Modern Reissues of Vintage Watches - Thoughts?

I like them.  I also think it is a win/win/win for everyone.  People who like the look but want modern specs are all set.  People who can't afford the vintage models can probably get into the reissue at a better price.  The reissue raises the awareness of the vintage models and makes them more desirable.  

It is a balancing act however.  Brands  like Tudor get a lot of flack for putting too much emphasis on the Black Bay and neglecting the rest of the catalog.  I think that in the end they will produce whatever sells.  I'll be interested to see what Tudor drops tomorrow.

I love them.  For me, watch design peaked in the '50s and '60s.  I think that companies put out phenomenal looking pieces when they revisit those designs.

As always I like what you have written.

I just registering a slight complaint about Bulova shamelessly stealing designs from their back catalog earlier today.  I like brands that can borrow from the past, but are not trapped producing homages to their own vintage watches.

I am also not a fan of faux patina.  I think Longines is doing an injustice with their speckled paint. That watch was probably more white than cream originally and earned those age spots.  Of the watches that you mentioned clearly Tudor and Breitling do a better job of borrowing from their past. I am one of those contrarians who believe that watch design peaked after end of the Second World War and before the Tet Offensive. In Breitling's case they slightly cleaned up a nearly perfect pilot watch.

I also thought the speckled paint was a bit much. It reminds me of when my dad would ask me in horror "You mean you bought those jeans with holes already in them?!" 

I'm also a fan of 50s and 60s watches--but my favorite right now is 70s watch design. 

I love that - it is a win/win/win! 

Absolutely LOVE reissues!

Reissues that I've bought over time...

Hmmmmm...

But, now that I think about it, of those 6 reissues, I only continue to have the Seamaster 300 in my collection, and I'm actually thinking of moving that one on...

So, maybe I just really like the idea of modern reissues, but revealed preference is that I ain't really that fond of them?

noooooo, don't let go of that Seamaster 300. It's gorgeous 😍

Sorry, but that's a no from me.  Society as a whole completely and utterly lost its collective fashion sense in the 70s.  I mean, come on, avocado green refrigerators?  What were they thinking?!

Look deep into the dragon’s eye and admit that 70’s had style:

Cool article.  Since the Speedy is my grail, I love modern reissues. It's great to buy a new watch that hearkens back to the past without having to brave the potential risks of buying vintage (questionable provenance, frankenwatch, mechanical issues, etc.).

It's good to have a choice.  Also, the modern reissued Speedmaster got me into collecting in the first place and now I have both vintage and modern watches.  

Though maybe my 1861 Speedy will become vintage.  Just rationalizing my disappointment that Omega announced the new 3861 Speedy seemingly right after (well the year after) I bought my 1861.

Yes, boo to avocado colored fridges. But some watch designs were awesome! I’m pretty basic, I love the Nautilus, Royal Oak, 222, Oysterquartz, Timex Q, PRX, Tank Must, modern Santos…all seventies born 

This article is well written and definitely is on a subject that appeals to me, even if it is written about watches far above my own collecting tier. 😂 I have been enjoying reissues of classic models from brands on lower tiers like Timex, Seiko, Casio, Bulova, and Armitron. 🤣

As always, enjoyable and interesting! 👍

You made some excellent choices there - hopefully you didn't take too much of a loss when you flipped them. 

Glad that I am not on your list when you are selling...I already have a problem as you can see in my posting to this thread.

Excellent! What a fantastic collection of reissues - so very cool. Bravo!

I love the Planet Ocean - such a great design for the Seamaster - probably my favorite Seamaster reference.

ohhhhhhh that salmon-y Breitling Datora is stunning! 

As always, you have a fantastic (enviable) selection of watches @ChronoGuy 💪

Merci beaucoup Celine!

Thanks! That's an awesome collection you have there as well!

Great article. I haven’t anything more to add to the topic than 2nd what seems to be the general opinion. There can’t be anything wrong by copying, or be inspired by, successful and popular vintage designs into a robust and reliable newer version. Hopefully to a more affordable price.

The Aquastar and the Yema are absolute class

I don't like them. . . I LOVE them!!!  I think you summed it up best in your article (which was a fantastic article) you get the look without the hassle.  Two years ago when I got the bug to start collecting watches, it was the Q Timex reissue that got me interested.  I even got a comment asking if it was an old watch.  I don't want to hassle with vintage because let's face it, you don't know what you are going to get inside.  It's the look I like, but with something that will be reliable and last.  I really wish they had this option with cars.  I would love to drive a 1964 VW but with the safety, engine and amenities of today.  

I put that Accutron 2020 in the same league as Grand Seiko’s Spring Drive in terms of technological achievement in watchmaking and I truly lust for one but alas, my skinny wrists cannot support a 43.5mm case diameter and 15.4mm thickness.

How do you like yours?

Well I have the good fortune or misfortune of having 7.5 inch wrists - all that working out in the gym in University. Great for large case sizes but terrible for beautiful vintage timepieces in the sub 36mm category.

The Accutron is a beauty - I have the SpaceView 2020 Limited Edition - I swapped out the original black strap for the green alligator strap released last year.

It looks amazing on wrist and it is mesmerizing watching the turbines spin. 

I really need to wear it more often - not only because it is beautiful, but because you need to have those turbines spin periodically or you can damage the watch. But I definitely don't want to put it on a watch winder.

Most of my favorite watches are vintage inspired designs. I love retro cool! Nice article btw. 

I love them, but like a few others in this thread, I wonder what it says about modern watch design. Taking inspiration from the past or weaving in signature design elements into new designs is one thing, but brands that deliberately and constantly reissue old watches as new, over and over again - what does this say about them?

They been doing a good job on these retro watches. I might as well have one or two. 

Its nice its all depends I notice they done it a lot for example Timex brought the Marlin,Q, Snoopy and some retro digitals. Brings back some spice to the watch community. I like variety myself there a lot nice retros out there.