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Speedbird-1 · 26 March 2021, 11:25 PM

Given that an 'Antique' is generally accepted to be at least 100 years old.

What is the current date for a watch to qualify as being 'Vintage'?

upsidedownbelt · 26 March 2021, 11:42 PM

25 years.

swish77 · 27 March 2021, 12:15 AM

Well, if you go over to the vintage section of the forum, you'll see this topic discussed often. I mean a lot, with dozens of threads about it.

Bottom line: There is no definitive definition in the watch world. You can't boil it down to just a number of years. For example, 25 years ago, Rolexes all came with sapphire crystals and were close to switching over to luminova from tritium. Those are not vintage, IMHO. (Those models are often called "neo-vintage."

For me, a vintage Rolex needs, at a minimum, an acrylic crystal and tritium (or radium). Some guys don't consider any five-digit models as vintage, so it all depends on perspective.

padi56 · 27 March 2021, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swish77

Well, if you go over to the vintage section of the forum, you'll see this topic discussed often. I mean a lot, with dozens of threads about it.

Bottom line: There is no definitive definition in the watch world. You can't boil it down to just a number of years. For example, 25 years ago, Rolexes all came with sapphire crystals and were close to switching over to luminova from tritium. Those are not vintage, IMHO.

For me, a vintage Rolex needs, at a minimum, an acrylic crystal and tritium (or radium). Some guys don't consider any five-digit models as vintage, so it all depends on perspective.

Have to agree I would most certainly not call any Rolex vintage if just 25 years old in general like you state acrylic crystals.

Justinmg · 27 March 2021, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swish77

Well, if you go over to the vintage section of the forum, you'll see this topic discussed often. I mean a lot, with dozens of threads about it.

Bottom line: There is no definitive definition in the watch world. You can't boil it down to just a number of years. For example, 25 years ago, Rolexes all came with sapphire crystals and were close to switching over to luminova from tritium. Those are not vintage, IMHO. (Those models are often called "neo-vintage."

For me, a vintage Rolex needs, at a minimum, an acrylic crystal and tritium (or radium). Some guys don't consider any five-digit models as vintage, so it all depends on perspective.

Agree! Acrylic crystal and tritium is a must

johnliley · 27 March 2021, 01:35 AM

what about the 1630 and the 1530 nearly 50 years old and first Rolex Date and Datejusts with sapphire crystals? ah ha.. ;)

MoosicPa · 27 March 2021, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justinmg

Agree! Acrylic crystal and tritium is a must

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnliley

what about the 1630 and the 1530 nearly 50 years old and first Rolex Date and Datejusts with sapphire crystals? ah ha.. ;)

Or my King Midas 9630 from the 1960's, the first Rolex to have a synthetic crystal?

https://www.watchbrotherslondon.com/...nly-references

Because there is no standard definition for "vintage", I define it as any Rolex model not currently in production.

FTX I · 27 March 2021, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swish77

Well, if you go over to the vintage section of the forum, you'll see this topic discussed often. I mean a lot, with dozens of threads about it.

Bottom line: There is no definitive definition in the watch world. You can't boil it down to just a number of years. For example, 25 years ago, Rolexes all came with sapphire crystals and were close to switching over to luminova from tritium. Those are not vintage, IMHO. (Those models are often called "neo-vintage."

For me, a vintage Rolex needs, at a minimum, an acrylic crystal and tritium (or radium). Some guys don't consider any five-digit models as vintage, so it all depends on perspective.

^This. The answer is simple to me. Acrylic = vintage. Sapphire = classic.

SN13 · 27 March 2021, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upsidedownbelt

25 years.

OOF.

In this thread I learned that my 30 year old 16628 and 35 year old 18038 are both Vintage.

I've gotta move my posts to the vintage forums!

Check out my Vintage watch w/ Tritium!

Tools · 27 March 2021, 02:09 AM

And so what was "vintage" in the 80's when everything was "acrylic and tritium"; are some of you saying that vintage didn't exist then?

Vintage is a moving target. If you stick your head in the sand and proclaim that it starts and stops at a certain date (which the above nonsense implies), then you are saying that dozens of models that have been discontinued for decades are "modern".

afmars · 27 March 2021, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

And so what was "vintage" in the 80's when everything was "acrylic and tritium"; are some of you saying that vintage didn't exist then?

Vintage is a moving target. If you stick your head in the sand and proclaim that it starts and stops at a certain date (which the above nonsense implies), then you are saying that dozens of models that have been discontinued for decades are "modern".

Ding ding ding!

johnliley · 27 March 2021, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

And so what was "vintage" in the 80's when everything was "acrylic and tritium"; are some of you saying that vintage didn't exist then?

Vintage is a moving target. If you stick your head in the sand and proclaim that it starts and stops at a certain date (which the above nonsense implies), then you are saying that dozens of models that have been discontinued for decades are "modern".

