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Dhiney · 12 January 2009, 04:42 AM

Hi All,
When does a Rolex become "vintage", 30, 40 50 years? I have a SS Datejust - 30 years old, my wife has a womens dress gold Rolex that is almost 40 years old (Rolex doesn't make this model anymore). I just bought a a new GMT IIc to replace the every day Datejust.

Dhiney

jnewell · 12 January 2009, 04:45 AM

The rule of thumb I've seen mentioned most is acrylic crystal: if the watch has an acrylic crystal, it's vintage. Sapphire = "modern." You may be other/better answers, so stay tuned.

AJF · 12 January 2009, 04:51 AM

Watches that are 25 years of age or more would be my rule of thumb.

AJF

zak98 · 12 January 2009, 05:16 AM

wandering around a fair amount of estate sales.. what i have seen printed:

VINTAGE: generally 20 to 99 years old.

ANTIQUE: any work of art, piece of furniture, decorative object, created or produced in a former period, or according to U.S. Customs laws, 100 years before the date of purchase.

just my 2 cents.

veefour · 12 January 2009, 04:51 AM

When price gets higher than current?

.

Mike B · 12 January 2009, 05:25 AM

I would say 25 years.

frostie · 12 January 2009, 05:35 AM

When the watch gets updated IMO

charliec · 12 January 2009, 05:39 AM

Hey, that makes my 15000 date (87") vintage. I'm 41 yrs old and bought it new. Do i then qualify as vintage myself ??

Chris B · 12 January 2009, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charliec

Hey, that makes my 15000 date (87") vintage. I'm 41 yrs old and bought it new. Do i then qualify as vintage myself ??

Nah Charlie you're only a young whippersnapper, well done with the 15000

yannis · 12 January 2009, 05:45 AM

I think a discontinued Rolex watch is also a soon to get vintage status.

Spark · 12 January 2009, 05:55 AM

This is an often asked question and in all honesty there is not one thing that actually marks out ''Vintage'' .
The 25 year rule is the best way to decide IMO.
Some say acrylic crystal watches, but Rolex has been using Sapphire crystals since 1977, so that really throws that out.
Some people think that watches with Tritium dials can be classed as vintage, but as some are still only 10/11 year old watches I think it will be some time before that is accepted.

SLS · 12 January 2009, 06:31 AM

When Rolex refuses to service it!
~Scott

Chris B · 12 January 2009, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLS

When Rolex refuses to service it!
~Scott

GBJIV · 13 January 2009, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLS

When Rolex refuses to service it!
~Scott

That's my thought... Not servicing is a bummer!

springer · 12 January 2009, 06:55 AM

My take on vintage is:

a) discontinued model

b) 20 years old

Plastic crystal or sapphire crystal if it qualifies under a or b above. This would include such watches as the Submariner 16800, 168000 and the GMT 16760 and some other watches as well.

Lowflight · 12 January 2009, 06:56 AM

Plastic
Matte Dial
Tritium

chenx15 · 12 January 2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowflight

Plastic
Matte Dial
Tritium

i have all of the above in the dj 16030 and it's the same age as i am 26.

mike · 12 January 2009, 10:02 AM

I think everyone's got it covered.

I'm sure as time goes on and new collectors come into the hobby some of the pieces we have today will fall into the catagory.

vapalux · 13 January 2009, 04:01 AM

Relating it to another of my passions - cars.

Vintage is real old! But the one most people have trouble with is classic and that anywhere from 10-25 years.

I recently sent a 32 year old datejust to Rolex and it came back sorted without any problems.

I would go for a minimum of 25 in the case of watches as to call something thats 20 years old vintage is pushing the boundaries a little bit, although I would like to see it nearer 40 years.

Si

slvrstar · 13 January 2009, 04:49 AM

Vintage is right after you leave the AD.

Mrdi · 12 January 2009, 07:06 AM

All of the new Rolex card carrying models will be issued vintage certificates by Rolex on the 20th anniversary of purchase.

12 January 2009, 04:42 AM	#1
Dhiney Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ohio Watch: GMT IIc Posts: 63	When does a Rolex become "Vintage" Hi All, When does a Rolex become "vintage", 30, 40 50 years? I have a SS Datejust - 30 years old, my wife has a womens dress gold Rolex that is almost 40 years old (Rolex doesn't make this model anymore). I just bought a a new GMT IIc to replace the every day Datejust. Dhiney

12 January 2009, 04:45 AM	#2
jnewell "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bahston Posts: 127	The rule of thumb I've seen mentioned most is acrylic crystal: if the watch has an acrylic crystal, it's vintage. Sapphire = "modern." You may be other/better answers, so stay tuned. __________________ 1680 Submariner ~ 5513 Submariner ~ 16710 GMT Master II ~ 145.00.22 Speedmaster Professional ~ 2531.80 Seamaster Professional ~ Marathon TSAR

