The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Old 12 March 2016, 11:18 AM   #1
rushca01
"TRF" Member
 
rushca01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Indiana
Watch: GMT BLRO
Posts: 1,733
When is a watch considered vintage?

Just curious, when does everyone consider a watch to be vintage? 80s 90s early 00's?
rushca01 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 March 2016, 11:24 AM   #2
speedolex
Banned
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,231
When it's 20 years old.
speedolex is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 March 2016, 12:46 PM   #3
ref1655
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: SF Bay Area
Watch: 1655/MkI
Posts: 1,100
depends on the make...taking into consideration their 'golden era' of production & manufacturing (if any) + the current status of their product line & overall quality today.
ref1655 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 March 2016, 05:16 PM   #4
HunterST
"TRF" Member
 
HunterST's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Real Name: Eli Weisman
Location: Los Angeles
Watch: 1675/3, 79090
Posts: 442
20 years old seems reasonable, however I don't think of late 90's watches as vintage. :-/
__________________
....................
GMT 1675/3 | 6694 | 16014 Tapestry Cream | 16014 Tapestry Gray | Tudor Black Bay Black ETA | Tudor Sub 79090 | Sinn 103 StSa | PAM 183 | IWC 3717-04
HunterST is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 March 2016, 07:42 PM   #5
Mick P
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: UK / Spain
Watch: 39mm Explorer
Posts: 1,990
Chaps

The term vintage is well over used in watch collecting.

I have a 1981 Rolex Freccione and would never dream of calling it a vintage piece. It is only 35 years old and nothing in the world is vintage at that age.

If you don't believe me, try telling your wife she's a vintage piece once she's hit 30 and see what you get served up for dinner. Probably something messy over your head.

Regards

Mick
Mick P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 March 2016, 08:23 PM   #6
CRM114
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: HK & USA
Watch: GMTs,1803, 16610LV
Posts: 2,001
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mick P View Post
Chaps

The term vintage is well over used in watch collecting.

I have a 1981 Rolex Freccione and would never dream of calling it a vintage piece. It is only 35 years old and nothing in the world is vintage at that age.

If you don't believe me, try telling your wife she's a vintage piece once she's hit 30 and see what you get served up for dinner. Probably something messy over your head.

Regards

Mick
Agree with this, very overused. I don't consider my GMTs from the '70s to be either although someone could term something from the early '70s as "vintage" and probably not be laughed at. But from the 90's or a mere 20 years old?..not even close.

I agree with the wife part too. Dinner over the head would be getting off easy.
CRM114 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 March 2016, 09:13 PM   #7
Tomas Eriksson
"TRF" Member
 
Tomas Eriksson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Stockholm
Watch: 15707CE
Posts: 1,979
From Ruby Lane:
Quote:
Most authorities consider the term 'antique' to mean an age of at least 100 years. If an item is not definitively datable to 100 or more years in age, it should not be directly referred to as an antique.

The term 'vintage' is applicable to a wider variety of objects, including items that may or may not be antique. As a general rule, vintage should not be used in reference to an object less than 20 years old, and the object should be somewhat representational and recognizable as belonging to the era in which it was made.
__________________
State of the union: 5066A,15400ST,15707CE,116610LN,26470OR and a few other…
Tomas Eriksson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 March 2016, 09:57 PM   #8
TimeToGo
2024 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: North Florida
Posts: 16,568
It depends when it is asked, i.e., what year? By whom? Or if it is used in quotations? Who answered? Whether you use - When/Would/What/Is this, Is my, or Is a/use "officially" or "how about now"/or a model/use become or considered within the same question/variants?

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=169989
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=45789
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=22706
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=212668
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=337639
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=417687
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=441771
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=438058
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=204341
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=422635
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=139827
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=363357
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=210781
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=66898
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=262031
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=214438
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=450569
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=339498
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=213230
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=179794
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=81694
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=159027
TimeToGo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 March 2016, 10:31 PM   #9
speedolex
Banned
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,231
Quote:
Originally Posted by HunterST View Post
20 years old seems reasonable, however I don't think of late 90's watches as vintage. :-/
In 1975 my dad would listen to Doo-Wop music and that seemed horribly vintage.

In 1985 I bought my first car which was a 1965 Ford Mustang and was undeniably vintage.

In 1995 I bought a leisure suit for a Halloween party and that was quite vintage.

Watches that are 20 years old but of a current design, that's tricky because they fit the age criteria but not the out-of-style or old-technology criteria. 1996 Submariner is not vintage, 1996 Casio Mr. G is vintage.
speedolex is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 March 2016, 10:51 PM   #10
Robbyvm
"TRF" Member
 
Robbyvm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Belgium
Posts: 2,239
Plexi and a 4 number reference will get you a looong way
__________________
Instagram : robbyvm
Pinterest : robbyvanmele
Robbyvm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 March 2016, 11:54 PM   #11
Micha
"TRF" Member
 
Micha's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Real Name: Michael
Location: S.Florida/Ontario
Watch: 6263, 1675
Posts: 2,259


Quote:
Originally Posted by TimeToGo View Post
It depends when it is asked, i.e., what year? By whom? Or if it is used in quotations? Who answered? Whether you use - When/Would/What/Is this, Is my, or Is a/use "officially" or "how about now"/or a model/use become or considered within the same question/variants?