Boom

SN13 · 27 March 2021, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

And so what was "vintage" in the 80's when everything was "acrylic and tritium"; are some of you saying that vintage didn't exist then?

Vintage is a moving target. If you stick your head in the sand and proclaim that it starts and stops at a certain date (which the above nonsense implies), then you are saying that dozens of models that have been discontinued for decades are "modern".

Submariner Models and years:

6200 1955
6204 1953
6205 1953–1957
6536 1954–1958
6536/1 1955–1961
A/6538 1957
6538 1958-1961
5508 1958–1965
5510 1959
5512 1959–1978
5513 1962–1990
5513/17 1972–1978
5514 1972–1978
5517 1972–1978
1680 1966–1981
16800 1977–1987
168000 1987
16610 1988–2010
14060/M 1990–2012
114060 2012–2020
116610 2010–2020

How about any model that's been OUT OF PRODUCTION for more than 25 years?

a 16610 from 2010 is not vintage, and since it's the same model as from 1988 I don't think I consider either "vintage". But since the 1680XX series have been out of production for more than 25 years I can get down with that as Vintage.

georgekart · 27 March 2021, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SN13

Submariner Models and years:

6200 1955
6204 1953
6205 1953–1957
6536 1954–1958
6536/1 1955–1961
A/6538 1957
6538 1958-1961
5508 1958–1965
5510 1959
5512 1959–1978
5513 1962–1990
5513/17 1972–1978
5514 1972–1978
5517 1972–1978
1680 1966–1981
16800 1977–1987
168000 1987
16610 1988–2010
14060/M 1990–2012
114060 2012–2020
116610 2010–2020

How about any model that's been OUT OF PRODUCTION for more than 25 years?

a 16610 from 2010 is not vintage, and since it's the same model as from 1988 I don't think I consider either "vintage". But since the 1680XX series have been out of production for more than 25 years I can get down with that as Vintage.

I will agree with this. I wouldn't call 16610 of any year vintage. Yet 168000 is. Same as I would not call a 1990 LR Defender vintage. Cause you could get a same one brand new in 2016.

Tom1675 · 1 April 2021, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SN13

Submariner Models and years:

How about any model that's been OUT OF PRODUCTION for more than 25 years?

a 16610 from 2010 is not vintage, and since it's the same model as from 1988 I don't think I consider either "vintage". But since the 1680XX series have been out of production for more than 25 years I can get down with that as Vintage.

The 1988 version of the 16610 is different from the 2010 in it's lume. Tritium has a lot to do with what I consider vintage. Luminova and Superluminova haven't patinaed... yet...

101031-28 · 27 March 2021, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

And so what was "vintage" in the 80's when everything was "acrylic and tritium"; are some of you saying that vintage didn't exist then?

Vintage is a moving target. If you stick your head in the sand and proclaim that it starts and stops at a certain date (which the above nonsense implies), then you are saying that dozens of models that have been discontinued for decades are "modern".

Quote:

Originally Posted by SN13

How about any model that's been OUT OF PRODUCTION for more than 25 years?

a 16610 from 2010 is not vintage, and since it's the same model as from 1988 I don't think I consider either "vintage". But since the 1680XX series have been out of production for more than 25 years I can get down with that as Vintage.

Agree with both

Guinness58 · 27 March 2021, 06:31 AM

I agree that vintage means different things to different people. I do not consider my 1997 16610 to be vintage (I bought it new, it is still new in my eyes). Although when I was looking up information on the bracelet (93150) and end links (501B) I found the best posts in the vintage forum. Feel my watch and I are dancing on the edge of modern despite it having sapphire crystal and Luminova hands and indices.

No plans to ever sell the watch, it may well be considered vintage at some point while I am wearing it.

Tavli3 · 28 March 2021, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tools

and so what was "vintage" in the 80's when everything was "acrylic and tritium"; are some of you saying that vintage didn't exist then?

Vintage is a moving target. If you stick your head in the sand and proclaim that it starts and stops at a certain date (which the above nonsense implies), then you are saying that dozens of models that have been discontinued for decades are "modern".

+1

saxo3 · 28 March 2021, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

Vintage is a moving target. If you stick your head in the sand....

Like that one ....

Case61 · 27 March 2021, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SN13

OOF.

In this thread I learned that my 30 year old 16628 and 35 year old 18038 are both Vintage.

I've gotta move my posts to the vintage forums!

Check out my Vintage watch w/ Tritium!

I have nothing to contribute to the "vintage" discussion, but WOW is that gorgeous.

Ksporty · 31 March 2021, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Case61

I have nothing to contribute to the "vintage" discussion, but WOW is that gorgeous.

Oh man, not a gold or PM guy, but that's a beaut!

linesiders · 1 April 2021, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SN13

OOF.

In this thread I learned that my 30 year old 16628 and 35 year old 18038 are both Vintage.

