Birth year watches

[motoikkyu]

Confession time: I've changed my birth-year on official documents from time to time during my life for various reasons, some legal, some nefarious. I'm not that attached to my actual birth-year, so finding a watch with similar vintage hasn't been a priority. Whatever floats yo' goat, though. I think anything that gets folks into vintage timepieces is a force for good, so enjoy!

[macharle]

Birth year watches should only happen when you simply get lucky on finding a beautiful condition example for a piece you're shopping for and it happens to be manufactured in the same year you were born... it should never be the core of your search.

Seems like a trend with younger generations that will likely not die off, though.

[robinmgb]

I've got a 1970 birth year 1803 Day Date, as it's 50 years old and in mint condition running +3 seconds a day I love it.
I wasn't actively seeking a birth year model, just came across it at a local dealer by chance and thought it had my name on it!

[Texex]

Originally Posted by brockburst

I have had a similar experience. I typically only bought watches for milestones in my life, and as my collecting, chase, and passion grew, I found myself making up reasons to get them. Enter the birth year discussion here. Interestingly, I also am 1983. As my eye evolved and my tastes cemented, I found myself justifying why I needed to keep the birth year versions, and at one point I owned several:

Circa 1983 Rolex 16800 Submariner
Circa 1983 Rolex 5513 Maxi MK5 Sub - Full Set, acquired basically brand new with MEGA pumpkin patina
Circa 1983 Tudor 94110 Snowflake
Circa 1983 Rolex Datejust White Buckley Dial
1983 Omega Speedmaster

Those are the ones i have owned and consequently sold or am in the process of selling. Per is exactly right, dates are not exact at all. One sub was prob closer to 82 than 83, and the maxi was closer to 84 than 83. Overall I ended up sticking a bunch of cash into an idea and forcing myself to add a reason to collect something. That has never been how I arrived at ownership, so after awhile I have abandoned the idea that I need to own a birth year watch. This has led to a more important and fulfilling collection, especially when some of my most meaningful pieces (gilt 5512 and gilt 1675) have required larger budgets.

Many different opinions no doubt, but unless you really love the model, save for your dream watch no matter when it was made. Condition is more important than any other facet.

Great advice, It's really hard to tell the year a watch was made and be exact. And buying a 30 year old watch also means it very likely has had service and had parts replaced with newer parts.

[4vCoupe]

I bought a 16750 birth year watch for my 30th birthday a few years back, also 1983. I owned it and enjoyed it for about 5 years. I eventually sold it because there were other watches I wanted. I miss it at times but ok with the decision I made.


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[Timetogetawatch]

I just recently bought a birth year Rolex: 1975 Air-King 5500. I already have two modern Rolexes and didn’t want to spend big money on a birth year piece. Plus I wanted something simple and classic with no date. I also wasn’t willing to settle for just anything. It had to be all original, oyster bracelet, silver dial. I passed on many examples for various reasons. It took me three years to find but I’m glad I was patient. The best thing about the experience was learning so much about various Rolex watches and their history...and meeting lots of Rolex enthusiasts throughout the journey (many through this forum).. So for those reasons, I’d recommend it. Best of luck!

[Kliminator]

I like the idea of a birth year watch. Agree with someone else who posted here that it's best if you stumble upon a great piece that happens to be your birth year ... that's the icing on top!

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by Andad

Blimey! Eddie.........That's old!!!

[cpefy3]

Here are me and my wife's birthyear Rolexes on our big day. Good Luck on your hunt!!

[petehk]

Originally Posted by cpefy3

Here are me and my wife's birthyear Rolexes on our big day. Good Luck on your hunt!!

Super! Congrats! Can't get better than a wife who appreciates a good rolex.

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[Andjwhite]

Originally Posted by JPMickB83

I’m also a 1983 baby; the closest I could get was a couple 1984 Tudor 76100 Subs (one still has the Lollipop handset). I never wear them, yet I’m tempted to “upgrade” them to a Rolex. This thread is helping to put that idea to bed, and to either learn to appreciate what I have, or sell and get out of the investment.



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Really love these slightly less popular tudors. Although they are becoming more and more desirable. Beautiful sub.

[Slimpee]

Man I need to step up with all of you 1983 birth years!

