In a July 2020 Fratello article, watch writer Gerard Nijenbrinks named five vintage watches he says he wears, plus a Breitling Aerospace as a bonus. The list is a personal selection—not a universal ranking or a current buying guide. His practical advice for anyone considering daily wear is to have the specific watch assessed and serviced by a capable watchmaker first.
What counts as a vintage watch?
Nijenbrinks notes that watch enthusiasts often use an age of 30 to 35 years as a working guideline for “vintage.” He contrasts that with antique dealers’ conventions, which he describes as calling items over 20 years old vintage and those at least 100 years old antique. He does not treat age alone as decisive: condition and functionality matter too. These are the article’s descriptions and personal view, not a binding industry standard. Read the original Fratello article.
The five watches in Nijenbrinks’s list
The watches appear in chronological order by year. The reasons below reflect the author’s account and preferences, not comparative testing.
1. Rolex Day-Date ref. 1803 (1967)
Nijenbrinks prefers his yellow-gold 1803 to a later 18038 he previously owned. He describes the 1803’s vintage appearance as less flashy than the later model’s flat dial and sapphire crystal. That is his aesthetic judgment, not a general assessment of either reference.
#1 Best Overall
- ELEGANT & DAINTY DESIGN: Featuring a beautifully crafted oval dial with a white finish, this bracelet watch combines jewelry-style elegance with modern simplicity. Its slim profile and delicate bangle design add a refined touch to any outfit, making it the perfect accessory for both casual and formal occasions.
- ACCURATE QUARTZ MOVEMENT: Crafted with reliable, high-quality quartz, this timepiece ensures accurate timekeeping with minimal maintenance requirements. You can rely on it to keep you punctually on schedule while adding an elegant touch to your wrist—truly a choice that combines style with practicality.
- A COMFORTABLE WATERPROOF WATCH TO WEAR：With water resistance of up to 30 metres (3 ATM), thiwatch can withstand daily splashes and rain. Lightweight and thoughtfully designed, it sits comfortably on the wrist all day long. Crafted from premium materials, it provides a secure yet delicate fit for most wrist sizes, combining effortless comfort with everyday durability.
- THOUGHTFUL GIFT READY: This gold-toned bracelet watch, presented in exquisite packaging, makes a truly memorable gift for birthdays, anniversaries or celebrations of achievement. Its timeless allure and refined appearance will make every woman feel cherished and stylish.
- FRIENDLY REMINDER AND AFTER-SALES SERVICE: Please carefully review the detailed product specifications (case diameter, thickness, strap width, strap length) before placing your order. The strap length accommodates wrist circumferences ranging from 5.51 inches to 7.0 inches. Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
2. King Seiko ref. 4502-7001 (1970)
The 4502-7001 is a hand-wound model with a 36,000-vph movement. The article also mentions the automatic ref. 5626-7113, which beats at 28,800 vph. Nijenbrinks praises the case design and says he likes the honest appearance of his unpolished examples; he credits their technical servicing to his watchmaker.
3. Omega Speedmaster Professional ref. 145.022 (1971)
This Speedmaster Professional uses caliber 861. Nijenbrinks says he feels more comfortable wearing it than a serviced caliber 321 Speedmaster because, when he wrote in 2020, he regarded 321 spare parts as scarce and expensive, while caliber 861 remained relatively easy and cost-effective to service. That parts comparison is dated and should not be taken as a statement of present-day supply.
Rank #2
- Vintage Bohemian Dial Design —— Retro-inspired round dial with artistic color blocks and bold numerals, blending vintage café style with bohemian aesthetics for a unique and eye-catching look that stands out in daily wear.
- Easy-to-Read Large Numerals —— Clear oversized numerals and high-contrast colors make time easy to read at a glance, perfect for everyday use, travel, or casual occasions.
- Comfortable & Lightweight —— Strap combining woven fabric and leather, offering the breathable comfort of fabric with the durability and structure of leather for long-lasting wear. Slim case and flexible strap provide a lightweight, comfortable feel on the wrist, suitable for all-day use without pressure or irritation.
- Reliable Quartz Movement —— Powered by precise quartz movement to ensure accurate timekeeping with minimal maintenance, suitable for women who value both style and practicality.
- Perfect Gift for Her —— A thoughtful gift choice for birthdays, holidays, Mother’s Day, or daily fashion wear—perfect for wife, mother, girl friend, friends or bestie. Suitable for women of all ages who love retro, boho, and artistic accessories.
4. Tissot Navigator ref. 44646-3X (1974)
Nijenbrinks bought this as a less conspicuous watch for places where he did not want to wear a more expensive one. He identifies its automatic movement as a 21-jewel Tissot 2481 and notes that its date is quick-set through the crown, an unusual feature he accepts. The article also describes historical Omega–Tissot cooperation; that account is the author’s framing here.
5. Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 3700/1 (1978)
Nijenbrinks calls the Nautilus his flagship vintage watch. He says he bought it roughly ten years before the article appeared, while running a watch shop; it retained its original papers and had recently been serviced at Patek Philippe in Geneva. These details concern his own example, not every 3700/1.
Rank #3
- 【Size】Case Diameter: 27mm (1.1"); Wearing Circumference: 150mm-170mm (5.9"-6.7"); Case Thickness: 8mm; Band Width: 12mm; Weight: 18g. Adjustable length with two snap buttons.
- 【Vintage Layered Bracelet Watch】Designed with a multi-layer structure combining retro brown leather straps, braided cords, and rustic wooden beads, delivering a punk rock aesthetic and a trendy stackable look in one single piece. Adorned with a delicate antique-bronze leaf pendant that sways gently with movement, adding an elegant, nature-inspired touch to contrast the bold, rugged leather style.
- 【Dual-Snap Customizable Fit】Features two heavy-duty snap buttons that easily adjust to two distinct wrist sizes, ensuring a perfectly customized and comfortable fit for various wrist shapes without squeezing or slipping.
- 【Precise Time Keeping】High quality Japanese quartz movement provides precise and accurate timekeeping. With this wristwatch, you will not miss any important meetings or dating. (Package Includes and extra battery)
- 【Versatile Fashion Gift Idea】This leather bracelet is a perfect statement accessory for casual wear, music festivals, or cosplay, making it an ideal and stylish gift choice for your friends, family, or anyone who loves bohemian and vintage fashion.
The bonus: Breitling Aerospace ref. F5606 (1994)
Nijenbrinks includes the Aerospace as a bonus, describing it as only on the brink of vintage by his age guideline. He warns that failure of its analog-digital movement or module could make the watch impractical to repair. At the time of his 2020 article, he reported that Breitling no longer had the original module available; this does not establish its current parts status.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you wear a vintage watch every day?
It may be possible, but the age or original specification of a watch cannot establish whether a particular example is suitable for daily use. Nijenbrinks’s advice is direct: “After the acquisition of a vintage watch, have it first thoroughly serviced by a capable watchmaker.” He recommends discussing what can be replaced, what repairs are feasible and whether parts remain available, then arranging regular service. Service is not a guarantee against future failure or a promise that value will be preserved.
Rank #4
- Women Watch Design:Quartz movement ensures accurate timekeeping for everyday wear. The collision of a slim and flat rectangular case with Roman numerals brings retro charm to modern fashion, showcasing the minimalist, refined and elegant style of modern women
- Retro Womens Watch: Timeless ladies watch with classic and vintage design, Retro Rectangle Dial / Dainty Leather Band, great for Cocktail Party, Evening Party, Prom or Wedding
- High-Quality Strap:The strap is made of high-quality leather with a smooth texture,this material is soft to the touch, and its pliable nature conforms to the wrist without discomfort over long periods of time. Adjustable belt length from 14 cm to 20 cm,suitable for most of women’s wrist
- Retro Womens Watch: Timeless ladies watch with classic and vintage design, Retro Rectangle Dial / Dainty Leather Band, great for Cocktail Party, Evening Party, Prom or Wedding
- Daily Water Resistant:In general, this watch can withstand splashes or brief immersion in water. However, it is not recommended for swimming or bathing.
Checks that matter before regular wear
- Water resistance: Gaskets and crowns age, and corrosion may affect a watch worn over decades. Have the individual watch assessed; do not assume it retains its original water resistance.
- Crystal: Older watches may use plastic or mineral crystals that scratch more readily than modern crystal materials, as the article notes.
- Magnetism: Nijenbrinks says mechanical watches may be more vulnerable to the higher presence of magnetism in modern life than many contemporary watches. This is a general comparison in the article, not a quantified measurement.
- Parts and serviceability: Wear can require replacement components, and discontinued parts or manufacturer changes can make some movements difficult or impossible to repair. Ask a qualified watchmaker about the exact reference and movement.
How to use this list when choosing a watch
The article gives personal context, not the standardized evidence needed to rank these watches by performance. It provides no current prices, accuracy tests, reliability data or equivalent water-resistance measurements. Treat the examples as a snapshot of one collector’s rotation: the Rolex for a particular vintage look, the Tissot as a less conspicuous choice, and the other models for reasons specific to the author’s watches and experience. Before buying any vintage watch for daily wear, make the condition and serviceability of that individual example—not its age or reputation—the deciding considerations.
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