Birth year watches.
There is something quietly compelling about wearing a watch made the year you were born. It ticked through the same decades you did. Enter a year above to search our collection, or browse by decade below. Every watch is individually inspected in London, honestly described, and shipped free within the UK.
Why a birth year watch
Collectors have chased birth year pieces for decades, and it has never been easier than now. The pre-owned market has opened up a world of vintage watches at prices that would have seemed impossible a generation ago: a Seiko from 1982, a Swiss dress watch from 1968, a bold quartz piece from 1975. A fixed year also gives a search purpose, which is half the pleasure of collecting.
As gifts, birth year watches are hard to beat: for a 30th, 40th, 50th or 60th birthday, a watch made in the recipient's year says more than anything new ever could. If you are hunting for a specific year, our guide to finding your birth year watch explains how vintage watches are dated and what to look for.
Frequently asked questions
What is a birth year watch?
A birth year watch is a vintage watch manufactured in the same year you (or the person you are gifting it to) were born. It connects the wearer to a specific moment in history, worn on the wrist.
How do you know what year a vintage watch was made?
Through serial numbers, reference numbers and movement calibres. Some brands, like Seiko, encode the year directly in the serial number; Swiss makers are dated through published serial charts. Each of our listings states the estimated year of manufacture.
How much does a birth year watch cost?
Less than most people expect. Honest vintage pieces from the 1960s to the 1990s typically range from £60 to £300 in our collection, with finer Swiss examples above that. The year matters more than the price tag.
Can you help me find a watch from a specific year?
Yes. Use the year search above, or get in touch and we will keep an eye out for pieces from your year as new watches arrive each week.