50th birthday watch question

[safcsteve]

Hi, my wife's 50th Birthday is later this year and I've been thinking about getting her a birth year watch (1970) as a present. She currently has an Omega Seamaster that I bought her following the birth of our second daughter and she likes my collection (Daytona, Sub, Pelagos LHD and Seamaster Chrono). I have therefore narrowed my options to:

• Rolex Submariner
• Rolex GMT (Pepsi or Coke)
• Omega Speedmaster

I would like the full set and checking the usual sites there appears a huge discrepancy on what is included in the full set e.g. different boxes, papers etc.. Is there a site that contains details (ideally with pictures) of what came with each watch at time of sale?

Although I've never sold any of my watches I am a bit OCD about this and feel a full set will be a better gift to the kids when we hand them down. All my watches have been purchased new from the AD so this has never been a problem previously.

If I cannot find any appropriate 1970 watch I was thinking of perhaps 50th anniversary model something like a Kermit or the Speedmaster 50th anniversary (name down with London Boutique but doubt I'm getting one). Are there any other models I should be considering bearing in mind it's for my wife so cannot be too large?

[Abmatt2002]

I personally think a sub or gmt would be too large.

What about a Datejust?

[Woody]

You might want to check with your wife to see if she would be happy with a pre-owned watch. Most of the ladies that I know (including my own wife) are not keen on preowned watches or jewellery. Why not gift her your Daytona? They look great on a ladies wrist and such a significant sacrifice would, I have no doubt, be greatly appreciated. Good luck.

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by Woody

You might want to check with your wife to see if she would be happy with a pre-owned watch. Most of the ladies that I know (including my own wife) are not keen on preowned watches or jewellery.

This

[Brew]

A used watch for a 50th? Danger danger!!

[bp1000]

Something gold for the 50th

My wife wears a 41mm DJ TT Wimbledon dial. The tapering and slimness just about works for her despite the size. But a modern sub is so square it’s slightly overwhelming.

A 36mm rose gold DJ may work? Or Cartier?

Ps despite the sentiment I wouldn’t do a birth year watch. She’ll be wearing someone else’s life for a momentous occasion to her.

[RHIII]

A vintage Submariner or GMT would really be a neat gift - and should be able to be sourced in great condition - with solid provenance — which is the key with vintage watches.

I’d contact Andrew Shear — he’s one of (if not the) the best when it comes to vintage watches.

[brandrea]

I’d focus on what she really wants vs. trying to find a “50th” anniversary Rolex or birth year reference. IMO, you really have to know your stuff to buy vintage (not saying you don’t) and you’ll pay up to buy a full set in pristine condition.

Another approach to consider is to take her to your Ad and let her choose something.

No right or wrong, you know her better than we do ... but she probably knows what she wants to wear better than you

Edit: welcome to the forum

[Setarip]

Originally Posted by brandrea

i’d focus on what she really wants vs. Trying to find a “50th” anniversary rolex or birth year reference. Imo, you really have to know your stuff to buy vintage (not saying you don’t) and you’ll pay up to buy a full set in pristine condition.

Another approach to consider is to take her to your ad and let her choose something.

No right or wrong, you know her better than we do ... But she probably knows what she wants to wear better than you

Edit: Welcome to the forum

^^^^^ +1 ^^^^^

[1William]

My wife wears a 36 mm Rolex DJ with the salmon dial and batons on a jubilee bracelet with a smooth bezel and loves it. She has had them all from PM down to strap watches and this one works the best for her and she actually shows some excitement for the watch. Take her to an AD and let her look at the 36 mm DJ's as it maybe one of the few watches you can find in the case in ample supply. Keep us posted on what you decide.

[Michael T]

Originally Posted by 1William

My wife wears a 36 mm Rolex DJ with the salmon dial and batons on a jubilee bracelet with a smooth bezel and loves it. She has had them all from PM down to strap watches and this one works the best for her and she actually shows some excitement for the watch. Take her to an AD and let her look at the 36 mm DJ's as it maybe one of the few watches you can find in the case in ample supply. Keep us posted on what you decide.

I would agree with William on the 36mm Datejust. My wife and daughter both are getting new watches. My wife has had enough watches that I could use Rolex’s configurator on line to pick out the band, bezel and dial. My daughter needed to go the AD as she was more up in the air about size and bracelet.

[Muxi]

Is it really for your wife?

[Tommy_PP]

+1. I don’t know about your wife, but my wife would definitely prefers jewelry. Sounds like you are trying to make yourself happier than she would be. Get her what she likes not you. Just thoughts. Cheers

Originally Posted by Muxi

Is it really for your wife?

[safcsteve]

[QUOTE=Tommy_PP;10380403]+1. I don’t know about your wife, but my wife would definitely prefers jewelry. Sounds like you are trying to make yourself happier than she would be. Get her what she likes not you. Just thoughts. Cheers[/

My wife likes jewellery and watches and has been looking at watches herself hence the thinking behind this thread. This is not an attempt to get another watch myself if I wanted that I would just get it.

Looking at new watches she likes the look of the Yachtmaster 37 so I am going to see if we can see one in the flesh. Size wise it looks like it has similar dimensions to her existing Seamaster so shouldn’t be too big.

[Rori]

Gmt blro

Originally Posted by safcsteve

hi, my wife's 50th birthday is later this year and i've been thinking about getting her a birth year watch (1970) as a present. She currently has an omega seamaster that i bought her following the birth of our second daughter and she likes my collection (daytona, sub, pelagos lhd and seamaster chrono). I have therefore narrowed my options to:

• rolex submariner
• rolex gmt (pepsi or coke)
• omega speedmaster

i would like the full set and checking the usual sites there appears a huge discrepancy on what is included in the full set e.g. Different boxes, papers etc.. Is there a site that contains details (ideally with pictures) of what came with each watch at time of sale?

