Birth year watches

Pinch Flat

Don't want to give my age away , but thinking of getting a birth year watch from 1971 for a significant birthday in june. Not particularly wedded to a brand - maybe a classic omega? Budget around €2k.

Wibbs

Well have a click here and have a perusal at Omega and a couple of other recognisable brands for your budget.

Pinch Flat

Wibbs wrote: »

Well have a click here and have a perusal at Omega and a couple of other recognisable brands for your budget.

Well that's my Saturday afternoon written off

Ooooh this is pretty

https://www.chrono24.com/omega/geneve-automatic-ref-166070-circa-1971--id11415563.htm

893bet

I have thought about it, but unless you are into vintage what’s the point.

The fact that the watch was made or sold (which is also a conundrum as birth year as it may be made in 1970 and sold in 1971) in the same year as I was? What’s the point? I had no connection with the watch then. I would have more connection with a watch I bought brand new for my bday.

So rather than trying to find a watch from the year You were born and settle for It I would just look to buy a special watch for your 50th.

Pinch Flat

893bet wrote: »

I have thought about it, but unless you are into vintage what’s the point.

The fact that the watch was made or sold (which is also a conundrum as birth year as it may be made in 1970 and sold in 1971) in the same year as I was? What’s the point? I had no connection with the watch then. I would have more connection with a watch I bought brand new for my bday.

So rather than trying to find a watch from the year You were born and settle for It I would just look to buy a special watch for your 50th.

Yeah have thought about that as well. I like the like of a oris aquis own a big crown already and love it. will have a look in thread and see what's there for my budget. Unless any suggestions spring to mind

Wibbs

Pinch Flat wrote: »

Well that's my Saturday afternoon written off

Ooooh this is pretty

https://www.chrono24.com/omega/geneve-automatic-ref-166070-circa-1971--id11415563.htm

It is PF, but always be careful about sizing. Watches were with a few exception smaller back then. Hell people tended to be smaller too. So that Omega is 35mm, a small size for a man today. These days 38mm could be considered "small" by some and 40mm would be generally around the size people look to. Now I've vintage sized wrists(under 6.5 inches around) so can get away with that, but for more well built gentleman it could look a bit like he's wearing a boy's size.

Now handily the early 70's was when men's watch sizes started to grow, both because of fashion and technology changes afoot at the time, so you also have a watch like this Omega Mematic at 40mm



Built in alarm which is kinda cool.

Or this Seamaster at 39mm.



Or this Longines Diver at 41mm



Fantastic and advanced for the time movement in these and built like a tank, though I've seen better condition examples for that price or less.

As you can see they tend to share similar case design elements of their time. Which may or may not appeal. Other concerns with vintage are servicing. Assume it'll need one unless the dealer specifically states it's had one. Secondly unless you get it as part of a service and seals are still available assume no water resistance, though "diver" watches can be usually made to pass 50 metre levels. Also be very aware of any taxes and duties incurred when buying beyond the EU, so restrict yourself to EU sellers.

Advantages? Well you're getting a watch from the time you were born that reflects that era and that appeals to some. I would NOT treat one as an investment, those days when you could buy a watch today for 500 quid for it to be worth 5000 quid five years later are pretty much passed, but you're unlikely to lose money if you come to sell it down the line. The supply is obviously finite and unless a load of collectors decide to get out of the hobby and flood the market is likely to stay that way.

Pinch Flat

Thanks for that much appreciated

Wibbs

893bet wrote: »

I have thought about it, but unless you are into vintage what’s the point.

There's truth in that too.

The fact that the watch was made or sold (which is also a conundrum as birth year as it may be made in 1970 and sold in 1971) in the same year as I was?

True enough too. I've had a fair few watches that were made in one year and were sold years later. The latest addition to my hoard was exclusively made in 1988 and only a thousand were made in that year to boot, yet the one I found was finally sold in the mid 90's. I've a couple that I got as new old stock made in 1975 and never sold.

Cienciano

That blue dial seamaster is really cool. Really captures a lot of the 70's watch designs and wouldn't look out of place today. Very nice

Lorddrakul

I like the idea of a birth year watch.

That's why I went Omega hunting.

I got a vintage Mark II that's within the range for my birth year, and given its development and heritage, it means something to me.

I have a big birthday coming up soon, and it is nice to think that I'll have a vintage piece to wear that is the same vintage.

I am currently enjoying playing with strap and bracelet options to see what I like.

It came with the 1162 bracelet, but I like the look of both a mesh and a few other options.

I say if you like the concept and vintage, then go for it, there are bargains to be had.

NIMAN

I did similar but not in the same league as you guys.

Bought a Timex Sprite for very little money.

Love that Omega in the Chrono24 link, the strap suits the face perfectly. A beauty.

