Do birth year watches even matter?

[SLS]

I have 2 from 1970. A red 1680 and a 1675. Both were bought years ago before the prices went crazy. The 1680 was a planned purchase for my birth year. The 1675 was just happened to be from 1970 as well. Both are stamped 70 inside the casebacks.

[uncleluck]

Not as much as I thought before getting a birth year Watch.

I think the only time it’d really mean anything is if your parents had bought you something at your birth (but then you may end up with a previous year build anyway)

I bought a birth year which was pretty cool telling people it was the same age as me but as soon as I got the same model in better condition I sold the birth year Watch without hesitation.

[aleeboy]

For me, birth year doesn't matter at all. Just one of the reasons people like to get vintages I guess?

[harvey]

As I said on another thread buying a birth year watch retrospectively seems like a silly idea as I don't understand it.

However, buying one now for a child's birth and then wearing it and building a history with it, I can understand. To gift it when s/he is eighteen or twenty one is a lovely idea. Wish I had my father's watch.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by SconnieBT

I bought my first Rolex about 4 months ago. A 16570 Z serial Polar explorer 2 at the age of 30. As much joy as this watch gives me, I'm always on the lookout for which watch should come next. I have always had a dream of buying a birth year watch, and as i just turned 31, 1987 is the year i'm after.

The funny thing is, when i think of buying a birth year watch, the only brand that i even consider is Rolex. First off, why is that? Has Rolex's giant marketing budget somehow poisoned my mind? Second off, i hate the limitations that puts on me. Because basically that commits me to a Submariner, Datejust or GMT Master. I exclude the Daytona and Explorer because of price point first and foremost, and secondly i have a 36mm Omega Railmaster that i absolutely love and will never leave my collection, so the explorer (although i love the 1016) is too similar.

So i have this image of a 1987 Rolex on my wrist, but with the current vintage Rolex market getting out of control, I wonder if this is worth it?? Now i understand that 1987 isn't exactly vintage, but prices are only creeping north. It makes me think if finding another watch from 1987 from a different brand would be more logical? Or should I toss the birth year watch idea aside and buy something modern that i just love? As watch enthusiasts, i feel we have a tendency to overthink these things.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic. What other 1987 watch alternatives can you give me? Talk me into or out of the birth year watch.

Almost impossible to get a exact birth day made watch especially after when Rolex used to mark the case backs with production dates back in the 1960s early 70s. All today's charts can only indicate a rough date between X&Y years when the case was stamped.And this dont always mean when the watch was made, so even the date when the watch was sold does not mean when it was made.

[Wools]

It’s about as relevant to me as someone who starts to categorise their watch collection by land, sea & air! Great, & I love the tool watches made by companies like Rolex & IWC for those jobs & enviroments but it feels like you’re adding watches just to fill a 8 watch roll! The same is true for a birth year watch.

For me, it about what Watch speaks to you & what is close to your personality and character. The watch is the important bit, not the year or the collection possibilities.

[1William]

If a birth year watch makes a difference to you and you want one, go for it. With that said, I do not understand the birth year watch desire and I consistently see most of the posts discussing it coming from newer members or people that are not as far into collecting. It could be that a lot of the older members hear have already been down that road and no need to discuss or that a lot of the newer collectors use this as an excuse to research and possibly buy. And I am sure there are a lot of other reasons also. With the vintage market exploding and prices through the roof I would buy modern and make my own memories.

[benvh]

To each his own. I'd love to have a birth year watch, not because it's my birth year but because that year had some classic models!

Ben

[Dyim]

It would be great if it was bought by your parents when you were born.

Otherwise, I’d rather make my own history as I wear my watches.

[beshannon]

To some, yes.

To me, no.

[SconnieBT]

This is a good point. I am relatively new to the watch game here. Been into watches for about 5 years. Have made some purchasing mistakes, but I'm sure havent made my last. When you first get into this hobby there is an eagerness to build a collection. Once you've been through some watches and have built a collection you learn to just enjoy the ones you have. I'm getting closer to that point, but still feel like something is missing.

