So, what is your definition of vintage? Something I'm always intrigued by as pretty much everyone has their own interpretation.
Cheers,
I've been looking for a nice, vintage Speedmaster to wear and a non-Omega collector friend sent me this one (145.022-78) which he described as "looks nice, and comes with the box." So I bought it for a very reasonable sum.
The watch looks completely unworn... other than a few tiny marks from rattling around in its plastic case for nearly 40 years.
So... should I wear it? Or put it away and look for another vintage Speedmaster that has seen more use that I can wear daily without fear of damaging it?
So, true...the discussion about "what is" can be both maddening and intriguing!
My day job is in the art world so the biases I bring to defining vintage are somewhat bound up in my everyday work environment. "Vintage" to me has to have some tangible connection to value. The fact that X is "old" doesn't make X valuable. We give value to things that are rare, that have some historical significance, that have in their material nature something that is inherently valuable (like a precious metal). There are other things to be sure, but that's a starting point for me. I also look to see how close something is to it's original form.
Anyway, I have discussions like this with my watch collector friends quite often and it's inevitably a lively and enriching conversation.
Lastly, for what it's worth, I'd define the OP's watch as a "classic" as opposed to a (valuable) vintage watch. Again, this is only my humble opinion.
Beautiful watch in exceptional condition. Complete package as a bonus. 馃憤
Really like it.
I do see two ways:
1. You do keep the watch and wear it the way you like. But first get the movement serviced by a competent watchmaker (NOT Omega, well you could but it would get unnecessarily complicated, if they should do it, as it is best for that watch). Better not to wind it until it is serviced. The community might be able to help you finding competent watchmakers.
2. You sell it. Please inform the community here, when you do. Some of us might be interested in it. In that case do not let it be serviced, as the buyer will have its own preferences. Then buy a watch you would like to wear, maybe with more signs of usage than this one.
I have gone both ways in the past and for me the watch is the deciding factor, which way to go.
OK, so the OPs watch does not meet your criteria due to $ value? Or I guess there is also intrinsic value due to rarity, which in this case I can see why it would not apply. In the wine world I believe vintage simply means very good, with the year not being so important.
I take a simpler approach and in my mind if it is tritium or tritium era I would still call it vintage.[/QUOTE
If it doesn't look as though it has been worn, somone will suggest it is no longer original, and contains a lot of service parts. Wear it, but don't abuse it.
Omega will over charge? or does Omega have similar rules like rolex where they do not service watches that x amount of years old
Thanks again to everyone for bringing up the pros and cons of wearing this one. You all did bring up some points that I hadn't considered.
I think I'll wear it for a day around the house and then put it back in the box and save it for the future... near or distant, don't know yet.
I wear all my watches, so my ultimate goal is to find a nice one that I can wear frequently. I think there are others out there who would find greater joy than I would in a watch that is mint with the box and papers such as this one... so I'll save it for them and find a used one I can wear with abandon.
