Birth year Sub 16610

[Alvar*]

I have the opportunity to buy a sub 16610 (tritium, drilled lug holes). Condition is pretty decent with original tritium parts. Case and bracelet seems fine and not overly polished. Price is steep (unsuprisingly), around 10 k usd. Original papers but no box. From a trusted grey.

The thing is, that according to papers it happens to be a birth year version from the early 90s. Am I crazy if I pull the trigger on a nearly 30 year old watch that costs 10k. Are birth year watches overrated? Is a sub this old still a decent daily driver?

Looking for opinions.

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by Alvar*

I have the opportunity to buy a sub 16610 (tritium, drilled lug holes). Condition is pretty decent with original tritium parts. Case and bracelet seems fine and not overly polished. Price is steep (unsuprisingly), around 10 k usd. Original papers but no box. From a trusted grey.

The thing is, that according to papers it happens to be a birth year version from the early 90s. Am I crazy if I pull the trigger on a nearly 30 year old watch that costs 10k. Are birth year watches overrated? Is a sub this old still a decent daily driver?

Looking for opinions.

I can’t speak to the cost, mine was $3250 and dates back to 1997. My 16610 has been in my wrist more days than not over that span, and worn mountain biking, skiiing, hiking, basketball, tennis, you name it. It will handle whatever you dish out and will see you off to the grave. Seriously.

I guess I’m getting old now that we have members who want the 16610 as a birth year watch lol.

[Maiden]

Are birth year watches overated? Yes. Would you buy a birth year car? Why would you purchase something old, not even close to being rare, just to say it was made the year you were born? Plus the price is nuts. For the same money you can get a much better condition year 2000 or newer. My opinion only. Good luck.

[rolexpatek363]

I've never understood the "birth year watch" thing. And it's practically difficult as many Rolex watches sat on shelves for months or years before being sold, so the year of manufacture may not match the year of sale.

[dhknola]

Birth year watch craze is possibly the silliest facet of watch collecting, people were born, watches are assembled and sold over time so the watch can have a certain serial number year RANGE but paper work with a later sold date...so when is that watch 'born'?
If you want a vintage 16610, which is an awesome and classic watch, than just get a good one and yes, they are worth 10k for a thirty year old one :)

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Alvar*

I have the opportunity to buy a sub 16610 (tritium, drilled lug holes). Condition is pretty decent with original tritium parts. Case and bracelet seems fine and not overly polished. Price is steep (unsuprisingly), around 10 k usd. Original papers but no box. From a trusted grey.

The thing is, that according to papers it happens to be a birth year version from the early 90s. Am I crazy if I pull the trigger on a nearly 30 year old watch that costs 10k. Are birth year watches overrated? Is a sub this old still a decent daily driver?

Looking for opinions.

Almost impossible to get a exact birthyear watch from the late 1980s on. As all case serials are just a approx date when the case was stamped between X&Y years and not when it was made. So the nearest you could get is with the paperwork when the watch was sold, and speaking for myself cannot see the point of birthyear watches but each to there own.

[Alvar*]

Thanks for the opinions. Maybe I should put it differently: is it worth in general to buy a 16610 from the 90s for 10k usd? The watch would be a daily driver. Yes I could buy a mid 2000 or something but I'm kinda tempted about tritium dial which could develop some patina in the years to come..

It also happens to be sold on the same year I was born, which could be a nice sentimental add (which is totally subjective)? I mean the price is same for everyone, I'm not paying extra
for this little detail.

[16610Swiss]

Originally Posted by Alvar*

Thanks for the opinions. Maybe I should put it differently: is it worth in general to buy a 16610 from the 90s for 10k usd? The watch would be a daily driver. Yes I could buy a mid 2000 or something but I'm kinda tempted about tritium dial which could develop some patina in the years to come..

It also happens to be sold on the same year I was born, which could be a nice sentimental add (which is totally subjective)? I mean the price is same for everyone, I'm not paying extra
for this little detail.

Sadly even a overpolished 16610 with papers will sell for 10k. I would pay easily 10k if it had its all original chamfers in place. These are going easily for 11k. box and accessories you can get everywhere... Pics will determine if its worth to buy...

[Finslayer83]

I would not pay market price for a 16610 today.

[dhknola]

I actually think the 16610 is worth it at that price, depending on condition of the watch. I feel like 16610 is a nice alternative to the GMT which is a few grand more. I am a HUGE 5 digit reference fan, so I would say great daily wear watch.

[dawalsh]

I had a watch that if you check the serial it’ll show that’s from 2003, but it says 2004 on the punched paper so which one is it? Vintage Rolex is even more confusing. Buy condition, buy what you really like, do not buy into Birth year watch thing.

[JParm]

Originally Posted by Maiden

Are birth year watches overated? Yes. Would you buy a birth year car? Why would you purchase something old, not even close to being rare, just to say it was made the year you were born? Plus the price is nuts. For the same money you can get a much better condition year 2000 or newer. My opinion only. Good luck.

Agree with the first sentence. However, if you find the right piece in the condition that you want, it can be well worth it.

Here's mine from 1983, unfiltered. Love the patina and the blueish fade of the insert, so it makes it worthwhile. If it was a standard 16800 without any of that charm but from 1983 - well, I'd probably have moved on from it by now. So again, it's not about the birth year as much as it is the condition that you're looking for. The whole "birth year" aspect is more of a bonus than the main reasoning to having the watch.

[Gerry62]

The Sub 16610 (tritium but also luminova) is a beautiful watch and perfect for daily use

[101031-28]

So difficult to truly determine 'birth year' but since this one you are looking at shows a warranty purchase date of the year you were born, I suppose that could qualify the watch as birth year, though technically the watch could have been made/assembled way before your birth year .. That being said, I would not pay 10k for a 16610, nice but not worth the money. Now, a 16800 with matte dial non white gold plots, totally different story.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by jpeezy14@hotmail.com

Agree with the first sentence. However, if you find the right piece in the condition that you want, it can be well worth it.

Here's mine from 1983, unfiltered. Love the patina and the blueish fade of the insert, so it makes it worthwhile. If it was a standard 16800 without any of that charm but from 1983 - well, I'd probably have moved on from it by now. So again, it's not about the birth year as much as it is the condition that you're looking for. The whole "birth year" aspect is more of a bonus than the main reasoning to having the watch.

Oh my

How did I not know you have this

[JParm]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Oh my

How did I not know you have this

Thanks Brian! I'm surprised you didn't know too!!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by jpeezy14@hotmail.com

Thanks Brian! I'm surprised you didn't know too!!

I'm getting older Jesse

Very nice

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

[coaxial]

Its only overrated if you feel that way about it. Opinions will vary; Imo I think it is a cool time capsule & possibly a heirloom piece (especially if complete with B&P). Also, if you are not feeling the spend on a 16610 try a different reference like a 16613 or 16618 (possibly even a Sea-Dweller). Also a rare dial variant on a Day-Date or Datejust; Lots of options out there if you want something different/special.

[CoveWatch]

just depends on the individual. I've personally never went out searching hard for a birth year watch, but if one happens to come along.. sure!

[Alvar*]

Thanks for the opinions, very good points people. I'm very tempted to pull the trigger at the moment. I have a small 6,25' wrist and I feel like that there aren't really that many good alternatives for a pre ceramic sub. I feel the maxi subs are too beefy, even the new one. Omegas are also huge and in general I don't feel they have the same timeless look

My plan is to possibly go one watch collection and I think this could be the perfect choice for that.