The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Watch Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Vintage Rolex Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 18 September 2019, 02:56 AM   #1
Meyrin
"TRF" Member
 
Meyrin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Real Name: Ian
Location: Hamburg
Watch: Sub 14060
Posts: 1,100
When is a Rolex considered "vintage"?

I´m new here, so sorry if this silly question has been asked before! I would be interested to know when a Rolex can be considered "vintage". I have a 1996 14060 Sub I bought new, my daily watch all these years, and personally I just think of it as an older model. But opinions seem to vary, so thanks for any enlightenment! Here's my only, treasured Rolex, been all round the world with me...
IMG_1725a.jpg
Meyrin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 03:01 AM   #2
Wobbly
"TRF" Member
 
Wobbly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: 🇬🇧
Posts: 1,383
That’s a beautiful piece.

I would guess with Rolex, somewhere between 25-30 years to be vintage.
Wobbly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 03:04 AM   #3
joli160
2024 Pledge Member
 
joli160's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NL
Watch: Yachtmaster
Posts: 14,279
plexiglass crystal imho
__________________
Day Date 18238, Yachtmaster 16622, Deepsea 116660, Submariner 116619, SkyD 326935, DJ 178271, DJ 69158, Yachtmaster 169622, GMT 116713LN, GMT 126711.
joli160 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 03:04 AM   #4
fleabag
"TRF" Member
 
fleabag's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 1,212
When is a Rolex considered "vintage"?

Hmmm....2003LV


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
fleabag is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 03:23 AM   #5
Meyrin
"TRF" Member
 
Meyrin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Real Name: Ian
Location: Hamburg
Watch: Sub 14060
Posts: 1,100
Quote:
Originally Posted by joli160 View Post
plexiglass crystal imho
That's interesting! As far as I can find out the Sub models first got a sapphire crystal in 1981...
Meyrin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 03:35 AM   #6
Dave_T26
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New York
Watch: 16660, 116660
Posts: 139
There isn't one consistent definition of "vintage"-- the strictest definition I've heard is 4-digit reference only (and therefore defined as a fixed quantity), with more lenient definitions ranging to watches manufactured a certain number of years before present, for example, "at least 25 years old" (and the quantity would therefore increase every year). I generally go with "I know it when I see it."
Dave_T26 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 03:44 AM   #7
THC
2024 Pledge Member
 
THC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Real Name: Tom
Location: Mandeville La
Watch: 16610M
Posts: 10,445
When your name comes up on the wait list
THC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 03:49 AM   #8
77T
2024 Pledge Member
 
77T's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Real Name: PaulG
Location: Georgia
Posts: 40,569
The moment you’re told that the watch you’re wearing is “an old man’s watch”.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
__________________


Does anyone really know what time it is?
77T is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 04:02 AM   #9
In-Cog-Neeto
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Around
Posts: 1,124
Anything which can be proven to be manufactured pre 8.17:44pm Tuesday 17 September 1991. Anything post 8.17:45pm is neo vintage up to and including 9.27:31am 18 February 2003. And then everything since is post vintage modern
__________________
That's what watches are for; not just for recording the time; but our own travel through that time. - Explorer Steve
In-Cog-Neeto is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 04:20 AM   #10
1665fan
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: East coast
Posts: 6,583
Quote:
Originally Posted by In-Cog-Neeto View Post
Anything which can be proven to be manufactured pre 8.17:44pm Tuesday 17 September 1991. Anything post 8.17:45pm is neo vintage up to and including 9.27:31am 18 February 2003. And then everything since is post vintage modern
Is this eastern timezone???
1665fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 06:24 AM   #11
1911 Man
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Real Name: Ben
Location: Utah
Watch: Sub date
Posts: 143
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1665fan View Post
Is this eastern timezone???
Of course not. Its Greenwich Mean Time
1911 Man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 06:39 AM   #12
jb335
2024 Pledge Member
 
jb335's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: The States
Watch: Cosmograph Daytona
Posts: 6,653
Like a Supreme Court Justice, I know it when I see it.
jb335 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 06:50 AM   #13
springer
2024 Pledge Member
 
springer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: jP
Location: Texas
Watch: GMT-MASTER
Posts: 17,157
Quote:
Originally Posted by Meyrin View Post
I´m new here, so sorry if this silly question has been asked before! I would be interested to know when a Rolex can be considered "vintage". I have a 1996 14060 Sub I bought new, my daily watch all these years, and personally I just think of it as an older model. But opinions seem to vary, so thanks for any enlightenment! Here's my only, treasured Rolex, been all round the world with me...
Attachment 1071150
It's a classic for sure but not vintage. Enjoy your watch!
__________________
Member of NAWCC since 1990.

INSTAGRAM USER NAME: SPRINGERJFP
Visit my Instagram page to view some of the finest vintage GMTs anywhere - as well as other vintage classics.
springer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 06:56 AM   #14
Gerry62
"TRF" Member
 
Gerry62's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Italy
Watch: Rolex Panerai
Posts: 7,106
Quote:
Originally Posted by 77T View Post
The moment you’re told that the watch you’re wearing is “an old man’s watch”.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro


I love my 14060
enjoy your wonderful Sub
__________________
Gerry62 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 06:56 AM   #15
101031-28
"TRF" Member
 
101031-28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: USA
Watch: 1665
Posts: 4,736
So how old does a watch have to be to vintage? Would a 16800 (5 digit with sapphire crystal) from 1984 classify as such?
__________________
He could not just wear a watch. It had to be a Rolex.

