How old must a watch be to be considered vintage?

[Watchdaytona]

How old does a watch need to be in order to be designated vintage? Would it be 20 years?

[oysterquartz17000]

I was told recently my 1991 Submariner didnt make the cut.

[Watchdaytona]

Originally Posted by oysterquartz17000

I was told recently my 1991 Submariner didnt make the cut.

Interesting, were you given any guidance at what age a watch could be considered. I would of thought of 1991 would qualify as its almost 30 years ago.

[Tools]

There is no definition of vintage.

Many used to go on the 25 years age, then some decided that a watch had to be plexi; others simply think that a discontinued line would fit in.

As time goes by, you have to go back 30 to 40 years to find plexi versions of some models. This old definition definitely needs an update.

[oysterquartz17000]

The guys here seem to think it comes down to aesthetics. I tend to agree. A 16800 or indeed a 1680 have that vintage look. A 16610, no matter how old, appears modern. My lume has turned a creamy yellow on the 16610, so it appears to be old, it is almost 30 years old and yet it didnt qualify. Then again all 5513's are considered vintage, including those made in 1991.

[Dino2000]

It all depends on how old are you!
For the ones that saw 16800s when it were brand new it couldn’t look too vintage, but for others all five digits could be.
I can say that the next vintage cut will be the tritium dial, then the lug holes case, then the five digits and so on.
Same like vintage cars. I’m from an era when 912s were considered crap VWs and look now for a soft top 912 targa...

[Kingface66]

And here we go again...

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=527572
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=81694
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?p=4226538
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=94489
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?p=3292746
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=22706
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?p=1477230
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?p=3144255
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?p=3511691
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?p=3226311
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?p=982827
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?p=4325919
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?p=4678105

[harry in montreal]

It’s very subjective, kind of like defining my favourites; rare, scarce, and brilliant. I generally avoid those words when I speak.

[Chewbacca]

Maybe;

If you're 20 years older than the watch, its retro.

If you're 20 - 40 years older than the watch, its vintage

If you're 40 - 70 years older than the watch, its an antique

If you're 70 - 100 years older than the watch, its ancient

If the watch is junk, its just an old watch

[Paul H]

I think that the designation should be quite clear and simple. I know we all have our own particular bias which are generally dictated by what we own and how we want then to be perceived but in the end it is what generally what a person, even one not familiar with these watches, easily sees as a turning point in design. In my opinion this would have to be the termination of the acrylic crystal..

[BisonHead]

25 years maybe, then again that could be classed as retro.

I have a 50's OP and a 80's? (I think) TTDJ that i class as vintage.

Its 100 years for antique isn't it, when applied to furniture etc.

[1675-David]

I think we should rename the "Vintage Rolex Discussion" section to the "Plexiglass, lug holes and mostly 4 Digit Rolex Discussion" section.

[crazymcmichael]

Originally Posted by BisonHead

25 years maybe, then again that could be classed as retro.

I have a 50's OP and a 80's? (I think) TTDJ that i class as vintage.

Its 100 years for antique isn't it, when applied to furniture etc.

How do you call me? I take this as offenaive behaviour

[16610v]

I would say the lume without white gold surround is a clear vintage look for sub/gmtmaster/explorer.

[blacke90]

It’s it 25 years for a car to be considered vintage/classic?

[goldfixer21]

4 digit references imo

[18●20●22●▼●2●4●6]

I would agree... though I would add the matte dial (5-digit Ref.) ones that follow maxi tritium markers without white gold surrounds are included in my list of "Vintage"...

Originally Posted by goldfixer21

4 digit references imo

[cardiel]

lets just decide anything made in the 20th century is vintage.........though it may not be accurate its certainly convenient.

[springer]

If it is posted in the Vintage Section - then it's vintage!

[blacke90]

Originally Posted by cardiel

lets just decide anything made in the 20th century is vintage.........though it may not be accurate its certainly convenient.

Agree. Also anything we buy new today will become a vintage years from now.

[Racer X]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

And here we go again...

My thoughts exactly. There should be a sticky in BOLD ALL CAPS for this topic.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by Racer X

My thoughts exactly. There should be a sticky in BOLD ALL CAPS for this topic.

Totally.
Of course, the irony is: THERE IS NO ANSWER TO THE QUESTION.

[Sublovin]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Totally.
Of course, the irony is: THERE IS NO ANSWER TO THE QUESTION.

Right. I love how the people who ask are typically asking because they are just hopeful that their watch qualifies and they have a ticket to the club! Who cares.

[harry in montreal]

I was in Las Vegas last year and a late 80s Chevy Astro van pulled alongside of me. It had ‘antique’ plates on it. Likely this was done to get a reduced title fee, but I had to reconsider what the word antique means.

[Verdi]

Funny enough.....I was just thinking about my DD.
I collect vintage but I don’t consider my 1989 DD a vintage piece. Because it is sapphire glass and a double quick set.

I also heard the term neo-vintage, which refer to transitional models (late 80s into the 90s).
I guess my DD is neo vintage....

The concept of vintage changes from a decade to another. It also depends how long a specific model was available without being changed.
To answer the OP: a 30yr old Sub is qualifying for a vintage in my books. 2 generations behind the current model: different bracelet, case, bezel, dial.....or let’s agree on the neo-vintage term.

[matt009au]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Maybe;

If you're 20 years older than the watch, its retro.

If you're 20 - 40 years older than the watch, its vintage

If you're 40 - 70 years older than the watch, its an antique

If you're 70 - 100 years older than the watch, its ancient

If the watch is junk, its just an old watch

Lol, does this read right... ?

[Racer X]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Totally.
Of course, the irony is: THERE IS NO ANSWER TO THE QUESTION.

Completely agree. We could put that in bold/caps at the beginning of the thread too.

[athom]

For rolex is has to be plexi and painted dials but no one cares until you personaly like the watch you have/want...

[linesiders]

Rolex and Tudor: Plexi. With the exception of matte dialed early sapphires.

Originally Posted by Kingface66

And here we go again...

Keep asking until they get the answer they want to hear ; )

Originally Posted by 1675-David

I think we should rename the "Vintage Rolex Discussion" section to the "Plexiglass, lug holes and mostly 4 Digit Rolex Discussion" section.

^^^^^

Originally Posted by 18●20●22●▼●2●4●6

I would agree... though I would add the matte dial (5-digit Ref.) ones that follow maxi tritium markers without white gold surrounds are included in my list of "Vintage"...

We'll allow it.

Originally Posted by harry in montreal

I was in Las Vegas last year and a late 80s Chevy Astro van pulled alongside of me. It had ‘antique’ plates on it. Likely this was done to get a reduced title fee, but I had to reconsider what the word antique means.

This is because the DMV has no soul

[ud101]

25 to 30 years.