Birth Year Rolex?

[REQUIEMnJADED4U]

I did a search and didn't see a thread but have heard this topic across a few platforms with collectors/enthusiasts. Do any of you have a birth year Rolex or aim to obtain one? If so, what do you have or what do you want to get? Personally I would be interested in a 16750 GMT-Master Pepsi.

[LooseCann0n]

Got an 116600 SD4k for my sons birth year 2014... would like a birth year for myself but not really a fan of the older Rolexes as they feel flimsier than the 6 digit ones - especially the stamped metal..


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[HiBoost]

I got a 1675 Root Beer for my "birth year" watch... I put that in quotes because there are a dozen different opinions on what serial number goes with what year (and the truth is nobody outside of Rolex knows for certain). And then there's the question of do you go off of production date (what the serial number databases are based on) or original sale date (assuming it has papers)? Bottom line, it can drive you a bit nuts, and potentially prevent you from getting an otherwise perfect piece, to get completely hung up on an exact birth year piece. In my mind, +/- a year is good enough... but of course others will have different opinions.

[crazycarlitos]

I can appreciate getting one to commemorate ur kids birth.. and giving it to the kid for a special occasion, like graduation or wedding, at a later time.
That’s thoughtful and cool.

But personally do not want to buy a watch now that’s as old as me at a premium price.
What’s the point? To remember how old I am? Lol

I rather buy a shiny new watch or slightly used one at discounted prices.

Ymmv

[brucethemanlee]

i think unless you're gifted birth year watch, bought by someone (parents) when you were born, the whole concept of tracking down a birth year watch decades later is silly IMHO

[cronos]

Originally Posted by brucethemanlee

i think unless you're gifted birth year watch, bought by someone (parents) when you were born, the whole concept of tracking down a birth year watch decades later is silly IMHO

I bought a birth year guitar once

[osamu]

would I want a vintage Rolex, yes.
would it be cool if it happened to be from my birth year, I guess so.
am I searching for one or making birth year a priority, nope.

[iTreelex]

Vintage Rolex, sure. Birth year watches? Pure hype and nonsense sentiment.

[WBaileyii]

I'd love to get a Submariner 5513, but they really come at a premium for my birth year... not sure I can rationalize it...I may yet talk myself into it.

[Jack T]

For those who voted “couldn’t care less”...I wonder just how far back they have to go for a birth year watch. Me? It’s a sundial !!

[fskywalker]

Birthyear (1966) Seamaster




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[FTX I]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

Birthyear (1966) Seamaster




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Love it

[FTX I]

My birth year watch. Omega Chronostop 1969. I bought this watch in Vienna in 2005, many years before I joined internet forums. However, I think birth year watches are just a gimmick to sell more watches.

[2nastie]

Would I want one? Sure...

But I agree it is more of novelty. Even on a sentimental value, no one can really tie anything of importance to their birth year in relation to that watch (unless your family specifically purchased a watch to mark the occasion).

I find it more sentimental to re-purchase a watch that perhaps you owned in the past but now want it back as it marked a milestone back then.



... but if anyone has a E-Serial Sub in minty condition give me a shout. hahaha

[Chute]

To me, buying something as old as I am just isn’t appealing. For a time, I did consider buying a birth year watch. It is cool to wear a watch as old as yourself.
But my watch collecting is buying new pieces. I can remember what year I bought every watch. And that helps me remember when events occurred based on what watch I am wearing.

[mrretep91]

I've thought about getting a one, but when a new DJ is only a couple grand more...I'd rather get a new shiny one.

[mmmmp]

Originally Posted by crazycarlitos

I can appreciate getting one to commemorate ur kids birth.. and giving it to the kid for a special occasion, like graduation or wedding, at a later time.
That’s thoughtful and cool.

But personally do not want to buy a watch now that’s as old as me at a premium price.
What’s the point? To remember how old I am? Lol

I rather buy a shiny new watch or slightly used one at discounted prices.

Ymmv

Couldn't have said it better myself.

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[HiBoost]

I think it depends heavily on what age you are. If you are 25 then you probably aren't old enough for age to even have much meaning to you. I never cared about such things in my 20s or 30s. But in my mid 40s, as I quite literally feel my age more each day, I think this sort of thing becomes much more fascinating. It's a marvel to me to think about any tiny machine strapped to my wrist spinning away and keeping good time 24/7. And to think that machine was built 46 years ago, and has been serving this one function for literally every day I've been alive, yeah that's pretty cool to ponder. Then of course there are the stylistic reasons. The root beer of the mid 70s looks night and day different from today's model.

So to say this is a gimmick really misses the point. Some people don't care about history, or nostalgia, and that's fine. But I certainly didn't get talked into buying this watch because of internet hype.

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[NachoNeal]

Meh. To me just about everything else matters more in a watch then the year it was made.