[linesiders]

I have a Birth Year Snowflake, and a fairly rare piece

I will find the right BY 1675 that sings to me, one day.

[brandrea]

I tried both ends of the birthyear spectrum ...

I bought this 5513 from my actual birthyear, and this 50th anniversary SD43 to celebrate my 50th.

Unfortunately neither worked out for me. The SD43 was by far my favorite just couldn't get a comfortable fit.

I'd be inclined to go modern to celebrate an occasion rather vintage to celebrate a birthyear, but I understand the appeal of both



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[Romeojk]

I saw this Seiko 1964 Seikomatic for sale and thought to myself, if this guy is still giving his A-game, keeping time and looks this sharp after 55 years, I better step up and keep up. It makes me smile whenever I wear it. Thanks Adam, you Old Expat Beast!





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[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Romeojk

I saw this Seiko 1964 Seikomatic for sale...

That's a beautiful piece. These old workhorse Seikos offer some of the best value ever, with their refined design language and in-house movements.

[ILuvSubs]

That is a sweet piece! A very clean and crisp design. So minty too - look at the sharp lines on those lugs! I love the location of the day window. When it comes to vintage bang for your buck, Seikos win hands down.

Originally Posted by Romeojk

I saw this Seiko 1964 Seikomatic for sale and thought to myself, if this guy is still giving his A-game, keeping time and looks this sharp after 55 years, I better step up and keep up. It makes me smile whenever I wear it. Thanks Adam, you Old Expat Beast!





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[Romeojk]

Originally Posted by zapokee

That's a beautiful piece. These old workhorse Seikos offer some of the best value ever, with their refined design language and in-house movements.

Thanks. The more I read and learn the more I like them, and the more I see them the more I'm impressed with how they hold up.

Originally Posted by ILuvSubs

That is a sweet piece! A very clean and crisp design. So minty too - look at the sharp lines on those lugs! I love the location of the day window. When it comes to vintage bang for your buck, Seikos win hands down.

Thanks. You really do get an amazing value for such a quality beautiful piece of craftsmanship, I'm glad I get to watch over it for a while.


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[Old Expat Beast]

You were made for each other Kevin. Glad you're both still going strong

[1665fan]

I think you need papers to a watch with the sale date of your birth year on it also to consider it a birth year....as well as the serial number to be that year or year before.....

[Romeojk]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

You were made for each other Kevin. Glad you're both still going strong

Thanks. I'm glad too! I think it's my favorite watch.


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[shinyhappyobjects]

I still like the idea of having a birth year watch, but I don't believe one should sacrifice the opportunity to buy the same watch in a different year that's a good deal and in great condition for the birth year. I have a birth year 5513 mk5 that I love and got for a great deal, but the birth year thing was just a coincidence and a bonus. I've had friends turn down fantastic looking, fairly priced watches because they were just a year off! I think that's silly, especially considering with Rolex nothing is certain.

[nocaps]

i bought a 16610 submariner at auction a couple years ago. when i received it, i realized that it was made the year my son was born, so i gave it to him as a college graduation present. needless to say, he was thrilled and it hasn't left his wrist. i missed that sub though, and i ended up finding a 1997 nos for myself.

[Snowbob]

Probably not realistic to find a '58, but my one and only is a '99 GMT for my 1st born's birth year. And it will be his someday, when I'm done with it...

[bmb15]

Originally Posted by zapokee

I've since realized it's not worth hunting down birth-year models. It's better to have the best possible version of the watch, regardless of year.

If you're limiting yourself to a particular year, you're more likely to end up with something sub-optimal.

Exactly this, for me that was a 1665 DRSD, which is not from my birth-year.

[army scope jockey]

For 1983 this would be a good one GMT-Master II Ref. 16760 Nicknamed The Fat Lady

[army scope jockey]

Was looking for a Pepsi GMT 1675 and a clean 1.1 million circa 1965 turned up. Win win.

[cts]

Love my 72’ birth year 1680 Red Sub!!!

[indianmachine]

Love my 1989 5513!

But that said, I'd love it just as much if it was 1985, so the birth year didn't really do that much for me.

[Kowaco]

I bought a sub in 1986 the same year my son was born so he’s wearing it now and I guess at some point my grandson will get it. I may get me one if I can afford it. Great idea if you can find one in good condition