What is a vintage watch?
Some people think it is pre- 1980 while others well argue that anything over 25 years old or 50 years old is vintage, however everyone can agree that a vintage watch comes with history, each vintage piece will have patina from years of wear, and for many that means they are each unique and aged just right.
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Biniam
I was born in Eritrea,living in upstate New York, I absolutely love watches especially vintage ones, I can't explain Why I own these watches, the only thing I can say is This is definitely my Passion.
Rochester New York
Member since
Last active: 9 hrs ago
I like 25 years as a measure. It is arbitrary, but it fits all sorts of things from comic books to electronics to furniture.
The same folks who have a hard time believing that the Tag they bought with their first real money in 1995 is vintage, had no problem back then imagining their father's 1970 watch was vintage. That is just the way of it. It is vintage unless it applies to us.
One that is distinctly recognizable as non-contemporary to the casual observer. Certain iconic watches don't seem vintage because they still look too much like the current models (insert most grail watches here) even if they are almost 40+ years old.
Orphan brands or uniquely styled watches, even other limited rarities of certain types can make the cut even if fairly new. A 90's Oakley watch is vintage to me, but a slightly earlier Rolex is just an old Rolex. But if it's a Mickey Mouse or Domino's Rollie, that's vintage because they just don't make them like that anymore.
But yeah, 25 years is a good rule of thumb because that's like cars: it's past the point where one has the item for practical purposes in most cases.