With the ongoing theme of discussion (here and here) being vintage reissues, maybe you’re wondering if it’s time to get one for yourself. Well, you might just find the answer here. To get things straight, no, I haven’t had the luxury of comparing any reissue with its vintage reference. So rather than telling you if reissues are as good as the vintage references that they’re based on, this article briefly discusses the pros and cons of a reissue that can be taken into consideration before buying one.
Let’s jump into it, so why should you buy a reissue instead of hunting down the vintage version? To start off, maybe a good point to think about would be the intended usage of the watch. If you’re an avid believer in the idea that a watch needs to be used for its intended purpose without being treated like a baby, maybe going the reissue route might be the better choice. Put it this way, which diver would you take out on a diving trip, the vintage Longines ref.7042 or the reissued Legend Diver? As cool as the first option sounds, practicality does come into play for many and that is the first advantage that reissues bring to the table. To add on, reissues come in modern-day materials and specifications. Hence, this gives us more reasons to wear these beauties out as they’re supposed to. For example, the presence of significantly better power reserve in the reissued Certina DS PH200m compared to its vintage reference definitely comes in handy when you’re feeling a little lazy to set the time. Besides, you get better lume performance too!
On the downside, reissues tend to lack a crucial element that separates it from a vintage piece, that is, character that develops with age. Although there’s always faux patina to fall back to and the fact that modern materials would retain its look for a longer period of time, it’s never the same. But again, it all boils down to preference. Other than aged character, more often than not, proportions on reissues seem to disappoint us. Maybe this is why many enthusiasts would rather take the vintage route even if that means investing more hours to find one in the right condition. Hey, that’s part of the fun anyways! Sadly, often times, they really don’t make ‘em like they used to. However, as smaller sizing seems to be making a return based on recent releases, maybe this won’t be an issue not long from now.
To conclude, if form does not outweigh practicality for you, going for a reissue might be the better option. However, if you’re a person of detail who’s looking for period correct elements and materials, going the vintage route might give you more satisfaction.
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