1963 - Watch for a 60th Birthday

[Merp]

Morning All
Its my fathers 60th birthday at the end of May.
We were originally talking about buying him a new watch, off the shelf.
He had in mind a Christopher Ward C65 Dune

I think he could be open to a nice used vintage watch from his birth year.
He prefers quite simplistic faces, with a leather strap (or atleast not a heavy metal strap)

Budget approx 750-1000 (Could stretch more if needed)

Id be interested to know which are the better reputable sites/contact to look for a watch.

Initial browsing shows alot of Omega, like this:
https://finewatchclub.co.uk/shop/omega/omega-seama...

[SpanishTony]

Personally I think I'd go with the Christopher Ward. The birth year thing makes sense if you're young and you can do the time together, but at 60 that watch has had its own life which has nothing to do with and means nothing to your father.

Plus he also said that he liked the CW.

[Merp]

Thanks. I did have some reservations about a well used (60yo) watch. Especially if im only relying on internet photos/description.
I do accept that if you are looking for something well looked after, then that'll come at a premium, maybe above my budget.

I spoke to my mum about it earlier, and it turns out that he has changed his mind on that particular watch (not entirely sure why), but that's the style he is looking for.

[Snubs]

I would want to know for any watches 60 years old where they're getting the year from? Looking at a few of the ones on the website linked to, there are no boxes / papers with the watch, so unless the watch was only made within 1 calendar year, how can you be sure? I don't believe watches of this era had any hallmarking or similar stating on the watch itself when it was made. Knowing roughly when it was made is fine if you're buying a vintage watch because you like it, but for a birth year watch I'd want some paperwork to be certain.

[Dicky Knee]

1963, a vintage year for human beings and Port.

The Omega you posted the link to has a 34mm case which will look quite dinky by modern standards. There is probably a price premium built in as a 'milestone' birth year.

If my kids wanted to buy me a watch for my 60th I'd be asking for a Mido Oceanstar GMT or Sinn 857 but only because I want a GMT travel watch-kids, are you reading this??

If your dad is looking for something a bit less chunky and for your budget I would be really pleased to get a Junghans:

https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/c/Brands/Junghans/Max...

Or a Hamilton-lots to chose from:

https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-int/h38655515-jaz...

https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-int/h42415551-ame...

https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-int/h32715551-jaz...

Farer:

https://farer.com/products/erebus

I'm sure others will be along with more suggestions

[944 Man]

I would usually suggest a Rolex 6694, which is a £500 watch, up tp possibly a £1,000 watch if exceptional. Sadly, even tat is now being pushed for £3,000. as the OP's vendor shows.

I have spent ten minutes and I would suggest ehte solid 9ct gold GP. Clearly it has had its gold bracelet weighed in, but it is still lovely for under a thousand. The older Omegas do not offer value, in my experience and as I see it.

[RD-1]

Looks like the link is dead now.

I did go for an Omega in this scenario, but agree that it’s somewhat of a lottery.

It might not be from that year or a frankenwatch, and needs a fair bit of research. I paid way less back then though.

[BrokenSkunk]

Have a look at Scotts selection at bithyearwatches.com.
Just acquired a Tissot from him for a pressie and it was exactly as described. Although none of the faults he listed were visible without a loupe.

[Merp]

Thanks all. We are still no closer, and we have less than 10 days to go...
The original CW he still isnt sure about, he would like to see it in person.

I spoke to my brother and mum about the birth year watch. My mum said they had seen some vintage watches before, and my dads comment was that he wouldnt want a "dead mans" watch on his wrist. As you say - its had its own life.

Interestingly on the CW, he changed his mind on the colour, and prefers this:
https://www.christopherward.com/watches/c65-dune-a...

On the same day he mentioned it, I found an old watch my parents bought me for my 18th Birthday, in a very similar colour combo.