How old does it have to be to be considered "Vintage"?

[Ferrari308]

So, does a watch have to be a certain age or does it have to be a certain model?

In my case - I have a 1990 Submariner 16610. Its 31 years old, does that mean it's vintage?? Just an example, and I am curious what others think.



PDG

[dhknola]

OK - let's just stop this in it's tracks as this conversation comes up entirely too often.
There are no hard dates for anything to be 'vintage'; with that said most people on this site consider vintage to have a plexiglass crystal, neo-vintage for 5 digits models and the other modern drek is the modern drek.
16610's like yours dance in between as they are certainly 'vintage' age wise, but are not 4 digit vintage.
It's pretty subjective and if you search this forum, iterations of this question seem to pop up every few weeks.
Cheers!

[springer]

Originally Posted by Ferrari308

So, does a watch have to be a certain age or does it have to be a certain model?

In my case - I have a 1990 Submariner 16610. Its 31 years old, does that mean it's vintage?? Just an example, and I am curious what others think.



PDG

Try a search function in the vintage section. There are probably 50 threads here on "what is vintage?"

here is a thread to get you started.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=551004

A quick synopsis on what you will find out regarding the responses in these vintage threads:

1) There are many opinions on what is vintage - there is no consensus on "what is vintage"

2) A Submariner 16610 is not considered vintage. It is considered a "classic" or "neo vintage"

Not to disappoint, but nothing magical happens to a watch because it is considered vintage.

There you have it in a nutshell. Now, get to work with the search function where you'll find all kinds of "what is vintage" threads and maybe you'll find someone else who considers their Submariner 16610 vintage.

[Ferrari308]

Ok, so I do consider myself a relative newb to the forum. And maybe I should have used the search function - blame it on the newbness in me! :)

I personally don't consider my 16610 to be vintage at all.

I do consider my 1014 to be vintage though.

I do appreciate the answers and responses, so thank you!!



PDG

[amphr1]

newbie question, does the "vintage" label, in decent condition, automatically mean high value? is it because of rarity?

[Garywebster]

25 years is normal for many collectibles but not always.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by Garywebster

25 years is normal for many collectibles but not always.

That has held true for some things. But, definitely not for watches. I don’t think anyone would regard a 1996 Rolex as vintage.

[BDII]

For me: any Rolex with plexi is vintage, anything with sapphire and tritium is neo-vintage.

[robinmgb]

Originally Posted by BDII

For me: any Rolex with plexi is vintage, anything with sapphire and tritium is neo-vintage.

This

[Garywebster]

Originally Posted by BDII

For me: any Rolex with plexi is vintage, anything with sapphire and tritium is neo-vintage.

Agree

[16610Swiss]

Originally Posted by BDII

For me: any Rolex with plexi is vintage, anything with sapphire and tritium is neo-vintage.

So what happens if shappire turns 50 years old? Still neo vintage?

[watchmavan]

Originally Posted by 16610Swiss

So what happens if shappire turns 50 years old? Still neo vintage?

That's really just for people that really don't know what they're taking about.


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[Dr.Smellody]

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by BDII

For me: any Rolex with plexi is vintage, anything with sapphire and tritium is neo-vintage.

Rolex made watches with sapphire crystals in the 1970s. Vintage is about age, not materials.

[16610Swiss]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Rolex made watches with sapphire crystals in the 1970s. Vintage is about age, not materials.

Case closed...

[Chester01]

The term vintage is applied whenever sellers think they can get a premium best I can tell and so has variable definition.

[watchmavan]

It needs to be a min of 20 years old (preferably 25. - 20-25 I'd refer to as neo-vintage)
It needs to be no longer made
It's value should be greater than when new.

That does it for me...



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[NickD1975]

Anything pre 89 or so seems to be vintage for Rolex (around the end of plexi crystals).

Will that change? Maybe, maybe not - over the years it hasn't really for vintage guitars for example, but has for classic cars.

[Swearengen]

I think we get a different definition each time this thread goes round

For me its 2 of the following: matt dial, non-quickset and plastic crystal

[214270Explorer]

Just like asking "at what price point does a 'luxury watch' begin."

[Boopie]

Originally Posted by Swearengen

I think we get a different definition each time this thread goes round

For me its 2 of the following: matt dial, non-quickset and plastic crystal

Agreed, especially the non-quickset and acrylic crystal.

Plus the open “6” and “9” on the date wheel!

[watchmavan]

...
So for many here in the year 2200 the 2021 releases won't be vintage. Perhaps some should look at the term reletivity.


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[Dan S]

Wow, this one actually has a chance at getting to page 2. Hard to believe this topic still has legs. ;-)

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Wow, this one actually has a chance at getting to page 2. Hard to believe this topic still has legs. ;-)

I think it'll always have legs. Always happy to welcome new enthusiasts!

[watchmavan]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Wow, this one actually has a chance at getting to page 2. Hard to believe this topic still has legs. ;-)

How long does it need to be too be considered vintage!


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[padi56]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Rolex made watches with sapphire crystals in the 1970s. Vintage is about age, not materials.

Exactly it was the Rolex 5100 introduced in 1970.

[enginerd]

A 1995 plexi vs. a 1991 sapphire...I gotta go with age vs. materials.

[Chris75]

Usually 30 years, but modern ceramic Rolex will never be vintage even in 30 years, so everyone please stop collecting them.

[Ferrari308]

For your amusement here is my trilogy.

1950s/early 60s Oyster Perpetual - 1014 - definitely Vintage (I have heard/read that this one is either from 1957 or 1961, but haven't confirmed either date) It has the original leather strap which I want to replace just so that the original doesn't get destroyed when I wear the watch.

1990 Submariner Date 16610 - maybe Vintage, maybe not - depends on who is answering the question. I don't and wouldn't necessarily think this one is considered Vintage.

2021 Daytona - 116503 - notably NOT vintage. :)



PDG

[Nickyisrael]

To me, anything tritium counts as vintage. Maybe that's because I am only 20.