Having already taken a look at watch boxes from Breitling, Omega and TAG Heuer, we would now like to take a look back in time at the evolution of Rolex's watch boxes.
The right accessory for a watch
People who decide to buy a pre-owned Rolex tend to seek not only the watch but the warranty certificates that accompany it as well. More often than that, most prefer to buy a full set, which means the watch in its original box, including all the paperwork. Similar to the service record of a used car, the documentation about the servicing of a luxury watch provides information about the maintenance and repairs carried out or, for example, the replacement of individual components. That's why it is reasonable that a timepiece including the accompanying documentation offers a higher return upon resale than a watch without any accessories. With the right watch box, the entire package is rounded out. Compared to a lone Rolex, a full set fetches prices that are on average up to 10% higher.
The evolution of Rolex's boxes
Certain buyers are only interested in the watch. After all, it is the watch that is worn in the end – and not the box. However, many collectors' hearts begin to race as soon as they get their hands on a Rolex with its box and papers. That's why we'd like to take a moment to focus on the subject of watch boxes and the evolution of Rolex boxes.
Rolex boxes until 1990: Elegantly uniform
The first boxes in which Rolex sold its watches were made of wood covered with green leather. Inside, there was a wooden panel covered with green velvet. This rested at an angle in the box and had two slots where the watch was displayed. On the wood inside of the lid, the Rolex logo, the crown and the lettering "ROLEX" are emblazoned in rich green. These boxes were used until the beginning of the 1980s, then a small change to the watch boxes followed.
The exterior of the new boxes remained a wooden box covered with green leather, wrapped in a green patterned cardboard box. But inside the Rolex box, the colour scheme had changed: the previous green velvet panel has been replaced by a panel in a beige-brown tone. This makes the interior of the box look very harmonious, as the velvet was approximately the same colour as the bare wood of the box's interior. The slots that hold the watch in place have been replaced with a retaining clip of the same colour. The clip is firmly mounted to the panel, allowing the timepiece to be perfectly mounted and displayed.
Rolex boxes from 1990 to 2005: Gender-specific boxes
From 1990 to 2005, Rolex men's watches were housed in the trademark green box with velvet cushions inside and a wooden outer shell. The brand logo was prominent, yet understated. After 2005, the wooden box was completely discontinued. During this period, Rolex also used a different box made of wood with red interior lining and cushions for its women's models. This box has also ceased to be in use since 2005.Rolex boxes from 2005 to 2013: From wood to the green wave
In 2005, Rolex introduced the renowned green wave box design for its watch boxes, which is still in use today. The redesigned boxes were developed for modern models for both men and women. It is available in three different sizes. The lid of the box is emblazoned with the gold Rolex logo and the five-pointed crown. Upon opening the lid, the watch can be found inside on a pistachio-coloured cushion. The rest of the interior of the box is also in this colour tone. On the inside of the lid, which opens to 90 degrees, the Rolex crown is visible with the word "ROLEX" directly below.There are a few specifics behind the three different box sizes:
- The smallest version of the box is used for stainless steel Rolex models.
- The next largest box is used for two-tone models, such as watches in the steel-gold colour combination.
- The largest box is reserved for solid gold Rolex watches, such as the Rolex Yacht-Master II (Ref. 116688).
- Special, exotic models such as the Rolex Sky-Dweller are in a box with a dark green leather interior.
The design of the outer packaging has also changed over time. The formerly green patterned box has given way to a more contemporary version. This new version is now more subdued and echoes the colour of the inner lining of the actual watch box. The lid of the box is adorned in the centre with a relatively large, and yet unpretentious, Rolex crown.
Rolex boxes from 2013 to present: A little cosmetic reworking
In 2013, Rolex again made a few minor cosmetic changes to the design of its watch boxes. However, the different sizes and their applications remained the same. The green exterior of the box has a slightly brighter look in comparison and the interior is beige. The logo on the inside of the lid has changed as well. The crown remains gold, but the lettering "ROLEX" is now in the same green tone from the box's exterior, forming a strong contrast to the beige velvet lining. The compartment for holding the warranty card and other papers is integrated into the lid so that when the box is opened, only the watch can be seen. This makes the inside of the box look even tidier.
In summary, the box's new design is an aesthetically pleasing, if only subtle, update by Rolex that enhanced the practicality of its boxes. Admittedly, Rolex has never been known for extremely ornate boxes, but after all, one wears the watch and not the box.
The characteristics of genuine Rolex watch boxes
Caution should always be exercised when buying a watch privately. In addition to the problem of unintentionally buying a fake Rolex watch, another issue can arise when making a private purchase. In order to sell a timepiece that is missing the original box as a full set at a greater profit, some dubious sellers may combine an authentic watch with a fake Rolex box – unfortunately, this is often successful, because most people wouldn't even think of inspecting the box's authenticity as well.
There is no point in owning a fake box with a used watch, since the Rolex is likely safe stored away in a watch winder. Moreover, it can easily occur that the box or its paperwork are lost. People move, children may paint the box or an unwitting partner could dispose of the box during Spring cleaning – there are several potential reasons. Particularly if the watch has a few years behind it, a cardboard box can't be expected to last as long as the luxury watch itself. Nonetheless, trying to pass off a fake box to a watch in order to improve the return is common – especially with pre-owned Rolex watches.