Originally Posted by 1William

If a birth year watch makes a difference to you and you want one, go for it. With that said, I do not understand the birth year watch desire and I consistently see most of the posts discussing it coming from newer members or people that are not as far into collecting. It could be that a lot of the older members hear have already been down that road and no need to discuss or that a lot of the newer collectors use this as an excuse to research and possibly buy. And I am sure there are a lot of other reasons also. With the vintage market exploding and prices through the roof I would buy modern and make my own memories.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[omitohud]

I think birth year watch is more significant in vintage than modern collecting. If you don’t like faded look n rackety bracelet then u won’t care if it’s your birth year or the year when the Simpson first broadcast. It’s understandable to get a resounding no in the general forum, but it’s a different story in the vintage section.

Collecting birth year watches is to set an important day as a theme of your collection. The best example of this is the omega speedy. Personally I think the year I was born is pretty significant to me. It’s probably the most important day in your life. In the end it’s a matter of preference. There is no right or wrong.

I have a few subs, gmts, as well as omega speedies and sm300s from my birth year. Good luck.


I blame it on autoconnect.

[sensui]

I use to chase this pipe dream. The truth is all the serial dating is an approximate aggregated by enthusiast data/purchase dates. There is no absolute way to date production/transitions. Condition condition condition.

[rbl]

I like the idea of a birth-year Rolex, but not one that would cost a premium. A stainless DJ for 3k is appealing. An old sub/gmt that costs more than a brand new sub/gmt has zero appeal to me.

[lenfried29]

There are no Rolex models that were introduced in my birth year of 1960. And the things get even more complicated with my month and day - February 29, 1960

[jimcameron]

I would have to find an Hourglass made by Rolex.

[brucethemanlee]

Not to me at all


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AEC]

There are vintage watches I enjoy, and tons of them would have been produced the same year I was, but the connection doesn't mean anything to me.

[AEC]

Originally Posted by jimcameron

I would have to find an Hourglass made by Rolex.

Ha! At least it's newer than a sundial

[Maiden]

Only if it matters to you. Frankly I don't get it, you are buying a watch that was most likely produced by the thousands, nothing unique or rare, covered in someone else's history, plus it will be old? How is this special? Would you buy a birth year car? To each their own.

[77T]

I’m not in favor for myself. But if it’s your dream, I think it’ll never be lower in cost than now.

So strike soon if you want one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[omitohud]

Originally Posted by Maiden

Only if it matters to you. Frankly I don't get it, you are buying a watch that was most likely produced by the thousands, nothing unique or rare, covered in someone else's history, plus it will be old? How is this special? Would you buy a birth year car? To each their own.

U r in the wrong forum bro. Lol

Ps I would love to get my hands on a Porsche 356.


I blame it on autoconnect.

[quakeroatmeal]

You and me are both in competition to find a good birth year watch (1987)!
I'm specifically hoping to find a DJ model though!

[mistercoach32]

Doesn't to me, but to each his/her own.

[capote]

Originally Posted by opaline460

silly idea

+1

[actionkwj]

A worthy 1987 birth year watch is a Speedy - beautifully vintage with tritium, only going up in value, easily sold, and most importantly a beautiful reference!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Rodolfo_4]

I think not

You can’t even prove it is your year

Well atleast not to anyone, which is the reason you want it, to start conversation explaining why you are wearing a 40 year old watch

[hondauk]

I like the idea of a birth year watch.
I think it’s such a good idea I’ve bought three, one for my grandson and one each for my two granddaughters
Seb is 4 Annabelle is 7 and Rosa is 2
Will hand them over when they are 18 or maybe 21 (if I,m still around)

[brucethemanlee]

Thinking about it some more

I stand by my original assessment that it’s not for me but to clarify....

It’s not for me if I go out and look for a birth year watch when I’m 40+ now

However I think it IS cool to have a birth year watch if your parents had foresight to purchase a birth year watch for you in the same year you were born. That would be cool

Otherwise going to look for a 40+ year old watch doesn’t hold any significant meaning for me


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[yessir69]

Here is a bunch of 1987 Rolexes. Just as an enabling tool.

https://www.hqmilton.com/timepieces/search?q=1987