and sell high, so investing in servicing the watch prior to selling is not the norm. If, for example, the retailer sells one hundred luxury watches that have not been serviced and five of them are returned for repair, the retailer will have saved considerable money, as opposed to servicing each watch prior to listing it for sell. It would seem reasonable to conclude if a watch does not come with the original box or papers and the seller does not know the service history of the watch, then that watch is a good candidate for a thorough inspection and servicing. Types of Retailers Generally speaking, sellers will fall into three main categories: (a) a brick and mortar retailer selling luxury watches; or (b) an online retailer with no traditional storefront; or (c) a private seller with no connection to commercial retail sales. Category (a) brick and mortar retailers will typically have an in-house watchmaker for servicing or otherwise outsource repairs to a watchmaker who may handle repairs for a wide variety and number of retailers. Category (b) online retailers might be anyone selling watches as a sideline to somebody operating out of a garage. It's unlikely they will have an in-house service department, much less a warranty. Category (c) private sellers are the most sketchy, as they might be selling a problem watch because they can't afford to service it. Don't expect any COA, warranty or customer support if the watch does not work properly. At the far end of the spectrum is the watch could be fake or even stolen. Watchmakers In the same way that a factory Mercedes or Rolls Royce automotive mechanic will know more about their particular brand, so too will a factory trained Rolex watchmaker know the intricacies of their brand, as opposed to a watchmaker who does not specialize in Rolex watches nor have the specialized tools to service them. This is not to say, however, that a local watchmaker cannot repair a Rolex, only that they may not have the expertise and extensive knowledge of parts a factory trained Rolex watchmaker would have. Therefore, when a watch is returned for warranty work, you may or may not be getting the most qualified watchmaker working on your watch. Suffice to say, international companies like Rolex are going to have abundant resources to provide the extensive training needed to service their watches. Former factory watchmakers offering their repair expertise in the private sector, would be a good place to look for servicing your vintage Rolex. What to Look For Ideally, when purchasing a vintage Rolex, if the service history is unknown, the watch should come fully serviced with documentation. You should also ask the seller who performed the service and what it entailed. At the minimum, you should purchase a watch that comes with a minimum of a one year warranty upwards to a two year warranty from an established brick and mortar retailer. Ideally, the retailer should have an in-house service department and watchmaker, as it will avoid longer turnaround times when the retailer outsources their watches for repair work. You should avoid purchasing a vintage Rolex watch from a private seller, unless they have documentation showing the watch was recently serviced. Secondarily, agreeing beforehand that you can return the watch if it is not working properly. In sum, for the vast majority of vintage Rolex watches being sold, they usually do not include the original box and papers, and seldom does the seller know the service history. Not all retailers are on equal footing when it comes to selling and providing warranty repairs. Similarly, not all watchmakers have the expertise to service Rolex watches, so the end result can vary considerably. If you are going to spend a considerable sum of money on a vintage luxury watch, following the preceding general guidelines may mean the difference between ending up with a good working watch - or one plagued with problems from a seller who is nowhere to be found. Happy Rolex hunting!