Box/papers – how important to you?

I’ve been collecting (flipping!) for about 25 years. First half of that period, I tended to prefer full sets but this wasn’t a deal breaker and I bought a few watches without. I’d say over the last decade, I’d avoid watches with something missing and nearly all of my purchases were box/papers. Predominantly I’d moved to buying new from ADs (mostly Tudor, Longines etc)

Recently, I was after an Omega Seamaster 300 (the heritage model) and, RRPs being utterly ridiculous, picked one up pre-owned from an established High Street pre-owned dealer. This came with undated paperwork only – so I have assumed no Omega warranty, but the dealer offers their own warranty. This came with a very decent saving over a full package…enough to take the risk that if it needed a service I could send it to Omega with the money saved.

I’ve now been looking at other watches outside their original warranty period, without box or papers, again from established dealers. It’s a bit of a departure from my previous purchase requirements. I think my only worry is that is it a false economy when I inevitably come to flip the watch with a resulting hit in value.

What’s your thoughts on box/papers…happy to buy without if the seller is obviously genuine, or do you worry about it’s effect on residual value?