Opinions on a watch for younger brother's graduation/18th Birthday.

[theflywrist]

Hey guys,
A very random off topic question that I would love to hear your thoughts on if you were in my position.

Being a guy that is heavily poisoned by vintage, naturally I initially was thinking of a vintage Sub to get him.
Now because he is soon off to university, I think he would be better off with a more modern watch as his one and only one.
Better WR, not prone to scratches (sapphire), etc.

I initially wanted to get him a modern watch for his first, one with his name on the papers and one that he would be the first owner of.
The Tudor BBB was the first one we had tried, but he found the size to be a little too large.
Then the Speed master came to mind.

Speaking to him today, I think he is on his way to becoming poisoned, and I wouldn't be surprised if a few years later he will be on this site!
He has been researching watches and seeing what to get.
He has no problem if his name is not on the papers and if he is not the first owner either.

After him doing a bit of more hunting, he seems to find the 14060 appealing.
He likes the symmetry and clean dial. I also think it would be a very good daily wear. He likes throwing the watch on straps for a change, obviously the 14060 is very easy with that.
He keeps asking me if he can get a faded inlay. He is obsessed with the faded inserts on my watches
I believe over the years they will fade anyway as they are aluminium, and generally much more modern than the ones I have.

At this time, it is between the 14060 or a speedmaster.

Would love to hear your thoughts and opinions!
Not just between the two that we are debating between, but any others as well!
Thanks guys!

[Franks07]

14060m would be my clear choice. You're a great brother btw

[TickTopia]

Those are some very solid options. Personally i would go with the no date sub. Btw thats a very nice thing to do for your brother.

[theflywrist]

Originally Posted by Franks07

14060m would be my clear choice. You're a great brother btw

Originally Posted by TickTopia

Those are some very solid options. Personally i would go with the no date sub. Btw thats a very nice thing to do for your brother.

Thanks for the quick responses guys!
The 14060 I must say does sound like a very very good option.
I want him to cherish the watch in years to come and not keep it only because it was a gift from his older brother, but also because he still loves the watch as much as he did the day he got it.

I like to think a timeless sub like the 14060 will likely do that.

Out of curiosity Franks, 14060M over 14060?
If I am not mistaken, tritium was replaced with luminova by the time the 14060M was introduced. Would that be a better option for practicality you think?

Appreciate the responses.

[GTS Dean]

If Rolex, a 17000 OQ would be a great watch for him. Tough as nails, handsome styling, low cost of ownership. I would also highly recommend a Breitling Aerospace - more functions.

http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/er...rbnl3.jpg.html

[bdex75]

Have you thought about the new Tudor BB36? Get it on a bracelet, comes with the NATO and for a few hundred dollars you can get him the leather strap and deployant. All for under $3000. Perfect for an 18 year old!!

Picking one up for my dad's retirement as the simplicity is his style and the case back is smooth and clean to have engraved.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Vincent65]

Why not buy him a more 'vintage' one with an already-faded insert, like a 16800?
Nice big bro to have, BTW!

[yannis]

Adel you are a great brother! I would opt for the Sub.

[Verdi]

Get him a Sub. A watch for a lifetime, great gift from his older brother.

[Rogdogg]

A great gesture. I would go with the Sub over the Speedmaster

[Qinhan]

Speedies are great, of course, but imho you can't go wrong with the 14060. They're a great mixture of vintage features (tritium on the dials, classic case size, lug holes, aluminium bezel) with a bunch of modern aspects too (saphire crystal, white gold surrounds, glossy dial, etc). I love mine and, as you note, you can change the entire look of the watch with a simple strap change.

[theflywrist]

Originally Posted by bdex75

Have you thought about the new Tudor BB36? Get it on a bracelet, comes with the NATO and for a few hundred dollars you can get him the leather strap and deployant. All for under $3000. Perfect for an 18 year old!!

Picking one up for my dad's retirement as the simplicity is his style and the case back is smooth and clean to have engraved.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the response man!
Actually I did think about it. I just feel like the Rolex screams as a grad gift, i also find the subs much cooler and less under stated for an 18 year old.
Just generally think he would enjoy it more.

Thanks for the input man!

Originally Posted by Vincent65

Why not buy him a more 'vintage' one with an already-faded insert, like a 16800?
Nice big bro to have, BTW!

