Birthyear Watches
Hello Crunchers,
As the title suggests, do you guys have a thing for birth year watches? Do you aim to have one in your collection as you go along this journey?
I’m past my 50s and any birth year watches will mean high maintenance, accuracy issues and fragility. Also a good watchmaker that will repair and maintain it can be difficult these days. Haha only good thing with such watches will be the rarity and also the patina!
I recently came across one and I’m tempted to get it just because it’s my birth year watch but the accuracy is +40sec/day which I guess is not bad considering it over 50 years old?
Anyways, just wanted to find out how important Birth year watches mean to you Crunchers. Have a great weekend guys.
Trying to keep to a 7 watches collection
I like the idea, but haven’t been able to find anything in my birth year that I like.
I like the idea, but haven’t been able to find anything in my birth year that I like.
Randomly scrolling the internet and happened to stumble upon a vintage piece and thought’not bad looking’ and ‘Hey it’s also a watch from my birth year!!!’ It’s just an excuse for me to add another watch into the collection which I don’t really need… 😂
Randomly scrolling the internet and happened to stumble upon a vintage piece and thought’not bad looking’ and ‘Hey it’s also a watch from my birth year!!!’ It’s just an excuse for me to add another watch into the collection which I don’t really need… 😂
You just described watch collecting as a hobby. :)
I don't but am interested in getting one. The thing I always wonder is how do you know exactly what year it was produced? Most info I see is about a particular movement being made between this and that year. Maybe there are other queues, but I don't think most watches have anything that identifies them as being mad in a specific year. Even knowing the year it was first purchased doesn't tell you for sure.
For me close is probably close enough, but it would still be nice to know.
I think birth year watches are a relatively new trend, never heard anything like that when I first started collecting but if it gives joy, why not? Not for me though.
I don’t get it.
I don’t want a 1970 watch for it being my year, I’d get if it looked amazing and I figured it was in good condition and would be ok on maintenance
For me - It’s feels too vainglorious to seek out a watch for that purpose alone
I understand the desire to capture a moment in time using a watch...very prosaic.
It doesn't drive me at all, but I definitely can understand the allure for some.
Just like purchasing a watch to celebrate a wedding, a birth, a promotion, etc.
I actually use the birthday, Christmas, anniversary, bonus, profit sharing, dividends...pretty much anything to justify purchasing another watch.
So, even if it isn't your thing, it certainly is another good excuse to buy a watch...
Maybe you should look for a birth year reissue watch...then you get the birth year part in with modern functionality and reliability.
So, if you were born in 1968, then you could purchase the new TAG Heuer Skipper reissue as your birth year watch.
If you were born in 1953, then you could purchase the new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms reissue to celebrate your birth and hitting the 70-year mark.
I don't but am interested in getting one. The thing I always wonder is how do you know exactly what year it was produced? Most info I see is about a particular movement being made between this and that year. Maybe there are other queues, but I don't think most watches have anything that identifies them as being mad in a specific year. Even knowing the year it was first purchased doesn't tell you for sure.
For me close is probably close enough, but it would still be nice to know.
Seiko has the production date stamped on the case back and for the older ones, month as well. As for other brands yeah it’s just production within a period. Unless we use purchase dates as a ‘birth year’? It’s just an excuse to have another watch 😂
I understand the desire to capture a moment in time using a watch...very prosaic.
It doesn't drive me at all, but I definitely can understand the allure for some.
Just like purchasing a watch to celebrate a wedding, a birth, a promotion, etc.
I actually use the birthday, Christmas, anniversary, bonus, profit sharing, dividends...pretty much anything to justify purchasing another watch.
So, even if it isn't your thing, it certainly is another good excuse to buy a watch...
Maybe you should look for a birth year reissue watch...then you get the birth year part in with modern functionality and reliability.
So, if you were born in 1968, then you could purchase the new TAG Heuer Skipper reissue as your birth year watch.
If you were born in 1953, then you could purchase the new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms reissue to celebrate your birth and hitting the 70-year mark.
That’s a good point. Yes the reliability issues kinda worries in the long run. I like wearing my watches and I don’t baby them so regular use might ultimately cause it’s demise sooner…
I had a birth year watch and it was this Orient Chandor
My mum though was wanting a watch and really liked it so I gave it to her. Generally though the upkeep issues put me off buying them.
I had a birth year watch and it was this Orient Chandor
My mum though was wanting a watch and really liked it so I gave it to her. Generally though the upkeep issues put me off buying them.
That’s such a nice thought and a beautiful watch! How old was that watch when you decided to get it?
That’s such a nice thought and a beautiful watch! How old was that watch when you decided to get it?
38 I only got it last year.
I'm lucky to have been born in the 80's. My birth year watch is a Seiko 7A38 chronograph. A mecha-quartz watch with a jeweled, all metal movement that has a reputation for sturdiness and can be easily serviced if necessary. Birth year watches are a neat idea and being able to choose something like that to be mine makes it a no-brainer for me.
