My birth year GMT Master IIs

[acr]

Morning all,

Thought I'd share my pair of birth year (L serial, 1989) GMT Masters that I recently acquired.

A few weeks ago, I got very lucky and came across a birth year 16710 complete with original chronometer cert. I immediately pulled the trigger on it and put it into the rotation with the stainless Daytona I had at the time. It was lucky that I was even able to buy the 16710, because another member had already committed to buying the watch before I found it, but that member flaked out so the watch was mine. Side note, the seller, JamesS, is a top notch guy... buy with confidence. He stands behind what he sells.

I then happened across a 16713 for sale locally - it was a good deal so I immediately arranged with the seller to meet so I could check it out. To my surprise, it was also an L serial watch, and truly complete with all original boxes/papers/hangtags! The seller and I arrived at a satisfactory price and I became a 16713 owner.

I've been through a number of Rolexes and other fine watches, but I finally have an arsenal of watches that I feel is complete and meaningful. Not sure why the concept of a birth year watch speaks to me, but it does. For me, unless the purchase of a watch is tied to something sentimental (personal/professional goal achievement, wedding/graduation etc), I find that I lose interest after the first few weeks of ownership. I guess the pursuit is more fun than the ownership.

No doubt I will keep scanning the FS areas, and lusting after and probably purchasing various other pieces, but I'm hopeful that these two bad boys will remain with me for a long time.

And since this thread would be worthless without pics:







Have a good one!

[ale70]

I feel the same way. I have found a 1675 from 1970 (my birth year) yesterday, but ultimately, I felt that it's too old to be worn every day. Also, as I told my wife "we're both (the watch and me) 43 years old and we both look like crap"....so i passed and i am instead buying a 2002 Pepsi in much better condition for a little bit more money. Any input from the experts?

[autohorology]

Never thought about owning a watch from my birth year, but I think it's a cool idea if not to wear but as a conversation piece. Kind of neat to own a "timepiece" that represents how many years you've been around.

[pinkelle21]

Very nice👍

[The Libertine]

Good story!

(PS: your birth year of 1989 now makes me feel old! )

[Speed]

It's a cool idea...provided you are satisfied enough with the guesstimate dates on charts floating round the Interwebs.

As many will tell you the date / year charts are just swags at when cases stamped with certain serial #s became known.

If you bought an old watch that came with stamped papers - and a receipt with a date- you would at least know the year a watch was purchased.

But it's all close enough I suppose. Good fun.

[DCheeta]

Great watches! Congrats on the double find.

I think birth year watches are cool. I got a circa '74 Sub this year to commemorate my oldness.

[MATCH1969]

Like to wear my birth year GMT gilt from 1964, and feel good as my watch

image.jpg

[fabio1965]

Originally Posted by The Libertine

Good story!

(PS: your birth year of 1989 now makes me feel old! )

Well gone : Thumbsup:: Bye:

[brandrea]

Born in 1989 .... Whoa I AM old feeling
Nice pic up, and I wouldn't hesitate to wear it every day

[Rootbeer]

Originally Posted by ale70

I feel the same way. I have found a 1675 from 1970 (my birth year) yesterday, but ultimately, I felt that it's too old to be worn every day. Also, as I told my wife "we're both (the watch and me) 43 years old and we both look like crap"....so i passed and i am instead buying a 2002 Pepsi in much better condition for a little bit more money. Any input from the experts?

Great post - I know exactly how you feel.

My understanding is that it's not easy to accurately date a watch as manufacture of case, assembly and sale date are all different. A case could potentially have been made long before assembly or a watch could have spent considerable time in stock at an ad before sale etc.

If I was buying used I'd have done what you did.

[acr]

I thought about those concerns and it isn't a big deal for me. These are pretty much modern Rolexes so they're great for daily wear. It's good enough for me that L serials are usually associated with 1989. And yeah....I figured I'm younger than most other members but am still happy to be lucky enough to enjoy this hobby

[ale70]

Originally Posted by Rootbeer

Great post - I know exactly how you feel.

My understanding is that it's not easy to accurately date a watch as manufacture of case, assembly and sale date are all different. A case could potentially have been made long before assembly or a watch could have spent considerable time in stock at an ad before sale etc.

If I was buying used I'd have done what you did.

Yes, that's all true. Ultimately, I was falling in love with the idea of randomly finding a store selling a 'late 1970 GMT Master'. The salesperson had no clue I was born in Dec 1970, so I thought it was a cool coincidence.....

Ultimately, I know that there's no way (besides Papers that are not there) to know for sure it was a Dec 1970, but in the end it looks too old compared to what I am looking for.

The OP is much luckier! He is much younger and his birthyear is practically 'current production'....

[bbressler]

Great looking pair, congrats! I thought about a birth year GMT Master, but they're a little too vintage for daily wear from my year I think.

[bearone2]

a good story

[mjclark32]

Very nice, congrats!

[nickb732]

Beautiful! Congrats.

[tkerrmd]

cool idea and watches!

[sea-dweller]

Looks great!

[Trouble15]

Very nice!

[LBHQ]

Very nice pics, congrats on the watches,

Rolex looks fantastic after 25 years!!!

[T01]

Great watches!!!

[Neunundneunzig]

Nice pair you have there.

[Nycturbovr6]

Great pair you have there

[Ryuden]

I was sold on the idea of a birth year rolex but pass on the idea as I prefer the sapphire more than the plexi.

And like some mentioned, OP is lucky cause his birth year falls into "current production" or "modern era" Rolex.

Lovely duo. Wear in the best of health.

[raky]

I love the 16710. I bought one earlier this month that is from 1999. I jumped on it as well as that was the year I graduated from High School. I am with you in that if it isn't tied to something I get bored as well. Enjoy your watches!

[ltmgeller]