Birthday watch ideas

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Roger F

·Feb 14, 2021

As watches produced in 1995 become officially vintage I am looking to take some money saved for my son who was born the same year and buy him a Rolex that we can pass on to him soon so he can appreciate and treat as a family legacy.
He has always loved the brand and I would like something that is a classic
I have a budget which isn’t huge in Rolex terms of around £6000 and have overdone the research getting down to Explorer 2, Datejust or original Explorer.
I know it comes down to personal choice but I would appreciate your thoughts or indeed be interested if anyone has a suitable watch for sale
Thank you

 

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Happy

·Feb 21, 2021

One of the most underrated Rolex's out there IMO
So comfortable on the wrist, can wear it with any type of clothing and suitable for any age.

Might be a little biased because I own it, but I really think it would be the perfect watch for you. Probably fits your budget too.

 

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asrnj77

·Feb 22, 2021

Prices are jumping quickly but if you can grab a polar 16570 or even a black one from 1995, that would be perfect. Traditional Explorers are also nice but your son might prefer a 40mm over 36mm.

If you can take a trip to the US I think you’ll find your money goes a lot further and you can come home with a gift for him.

 

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JwRosenthal

·Feb 22, 2021

The 14060 Submariners are still in that range. Last of the tritium dials with lug holes- a true underrated classic.
Here’s mine from the same era

I am also a big fan of the 14000 Airking as it’s a true classic.

 

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Davidt

·Feb 22, 2021

In the U.K. you're really struggling to get a 14060 Sub in that price bracket.

All of the watches you've suggested are great. I love the 36mm Explorer but it's more of a niche watch now and less of an everyday watch perhaps for younger folk.

Out of those 3 I'd go with an E2 or textured dial DJ.

 

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Borosilikat

·Feb 22, 2021

I think the best Rolex you can get for around 6000GBP would be the Explorer 1 214270, great modern Rolex build quality, classic styling, dependable movement and overall well-made.

(Yes I am very biased :^))

 

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Dan S

·Feb 22, 2021

Borosilikat

I think the best Rolex you can get for around 6000GBP would be the Explorer 1 214270,

If you read the first post, you'll see that OP is specifically looking for a watch from 1995 for a particular reason.

BTW, that is the most half-hearted wrist-shot I've ever seen. Photography works better with light. 😉

 

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Alfista88

·Feb 22, 2021

I second a polar Explorer II, or a 14060. A 16600 SeaDweller is also a cool choice, but has sadly crept up in price too much.

Would he be open to an Omega from the same time frame? You could get a very nice 2531.80, and have the majority of that budget left. Maybe pick out a selection of stocks for him with the amount left-over, and in 10 year's time, he can have his pick in any 1995 Rolex he wants with the proceeds 👍

 

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Foo2rama

·Feb 22, 2021·Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can.

Did the T-Bird still exist in 1995?

I vote DJ. That watch does everything and will never go out of style for dress or casual. I’d look for a grey dial.

 

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JwRosenthal

·Feb 22, 2021

^^^ why not a ‘95 Speedmaster? Talk about an iconic watch, still the tritium era, and you can get one full kit for around half your budget (ok, maybe a little more). You could even get the speedy and a 14000 Airking (I am biased) one for sport and one for dress. Still under your £8k budget

 

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Dan S

·Feb 22, 2021

JwRosenthal

... your £8k budget

I think you're up-selling the OP. 😉

 

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Dan S

·Feb 22, 2021

OP, the thing about the 16570 is that it's a love-it-or-hate-it watch (I'm trying to be diplomatic here), so you really need to make sure that your son likes it. Functionally they're virtually identical to a GMT-Master, but if you compare prices for 1995 pieces you'll see a pretty big difference, and there's a reason for that.

A 14270 is a safer choice, and a more versatile watch. A Sub is also pretty safe. A DJ can also be pretty versatile, as long as you stay away from two-tone. You could even find one with a smooth bezel, which is a little less blingy.

 

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JwRosenthal

·Feb 22, 2021

Dan S

I think you're up-selling the OP. 😉

Sorry, I got carried away. I love spending other people’s money. And with a budget of £12k he has a whole bunch of options 😉

Isn’t his son worth it? 😎

 

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kip595

·Feb 22, 2021

I think a key factor nobody has asked yet is: what's your son himself like? If born in '95, he's certainly old enough to have some individualist characteristics - is he a London society gent (probably more DJ) or an out in the fields with the side-by-side sort (Exp 2, IMO)? Or perhaps the Explorer I for the no-nonsense do everything and do it with sophistication vibe?

 

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Dan S

·Feb 22, 2021

JwRosenthal

Sorry, I got carried away. I love spending other people’s money. And with a budget of £12k he has a whole bunch of options 😉

Isn’t his son worth it? 😎

I think a 14060 might still be within the realm of possibility, although things definitely seem to be more expensive in the UK.

 

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JwRosenthal

·Feb 22, 2021

Dan S

I think a 14060 might still be within the realm of possibility, although things definitely seem to be more expensive in the UK.

Indeed. In the US you can get them for $8-9k full kit generally, maybe a little less for clean no box/papers. I don’t care about box & papers but may be a nice to have as a gift.

 

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Alfista88

·Feb 22, 2021

Dan S

OP, the thing about the 16570 is that it's a love-it-or-hate-it watch (I'm trying to be diplomatic here), so you really need to make sure that your son likes it.

Well then, the model is truly living up to its nickname as the 'polar' Explorer in more ways than 1 ..........

 

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Dan S

·Feb 22, 2021

Alfista88

Well then, the model is truly living up to its nickname as the 'polar' Explorer in more ways than 1 ..........

I see what you did there. 👍

 

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kristal

·Feb 24, 2021

DJ is a great option, I would say a bit more "formal" than the 14060 or the Explorer. However, you have a lot of different options and you can make a choice more tailor made to the specific style of your son. If he is more sporty, then a 14060 could be the best option IMHO but I think the price could be a bit higher than the aforementioned budget.
Anyways, you can't go wrong whatever you decide!

 

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Roger F

·Feb 25, 2021

Many thanks to all
Took an bit of advice from a forum member and without giving the deal away got a reaction from the boy himself
He fancied a Daytona! (Don’t we all)

Polar Explorer is looking good but I’ll have to chip in a bit more but hey he is my boy!