Finding that Rolex from your Birth Year ?

[Dave]

I am trying to Locate a Rolex Professional Model Watch from 1980...The year I was born. What is the best way to go about locating a potential watch candidate for my ol' wrist but from a trusted source? ... I will only buy a watch that has original papers. And this makes my head spin thinking of all the pitfalls that I could find myself in... Thanks, DAVE

[WatchDanny1]

still trying to find one for myself

[TimeLord2]

Keep an eye on the classifieds on this forum. There are some very nice examples with complete paperwork that pop up from time to time.

[steeevvvooo]

Papers will obviously be harder on an old watch but you can date pretty accurately with serial numbers from back then. Have a google and you can find the ranges.

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[AMP81]

I'm on the same search for a 1981 :) Ironic that when I used to browse sellers pages regularly a few years back I saw beautiful example after example.. now that I have the budget to get one though there's none to be found. Patience... is a attribute I fail to conquer!

[Flexjet]

Be patient
Classified from that website for example will show great pieces matching the year u looking at some point!
Worst is to rush for a watch that doesnt show all the requirements u are after.
Make sure u opt for one having all the necessary stuff

[Flexjet]

Originally Posted by AMP81

I'm on the same search for a 1981 :) Ironic that when I used to browse sellers pages regularly a few years back I saw beautiful example after example.. now that I have the budget to get one though there's none to be found. Patience... is a attribute I fail to conquer!

Was after an 81 myself.
Went for a 16800
Its a great transitional model

[cronos]

I'm looking for something from 1953.

[RolexRog]

Originally Posted by Dave

I am trying to Locate a Rolex Professional Model Watch from 1980...The year I was born. What is the best way to go about locating a potential watch candidate for my ol' wrist but from a trusted source? ... I will only buy a watch that has original papers. And this makes my head spin thinking of all the pitfalls that I could find myself in... Thanks, DAVE

I did that, but my birth year is 1966. I simply went to Bob's Watches and bought it from there (1966 Oyster perpetual). Back when I bought it in 2020 it was cheap, 3 or 4 thousand IIRC. Looks like a brand new watch too!

[1watch]

I get the nostalgia angle of a birth year watch, but I would never have that as the top criteria. Much better to buy what you want in the best condition your budget allows. If it happens to match your birth year, then that's like an added bonus.

[RolexRog]

Originally Posted by 1watch

I get the nostalgia angle of a birth year watch, but I would never have that as the top criteria. Much better to buy what you want in the best condition your budget allows. If it happens to match your birth year, then that's like an added bonus.

While the year of the watch was a top criteria, it was a watch that I also really wanted. It's not that uncommon for the year of manufacture of a watch to mean something when buying a vintage watch for sure whether it's a birth year or some other year of significance to you.

[visualplane]

Found you some:

https://www.watchrecon.com/?query=1980+rolex

[1watch]

Originally Posted by RolexRog

While the year of the watch was a top criteria, it was a watch that I also really wanted. It's not that uncommon for the year of manufacture of a watch to mean something when buying a vintage watch for sure whether it's a birth year or some other year of significance to you.

The only other significance I would put on a date is rarity of a piece/reference if it's in top condition. I happen to have one that matches my birth year, but it was pure coincidence and a nice bonus... not the focus though for me as a collector.

[RolexRog]

Originally Posted by 1watch

The only other significance I would put on a date is rarity of a piece/reference if it's in top condition. I happen to have one that matches my birth year, but it was pure coincidence and a nice bonus... not the focus though for me as a collector.

So if you think back on your life, and there was a particularly GOOD year that you remember fondly, you can't see how this Rolex watch (which you maybe couldn't afford back then) is a solid "connection" to this period of your life?

[ervelo]

I was lucky that a friend/vintage watch dealer who was born in the same year (1991) was selling his 14270 at the same time I was looking for my first Rolex. Even though there are newer, flashier, and better pieces to the collection, this is still the last piece in my collection that I'd sell if it came down to it.

[1watch]

Originally Posted by RolexRog

So if you think back on your life, and there was a particularly GOOD year that you remember fondly, you can't see how this Rolex watch (which you maybe couldn't afford back then) is a solid "connection" to this period of your life?

I’m not saying it couldn’t be. My focus as a collector is condition, quality and rarity. If the date of manufacture happens to commemorate a particular year or event, that’s circumstantial, not my reason to pursue a collectible piece.


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[robinmgb]

You really need papers otherwise it’s guesswork!
I recently bought what was sold as a 1969 (my birth year) Day Date 1803.
Serial number on some websites dated it 1969 then I found other sites dating it to 1971, I’ve since discovered hacking seconds were introduced in 1972, it has hacking seconds so the oldest it can actually be is 1972!

[herts9]

Found a good example of a 1675 GMT from around 1979/1980 a few weeks ago. A few service parts and dings, far from perfect, but neither am I

[AMP81]

Originally Posted by Flexjet

Was after an 81 myself.
Went for a 16800
Its a great transitional model

Yup same I'm after - matte dial :)

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[Orangeface]

Not sure I’d want an available Rolex from my birth year. A GMT from my daughter’s, yes, that would work nicely. Especially a “Swiss” only...wait, would that be vintage?