I was thinking about this the other day and curious to hear thoughts/opinions from others. In terms of the broad range of brands and references in the vintage world, is there one decade in particular that appeals to you more than others?

For me, it's the 1960's and it's not even close. As I look over my own watch box, almost all of them hail from the 60's, and when I look at others that are on my grail list (Carrera 2447SN, 6239 Daytona, Nina Rindt, to name a few), they're largely from the 1960's as well. I think a large part of it is the purity of "tool" watches back then, as well as design aesthetics. IMO, proportions and balanced designs were most prominent in the 60's across multiple brands (Heuer, Omega, Rolex, Zenith, etc).

 

Tough question!
By volume, I'd say 1960's for the classic style that still translates to modern tastes. But by favorite specific examples? I'd go with Genta's Royal Oak/Nautilus/Ingenieur SL and say 1970's. Throw in Porsche Design and I'm saying 1970's for the win.

 

Same for me. 60's had a huge jump on quality and design into the early 70s

50s was a reconstruction era, 60s was back into a spirit of exploration, change and advancement and all that was reflected on design from clothing and furniture to appliances and...watchss

 

As far as watches goes then The late 60s and 70 s have it for me. I am hoping to add one or two modern ones to my collection, but I love the chunky colourful watches of the 70 s.

 

The late fifties into the early 70's is my favorite period, even though that technically represents 3 decades.

 

Haha yeah, way to skirt the question!

 

For me 40's is the best era for the most beautiful manufactured movement.
For me, many of the nicest chrono (especially highly coveted waterproof ones) are from the 40's: Longines, UG, Angelus to name a few...
Then 60's for the tool watch side I would say (if I can say two periods )

 

Being a pocket watch AND wrist watch collector, I have to say 1890 to 1940 for pocket watches (although I do have them from the 50s to 70s). Wrist watches? Based purely on the styles and not necessarily the mechanics, I would have only as 1925 to 1965. Definitely pre-Quartz (although I do have a few of those as well).

 

Post World War II to 1970 for me. Especially love the late 1940s to mid-1950s period.

 

This thread derailed from favorite decade to favorite century!

 

Limit to one 10 year stretch only, and how many replies would there have been?

 

40s to 50s..... 30mm through to 500 caliber..... all the quality in classic clean designs.

 

Ok. 1947 to 1957.

 

Limit to one year only. Easy choice-
1958 Rolex 6538
1958 Rolex 6542
1958 Rolex 5510
1958 Rolex 5508
1958 Longines Power Reserve
1958 Omega Speedmaster 2915/2998
1958 Omega Seamaster
1958 Longines Nautilus
1958 LeCoultre Geopsyhic
1958 Omega Ranchero
1958 Omega Railmaster
1958 Zenith S.58
1958 Eterna Kontiki
1958 Hamilton Pacer

Most of these are 1st year issue

What did I leave out?

 

I'll take one of each, thanks.

 

For Omega it's hard to go past this period for me. I have ventured out into the last 5 years with a Speedmaster Mark II reissue and thinking about a 2013 speedy 3570.50, but that will probably be about the extent of it.

 

My first thought was 60s, and it's definitely that by volume in my current (recently cropped) collection, but then on further reflection, two of my favorites are from the late 30s... But gun to my head, I've found some of my best and most popular watches were made right around my birth year, so I can probably narrow it down to 1967-69 to trump the rest.

 

50's for dress watches, 60's for tool watches.

But if we're choosing one Year of the Watch, I'm in full agreement with pitpro about the first International Geophysical Year, especially as regards tool watches.

Some others that come to mind:

1958 Tudor 7924 Big Crown
1958 Blancpain FF Mil Spec 1
1958 Zenith Port Royal cal 135

And (almost) the 1959 JLC Deep Sea Alarm (surely it was in the design stage, at least).

 

Wow. Wasn't even aware of this. IGY. Now I know where the JLC Geophysic name came from.
Any other attributions or tribute in horology to this period?