Leaving a watch untouched for over a decade
Discussion
So, hypothetically, if you buy a watch now, then put it somewhere in a nice non humid environment for the better part of 18 years, what could you expect?
If quartz I'm thinking the battery might have leaked? If mechanical?
Any ideas or best practices if you'd want to do this?
Reason: I'd like to buy my newborn a watch for his 18th birthday, from his birthyear.
If quartz I'm thinking the battery might have leaked? If mechanical?
Any ideas or best practices if you'd want to do this?
Reason: I'd like to buy my newborn a watch for his 18th birthday, from his birthyear.
Depends how much you are planning to spend.
If you are looking at a grand or more, buy a 2017 watch secondhand in a few years, maybe on his first day at school, or his birthday. Put it away, and get it serviced before handing it over. A lot cheaper than buying new now - unless you are thinking of getting a Rolex.
A few hundred quid or less, buy new now.
An 18 year old quartz would be a gamble.
If you are looking at a grand or more, buy a 2017 watch secondhand in a few years, maybe on his first day at school, or his birthday. Put it away, and get it serviced before handing it over. A lot cheaper than buying new now - unless you are thinking of getting a Rolex.
A few hundred quid or less, buy new now.
An 18 year old quartz would be a gamble.
clockworks said:
Depends how much you are planning to spend.
If you are looking at a grand or more, buy a 2017 watch secondhand in a few years, maybe on his first day at school, or his birthday. Put it away, and get it serviced before handing it over. A lot cheaper than buying new now - unless you are thinking of getting a Rolex.
A few hundred quid or less, buy new now.
An 18 year old quartz would be a gamble.
Was looking at a year old (2016), a couple hundred (~300 GBP) automatic.If you are looking at a grand or more, buy a 2017 watch secondhand in a few years, maybe on his first day at school, or his birthday. Put it away, and get it serviced before handing it over. A lot cheaper than buying new now - unless you are thinking of getting a Rolex.
A few hundred quid or less, buy new now.
An 18 year old quartz would be a gamble.
I was thinking about getting it now or maybe next year as now these are still very easy to find in mint condition.
I like the suggestion of wearing it once in a while, as an alternative, just found this on another forum:
forum said:
I work on vintage watches, so I'll start by saying that they are like most mechanical things. If you do not use them, they won't get worn.
Now, this is obviously for the mechanical parts. Over time, greases and oils and seals will go bad. The greases and oils are no biggie. The seals may be if they are special ones (like between the crystal and the case). But if you are talking about a O-ring for the case back or a gasket for the crown, chances are you will be able to find a generic replacement.
So personally, if I were to want to give them away in 16 years, I would put them in a waterproof/resistant environment like a safe for 15 years. In the last year, I would find someone to clean and re-lube them before giving them away.
Cheers!
Dan
Now, this is obviously for the mechanical parts. Over time, greases and oils and seals will go bad. The greases and oils are no biggie. The seals may be if they are special ones (like between the crystal and the case). But if you are talking about a O-ring for the case back or a gasket for the crown, chances are you will be able to find a generic replacement.
So personally, if I were to want to give them away in 16 years, I would put them in a waterproof/resistant environment like a safe for 15 years. In the last year, I would find someone to clean and re-lube them before giving them away.
Cheers!
Dan
Edited by ZesPak on Monday 21st August 10:25
thebraketester said:
Buy said watch.
Wear the watch.
Keep it maintained.
Get it serviced and the case refinished just before you give it to him.
It will probably mean more to him then, the fact it was 'dads watch'
Exactly this I inherited my Dads 18k sub with all the patina that went with it, and all of the memories of him wearing it!!Wear the watch.
Keep it maintained.
Get it serviced and the case refinished just before you give it to him.
It will probably mean more to him then, the fact it was 'dads watch'
ZesPak said:
So, hypothetically, if you buy a watch now, then put it somewhere in a nice non humid environment for the better part of 18 years, what could you expect?
If quartz I'm thinking the battery might have leaked? If mechanical?
Any ideas or best practices if you'd want to do this?
Reason: I'd like to buy my newborn a watch for his 18th birthday, from his birthyear.
Bear in mind that you will be giving him an 18 year old watch at the point in his life when he will probably most want something fashionable, not classic. Twenty or so years later, then perhaps he will see the appeal of a watch bought on his birthday. Or then again he might not.If quartz I'm thinking the battery might have leaked? If mechanical?
Any ideas or best practices if you'd want to do this?
Reason: I'd like to buy my newborn a watch for his 18th birthday, from his birthyear.
I did think about doing something similar, but instead I am going to take my children out when they're 18 and buy them a watch of their choice.
So said:
Bear in mind that you will be giving him an 18 year old watch at the point in his life when he will probably most want something fashionable, not classic. Twenty or so years later, then perhaps he will see the appeal of a watch bought on his birthday. Or then again he might not.
I did think about doing something similar, but instead I am going to take my children out when they're 18 and buy them a watch of their choice.
Of course I thought about all of this. Still going to do it, it's not that much money so I thought it'd be a nice idea.I did think about doing something similar, but instead I am going to take my children out when they're 18 and buy them a watch of their choice.
ZesPak said:
So said:
Bear in mind that you will be giving him an 18 year old watch at the point in his life when he will probably most want something fashionable, not classic. Twenty or so years later, then perhaps he will see the appeal of a watch bought on his birthday. Or then again he might not.
I did think about doing something similar, but instead I am going to take my children out when they're 18 and buy them a watch of their choice.
Of course I thought about all of this. Still going to do it, it's not that much money so I thought it'd be a nice idea.I did think about doing something similar, but instead I am going to take my children out when they're 18 and buy them a watch of their choice.
Your money, your call.
Tastses change, fashions change. Larger watches are in fashion at the moment, but that will change. Unless you commit a lot of money and buy a watch that seems to have timeless appeal like a Submariner or similar, you will probably find it'll look dated and out of fashion in 18 years time.
You'd be better off to buy him something in 18 years time or do something like the sovereigns as mentioned above.
You'd be better off to buy him something in 18 years time or do something like the sovereigns as mentioned above.
I don't think children these days are interested in watches the way "older" people are . I was pleased to get a watch for my 18th but when I ask my older daughter if she'd like one for her 18th she isn't bothered either way ( wants a car for her 17th though - if only I'd bought her a 964 Porsche ( or whatever ) in 2001 and kept it in the garage ....
Just to close off this thread, found a nice manual wind 2nd hand Victorinox Airboss 241381.
Somewhat oversized but far from the biggest watch in my collection at 45mm (only noticed the size after buying it
).
I'll probably just wear it occasionally and keep it as mint as possible:
It's my first manual wind as well. Unitas 6497 movement, whatever that may be? Doesn't ring a bell for me.
1 year old, 250 GBP including shipping. Haven't found it new for less than 500.
PS: yes, this is actually a gift for myself, deal with it
Somewhat oversized but far from the biggest watch in my collection at 45mm (only noticed the size after buying it
).I'll probably just wear it occasionally and keep it as mint as possible:
It's my first manual wind as well. Unitas 6497 movement, whatever that may be? Doesn't ring a bell for me.
1 year old, 250 GBP including shipping. Haven't found it new for less than 500.
PS: yes, this is actually a gift for myself, deal with it
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