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Old 20 March 2017, 12:34 PM   #1
DadsSubm
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What Is Considered Vintage

Would my Explorer 2 be vintage yet or no?
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Old 20 March 2017, 12:37 PM   #2
sensui
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I think it's getting there.....but people's definition vary....some say only if it came with acrylic crystal.....some say only 4 digits, some think 5 digits are vintage enough.....a lot of varying opinions. Your polar Explorer 2 looks great though regardless.
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Old 20 March 2017, 12:41 PM   #3
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Quote:
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I think it's getting there.....but people's definition vary....some say only if it came with acrylic crystal.....some say only 4 digits, some think 5 digits are vintage enough.....a lot of varying opinions. Your polar Explorer 2 looks great though regardless.
Thanks for the response. I def love it
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Old 20 March 2017, 12:42 PM   #4
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Growing up I always thought 50s and 60s. Now I'd say 70s, not 80s.
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Old 20 March 2017, 12:44 PM   #5
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Old 20 March 2017, 12:46 PM   #6
Old Expat Beast
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There is really no absolute definition for vintage when it comes to Rolex, always an exception, but your Exp II is 21st century with that dial, so not even close.
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Old 20 March 2017, 12:48 PM   #7
DadsSubm
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I have always considered 50's and 60's but I guess I am getting old because younger people are throwing 80's and 90's In now!!
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Old 20 March 2017, 12:49 PM   #8
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There is really no absolute definition for vintage when it comes to Rolex, always an exception, but your Exp II is 21st century with that dial, so not even close.
Thank you. I myself wouldn't consider it vintage either
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Old 20 March 2017, 12:51 PM   #9
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I think a better question is what is the difference between Vintage and Antique...?
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Old 20 March 2017, 01:00 PM   #10
DadsSubm
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Another question Instead of opening a new thread.
Why on my Dad's 72 Sub Is the date so big compared to my EX2?
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Old 20 March 2017, 02:08 PM   #11
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The height of older model acrylic crystals put the cyclops a tad higher than modern sapphire crystals.
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Old 20 March 2017, 02:20 PM   #12
DadsSubm
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The height of older model acrylic crystals put the cyclops a tad higher than modern sapphire crystals.
makes sense
thanks
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Old 20 March 2017, 02:25 PM   #13
helson
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It is vintage.
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Old 20 March 2017, 02:58 PM   #14
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With 6 digit references deep into production (i.e. for over a decade) it makes sense that 4 digit references are certainly vintage and 5 digits are getting there.
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Old 20 March 2017, 03:05 PM   #15
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There is no concrete way to define vintage, but as the US Supreme Court once famously said - I know it when I see it.
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Old 20 March 2017, 03:13 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DadsSubm View Post
Would my Explorer 2 be vintage yet or no?
Your Explorer II is definitely a classic but many years away from being considered vintage. Enjoy your watch.
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Old 20 March 2017, 03:15 PM   #17
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There is no concrete way to define vintage, but as the US Supreme Court once famously said - I know it when I see it.
Justice Potter...I remember that case well. No more Playboys for me after that ruling!!!
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Old 20 March 2017, 03:28 PM   #18
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Heres my real vintage
well to me
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Old 20 March 2017, 03:37 PM   #19
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IMO a true vintage piece is any 4 digit reference, though I would consider the 16800, 16750, 16550 vintage....as others have stated....it just depends, yours has a while, but enjoy that beauty for many more years and before you know it, it'll be vintage, and so will you!!
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Old 20 March 2017, 03:50 PM   #20
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IMO a true vintage piece is any 4 digit reference, though I would consider the 16800, 16750, 16550 vintage....as others have stated....it just depends, yours has a while, but enjoy that beauty for many more years and before you know it, it'll be vintage, and so will you!!
I don't know If the black was a better seller but everytime I see one In a jewelry store Its black never a white dial
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Old 20 March 2017, 04:00 PM   #21
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My next Rolex purchase will be a "birth year" time piece. I consider myself vintage
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Old 20 March 2017, 05:49 PM   #22
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vintage should not be used in reference to objects less than 20 years old, anything after that would be called retro, that's if we use the same grading as clothing.


Quote:
Originally Posted by DadsSubm View Post
Would my Explorer 2 be vintage yet or no?
Regardless of what it is classed as, it's a lovely looking watch!
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Old 20 March 2017, 09:57 PM   #23
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I think most people would consider any model with acrylic crystal or matte dial as vintage. But maybe 10-20 years from now, any 5-digit with classic case and aluminum bezel will be considered vintage as well.
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Old 20 March 2017, 10:19 PM   #24
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The discussion goes on and on...
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=81694
Perhaps by the next time it surfaces, the A serial number Expl. II's will be ranked as vintage...
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Old 21 March 2017, 12:59 AM   #25
fusionstorm
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Here's my checklist for whether vintage or not:

1) Dial has no metal surrounds, and has tritium or radium as the material used for the dial markers (automatically vintage IMO, no matter if the remaining checklist doesn't fully apply - see matte 16660, 16750 & 16800)

Should #1 not apply, then if the remaining list are all checked, it's vintage:

2) 4 digit reference
3) Tritium dial
4) Acrylic crystal
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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
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Old 21 March 2017, 06:33 AM   #26
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opinions vary to a point as you see...let me throw in another factor. A 30 year old time piece is considered vintage by some... :-)
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Old 21 March 2017, 12:08 PM   #27
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I think 30+ years.


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Old 21 March 2017, 03:58 PM   #28
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Titium

To me only one box to check : tritium
I consider my 16700 vintage
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Old 21 March 2017, 04:28 PM   #29
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Tritium + No WG Surrounds = Vintage for me.
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Old 21 March 2017, 08:42 PM   #30
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I would assume it's a moving target...in 20 years, it will likely be different than it is today.
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