I have been a watch enthusiast for nearly twenty years. I can count over 100 watches that I have owned in that time. I suspect the actual number is closer to 120. Now, I realize that some of you own over 100 watches at this very moment! Nevertheless, I think my experience is sufficient to share in the context of this discussion…how should one approach the selection of their first or next timepiece?
It can be tempting to play “tick the boxes” when looking for a new watch. You want a three-hander with no date on a brown leather strap, for example. Or, you “need” a blue dial in your collection. Of course, as our collections grow, we will inevitably crave more specific watch features. I must stress, however, that buying any watch is illogical to begin with because all watches are quite useless and unnecessary. This is a hobby of passion and emotion, not logic or reason. I think you should choose the watch that keeps you awake at night. Toss logic out the window. Follow your desires and damn the rest.
I have made this mistake many times - buying the watch I thought I “needed” rather than the watch I “wanted.” I applied my experience when I bought my Limited Edition Seiko from Atelier Lou last spring. The last thing my collection “needed” was another diver or another watch on a rubber strap. But I had fallen head over heels for the SPB335 with its contemporary-yet-retro style and lovely proportions. I treated myself to the Seiko, even though a dress watch would have been far more “useful.” I followed my lust and I love my Seiko.
You will never build a rounded or “diversified” collection by following my heart-on-your-sleeve approach. But that should not matter. feel that any watch only has one job - to provide joy. Watches are expensive, unnecessary luxuries and they should, above all, provide enjoyment and pleasure.
Another illustration from my own journey can be seen through my biggest mistake in this hobby. Ten years ago, I bought an ultra slim, manual wind, formal style watch - the greatest watch I have ever encountered. A few years later, I sold that watch after noticing that it had sat idle in my display box for over three months. Big mistake. The watch was discontinued soon after and is as rare as hens’ teeth on the grey market. I realize now that, if I only wore that watch six times per year, it would still be a favourite in my collection. I have little use for formal watches, but I loved that piece nevertheless.
Budget is a personal aspect of your next watch purchase. I will say this, however - I never regretted spending too much on a new watch, but I often regretted holding back. Around 11 or 12 years ago, I stood inside a boutique with my then-dream-watch on my wrist. With a price of $6,000, I walked away because that sum of money seemed excessive to me at the time. In the years that followed, I spent double that amount in “revenge spending” trying to make up for my lost opportunity. The lesson is that I should have bought the watch I really wanted in the first place. Be responsible and live within your means, but do not sell yourself short. At the same time, never confuse a high price with high satisfaction. I have favourite watches today that cost less than our last family meal at a restaurant! I am saying - try to buy what you like without too much compromise.
Ironically, I always tell people to ignore reviews and blogs when looking for a new watch! My advice is simply to follow your desires, block out the noise, and buy whatever makes you FEEL something. After two decades in the hobby, I care very little about hype, status or any of that. Different watches attract me for different reasons and the next attraction is always right around the corner. And when the time comes for my next timepiece, my heart will drive my decisions.
Yours truly,
TimeCaptain
It can be tempting to play “tick the boxes” when looking for a new watch. You want a three-hander with no date on a brown leather strap, for example. Or, you “need” a blue dial in your collection. Of course, as our collections grow, we will inevitably crave more specific watch features. I must stress, however, that buying any watch is illogical to begin with because all watches are quite useless and unnecessary. This is a hobby of passion and emotion, not logic or reason. I think you should choose the watch that keeps you awake at night. Toss logic out the window. Follow your desires and damn the rest.
I have made this mistake many times - buying the watch I thought I “needed” rather than the watch I “wanted.” I applied my experience when I bought my Limited Edition Seiko from Atelier Lou last spring. The last thing my collection “needed” was another diver or another watch on a rubber strap. But I had fallen head over heels for the SPB335 with its contemporary-yet-retro style and lovely proportions. I treated myself to the Seiko, even though a dress watch would have been far more “useful.” I followed my lust and I love my Seiko.
You will never build a rounded or “diversified” collection by following my heart-on-your-sleeve approach. But that should not matter. feel that any watch only has one job - to provide joy. Watches are expensive, unnecessary luxuries and they should, above all, provide enjoyment and pleasure.
Another illustration from my own journey can be seen through my biggest mistake in this hobby. Ten years ago, I bought an ultra slim, manual wind, formal style watch - the greatest watch I have ever encountered. A few years later, I sold that watch after noticing that it had sat idle in my display box for over three months. Big mistake. The watch was discontinued soon after and is as rare as hens’ teeth on the grey market. I realize now that, if I only wore that watch six times per year, it would still be a favourite in my collection. I have little use for formal watches, but I loved that piece nevertheless.
Budget is a personal aspect of your next watch purchase. I will say this, however - I never regretted spending too much on a new watch, but I often regretted holding back. Around 11 or 12 years ago, I stood inside a boutique with my then-dream-watch on my wrist. With a price of $6,000, I walked away because that sum of money seemed excessive to me at the time. In the years that followed, I spent double that amount in “revenge spending” trying to make up for my lost opportunity. The lesson is that I should have bought the watch I really wanted in the first place. Be responsible and live within your means, but do not sell yourself short. At the same time, never confuse a high price with high satisfaction. I have favourite watches today that cost less than our last family meal at a restaurant! I am saying - try to buy what you like without too much compromise.
Ironically, I always tell people to ignore reviews and blogs when looking for a new watch! My advice is simply to follow your desires, block out the noise, and buy whatever makes you FEEL something. After two decades in the hobby, I care very little about hype, status or any of that. Different watches attract me for different reasons and the next attraction is always right around the corner. And when the time comes for my next timepiece, my heart will drive my decisions.
Yours truly,
TimeCaptain