Vintage Rolex - Papers etc

[ds666]

I'm looking at buying a vintage Rolex . How important is it to try and get one with original papers etc ?
Thanks

[birdcage]

How vintage were you thinking?

I have one from the 80's with all box paperwork etc but one from the 50's with only the dealers box and paperwork which is fine given it's age.

[LukeBird]

It isn't overly important (particularly if the watch has Rolex service papers) as the watch can easily be verified by plenty of sources.
It's a nice addition, but there is a vast difference between a watch with and without papers when it's vintage; you pay your money you make your choice...

[andy_s]

^ As above; b&p get rarer and rarer with age, so having one from the 70's without papers is perfectly 'correct'.

[ds666]

Thanks for the comments . Looking for a mid 60's watch either 1675 or 5513 .
Any advice on where to look (trust...)

thanks

[bry1975]

Have you tried brittons watches online?

[andy_s]

Blowers, TheOldWatchShop, vintagewatchcompany, vintageseekers, chronomaster ... Be prepared though for some eye watering prices.

Have a look on the Rolex type forums for some ideas, research very carefully the dial/hands/case etc etc of the sort you want, as sometimes finding yourself with a service dial or the wrong type of crown etc etc will strip value from it. Once you've done that, do some more careful research....

Edited by andy_s on Friday 11th November 19:24

[ism123]

I have 2 Air King Dates, one from 1968 and the other from 1974, both without b/p etc. I've tried to sell one of them and to some that have enquired box and papers were important and to others not. (Maybe I just got the price wrong, lol). In hindsight I may have been a little hasty in my purchases but then again I'd go on condition any day and 'extras' on such 'vintage' items are like icing on the cake.