I've gotta move my posts to the vintage forums!

Check out my Vintage watch w/ Tritium!

Don't worry - not Vintage ; )

Nice piece though.

Acrylic / Tritium (or older) / Matte dial. Some exceptions made for Matte and Tritium

fskywalker · 27 March 2021, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SN13

OOF.

In this thread I learned that my 30 year old 16628 and 35 year old 18038 are both Vintage.

I've gotta move my posts to the vintage forums!

Check out my Vintage watch w/ Tritium!

Beautiful

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

zapokee · 27 March 2021, 10:58 AM

We do need to discuss this extensively every couple of weeks.

Speedbird-1 · 31 March 2021, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zapokee

We do need to discuss this extensively every couple of weeks.

Yeah.....
Are you saying this is a vintage topic?
When, exactly does a thread become, vintage?

bp1000 · 27 March 2021, 02:24 AM

Anything that is older than when I was born

Got to be pre 1980's

DCheeta · 27 March 2021, 06:48 AM

Vintage watches are like hard-core porn... as the Supreme Court once said, “I don’t know how to describe it, but I know it when I see it.” (1964, Justice Potter Stewart, paraphrased)

skyblue12 · 27 March 2021, 07:38 AM

This is vintage?

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

springer · 27 March 2021, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

Given that an 'Antique' is generally accepted to be at least 100 years old.

What is the current date for a watch to qualify as being 'Vintage'?

Probably 100 years if that is the definition that works for you.

Nick9 · 1 April 2021, 06:03 AM

What’s “vintage”? Easy, just ask Google:

“the year or place in which wine, especially wine of high quality, was produced.”

Hope that settles it.

26 March 2021, 11:25 PM	#1
Speedbird-1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: Steve. Location: UK Posts: 6,428	Vintage? Given that an 'Antique' is generally accepted to be at least 100 years old. What is the current date for a watch to qualify as being 'Vintage'?

27 March 2021, 01:35 AM	#6
johnliley 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SLC, Utah USA Posts: 875	what about the 1630 and the 1530 nearly 50 years old and first Rolex Date and Datejusts with sapphire crystals? ah ha.. ;) __________________ "What you do or do not do in life will determine what you do or not do in life..." me.

27 March 2021, 02:09 AM	#10
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,490	And so what was "vintage" in the 80's when everything was "acrylic and tritium"; are some of you saying that vintage didn't exist then? Vintage is a moving target. If you stick your head in the sand and proclaim that it starts and stops at a certain date (which the above nonsense implies), then you are saying that dozens of models that have been discontinued for decades are "modern". __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

26 March 2021, 11:42 PM	#2
upsidedownbelt "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: USA Watch: 116618LB Posts: 573	25 years.

27 March 2021, 12:15 AM	#3
swish77 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Aaron Location: CT/NYC Watch: ing the time! Posts: 6,980	Well, if you go over to the vintage section of the forum, you'll see this topic discussed often. I mean a lot, with dozens of threads about it. Bottom line: There is no definitive definition in the watch world. You can't boil it down to just a number of years. For example, 25 years ago, Rolexes all came with sapphire crystals and were close to switching over to luminova from tritium. Those are not vintage, IMHO. (Those models are often called "neo-vintage." For me, a vintage Rolex needs, at a minimum, an acrylic crystal and tritium (or radium). Some guys don't consider any five-digit models as vintage, so it all depends on perspective.

27 March 2021, 06:31 AM	#17
Guinness58 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Idaho Watch: Sub 5 Digit Posts: 205	I agree that vintage means different things to different people. I do not consider my 1997 16610 to be vintage (I bought it new, it is still new in my eyes). Although when I was looking up information on the bracelet (93150) and end links (501B) I found the best posts in the vintage forum. Feel my watch and I are dancing on the edge of modern despite it having sapphire crystal and Luminova hands and indices. No plans to ever sell the watch, it may well be considered vintage at some point while I am wearing it.

27 March 2021, 10:58 AM	#24
zapokee "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Japan Posts: 4,366	We do need to discuss this extensively every couple of weeks.

27 March 2021, 02:24 AM	#26
bp1000 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Midlands, UK Posts: 4,971	Anything that is older than when I was born Got to be pre 1980's

27 March 2021, 06:48 AM	#27
DCheeta "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Real Name: Dave Location: NYC Posts: 7,181	Vintage watches are like hard-core porn... as the Supreme Court once said, “I don’t know how to describe it, but I know it when I see it.” (1964, Justice Potter Stewart, paraphrased)

27 March 2021, 07:38 AM	#28
skyblue12 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Uk Posts: 207	This is vintage? Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

1 April 2021, 06:03 AM	#30
Nick9 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Ontario Posts: 378	What’s “vintage”? Easy, just ask Google: “the year or place in which wine, especially wine of high quality, was produced.” Hope that settles it.

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