I don't really commemorate past biological functions. Normally I'd applaud anything that got people to stop being so timid about vintage, but the birth year watch fad is way too lame. As @thekris points out, watches don't really have identifiable model years, so this is all chasing rainbows. I would blame marketers for this goofy trend, but I see no evidence of this. It seems to be self-indulgent people that lack the confidence to perpetrate their excesses without a plausible excuse. And apparently if that compromises their desires into getting some questionable 70's watch, they are malleable enough for that. I can condone none of this.
I'm lucky to have been born in the 80's. My birth year watch is a Seiko 7A38 chronograph. A mecha-quartz watch with a jeweled, all metal movement that has a reputation for sturdiness and can be easily serviced if necessary. Birth year watches are a neat idea and being able to choose something like that to be mine makes it a no-brainer for me.
That’s a really nice watch. Wear it in good health
It’s hard to lug around a sundial and they’re not very accurate in the office.
I’ve thought about it. Occasionally surf Chrono24 for my birth year watches. Mainly Seikos since they are affordable, I like the styles, and many sellers will post case back pictures showing the serial number. So I’m on the lookout for a birth year AND month watch.
May you find the one you like 🍻
This is one of my collection, a 1971 King Seiko - I need to create a post with my collection and their story but this is just an epic watch - its just had a restoration and is regulated to +1s a day - I find that not just in watches but in many things in life that older products are made with more care and attention and with an actual customer in mind - including the automotive industry. The watch in question cost around 35k Yen in 1971 - perhaps half a year salary then - which explains why its going so well 52 years later
Amazing! Those KS are great watches, something like a Camry😅. I think the Lord Matics are also reliable but a level down from the KS movement? If I’m not mistaken, KS has a high beat movement.
Amazing! Those KS are great watches, something like a Camry😅. I think the Lord Matics are also reliable but a level down from the KS movement? If I’m not mistaken, KS has a high beat movement.
LMs were not in the same league as the king Seiko 56 movement, this was also used in grand Seiko - this had a power reserve of 47 hours, and this is the late 1960s, the movement is hi beat it's written on the dial - Chronometer Grade - these watches were so good that the swiss created their own Chronometer spec called COSC so they could complete with themselves and not the Japanese
I did get one. I searched eBay and got a full on Bangladeshi Special from 82. I paid $45 and another $200 or some ridiculous sum to get it running properly from a local shop/swindler.
I almost never wear it but it’s rad.
Birth year watches are in fact a thing. It isn't something that interests me but I ended up getting a birth year watch that just happened to be handed down to me. I would never go seeking one out, that's for sure.
1985 Seiko 6309, with a bunch of mods. 12 hr bezel, Forstner J bracelet on random end links, and aftermarket dial and hands. Serviced, pressure tested, and ready to go for another few decades.
The 80's we're pretty good for Seikos.
This is one of my collection, a 1971 King Seiko - I need to create a post with my collection and their story but this is just an epic watch - its just had a restoration and is regulated to +1s a day - I find that not just in watches but in many things in life that older products are made with more care and attention and with an actual customer in mind - including the automotive industry. The watch in question cost around 35k Yen in 1971 - perhaps half a year salary then - which explains why its going so well 52 years later
Agree with all of that. Classic King Seikos are fantastic... Many had full balance bridges before they were cool. I always wonder what's keeping manufacturers today from just recreating those old movements with modern materials.
My wife gifted me a birth-year watch: a Seiko Lord Marvel from 1968. ❤️
Agree with all of that. Classic King Seikos are fantastic... Many had full balance bridges before they were cool. I always wonder what's keeping manufacturers today from just recreating those old movements with modern materials.
Yes apart from the movement, the case shape are also gorgeous. Size wise also very wearable
Id love to.. but ‘89 luxury watches are either dinged up, over polished or overpriced so no luck.. yet!
During COVID, I sourced this watch. And I'm very thrilled that this is my birth year watch. It's something that grounds me as I get older, reminding me that time will make fools of us all - especially, as my generation grows older and older through each coming year. It's a learning curve for sure
Id love to.. but ‘89 luxury watches are either dinged up, over polished or overpriced so no luck.. yet!
Hope you may be able to find your watch soon!
During COVID, I sourced this watch. And I'm very thrilled that this is my birth year watch. It's something that grounds me as I get older, reminding me that time will make fools of us all - especially, as my generation grows older and older through each coming year. It's a learning curve for sure
Congrats! That’s definitely a birth year watch worth getting. And keeping ❤️
Congrats! That’s definitely a birth year watch worth getting. And keeping ❤️
Thank you! I wanted to have something that is would wear if one day I no longer wanted the hassle of watch nuances and collecting.
This watch tickles my fancy now and perceived old me