So happy I went vintage

[Konrad Bigsby]

Hello all:

I purchased my 1st Rolex not too long ago and was faced with the decision to get a modern one, or classic vintage. I have always liked the older stuff and imagined what stories classic pieces had to tell. I have a St. Dupont lighter from the 60's, an older Mont Blanc and when my friend who owns a watch store brought me in to see a 1979 1675 GMT with all original dial, hands and band I had to pull the trigger.

As usual, one Rolex is never enough right? I thought that my second one would be a new sub LV, or maybe even a shark but every time I look at watches online, I spend only about 10% of my time looking at new stuff.....and the other 90% at vintage.

What makes you guys and gals go "old school?" Is it the thrill of the hunt? maybe just knowing that you are a little more different than the norm?

Any one have a collection of just vintage?

[roro]

An old 1675 is a true classic. Congrats.

All I can say is that I've bought new Rolexes and I've always ended up selling them to get vintage ones. Now all I have are "old" Rolexes

For me its not necessarily the hunt nor the rarity (although there is a certain amount of pride that comes with wearing a rare watch). The older pieces have a classier more dignified look to them IMHO. Less bling and a more minimalistic "form follows function" approach. There's also a question of size. The older watches with their 40mm thinner cases are more "civilized" than the 42mm diameter thick cased modern ones. For example, there is no need to have a thick case with a 42mm diameter on a GMT watch that is not meant to be used for diving. The "old" Sea-Dweller can withstand a depth of 1220m in a 40mm case. The new models with their big cases and maxi dials have a "if you've got it flaunt it" look which does not appeal to me. Rolex is just following the trend of big watches and I think its a shame.

That's why for me old is gold!

[Konrad Bigsby]

Originally Posted by roro

An old 1675 is a true classic. Congrats.

All I can say is that I've bought new Rolexes and I've always ended up selling them to get vintage ones. Now all I have are "old" Rolexes

For me its not necessarily the hunt nor the rarity (although there is a certain amount of pride that comes with wearing a rare watch). The older pieces have a classier more dignified look to them IMHO. Less bling and a more minimalistic "form follows function" approach. There's also a question of size. The older watches with their 40mm thinner cases are more "civilized" than the 42mm diameter thick cased modern ones. For example, there is no need to have a thick case with a 42mm diameter on a GMT watch that is not meant to be used for diving. The "old" Sea-Dweller can withstand a depth of 1220m in a 40mm case. The new models with their big cases and maxi dials have a "if you've got it flaunt it" look which does not appeal to me. Rolex is just following the trend of big watches and I think its a shame.

That's why for me old is gold!

I never even thought about the case size, but I think you hit the nail on the head exactly in my case. I was in an AD last weekend in Vegas and put on a few Subs and was not impressed with the way they look on my small wrist. Couldn't put my finger on it until just now. Amazing how 2 mm's can make a huge difference.

I am not into show/bling or baller status either. Just enjoy a nice time peice.

[olpercy]

Originally Posted by roro

An old 1675 is a true classic. Congrats.

All I can say is that I've bought new Rolexes and I've always ended up selling them to get vintage ones. Now all I have are "old" Rolexes

For me its not necessarily the hunt nor the rarity (although there is a certain amount of pride that comes with wearing a rare watch). The older pieces have a classier more dignified look to them IMHO. Less bling and a more minimalistic "form follows function" approach. There's also a question of size. The older watches with their 40mm thinner cases are more "civilized" than the 42mm diameter thick cased modern ones. For example, there is no need to have a thick case with a 42mm diameter on a GMT watch that is not meant to be used for diving. The "old" Sea-Dweller can withstand a depth of 1220m in a 40mm case. The new models with their big cases and maxi dials have a "if you've got it flaunt it" look which does not appeal to me. Rolex is just following the trend of big watches and I think its a shame.

That's why for me old is gold!

Agree 100 %, I have one of the last SD smaller version made (2006) and I won`t ever let it go at any price because it is just ``perfect`` in looks, feel and size. I would not even wear the newer SD if it was given to me for free !!
My next Rolex is a GMT and again I will go for older, smaller sizes than the newer ones ! What is trendy does not mean it is better.

[roro]

*

[dddrees]

I wanted something a bit different, something a bit older, something classic, and I wanted a Red Sub.

[toph]

great watch! love mine too, get some pics up if you can;)

[cruvon]

+1, you can never go wrong with vintage, show us those pics!

[Konrad Bigsby]

some eye candy of my wrist candy

[cruvon]

Originally Posted by Konrad Bigsby

some eye candy of my wrist candy

she's a beauty!

[jatco]

..Ive always liked 'vintage' stuff, and with Rolex, with the right find, you can't go wrong. If I could, I'd look for a 'vintage' Sub - for my 'daily' ..and use my new DJ for occassions...!
..but I also have manual winds Elgin, Gruen and Hamilton ...?!?!?

[SWIMPRUF]

She's a beaut Konrad.

[Jagatai]

I enjoy wearing my IV 67 5512 knowing that steve McQueen wore the same reference from the same year!

[Paulie 50]

I own, like many of you, several watches, and feel guilty about their rotation, which leads me ( in my quiet moments ) to feel that one Rolex watch is enough, it is then that i wind my 1969 Datejust and slap it on my wrist, because if any watch epitomises sheer class and style this Iconic watch does.
Nostalgia apart, i think the 60s were the halcyon days as far as Rolex watches are concerned. Just my thoughts on a Friday evening drinking Glenmorangie, and listening to Pink Floyd.

[vintagewaferthin]

Although i dont own a vintage rolex, i do own other brands of vintage watches(Tissot, Lord Elgin). I think that vintage is much better than modern in many ways. Glad you went vintage

[Vincent65]

vintage rules!

[lhanddds]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

vintage rules!

X2

[topjimmi]

Mix of vintage and modern for me, but I favor the vintage. Less common and much more interesting

[KZZN]

Hi,

For me, it's basically because I'm a huge fan of the Oysterquartz line. And since they are of course no longer in production, picking up older pieces is the only way to go! I've owned a 1979 Oysterquartz Day-Date, and my current OQ is a Datejust with papers dated 1988, though with a serial that dates it to around 1984 or thereabouts.

[landroverking]

1675 one of the true classics.

[jatco]

..Well, since my last post in Sept 2011, Ive acquired a Tudor Sub, 79190, as seen in my avatar. - Love it...!!

[Trabant Dave]

I prefer the vintage models myself, my one-and-only is a 1971 6694 precision, on a 7835 and having skinny wrists I'd not go much larger - maybe a vintage DJ would be a suitable stablemate....

The modern ones look too chunky for me, a bit too ostentatious, plus I like the idea of a watch that has seen almost half a century of service - so I'll stay with the classic models unless I get thicker arms for xmas...

Dave

[Jason71]

It's all about the plexi and the matte non-surround hour markers for me