OldRio

893bet wrote: »

I have thought about it, but unless you are into vintage what’s the point.

The fact that the watch was made or sold (which is also a conundrum as birth year as it may be made in 1970 and sold in 1971) in the same year as I was? What’s the point? I had no connection with the watch then. I would have more connection with a watch I bought brand new for my bday.

So rather than trying to find a watch from the year You were born and settle for It I would just look to buy a special watch for your 50th.

I think the point is, for some, although not yourself, it's kinda cool to wear something that was made about the same time you are born.
Men don't wear much jewellery and having a conversation piece is rather good. IMHO.
I've been looking for something myself. Unfortunately 1958 is rather more Vintage than Classic, which is reflected in the price. Rather like myself.

Wibbs

Hold my beer.... here ya go OR.

david

Had a go for the craic - I think the universe is trying to tell me something, all I can hear is train noises :eek:

OldRio

Wibbs wrote: »

Hold my beer.... here ya go OR.

Brilliant, thank you.

Only one problem for myself.

Herself.

unkel

david wrote: »

Had a go for the craic - I think the universe is trying to tell me something, all I can hear is train noises

That's not just a train, that's the Orient Express, first class phase 4 ticket

Wibbs

david wrote: »

Had a go for the craic - I think the universe is trying to tell me something, all I can hear is train noises :eek:

Funny, all I'm hearing is really bad modern rap music. :D

david

Wibbs wrote: »

Funny, all I'm hearing is really bad modern rap music. :D

Haha that's likely a lot more accurate! If I ever decide to pursue a career running "commodities" on the Florida keys I'll know where to start! Now where's my ivory linen suit and floral print shirt...

IrishPlayer

Wibbs wrote: »

you also have a watch like this Omega Mematic[/URL] at 40mm



Built in alarm which is kinda cool.

Would love a Memomatic myself ! very cool watch with the 980 cal movement, derived from the Lemania 2980. My favorite is the orange variant



Pity we can't choose our birth years :D

Wibbs

Ohhh the orange is niiiice. Can't go wrong with extra orange.

njburke

I have a Bulova accutron as a 69 birth year watch. Cutting edge technology from the sixties. It hums at 360 hz, it second hand sweeps,it's a throwback to another time.
It's travelled from 69 to my wrist in 2019, I don't know it's journey as well as I do mine, but they meet after fifty years.
They're cheap, i picked up another lovely one from 74 for 150 euros on eBay, I'll pm you the seller if you like.
So pick a birth year and another new watch and you'll be set for life.

Thirdfox

Just get a birth year Atmos clock - (mine is a '69 one btw NJB :P ) - made from the 20s to today - everyone is bound to be in that range :pac:

As for an 80s watch - this one stood out - perhaps something Fitz might be interested in ?



https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/rolex-air-king-dominos-pizza--id17256751.htm

Going through 10 pages of C24 watches I didn't actually spot anything that really caught my eye - I guess my year was somewhat of a dud then...

njburke

Thirdfox wrote: »

Just get a birth year Atmos clock - (mine is a '69 one btw NJB :P ) - made from the 20s to today

Yes I saw that, it's a lovely piece, you had me looking them up. I showed your wife's pearlmaster to my wife, and got orders to buy her a watch.not an easy task, but the hunt is most of the fun.

Same goes for the op, whatever the year is look up some watches from that year and pick one, I've been giving my brother's birth year watches for their birthdays, prima6 does some nice 70s and 80s seikos on adverts.ie.He services them himself before sale. I bought an 81 seiko 5 from him last month and am sending him a 70s sportsmatic to strip and service.

Zimmerframe

Another vote for an Accutron here, 71 will have N1 on the back.

example




https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Bulova-Accutron-Deep-Sea-B-666-Vintage-1971-Dive-watch-2182-tuning-fork/184437769512?hash=item2af1590528:g:zaMAAOSwjFVfVrPV



unless, you want Elvis Presley's one




https://www.ebay.ie/itm/OWNED-WORN-BY-ELVIS-PRESLEY-1971-BULOVA-ACCUTRON-Vintage-Mens-Watch/303772995005?hash=item46ba480dbd:g:xtUAAOSwIHhftP-E

Wibbs

+1 on Accutrons. They're a great birth year watch for anyone under 60 and over 40 odd. Easily dateable by the number on the back, one of the most innovative horological advances ever, cool conversation piece and can outside of rare models be had for remarkably little money.

njburke

The state of the case and wristband on the elvis watch. The case and bracelet must have been gold or chrome plated brass. Case back is stainless and perfect.

Do they all go like that once the plating fails? I thought it was marine quality brass they used on watches, the saving being on killing the softer material.

Trigger Happy

I have had a couple of birth year watches over the years but the idea of getting myself a notable one for my big birthday this year is taking seed. The omega flightmaster is my current fancy but it changes.