Here is an example of when "box and papers" make all the difference in the watch collecting and dealing hobby. Short story long, I recently acquired this Rolex GMT ref. 16760 "Fat Lady" from an estate jewelry dealer. He bought it along with some gold coins and jewelry from the widow of the original owner. The condition of the watch is incredible and it came with boxes and papers. While reviewing the watch in hand, there was an invoice from Rolex for it. The invoice comes directly from Rolex, New York and states that it was to be presented to the winner of Block Island Race Week in 1987. You can also see that it was instructed to be presented by a "Bill Sullivan". Without this single piece of paper, this would've just been another GMT in great condition and we would not have known any further story behind it. After calling the Storm Trysail Club, an organization which holds regattas, including the Block Island Race Week, I was able to learn much more about this watch: The watch was presented to Jerry Schostak and his vessel ‘Fujimo’ the winner of the Everett B. Morris Trophy which was for the best performance of the week at Block Island Race in 1987 (this is also documented on their website archive). The watch was presented by Bill Sullivan who was the Rolex representative for the event during this time. Rolex gave 1 watch per year to the Everett B. Morris Perpetual trophy winner. Rolex discontinued its partnership in 2017 exactly 30 years later after Mr. Schostak won this watch. It was said by his wife that he never wore the watch as he wasn’t a watch person, he even attempted to “give it away” a few times before he passed away in 2014, but was unsuccessful as his friends did not want to take it from him for free. It remained in a drawer in their home along with some old double eagle gold coins. Most award watches we see have engraved casebacks and perhaps this is why I haven't seen or known about these regatta winner watches in the past, even if some of them have traded publicly. #VintageRolex #Rolex #BlockIslandRaceWeek #16760 #FatLady #GMTMaster2 #Lunaroyster #BoxandPapers #VintageWatch

Crème with a touch of 🍋. Reference 116520 Daytona “Panna” with box and papers. P serial. #rolex #116520 #daytona #panna #pannadaytona #lunaroyster #boxandpapers #vintageRolex

The spectacular perpetual calendar by Patek Philippe. Reference 5970G. Full set from 2006 is now available. #patekphilippe #5970g #perpetualcalendar #patek #lunaroyster

"The Comet" Nautilus ref. 3710/1A was introduced in 1998 with a power reserve indicator, a first complication aside from date for the Nautilus family. This reference was made exclusively in stainless steel, "Jumbo" 42mm case with striking matte black dial. This example is fresh to market and comes from its original owner, who purchased it at Wempe, an authorized Patek Philippe dealer, in May of 2006 (and saved the receipt to prove so). The purchase date and the very late serial numbers of the watch make it one of the last 3710's to be delivered by Patek before being discontinued. Luckily, the original owner also kept the original boxes, the manuals, the warranty papers, and the sleeve for the watch. He also never filled out nor sent in the PP registration card. Then, as a cherry on top of it all, he also had the watch serviced by Patek Philippe in August of 2023 before ultimately selling it to me. A very tight bracelet completes the checklist for any collector to have interest in this example. #PatekPhilippe #Nautilus #TheComet #Patek #3710 #LunarOyster #BoxandPapers

Some old, steel Rolex watches #6541 #6263 #6036 #8171 #vintageRolex #rolex #daytona #jeanclaudekilly #milgauss #tiffanyandco #lunaroyster

JLC Tribute to Deep Sea, 16700 with custard patina and Breguet from the 90’s with beautiful yellow patina #vintageRolex #jlc #memovox #deepseaalarm #16700 #gmtmaster #breguet #typexx #patina #lunaroyster