Although i've never sold any of my watches i am a bit ocd about this and feel a full set will be a better gift to the kids when we hand them down. All my watches have been purchased new from the ad so this has never been a problem previously.

If i cannot find any appropriate 1970 watch i was thinking of perhaps 50th anniversary model something like a kermit or the speedmaster 50th anniversary (name down with london boutique but doubt i'm getting one). Are there any other models i should be considering bearing in mind it's for my wife so cannot be too large?

[danyvw]

Why don't you ask he what she wants? Only she knows better than anyone. My wife would never wear a Sub or a GMT even if I give it to her as an Anniversary.

[safcsteve]

Thanks for the quick responses. The idea is a surprise so I don’t really want to ask her though I do know she prefers the sports watches to the dressier ones hence discounting the DJ. She has tried on my sub and it looked ok but I think the smaller size of the older models will be a better fit.

WRT the Daytona she has tried that on but prefers the Pelagos though it’s a bit too big.

I was hoping there was a website I could check out that would guide me towards what came with the watches back in 1970. Though I will check the suggested dealers.

[SweepingSH]

Surprise? And horsepolo is a sport and they are available in steel...

[Claven2]

Originally Posted by safcsteve

to:

• Rolex Submariner
• Rolex GMT (Pepsi or Coke)
• Omega Speedmaster

All of those are way too large for the vast majority of female wrists.

Maybe look at a vintage explorer or DJ 36. Or perhaps a speedy reduced, though it won't be a birth year watch. Or how about a 35mm vintage cal 321 seamaster chronograph?

All this assuming you buy vintage, which is a massive no-no for 99% of women. They want new, current, and pristine gifts, most women would see used as you skimping out compared to what you buy for yourself.

If you wear new, so should she.

Also, for a 50th, buy gold (yellow) or TT. 50 is the golden year.

Ultimately, it may be a great idea to just let her pick on your dime.

[billfredericks]

Totally not what you asked for, but how about a Lange?

[Speedbird-1]

Have you looked at The Vintage Watch Company?
Burlington Arcade, Central London........so won't be 'inexpensive'.

[ltmgeller]

You're looking at a red sub or a 1675, both of which will cost you quite a bit for complete sets. Perhaps maybe a new PM piece is in order. My wife wears a RG 40mm YM on oyster flex, at 36,, datejust pink flower dial, diamond bezel, and 39mm grape.

[Dlong]

Hmmmmm, does your wife have the same size wrist as you??

[steve099]

Maybe offer her some of your sports models to wear out and see what her reaction is when wearing them. Look for subtle feedback on size and which ones she likes wearing the most, without letting on why your doing this experiment. It may help narrow down the right choice or identify the fact she does not like larger 40mm cases...

[AJMarcus]

Cool. Your wife’s big birthday and you get the BLRO

[Boaters]

Very simple happy wife happy life

[hyperlight12]

Sub - all day long

[cerendigit]

Forget about this "birth-year" BS. Get her a nice modern watch. The reverso above is not a bad idea. Any modern lady's Rolex will do as well.

[seasubmariner]

Originally Posted by safcsteve

Hi, my wife's 50th Birthday is later this year and I've been thinking about getting her a birth year watch (1970) as a present. She currently has an Omega Seamaster that I bought her following the birth of our second daughter and she likes my collection (Daytona, Sub, Pelagos LHD and Seamaster Chrono). I have therefore narrowed my options to:

• Rolex Submariner
• Rolex GMT (Pepsi or Coke)
• Omega Speedmaster

I would like the full set and checking the usual sites there appears a huge discrepancy on what is included in the full set e.g. different boxes, papers etc.. Is there a site that contains details (ideally with pictures) of what came with each watch at time of sale?

Although I've never sold any of my watches I am a bit OCD about this and feel a full set will be a better gift to the kids when we hand them down. All my watches have been purchased new from the AD so this has never been a problem previously.

If I cannot find any appropriate 1970 watch I was thinking of perhaps 50th anniversary model something like a Kermit or the Speedmaster 50th anniversary (name down with London Boutique but doubt I'm getting one). Are there any other models I should be considering bearing in mind it's for my wife so cannot be too large?

From my watch for gift enquiry experiences some sales advisors ask the height and body type of the person you are buying the gift watch, so they can estimate the size of the diameter of the watch to recommend.

If your wife is tall (over 5'9) and dont have a very thin wrist, then you can consider buying her a 40mm watch, otherwise I would choose a 36mm watch.

Women liking mens 40mm watches doesnt necessarily mean that they will enjoy them on their wrists and I dont know whether shes wearing a 40mm Seamaster.

My suggestion would be a Yachtmaster (36mm).

Dont fear from buying a secondhand watch. I am the first owner of my SUB C and selling it. It is fullset without any scratch or problem its never been polished either. Make sure you check everything carefully, research about the seller, and make sure your buying a scratchless hardly worn watch without scratch with its full set of box content also get it inspected by a watchmaker, buy from first owner and have a written signed evidence showing that you purchased the watch from the seller( who is the first owner verified by the AD) and you should be safe. Do not buy any second hand rolex from jewelleries which might me likely a stolen watch or a refurbished watch with problems which was purchased by the jewellery for much much cheaper...

[jvb.nc]

have you considered a Tudor Black Bay 58?

it’s brand new - so you’ll have all attendant paperwork in order. It’s svelte; should fit her very well. and if she’s stoked on the Pelagos, this would share some of that character.