Pay attention to the following characteristics on Rolex boxes:
- Workmanship: Does the box seem even remotely substandard to you? Keep your hands off it! Just like their luxury watches, Rolex does not ship boxes that aren't 100% perfect and made of high-quality material.
- Logo and lettering: Compare these characteristics with the Rolex website. Is the font exactly the same or is it possible that the letter-spacing isn't correct? Is the angle of the five prongs on the crown correct or are there discrepancies?
- Colour: Admittedly, it's hard if not impossible to confirm colours based on photos. But if your gut instinct is telling you that something might be amiss, enlist professional help from a jeweller or watchmaker, for example.
The Rolex jewellery box
If the original box isn't an adequate option for displaying and storing your Rolex, or if you simply prefer the colour blue, we'd like to take this opportunity to show you one of Rolex's specialities.
This stunning dream in blue is not an ordinary Rolex watch box, but a rare Rolex jewellery box. When this box is opened, your Rolex is enthroned in the centre, surrounded by light blue velvet. This box (Ref. 51.00.71) offers the possibility to place rings and brooches on the left and right inside. Additionally, the bottom can be removed to reveal compartments for further jewellery such as necklaces and bracelets.
One special feature of this chest is the lock. While this is no high-security safe, it certainly protects from the curious hands of children. The handle of the small golden key is decorated with Rolex's five-pointed crown. With this blue box, you receive an attractive and unique way to house your jewellery, straight from the royal house of Haute Horlogerie.
Rolex watch models and their watch boxes
| Reference of the watch | Release date | Reference of the box |
|---|---|---|
|
Rolex Cellini 4112 |
October 1983 |
49.00.08 |
|
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 16520 16523 |
1993 June 1993 |
68.00.01 69.00.09 |
|
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 16520 16523 |
1993 June 1993 |
68.00.01 69.00.09 |
|
Rolex Datejust 1603 16014 16014 16030 16030 16200 16220 16220 16220 16234 17000 |
1979 January 1980 July 1986 June 1982 October 1984 November 2005 October 1996 June 1999 August 2006 April 2005 July 1983 |
10.00.01 10.00.1 68.00.02 11.00.71 10.00.01 30.00.01 11.00.01 68.00.71 30.00.01 68.00.08 68.00.2 |
|
Rolex Datejust Turn-O-Graph 116261 |
September 2005 |
69.00.09 |
|
Rolex Day-Date 18038 118208 |
August 1982 2001 |
71.00.04 81.00.09 |
|
Rolex Daytona 6263 116520 116520 116520 116520 116520 116520 |
August 1982 March 2002 July 2002 August 2002 November 2004 July 2006 December 2006 |
06.00.06 64.00.01 68.00.71 64.00.02 31.00.64 30.00.04 30.00.71 |
|
Rolex Explorer I 14270 114270 114270 114270 114270 114270 |
June 1999 2001 March 2002 September 2005 March 2006 September 2006 |
68.00.71 68.00.01 68.00.71 30.00.08 30.00.71 30.00.01 |
|
Rolex Explorer II 1655 16570 16570 |
July 1979 June 2001 January 2004 |
06.00.06 68.00.55 64.00.01 |
|
Rolex GMT-Master 16700 16700 116710 |
April 1998 July 1998 October 2007 |
68.00.71 68.00.08 31.00.64 |
|
Rolex GMT-Master II Pepsi 16710 16710 16710 16710 16710 16710 16710 |
October 2001 July 2003 October 2003 January 2004 December 2005 June 2006 December 2006 |
68.00.01 68.00.01 64.00.01 64.00.02 30.00.02 30.00.71 30.00.01 |
|
Rolex Lady Datejust 69174 |
July 2004 |
14.00.71 |
|
Rolex Oysterdate Precision 6694 6694 |
1971 March 1987 |
06.00.06 10.00.01 |
|
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 77080 |
May 2006 |
30.00.71 |
|
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date 15210 |
September 2001 |
68.00.55 |
|
Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600 16600 16600 16600 16600 |
August 1996 July 1999 September 2004 March 2005 February 2006 |
68.00.01 68.00.71 64.00.02 31.00.04 31.00.64 |
|
Rolex Submariner 14060M 14060M 14060M 14060M 168000 16610 16610 16610 16610 |
July 2003 September 2005 December 2005 November 2006 July 1988 December 1989 September 2004 October 1990 December 2005 |
68.00.01 30.00.71 30.00.04 30.00.01 67.00.03 67.00.08 64.00.01 11.00.01 30.00.71 |
|
Rolex Submariner Date 16613 16613 16613 |
October 1991 1992 May 2003 |
68.00.55 11.00.01 64.00.01 |
|
Rolex Submariner Kermit 16610LV 16610LV 16610LV |
April 2004 November 2006 May 2007 |
64.00.02 30.00.71 30.00.01 |
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