How old before a Rolex is a "Vintage" Rolex?

[DWdrummer]

The reason I ask is I have a GMT II Coke bezel from 1986 on hold, that I should be picking up soon. As far as I gathered it is completely original, right down to the jubilee style bracelet. Im just curious if a watch has to be 30+ years old to be considered vintage, or if it varies even by models.

Thanks for any information.

[landroverking]

IMHO NO. I think you have to go back to the 1675, which is before the GMTII and none quick set.

[greekbum]

Vintage = acrylic crystal
I know of no Rolex Sport model that has a saphire crystal that qualifies for Vintage to collectors.
The gray area I would say are the transitional Subs and Sea Dwellers with matte dials.
The last vintage GMT IMHO was the 16750

[maverick]

Originally Posted by greekbum

Vintage = acrylic crystal
I know of no Rolex Sport model that has a saphire crystal that qualifies for Vintage to collectors.
The gray area I would say are the transitional Subs and Sea Dwellers with matte dials.
The last vintage GMT IMHO was the 16750

I agree . =) maverick

[Czechman]

Originally Posted by greekbum

I know of no Rolex Sport model that has a saphire crystal that qualifies for Vintage to collectors.

What about "non-sport" Rolex models?

[eparisini]

Vintage is 4 numbers reference (5512 5513 5508 5510 1675 1665 6263...)

[Tools]

Originally Posted by DWdrummer

The reason I ask is I have a GMT II Coke bezel from 1986 on hold, that I should be picking up soon. As far as I gathered it is completely original, right down to the jubilee style bracelet. Im just curious if a watch has to be 30+ years old to be considered vintage, or if it varies even by models.

Thanks for any information.

As you can see, there is no real answer to this question.. It is very subjective....

It used to be 25 years old... then it "must" be a discontinued model, then etc...etc...

I believe the insistence that it be "acrylic crystal" is nonsense...... Sapphire has been used since 1977. They were also used on early TT and Gold GMT's while the SS model was still wearing acrylic..

The only real thing you can say is that "vintage" is continuously being defined..

[DWdrummer]

Interesting and informative replies. Thank you to all of you.
I learn a thing or two here every day it seems. I love this place.

[mike]

Originally Posted by Tools

As you can see, there is no real answer to this question.. It is very subjective....

It used to be 25 years old... then it "must" be a discontinued model, then etc...etc...

I believe the insistence that it be "acrylic crystal" is nonsense...... Sapphire has been used since 1977. They were also used on early TT and Gold GMT's while the SS model was still wearing acrylic..

The only real thing you can say is that "vintage" is continuously being defined..

Well said Larry.

[007Sub]

Originally Posted by Tools

As you can see, there is no real answer to this question.. It is very subjective....

It used to be 25 years old... then it "must" be a discontinued model, then etc...etc...

I believe the insistence that it be "acrylic crystal" is nonsense...... Sapphire has been used since 1977. They were also used on early TT and Gold GMT's while the SS model was still wearing acrylic..

The only real thing you can say is that "vintage" is continuously being defined..

Agreed. I would consider the 16800 subs and the transition sea dwellers with the matte dials vintage. I always thought the rule of thumb was +20 years old= vintage? 25 it may be though too.

[malolo]

Originally Posted by Tools

As you can see, there is no real answer to this question.. It is very subjective....

It used to be 25 years old... then it "must" be a discontinued model, then etc...etc...

I believe the insistence that it be "acrylic crystal" is nonsense...... Sapphire has been used since 1977. They were also used on early TT and Gold GMT's while the SS model was still wearing acrylic..

The only real thing you can say is that "vintage" is continuously being defined..

I agree with you. If you said in ten years before "acrylic crystal" = Vintage then I should agree with that. However, time is moving forward, 10 years later or 20 years later, are you still stick on that?

[Gonerafting]

A poll would be interesting to see how many members agree with what defines vintage. Is it acrylic? Four serial number models? Twenty or Twenty Five years? Or just discontinued? Although, a poll would not truly define vintage, it would be an interesting poll.