First steps into the vintage world

[triple.lindy]

Hi everyone
I am looking for some experience/advice on beginning the research and hunt for a birth year watch(is 1981 considered vintage or just kind of old??). I'm thinking GMT 16750 but also considering a sub 16800 or explorer ii 1655. I figure as I research, I will land on which one it will be or I will just know when I find the right one.

From what i'm seeing the complete original watches fetch higher prices and the ones with service parts seem to be somewhat lower. I don't think all original(or box/papers) is important to me as of now, but again I am just beginning this journey. I think I would be good with something with some service parts but would like it to show some age like its wearer:)

Can an older watch be a mostly daily wearer? Are there things I need to be more careful with than my moderns?

I have looked at the trusted sellers list and spent time scrolling their inventories simply to see what's out there.

Any suggestions or advice on where to research or what I should be looking for would be greatly appreciated!