Birth Year Watches

[fizz]

I speak from personal experience, but the entire genesis of my watch collecting was to find that one, monumental grail like "birth-year" watch (a 5513 in my case). I sold it a few years later because I never bought the best watch I could get for the money that I was willing to spend but only a watch that fit into a particular year. I realised early on (but was in a form of denial), that I didn't really love what I had.

I've since learned to appreciate other watches and have gotten over the idea that a watch being as old as you, commemorating your own year of birth, is a form of privileged vanity that you reward yourself late in life because your parents didn't (or in my case, couldn't).

[Woody]

I think it is all very contrived, as is buying watches solely to pass on to your children when you die…..I mean really!! That said, each to their own.


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[Filipão]

Originally Posted by WC_Racer

No, it had the papers that stated was made in 84 and sold in 85.

Wow. You had a rare document in your hands, confirming production date.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by Woody

I think it is all very contrived, as is buying watches solely to pass on to your children when you die…..I mean really!! That said, each to their own.


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Is it anymore contrived that wanting, and spending thousands of dollars on a vintage dive watch with no experience whatsoever as a diver?

[WC_Racer]

Originally Posted by Filipão

Wow. You had a rare document in your hands, confirming production date.

I know right?! Pretty cool.

[WC_Racer]

Originally Posted by fizz

I speak from personal experience, but the entire genesis of my watch collecting was to find that one, monumental grail like "birth-year" watch (a 5513 in my case). I sold it a few years later because I never bought the best watch I could get for the money that I was willing to spend but only a watch that fit into a particular year. I realised early on (but was in a form of denial), that I didn't really love what I had.

I've since learned to appreciate other watches and have gotten over the idea that a watch being as old as you, commemorating your own year of birth, is a form of privileged vanity that you reward yourself late in life because your parents didn't (or in my case, couldn't).

100% parents weren’t able (not like they bought Rolexes) and neither could until a couple of years ago. Bought my first three within a year in the grey market as I never got “the call”. Eventually I’ll have more modern watches from Rolex and a couple that stand out from other companies. I don’t want to have all modern watches, having an older/vintage watch adds to the collection and it’s different than the other watches I have.

Maybe you’re right, maybe after some time I won’t be in love with it anymore. Who knows. Plan is to have it as my daily watch. Worst case I enjoy for the time I have and I sell it a few years down the road or I enjoy it and I keep it for life and eventually pass my watches down. Also, I’m hard-headed/stubborn, so I won’t know until I do it.

[springer]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Is it anymore contrived that wanting, and spending thousands of dollars on a vintage dive watch with no experience whatsoever as a diver?

How does that analogy work with the Daytona?

Since I haven't raced in years, I guess I need to sell my Daytona or dump the Shelby.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by springer

How does that analogy work with the Daytona?

Since I haven't raced in years, I guess I need to sell my Daytona or dump the Shelby.

Don’t dump the Shelby!!
Ha! You miss my point. I have NO a problem w owning a tool watch for an activity you don’t participate in (or do). My point is, they’re just watches. And it’s just a year. What difference does it make to another person what you’re into? Or, why?

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

What difference does it make to another person what you’re into? Or, why?

I doesn't matter at all. But the OP asked for opinions, so he's getting them.

[WC_Racer]

Originally Posted by springer

How does that analogy work with the Daytona?

Since I haven't raced in years, I guess I need to sell my Daytona or dump the Shelby.

What kind of Shelby?

[jedione65]

Birth year watches…a contentious subject still sold as a gimmick by some dealers. I also thought I wanted a birth year watch at one point then found that most of the Rolex watches from that year had a cracked spider dial which I really dislike.

[Mk2rick]

Originally Posted by jedione65

Birth year watches…a contentious subject still sold as a gimmick by some dealers. I also thought I wanted a birth year watch at one point then found that most of the Rolex watches from that year had a cracked spider dial which I really dislike.

keep looking ! the thrill is in the hunt!

[springer]

Originally Posted by WC_Racer

What kind of Shelby?

I've had five, the latest being a 2014 GT500. And earlier there was a 2015 GT350, then a 2013 GT500 and my oldest and first being a 1966 GT350. The 2015 and the 1966 were great track cars.

[WC_Racer]

Originally Posted by Mk2rick

keep looking ! the thrill is in the hunt!

Agree!

[Andad]

I just can’t find a sundial with a strap.

Wait, I do have one.

‘48.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by springer

I've had five, the latest being a 2014 GT500. And earlier there was a 2015 GT350, then a 2013 GT500 and my oldest and first being a 1966 GT350. The 2015 and the 1966 were great track cars.