Ian Fleming
101031-28 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 07:31 AM   #16
nigelUK
"TRF" Member
 
nigelUK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Northants, UK
Posts: 1,057
Quote:
Originally Posted by 101031-28 View Post
So how old does a watch have to be to vintage? Would a 16800 (5 digit with sapphire crystal) from 1984 classify as such?
only if it has a matte dial . . . imho

its a transitional piece and classic (with WG surrounds), but not vintage ... again imho
__________________
insta : NigelUK
nigelUK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 07:47 AM   #17
sillo
"TRF" Member
 
sillo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Real Name: Sean
Location: NY
Watch: 5 Digit
Posts: 2,840
There is no single consistent line where one side is vintage and one side isn't.

If you want to call it vintage go ahead. Some will agree, some won't.
__________________
14060 | 16570 | 16600 | 16700 | 16800 | 79260

@TheGMTHand
sillo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 10:28 AM   #18
oroloi
"TRF" Member
 
oroloi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Australia
Watch: YachtMaster 116621
Posts: 285
After your Rolex gets its first scratch
oroloi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 11:03 AM   #19
oysterquartz17000
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: AWOL
Watch: Submariner 16803
Posts: 487
Quote:
Originally Posted by Meyrin View Post
I´m new here, so sorry if this silly question has been asked before! I would be interested to know when a Rolex can be considered "vintage". I have a 1996 14060 Sub I bought new, my daily watch all these years, and personally I just think of it as an older model. But opinions seem to vary, so thanks for any enlightenment! Here's my only, treasured Rolex, been all round the world with me...
Attachment 1071150
I have a 1997 14060 and they are just fantastic watches. As for it being vintage, I tend to lean towards 4-digits.
oysterquartz17000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 12:16 PM   #20
In-Cog-Neeto
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Around
Posts: 1,124
Quote:
Originally Posted by 101031-28 View Post
So how old does a watch have to be to vintage? Would a 16800 (5 digit with sapphire crystal) from 1984 classify as such?
Please refer to the ‘official’ timeline I posted above
__________________
That's what watches are for; not just for recording the time; but our own travel through that time. - Explorer Steve
In-Cog-Neeto is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 03:10 PM   #21
037
2024 Pledge Member
 
037's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 6,171
This topic is so old it's now vintage.

This joke is newer but it's a classic.
037 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 03:15 PM   #22
oysterquartz17000
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: AWOL
Watch: Submariner 16803
Posts: 487
Quote:
Originally Posted by 037 View Post
This topic is so old it's now vintage.

This joke is newer but it's a classic.
When does a joke become vintage?
oysterquartz17000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 05:02 PM   #23
Gmt21
"TRF" Member
 
Gmt21's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Real Name: Frank
Location: Earth
Watch: Rolex 1665
Posts: 295
We need a sticky for new members and links to all these topics that get re-posted almost daily!!
Gmt21 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 09:53 PM   #24
cpefy3
"TRF" Member
 
cpefy3's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Real Name: Collin
Location: Raleigh, NC
Watch: 16014, 16600
Posts: 344
Quote:
Originally Posted by 037 View Post
This topic is so old it's now vintage.

This joke is newer but it's a classic.


My opinion is Plexiglas vs Sapphire but to each their own.
cpefy3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2019, 10:22 PM   #25
Andad
2024 Pledge Member
 
Andad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Real Name: Eddie
Location: Australia
Watch: A few.
Posts: 36,692
When you buy it new and you are 71 years old?
__________________
E

Andad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 September 2019, 01:18 AM   #26
roh123
"TRF" Member
 
roh123's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Real Name: Per
Location: Sweden
Watch: Gilt Rolex
Posts: 2,946
It’s kind of fun how people bought modern watches and when they are just old new watches they want to call them vintage. I think very few people buy a 16610 today and consider it being a vintage watch.

Don’t really understand why it is even a question. It’s not like things get worth more just because someone considers it being a vintage watch.
__________________
Instagram: @perj123
roh123 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 September 2019, 02:03 AM   #27
dhknola
"TRF" Member
 
dhknola's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 1,152
When does a joke become vintage...I like that especially in the context of this over asked and annoying question.
Everyone has their own barometer as to what vintage is and there is absolutely no consensus. I personally feel that 5 digit and earlier are vintage, but some (many) people do not agree with that and contend the 4 digits are vintage, c'est la vie, it does not matter anyway.
dhknola is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 September 2019, 02:15 AM   #28
Swearengen
"TRF" Member
 
Swearengen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Real Name: Gabriel
Location: London, UK
Posts: 1,806
if you have to ask the question it probably isn't

In my book 3 of the following 4 make vintage: plexi, lug holes, tritium and matt dial
__________________

1680 1675 16800 16570 16710 17000 16613 17013

Gone but not forgotten 16610LV 1016
16234
Swearengen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 September 2019, 02:28 AM   #29
Seekydmk
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Canada
Posts: 20
Personally, I'd say as soon as it's discontinued
Seekydmk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 September 2019, 04:09 AM   #30
GradyPhilpott
2024 Pledge Member
 
GradyPhilpott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Tudor Big Rose
Posts: 34,329
My oldest Rolex is 11 years old and I have three others that are newer, the last one having been bought in 2014.

They have been superceded in the line-up, so I guess they can be called vintage in one sense, but not necessarily antique.

I have three other Rolex watches that were produced between ca. 1971 and ca. 1989. I definitely consider those to be vintage, and were already at least 30 years old when I bought them, which I think qualifies them as antiques.

I don't really consider the newer ones to be vintage, though, even if some might.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
__________________
JJ

Inaugural TRF $50 Watch Challenge Winner
GradyPhilpott is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

Asset Appeal

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches

Coronet


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.