Thanks Vincent!
So he doesn't like the date.
I had considered and actually found a later model 5513 glossy dial with a full set.
I just feel like sapphire watch would serve a uni kid better?
He will be off to Canada for uni, where it snows, rains heavy etc most of the year.
I like to think that Sapphire will be a safer pick for such weather in terms of WR.
What say?

Originally Posted by yannis7777

Adel you are a great brother! I would opt for the Sub.

Originally Posted by Verdi

Get him a Sub. A watch for a lifetime, great gift from his older brother.

Originally Posted by Rogdogg

A great gesture. I would go with the Sub over the Speedmaster

Thanks guys!!

Originally Posted by Qinhan

Speedies are great, of course, but imho you can't go wrong with the 14060. They're a great mixture of vintage features (tritium on the dials, classic case size, lug holes, aluminium bezel) with a bunch of modern aspects too (saphire crystal, white gold surrounds, glossy dial, etc). I love mine and, as you note, you can change the entire look of the watch with a simple strap change.

Thanks for the pics man. Stunning stunning watch!
I think it is the best of both worlds for sure!!
Was it 1999 when tritium was changed to luminova?
I think if I could find a 1998 tritium 14060, it would be pretty cool as his birth year..
Tritium is cool because it may not look the same in 10 years time. Plots change, insert will change, etc.

Appreciate the help!

[Qinhan]

Originally Posted by theflywrist

Thanks for the pics man. Stunning stunning watch!
I think it is the best of both worlds for sure!!
Was it 1999 when tritium was changed to luminova?
I think if I could find a 1998 tritium 14060, it would be pretty cool as his birth year..
Tritium is cool because it may not look the same in 10 years time. Plots change, insert will change, etc.

Appreciate the help!

Sometime during the U series (1997/1998) seems to be when the transition from tritium to luminova took place. Having just done a quick search, I've found U5XXX serial number 14060's with dials that are marked as containing tritium (ie. Swiss-T<25) but also found late U series 14060's (ie. 1998 production watches) with luminova (ie. "SWISS" only on the dials). You might struggle to find a 1998 watch with tritium. More knowledgeable members of the forum might be able to clarify this.

You also might find this thread of interest:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=105622

For what it's worth, the tritium on my 1993 watch has hardly changed at all, except for going a sort of subtle ivory color.

[tjbender]

Go with the Rolex.

[buenosdias]

The 14060 would be a great choice! All time classic supercool watch!

IMO the 214270 Explorer could be an option, too.
Pro: Modern Clasp, good proportions and symmetrie, can be bought new with name in paperwork + 5 year guarantee. Another big PLUS: Not everyone will notice it's a Rolex! He's a young man goin' to university, so it would prevent envy.

Or maybe some 36mm-Porn: 14270 Explorer....and to have it rare: BlackOut Such a cool watch

[theflywrist]

Originally Posted by Qinhan

Sometime during the U series (1997/1998) seems to be when the transition from tritium to luminova took place. Having just done a quick search, I've found U5XXX serial number 14060's with dials that are marked as containing tritium (ie. Swiss-T<25) but also found late U series 14060's (ie. 1998 production watches) with luminova (ie. "SWISS" only on the dials). You might struggle to find a 1998 watch with tritium. More knowledgeable members of the forum might be able to clarify this.

You also might find this thread of interest:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=105622

For what it's worth, the tritium on my 1993 watch has hardly changed at all, except for going a sort of subtle ivory color.

Interesting!! Thanks for the link.
Not sure if the late variants have a chance of being Swiss-T<25 but with luminova on them, but that would be a shame.
I think I will play it safe and hunt a nice mint tritium 14060.
Birth year was just an idea of hitting two birds with one stone, but not a make or break it.
A decent example of a 14060 like yours would be the way to go!

Thus, the hunt begins!!!

Thanks for the advice guys.

Originally Posted by buenosdias

The 14060 would be a great choice! All time classic supercool watch!

IMO the 214270 Explorer could be an option, too.
Pro: Modern Clasp, good proportions and symmetrie, can be bought new with name in paperwork + 5 year guarantee. Another big PLUS: Not everyone will notice it's a Rolex! He's a young man goin' to university, so it would prevent envy.

Or maybe some 36mm-Porn: 14270 Explorer....and to have it rare: BlackOut Such a cool watch

Haha very cool idea S!!
Thanks for that. I think for now we will stick to the 14060. He seems to be fond of it. He likes the fact that it may not look the same in 10 years time, the insert may fade, patina may go slightly creamy, etc.

Appreciate the help!!