How many TRF members are birth year’ers? Photos?

[inadeje]

I’ve gotten mixed opinions from other forum members concerning birth year Rolex watches in their collections. Some members say that they’d never entertain the idea, while others already have a birth year piece. Since the 5 digit craze heated up during the past 12-18 months, especially the GMT II pieces making a high price renaissance, I am wondering which members have a birth year piece and, if they could provide a photo and maybe some story behind the piece.

For those who don’t subscribe to birth year watches, it would be interesting to know your opinion too.

Here is my 1968 Sub 5513 to get the ball rolling

[inadeje]

Wow...no birth year trf members...?

[Rocky Hockey]

Great watch!

My birth-year watch is not a Rolex. For my 50th, I found this nifty Smiths 1968 Ministry of Defense issue. Cool back story with this brand.






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[inadeje]

Originally Posted by Rocky Hockey

Great watch!

My birth-year watch is not a Rolex. For my 50th, I found this nifty Smiths 1968 Ministry of Defense issue. Cool back story with this brand.






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Nice. We were born the same year then

[WatchUdoing]

I definitely want a birth year watch, but I don't have one yet. At the risk of being flamed to a crisp, I'll just be honest and say I'm not a big fan of heavy patina on watches. I understand why some collectors like it, and I understand the significance of keeping a piece "pure." That being said, the heavy patina pieces don't appeal to me as something I want to wear. If the timing is right when I come across a 1981 sub that speaks to me, I won't hesitate to grab it. Inadeje, yours is perfect!

[faimag]

I am not sold into the idea of having a BY watch. That being said, a few years ago I happened to come across an exceptional GMT 1675 /3 brown nipple dial on jubilee and I grabbed it, and it just so happened it was my birth year.

[rushca01]

I would love to own a birth year SeaDweller, specifically the 16660 from 1983.

[Coolex]

I tried on a 1990's Sub and it just felt cheap. The bracelet was awful. I'll stick to modern watches.

[sirish19]

I am a subscriber of birth year watches. Although I haven’t gotten my own, I have gotten two for my son, a Speedmaster Professional in a plastic/sapphire sandwich which was in the last year of its production (I will give this to him when he is 18) and a GMT Master II 16710. I have told him that I will give that to him when he graduates medical school/graduate school but the way the prices on this watch have gone, he might have to wait a little longer before he gets that.

I would love to get a BY (1970) GMT Master, Submariner, Sea-Dweller, etc. but prices have gone crazy and it is hard to find a good example. I will probably get a BY at some point, either sports or a day date. I really wish I had the forethought even a few years ago....

My first dive into vintage was a 1968 Speedmaster Professional transitional. 1970 wasn’t a very special year for Speedies so I went with the transitional below.







And my Speedy:





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