12 January 2009, 05:16 AM	#4
zak98 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: TN Watch: Rolex Posts: 2,166	wandering around a fair amount of estate sales.. what i have seen printed: VINTAGE: generally 20 to 99 years old. ANTIQUE: any work of art, piece of furniture, decorative object, created or produced in a former period, or according to U.S. Customs laws, 100 years before the date of purchase. just my 2 cents. __________________ Z- Submariner; P- Airking; R- DateJust; M- GMTII; C0 - Milgauss GV Breitling SuperOcean Heritage 46 Omega Speedmaster Racing Panerai PAM390

12 January 2009, 04:51 AM	#5
veefour "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canary Islands Posts: 520	When price gets higher than current?. __________________ 16800 Matt (1986) Avatar pic by Jocke

12 January 2009, 05:35 AM	#7
frostie 1,000,000th PostMember Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 14,048	When the watch gets updated IMO __________________ GMT - Master II C - 116710 LN

12 January 2009, 04:51 AM	#3
AJF Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Real Name: Ally Location: Surrey (UK) Watch: 15223 Posts: 638	Watches that are 25 years of age or more would be my rule of thumb. AJF

12 January 2009, 05:25 AM	#6
Mike B "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Real Name: Mike Location: Gilbert, AZ Watch: DSSD, Omega SMP Posts: 3,055	I would say 25 years.

12 January 2009, 05:39 AM	#8
charliec "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: UK Posts: 969	Hey, that makes my 15000 date (87") vintage. I'm 41 yrs old and bought it new. Do i then qualify as vintage myself ?? __________________ Milgauss GV DSSD SS Daytona White Mid-size DJ Tudor 18ct Prince

12 January 2009, 05:45 AM	#10
yannis "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Real Name: Yannis Location: Europe Watch: maniac Posts: 9,070	I think a discontinued Rolex watch is also a soon to get vintage status. __________________ Rolex Submariner 116610LV \| Tudor 79220N DSSD MEMBERS - OWNERS CLUB

12 January 2009, 05:55 AM	#11
Spark "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Real Name: Mark Location: U.K. Watch: Too Many Posts: 2,097	This is an often asked question and in all honesty there is not one thing that actually marks out ''Vintage'' . The 25 year rule is the best way to decide IMO. Some say acrylic crystal watches, but Rolex has been using Sapphire crystals since 1977, so that really throws that out. Some people think that watches with Tritium dials can be classed as vintage, but as some are still only 10/11 year old watches I think it will be some time before that is accepted.

12 January 2009, 06:31 AM	#12
SLS "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Scott Location: GMT -7 Watch: GMT's & Sub's Posts: 10,401	When Rolex refuses to service it! ~Scott __________________ "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of lower price is forgotten." -Benjamin Franklin Member No. 922

12 January 2009, 06:55 AM	#15
springer 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: jP Location: Texas Watch: GMT-MASTER Posts: 17,319	My take on vintage is: a) discontinued model b) 20 years old Plastic crystal or sapphire crystal if it qualifies under a or b above. This would include such watches as the Submariner 16800, 168000 and the GMT 16760 and some other watches as well. __________________ Member of NAWCC since 1990. INSTAGRAM USER NAME: SPRINGERJFP Visit my Instagram page to view some of the finest vintage GMTs anywhere - as well as other vintage classics.

12 January 2009, 06:56 AM	#16
Lowflight Banned Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Harold Location: On The Far Right Posts: 1,106	Plastic Matte Dial Tritium

12 January 2009, 10:02 AM	#18
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	I think everyone's got it covered. I'm sure as time goes on and new collectors come into the hobby some of the pieces we have today will fall into the catagory.

13 January 2009, 04:01 AM	#19
vapalux "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Real Name: Si Location: united kingdom Posts: 1,655	Relating it to another of my passions - cars. Vintage is real old! But the one most people have trouble with is classic and that anywhere from 10-25 years. I recently sent a 32 year old datejust to Rolex and it came back sorted without any problems. I would go for a minimum of 25 in the case of watches as to call something thats 20 years old vintage is pushing the boundaries a little bit, although I would like to see it nearer 40 years. Si

13 January 2009, 04:49 AM	#20
slvrstar Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: usa Posts: 165	Vintage is right after you leave the AD.

12 January 2009, 07:06 AM	#21
Mrdi Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: PA Posts: 3,478	All of the new Rolex card carrying models will be issued vintage certificates by Rolex on the 20th anniversary of purchase.

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