[sgwatchguy]

I’ve never understood this birth year thing. And is it only limited to watches?

Are people out there buying birth year TV sets? Washing machines? Cars? I’m curious.

Or this only a new WIS affliction?

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by sgwatchguy

I’ve never understood this birth year thing. And is it only limited to watches?

Are people out there buying birth year TV sets? Washing machines? Cars? I’m curious.

Or this only a new WIS affliction?

I think your examples actually prove why a birth year watch is so compelling (to some of us). A 46 year old TV is going to be a piece of crap. A 46 year old washing machine likely won't power on. I'm a computer programmer, so a 46 year old computer holds some level of intrigue in terms of history but it obviously wouldn't be a useful machine by any reasonable standard. My 46 year old Rolex, on the other hand, works perfectly and looks amazing. And to most people who have seen my watch collection (none of whom are WIS) they are most drawn to that piece both on looks and the idea behind it.

But clearly given the industry surrounding antiques of all kinds there are many people on this planet who enjoy various aspects of old things. I just today received a pocket watch that was originally sold in Sept 1921. I plan to fix it over the next few months and have it running to mark its 100 year birthday. Some of you will think that sounds stupid, I think it will be awesome. To look at the world and think "why would I want anything other than the brand new shiny one" is incredibly narrow minded IMO.

[cronos]

Originally Posted by sgwatchguy

I’ve never understood this birth year thing. And is it only limited to watches?

Are people out there buying birth year TV sets? Washing machines? Cars? I’m curious.

Or this only a new WIS affliction?

Originally Posted by HiBoost

I think your examples actually prove why a birth year watch is so compelling (to some of us). A 46 year old TV is going to be a piece of crap. A 46 year old washing machine likely won't power on. I'm a computer programmer, so a 46 year old computer holds some level of intrigue in terms of history but it obviously wouldn't be a useful machine by any reasonable standard. My 46 year old Rolex, on the other hand, works perfectly and looks amazing. And to most people who have seen my watch collection (none of whom are WIS) they are most drawn to that piece both on looks and the idea behind it.

But clearly given the industry surrounding antiques of all kinds there are many people on this planet who enjoy various aspects of old things. I just today received a pocket watch that was originally sold in Sept 1921. I plan to fix it over the next few months and have it running to mark its 100 year birthday. Some of you will think that sounds stupid, I think it will be awesome. To look at the world and think "why would I want anything other than the brand new shiny one" is incredibly narrow minded IMO.

Birth Year guitars is a "thing" I used to have 2 of them.

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by Jack T

For those who voted “couldn’t care less”...I wonder just how far back they have to go for a birth year watch. Me? It’s a sundial !!

For me it would be 1942 and Europe was in flames. I'm not sure I could afford the cost of parts if something in the movement needed replacement, and current Rolex models are lightyears ahead of early 1940s models in accuracy and reliability. Really, I have no desire for an eighty year old Rolex.

[hondauk]

I have bought birth year watches for my three grand children. If I give them their watches when they are 21 I will be 80 when the oldest is 21 and 85 when the youngest is 21.
Hope I’m still here and still got my marbles.
There’s always a risk��

[snypa]

I have a GMT LN as a birth year watch for my daughter, coincidentally also picked a BLRO up on her 2bd birthday (last month). Will both be nice sentiments when they are passed down to her in the future

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[inadeje]

I bought a 1968 5513 sub, birth year

[goliat]

Couldn't care less. The birth year Rolex is a meme for me - if it's important to you, well, to each their own.

[GradyPhilpott]

I own a couple of watches that are about my age and older, but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy a Rolex, just because it was made in 1949.

It would first have to really sing to me and it would have to be available locally from a dealer whom I really trust and have a good relationship with.

[REQUIEMnJADED4U]

Originally Posted by HiBoost

I think it depends heavily on what age you are. If you are 25 then you probably aren't old enough for age to even have much meaning to you. I never cared about such things in my 20s or 30s. But in my mid 40s, as I quite literally feel my age more each day, I think this sort of thing becomes much more fascinating. It's a marvel to me to think about any tiny machine strapped to my wrist spinning away and keeping good time 24/7. And to think that machine was built 46 years ago, and has been serving this one function for literally every day I've been alive, yeah that's pretty cool to ponder. Then of course there are the stylistic reasons. The root beer of the mid 70s looks night and day different from today's model.

So to say this is a gimmick really misses the point. Some people don't care about history, or nostalgia, and that's fine. But I certainly didn't get talked into buying this watch because of internet hype.

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Very interesting perspective, thanks for sharing.

It's true that this isn't for everyone but that's what makes this all great. For all to share their views one way or another. To each their own. In my case I really want a 16750 and if it happens to be a 1983 edition, even cooler to see that unlike me, it will only get better with age and never depreciate.

[Prestige_Swiss]

Just got a birth year DD 18238 from 1989. Literally just came in today.




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