When is a Rolex considered "vintage"?

[Meyrin]

I´m new here, so sorry if this silly question has been asked before! I would be interested to know when a Rolex can be considered "vintage". I have a 1996 14060 Sub I bought new, my daily watch all these years, and personally I just think of it as an older model. But opinions seem to vary, so thanks for any enlightenment! Here's my only, treasured Rolex, been all round the world with me...
IMG_1725a.jpg

[Wobbly]

That’s a beautiful piece.

I would guess with Rolex, somewhere between 25-30 years to be vintage.

[joli160]

plexiglass crystal imho

[fleabag]

Hmmm....2003LV


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[Meyrin]

Originally Posted by joli160

plexiglass crystal imho

That's interesting! As far as I can find out the Sub models first got a sapphire crystal in 1981...

[Dave_T26]

There isn't one consistent definition of "vintage"-- the strictest definition I've heard is 4-digit reference only (and therefore defined as a fixed quantity), with more lenient definitions ranging to watches manufactured a certain number of years before present, for example, "at least 25 years old" (and the quantity would therefore increase every year). I generally go with "I know it when I see it."

[THC]

When your name comes up on the wait list

[77T]

The moment you’re told that the watch you’re wearing is “an old man’s watch”.




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[In-Cog-Neeto]

Anything which can be proven to be manufactured pre 8.17:44pm Tuesday 17 September 1991. Anything post 8.17:45pm is neo vintage up to and including 9.27:31am 18 February 2003. And then everything since is post vintage modern

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by In-Cog-Neeto

Anything which can be proven to be manufactured pre 8.17:44pm Tuesday 17 September 1991. Anything post 8.17:45pm is neo vintage up to and including 9.27:31am 18 February 2003. And then everything since is post vintage modern

Is this eastern timezone???

[1911 Man]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Is this eastern timezone???

Of course not. Its Greenwich Mean Time

[jb335]

Like a Supreme Court Justice, I know it when I see it.

[springer]

Originally Posted by Meyrin

I´m new here, so sorry if this silly question has been asked before! I would be interested to know when a Rolex can be considered "vintage". I have a 1996 14060 Sub I bought new, my daily watch all these years, and personally I just think of it as an older model. But opinions seem to vary, so thanks for any enlightenment! Here's my only, treasured Rolex, been all round the world with me...
Attachment 1071150

It's a classic for sure but not vintage. Enjoy your watch!

[Gerry62]

Originally Posted by 77T

The moment you’re told that the watch you’re wearing is “an old man’s watch”.




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I love my 14060
enjoy your wonderful Sub

[101031-28]

So how old does a watch have to be to vintage? Would a 16800 (5 digit with sapphire crystal) from 1984 classify as such?

[nigelUK]

Originally Posted by 101031-28

So how old does a watch have to be to vintage? Would a 16800 (5 digit with sapphire crystal) from 1984 classify as such?

only if it has a matte dial . . . imho

its a transitional piece and classic (with WG surrounds), but not vintage ... again imho

[sillo]

There is no single consistent line where one side is vintage and one side isn't.

If you want to call it vintage go ahead. Some will agree, some won't.

[oroloi]

After your Rolex gets its first scratch

[oysterquartz17000]

Originally Posted by Meyrin

I´m new here, so sorry if this silly question has been asked before! I would be interested to know when a Rolex can be considered "vintage". I have a 1996 14060 Sub I bought new, my daily watch all these years, and personally I just think of it as an older model. But opinions seem to vary, so thanks for any enlightenment! Here's my only, treasured Rolex, been all round the world with me...
Attachment 1071150

I have a 1997 14060 and they are just fantastic watches. As for it being vintage, I tend to lean towards 4-digits.

[In-Cog-Neeto]

Originally Posted by 101031-28

So how old does a watch have to be to vintage? Would a 16800 (5 digit with sapphire crystal) from 1984 classify as such?

Please refer to the ‘official’ timeline I posted above

[037]

This topic is so old it's now vintage.

This joke is newer but it's a classic.

[oysterquartz17000]

Originally Posted by 037

This topic is so old it's now vintage.

This joke is newer but it's a classic.

When does a joke become vintage?

[Gmt21]

We need a sticky for new members and links to all these topics that get re-posted almost daily!!

[cpefy3]

Originally Posted by 037

This topic is so old it's now vintage.

This joke is newer but it's a classic.

My opinion is Plexiglas vs Sapphire but to each their own.

[Andad]

When you buy it new and you are 71 years old?

[roh123]

It’s kind of fun how people bought modern watches and when they are just old new watches they want to call them vintage. I think very few people buy a 16610 today and consider it being a vintage watch.

Don’t really understand why it is even a question. It’s not like things get worth more just because someone considers it being a vintage watch.

[dhknola]

When does a joke become vintage...I like that especially in the context of this over asked and annoying question.
Everyone has their own barometer as to what vintage is and there is absolutely no consensus. I personally feel that 5 digit and earlier are vintage, but some (many) people do not agree with that and contend the 4 digits are vintage, c'est la vie, it does not matter anyway.

[Swearengen]

if you have to ask the question it probably isn't

In my book 3 of the following 4 make vintage: plexi, lug holes, tritium and matt dial

[Seekydmk]

Personally, I'd say as soon as it's discontinued

[GradyPhilpott]

My oldest Rolex is 11 years old and I have three others that are newer, the last one having been bought in 2014.

They have been superceded in the line-up, so I guess they can be called vintage in one sense, but not necessarily antique.

I have three other Rolex watches that were produced between ca. 1971 and ca. 1989. I definitely consider those to be vintage, and were already at least 30 years old when I bought them, which I think qualifies them as antiques.

I don't really consider the newer ones to be vintage, though, even if some might.

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