I was thinking about the various CWC special editions, reissues and even the occasional limited edition and wondered what other people's views on them are. As a few examples we have had the 1980 Auto and 1983 RN Quartz Divers, the W10 1972 Mellor and even on the G10 front there was a recent limited edition 80 for the airborne. These sold out on pre-order but a few are listed on e-bay at present and are selling for a premium above the original list.

To balance the discussion an original 1980 Auto diver is rarer than a Rolex Milsub (rarer, but not more expensive) and a genuine 1983 Quartz wouldn't be cheap either. However, original 1976 W10s and the G10 Fatboy from 1980 and 1982 can still be bought for fairly reasonable prices, although they are a lot higher than they were a few years ago.

So do the reissues and special editions have a place when originals are almost impossible to buy, or is the money better spent on something original and issued. A case of buy the best you can with the money available. We have discussed the residuals of the modern releases on other threads, so not looking to repeat that here, more the principal of which to buy, original or modern reinterpretation of an original watch.

Interestingly, the G10 for the Airborne was opened up to the general public when for other limited editions you have to be a serving or past member of that organisation in order to qualify for one.

Thoughts?