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=169989
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=45789
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=22706
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=212668
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=337639
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=417687
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=441771
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=438058
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=204341
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=422635
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=139827
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=363357
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=210781
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=66898
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=262031
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=214438
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=450569
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=339498
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=213230
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=179794
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=81694
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=159027
__________________
life is good
Micha is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 March 2016, 01:33 AM   #12
springer
2024 Pledge Member
 
springer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: jP
Location: Texas
Watch: GMT-MASTER
Posts: 17,157
TTG, now we have one thread to add to the list...
__________________
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 online now   Reply With Quote
Old 13 March 2016, 02:31 AM   #13
swish77
2024 Pledge Member
 
swish77's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Aaron
Location: CT/NYC
Watch: ing the time!
Posts: 6,773
Plexi and tritium.
swish77 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 13 March 2016, 02:46 AM   #14
rootbeer7
"TRF" Member
 
rootbeer7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: london
Posts: 5,934
A good rule of thumb is 4 digit Rolex I believe
rootbeer7 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 March 2016, 04:23 AM   #15
motoikkyu
"TRF" Member
 
motoikkyu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: PRJ
Posts: 1,731
I don't think of my Zenith Daytona as vintage, but it's definitely archaic: Rolex will never use Zenith movements again, that era is past, but it is in every way a modern Rolex. The trend I see in the market is that any model that is not available as new stock from an AD is considered "secondary market" and is usually called "vintage" for marketing purposes. Also, sounds better, like "pre-owned" for "used". 20 years is the rule in most states for cars, that's why people reach for that 20-year mark in other areas.
__________________
"Do you like Breitling?" "I don't know, really, I've never been Breitled"
motoikkyu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 March 2016, 05:00 AM   #16
dukerules
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: NC, USA
Posts: 681
This is a great question!!!!
BTW, the answer is 1983.
__________________

Instagram: dukerules
dukerules is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 March 2016, 05:42 AM   #17
themaninblack
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,058
Vintage can simply mean something from the past or of a recognisable era or time. Hence the term, "70's vintage clothing". Is a Zenith Daytona now vintage? Probably yes.
themaninblack is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 March 2016, 05:50 AM   #18
blowfish89
"TRF" Member
 
blowfish89's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Canada
Watch: 16800 Matte
Posts: 398
27 years+ as far as I know.
blowfish89 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 March 2016, 06:06 AM   #19
1675-David
"TRF" Member
 
1675-David's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Stockholm
Posts: 6,006
Quote:
Originally Posted by TimeToGo View Post
It depends when it is asked, i.e., what year? By whom? Or if it is used in quotations? Who answered? Whether you use - When/Would/What/Is this, Is my, or Is a/use "officially" or "how about now"/or a model/use become or considered within the same question/variants?

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=169989
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=45789
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=22706
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=212668
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=337639
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=417687
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=441771
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=438058
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=204341
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=422635
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=139827
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=363357
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=210781
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=66898
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=262031
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=214438
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=450569
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=339498
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=213230
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=179794
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=81694
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=159027
you won't get a better answer than this...
1675-David is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 March 2016, 07:43 AM   #20
TimRolex
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: South Florida
Watch: GMT II 16710 Coke
Posts: 82
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mick P View Post
Chaps

The term vintage is well over used in watch collecting.

I have a 1981 Rolex Freccione and would never dream of calling it a vintage piece. It is only 35 years old and nothing in the world is vintage at that age.

If you don't believe me, try telling your wife she's a vintage piece once she's hit 30 and see what you get served up for dinner. Probably something messy over your head.

Regards

Mick
Forgive me, but I repsectfully disagree. Just because you wouldn't call your 30-35 year old wife/girlfriend "vintage" (and I recommend never referring to any human as "vintage," while we are on the subject), doesn't mean things that are 35, 25, or even 20 years old aren't considered "vintage" in the collector's circle. I tend to like to use the collector car market as a measuring stick (rightly or wrongly...I'm not looking for a debate here). Many 1980's era models are described at auction as vintage, almost all 70's and earlier, and even lots of 90's cars are now considered vintage. An early 90's fox body Mustang? Vintage car. 80's era Guns 'N Roses t-shirt? Vintage clothing. 1984-89 Nike Air Jordans? Vintage sneakers. 1990 Vester 1070 Concert II electric guitar? Vintage guitar
TimRolex is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 March 2016, 07:52 AM   #21
HL65
TRF Moderator & 2024 Patron
 
HL65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Real Name: Ken
Location: SW Florida
Watch: One on my wrist.
Posts: 63,330
Quote:
Originally Posted by TimeToGo View Post
It depends when it is asked, i.e., what year? By whom? Or if it is used in quotations? Who answered? Whether you use - When/Would/What/Is this, Is my, or Is a/use "officially" or "how about now"/or a model/use become or considered within the same question/variants?

