I just purchased a Seiko SKX399 that the seller says that is from 2004. The watch is really nice and love it. Then I realized that the watch was made fifteen years ago and made me think what is considered a vintage watch nowadays. I have watches from the fifties, sixties and seventies and those were my “vintage” watches. What do you consider a vintage watch? Is there a specific time when the watch becomes vintage? If there is another tread like this I am sorry. I tried to do a search but couldn’t find anything.
It’s a moving target. No? +1 on 70s. But after some point the 80s will be vintage. Perm and hairspray on stand by.
Technically for a Customs perspective it’s 25 years. In watches for me it was midnight, 31 of December 1979
...and my ‘93 BMW M5 which I have owned since 2005 is now considered historic...that blows me away...I’m old.
My 83 Bulova is not considered to be vintage according to online Bulova collector sites. They place the cut off date around 1979. Still I like this old watch and its very well made, well proportioned and with a mineral glass crystal and fairly classy Swiss movement. Excellent near new condition and I got it for a song. Even some Quartz Watches should be considered vintage. Older ones were unnecessarily complicated and used batteries no longer available. Other electronic types are certainly collectables. At least those that still work. My Timex electric watch of the 60's stopped cold during a narrow gauge train ride around Iron mountain. Never hit another lick. Field strength of magnetic ore deposits around here are so strong you can feel it in your blood.
Tritium, acrylic crystal and a pain in the ass to have serviced = vintage. Early 80s and older in my book.