Warranty card

The warranty card, often just called the papers, is the document issued when a watch is first sold, typically recording the model, the serial number, and the date and place of sale.

It's the single accessory that most affects how a buyer views a pre-owned watch, because it connects this exact piece to a documented retail sale. A card whose serial matches the watch supports its history; one that doesn't needs an explanation before you pay for it.

Treat the card as part of the watch's identity. Store it with the watch, list it on your intake record, and never sell it separately from the piece it belongs to.

What to check on the card

• The serial. It should match the one on the watch exactly. A mismatch is the most common problem with papers and the one buyers check first.
• The dealer stamp and date. Look for a retailer's details and a date that makes sense for when the reference was sold.
• The style. Cards change over the years, from paper booklets to plastic cards to digital records, so the format should fit the watch's era.

Papers can be faked as well as watches, so a card supports a watch's history without proving the watch is genuine on its own.

If the card shows the first owner's name, consider covering it in your listing photos. The article on checking papers and service history goes further.