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=169989
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=45789
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=22706
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=212668
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=337639
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=417687
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=441771
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=438058
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=204341
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=422635
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=139827
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=363357
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=210781
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=66898
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=262031
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=214438
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=450569
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=339498
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=213230
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=179794
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=81694
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=159027
Mmm hmm yes sir....Nothing more needs to be added.
__________________

SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT
HL65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 March 2016, 09:05 AM   #22
Mick P
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: UK / Spain
Watch: 39mm Explorer
Posts: 1,990
Quote:
Originally Posted by TimRolex View Post
Forgive me, but I repsectfully disagree. Just because you wouldn't call your 30-35 year old wife/girlfriend "vintage" (and I recommend never referring to any human as "vintage," while we are on the subject), doesn't mean things that are 35, 25, or even 20 years old aren't considered "vintage" in the collector's circle. I tend to like to use the collector car market as a measuring stick (rightly or wrongly...I'm not looking for a debate here). Many 1980's era models are described at auction as vintage, almost all 70's and earlier, and even lots of 90's cars are now considered vintage. An early 90's fox body Mustang? Vintage car. 80's era Guns 'N Roses t-shirt? Vintage clothing. 1984-89 Nike Air Jordans? Vintage sneakers. 1990 Vester 1070 Concert II electric guitar? Vintage guitar
Hi Tim

I belong to the Vintage Motor Cycle Club and the definition of vintage is pre 1935, whether the same applies to cars, I don't really know.

The true definition of vintage only applies to wine, so in the truest sense, the term vintage is being misused when referring to anything else.

To be honest, I really think that the term is over used somewhat and if I had to make an arbitrary stab, I would say any watch pre WW2 could be considered vintage. I would list age categories in the order of :- current, old, vintage and antique.

It is really a discussion that can never have a conclusion because it is just so subjective.

Regards

Mick
Mick P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 March 2016, 09:06 AM   #23
ref1655
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: SF Bay Area
Watch: 1655/MkI
Posts: 1,100
Quote:
Originally Posted by TimRolex View Post
...doesn't mean things that are 35, 25, or even 20 years old aren't considered "vintage" in the collector's circle.
fine wines most certainly...and there's a distinct difference between 'vintage' and 'collectible'. just about anything from any timeframe is potentially collectible providing there is an interest in it. whether those items are vintage/collectible depends on the mindset of the collector & to a greater extent, others.

if a hoarder had 30+ years of accumulated crap in his/her house, it could be rationalized as a collection of sorts...but of questionable vintage.

there is an ongoing as well as misleading concept in regards to things looked upon as vintage...younger people tend to consider more recently made items as vintage because they haven't been around that long...they have a shorter frame of reference. something that is only 20 years old can appear to be more vintage to a 25 year-old than it would to someone who is middle-aged or older.

the history & quality of the item being discussed + its manufacturer's reputation & time in business also goes a long way in establishing whether something is truly vintage.

all in all...with the exception of wine, the term vintage tends to get overused/abused by wily peddlers & those who tend to overestimate the extrinsic values of their accumulations.
ref1655 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 March 2016, 10:16 AM   #24
springer
2024 Pledge Member
 
springer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: jP
Location: Texas
Watch: GMT-MASTER
Posts: 17,157
Here you go. Not much more to add.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Img_1382.smaller.jpg (87.2 KB, 240 views)
__________________
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 online now   Reply With Quote
Old 13 March 2016, 10:18 AM   #25
themaninblack
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,058
Every year wine is released is an individual vintage, it's a different usage of the term.
themaninblack is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 March 2016, 05:37 PM   #26
sleepyman
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: singapore
Posts: 33
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robbyvm View Post
Plexi and a 4 number reference will get you a looong way
sleepyman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16 March 2016, 11:22 AM   #27
Barnsee
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 12
In the classic car world, typically antique is 50 years old or older and 25 years to 49 is considered vintage (or classic). Not certain if it applies to timepieces.
Barnsee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16 March 2016, 04:58 PM   #28
fusionstorm
"TRF" Member
 
fusionstorm's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Piedmont, CA
Watch: various vintage
Posts: 2,272
No metal surrounds on the 5 minute markers is a big line in the sand for me.......
__________________
1680 MK II 2.2M (my daily); 1655 MK IV 8.1M (my 1st vintage); 16660 x 4 - 8.0M spider & matte 7.4M, 8.0M, 8.0M; 16610LV F MK I/MK I; 116528 Z; 14060 M COSC; Tudor 75090

Gone.....never forgotten: 14000 F, 14060 V COSC, PAM 048, 16623 F, 1680 MK V 3.1M, 16800 matte 8.3M & 1655 MK IV 7.4M
fusionstorm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 March 2016, 02:08 AM   #29
watchyou
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Canada
Posts: 909
'80s Sub 4 digit reference, Acrylic crystal but WG surround plots...vintage?
watchyou 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

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.