Birth Year or New?

[BurntSam]

I can pretty much guess the replies but I'll ask anyway. My eldest daughter is turning 21 next year and I'm going to buy her an Explorer 1.

I'm torn between a mint example model from 1995 or a brand new slightly bigger model?

Advice anyone?

Thanks.

[Rogdogg]

I am being a little presumptuous here but I would think that a 21yr old girl would prefer a brand new watch over an older one, even if it is her birth year. If you had bought it for her and stored it away for 21 years that might have been better but just buying it now I would think she would prefer new over used, even if it is mint.

Another thing to keep in mind however is the size difference. Do you think she would prefer the larger 39mm or the smaller 36mm piece? Both are great pieces. Have you looked at any of the new OP references. They have some interesting new dials and varying sizes.

[Jfullm42]

Personally I would usually go older, but with an Expy 1 if its not a 1016 then I would go the 39mm 214270

[BurntSam]

Originally Posted by Rogdogg

I am being a little presumptuous here but I would think that a 21yr old girl would prefer a brand new watch over an older one, even if it is her birth year. If you had bought it for her and stored it away for 21 years that might have been better but just buying it now I would think she would prefer new over used, even if it is mint.

Another thing to keep in mind however is the size difference. Do you think she would prefer the larger 39mm or the smaller 36mm piece? Both are great pieces. Have you looked at any of the new OP references. They have some interesting new dials and varying sizes.

Haha, I had to scrape together the money for a pram 21 years ago, the last thing I was thinking about was buying a watch but I do understand where you are coming from.

That's the reason I am torn, she has pretty small wrists so would opt for the 36mm but also understand she would probably appreciate a new watch. Can anyone advise if the 3mm really makes a big difference on the wrist with the explorer 1 models?

[U5512]

Buy her a new one.

[Chris B]

For a 21st bd gift I'd buy new, but I'm sure she'll cherish whatever you choose

[Pharmlou]

Year of birth, defintely. Just make sure it is seviced to look new. Otherwise it is just a watch ( a nice watch, of course).

[MATCH1969]

Originally Posted by Chris B

For a 21st bd gift I'd buy new, but I'm sure she'll cherish whatever you choose

+1

[droptopman]

I would go birth year. Plenty of really good examples out there. Size wise I think it would make sense.

[Tomas Eriksson]

In my experience women seem to value new higher, I would go for new. Btw, how about the 36mm OP with the red grape dial? That piece is gorgeous on a young female.

[antbkny]

i would go new for a 21 year old, unless you bought the birth year watch new when she was born and stashed it away for her.

[basicksickness]

those extra 3m are HUGE. with that said, she may "want" and brand new watch now... but in the years to come she will cherish her birth year watch. its a no brainer to me. go old!

[BurntSam]

So I decided to get my daughter a mint 36mm model full set from her birth year 1995, she is absolutely delighted!! To her it is a new watch and to her old man its a classic which will / should always be worth at least what I paid for it.
Its a fabulous hobby this watch collecting business!

[chris333]

Fantastic choice. And both look great on your wrists.

[Pharmlou]

Awesome. Now you need to get her into nato straps, so she can match outfits to the strap ;)

[Mr Kram]

looks great!

[Gaijin]

You're a great dad! Well done sir!

[swish77]

Great choice! The 36mm Explorer is a better size for a woman, and one from 1995 would have a tritium dial/hands, so it's got a touch of vintage in it. Congrats!

[brandrea]

Congratulations to her! It's a real beauty and it looks great on her!

[soundserious]

Killer choice!

[Dries]

Looks great, congrats!!

[actionkwj]

At just 21, a mint birth year watch will look classically modern In addition, 34mm or 36mm is still a big size on a woman I would not go larger because the stylishness of big watches on women is likely cyclical and a smaller size will be appropriate over a lifetime Besides, getting a birth year watch requires more effort than buying new like anyone can at an AD, so even if you didn't store it in your own safe for decades, the birth year purchase will have more sentiment. On the other hand, if she's not sentimental in the least bit, then it's a toss up


The Rolex Cowboy

[actionkwj]

Oops, just read the entire post Congratulations on taking my advice post-purchase 😎 Great move and looks perfect on her Would like to do the same for my wife someday


The Rolex Cowboy

[droptopman]

Great choice. Classic and classy. Great picture too. Congrats!!!

[elcompa]

Great choices for both watches! Im sure she will love it for ever.

[Motomike]

Agree the smaller size is better for a woman regardless of your view on new or birth year.

[RHJ]

May be with 21 she would prefer a new watch ... But with > 40 she will love having a watch her age! This would count for me beside the better fit of a 36mm female wrist

[DCgator]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

You're a great dad! Well done sir!

x2

[HL65]

Well done and good choice!

[mineral]

Well done and excellent choice.congrats.