Heart says yes, but head says no...

Yes, I'm finding that my $300-$1,200 watches give me just as much satisfaction as my $4,000 watch. My interest in Rolex, Omega, etc., has faded somewhat due to the large diminishing returns in this area of totally unnecessary spending. Luxury watches have a high opportunity cost.

To me, it isnt even about the name on the dial. It is just that particular watch. I also have an eye on the Smiths Everest PRS-25, but that watch is almost as hard to get as a Rolex...

I don’t see any problem with trying to score a hard to get item, especially if it’s not a financial burden. As long as it isn’t an obsession to the detriment of other responsibilities, and you’re willing to be patient. 

I totally feel this.  I've learned that, for me, if a purchase isn't a 100% yes, it should be a no because the outstanding conflicts will never resolve.  

Yes I finally bite the bullet, bought a Rolex no date sub, wanted one forever. You know what? Live is short! Buy the watch! 

What are your financial goals? Is it to retire by a certain age? Will spending $7,700 now ($188k in 30 years pre-tax assuming growth rate of 10.7%) derail you from retiring at that age? For some people it’s okay, for others it’s not 

I can totally relate to this quandry. I faced the same thing before I bought my Omega (my first, "big" watch purchase). I always wanted an Omega because I've lusted after them for years and because buying one would have signified to me that I've reached a level of success in my career that justified the purchase. But I'm such a practical person that I struggled with the decision for a long time. Like the thread starter, I didn't want to buy multiple cheaper watches to fill that void. I think I am in the minority on this, but I don't get the same enjoyment from my cheaper watches relative to what I get from my more expensive pieces. I wear my Omega and my Oris 85% of the time and I do that because they are the most comfortable, tell the most accurate time (other than my quartz pieces of course) and are the most interesting to look at. Quite frankly, they justify the price I paid for them.

Putting myself in the author's shoes, I would buy the watch. I don't think they will regret it.

I wish I could say the same, but I somehow have the urge to make the next watch an even "better" watch. I wish my cheaper watches would make me as happy as the expensive ones, but as soon as I wear my Oris, I want to switch to e.g. my IWC within an hour.

This sounds super snobby I guess, but I’m not able to change that. I don‘t have a gatekeeper mentality, I don’t judge or exclude others by the price of their watch or the like, I don’t wear my watches to show off, I rather cover them with my sleeve when in public,… When it comes to my own watches I’m super weird 😞

The only cheap watches I love are my G-Shock and the MoonSwatches. But the middle ranges (Tissot, Alpina, Oris, …) don‘t get much wrist time.

I try to really buy anything that I think I cant afford.  I don't make impulse buys. Sleep on it.

I’d personally rather buy the one more expensive watch that I really crave instead of many mid-range watches that I end up selling with a loss anyway. But since I’ve joined WC I found, that I belong to a minority with this opinion and I’m totally not mad about that. I think it’s a virtue to enjoy every watch on the same level.

I personally don't have a $4000 watch, but I found myself absolutely loving watches that don't come with the opportunity cost associated with spending $8K.

A $1K CW gives me great wearing pleasure, and the other $7K can be used for other hobbies. 

Also, sometimes what we think we want isn't actually what we want once we have it. 

I dreamed about buying a Subaru WRX  for years, then finally I bought one after I got divorced (YOLO). I was over the moon for about three weeks, and then it started failing to live up to what I had hyped it up to be. Young women(I was 25) weren't impressed by it, and while fun to drive, I had the police watching me like a hawk. After 6 months I traded it at a massive loss... 

The time to buy is when you see it.

Oh I feel you. I think every person has to have "that limit." And I am not referring to the amount of money you have in your savings. I am talking about the "price of reasonability." There is a difference between splurging and reckless spending, but it is a fine line. 

If this is a splurge for you, then I say go for it. The Explorer is a fantastic watch that I hope to own some day. But if your closest family and friends (the ones that truly know you) advise you that it is a reckless buy, then I would wait. You want to be able to enjoy your watch and not feel the financial regret every time you look at it. 

My 2 cents: Buy it. Buy it and enjoy it, and if you find out you don't like it you can always sell it on the used market at close to MSRP

I get it. I have a hard time wearing my budget watches after buying an IWC. The quality difference is very noticeable. Once you get a luxury watch it can be hard to go back to affordables.

It is! It's on my list, maybe since i started this whole watch hobby. And i also appreciate my g-shocks as much as my more expensive watches. It is not the brand name speaking to me, its this particular watch.

Well, it is an older model, and i could get it under the retail of a new one...i see your point. Im also not a big fan of that waiting list game, and generally, im not like a rolex fan. Its just the Explorer line, wich i really like.

Let me elaborate on this in a way that (hopefully) gives some context on @Danielduesenglied 's post....

(and I suspect many WatchCrunchers are also into cars: because of the fusion of engineering and design)

I had the chance to get my "grail" car - a 911 GT3...but it would have used all my available "fun car" funds. In the end... I didn't. Instead I bought a new 718 Cayman GTS 4.0...and a new Land Rover Defender.

This is not a decision I regret. I now have choices. For fun drives I have a mid-engine sports car which is 90% of what a GT3 would have been (for my use case) but I also have the option of an awesome comfortable and extremely competent off-road vehicle.

On top of that (and this is the bit that may be most relevant to the to OP's post): when I see someone driving a GT3 I feel the same way as I do when I see someone wearing a Rolex: "I can't tell if you're really into it, or if you're just getting the 'obvious' choice". When I'm in the GTS 4.0, most people think it's just a Cayman - only those who know, know.

You could spend that Rolex money on two or three choices that would be the same quality but fit for different purposes but only true watch enthusiasts would truly "get".

But that's just my 2 cents - if YOU want it (and you can) then get it.

The heart is a fool. There are certainly things that warrant seemingly extravagant expenditures, but if you can't convince yourself, there is almost certainly a very good reason for that.

Unless one has a very hard heart or head, the fact that one can't overpower the other is a sign that either the passion isn't sufficiently there or that the brain knows best that this is a foolish choice at present.

If you can afford it and it's a good deal. Get it bought, wear it and if you're not comfortable wearing it put it away for a while and come back to it later. Or wait for it to increase and then sell it.

I'm with you, I love the Explorer.  I've run through this in my mind, and I just think everything with a crown on it is priced higher than it should be.  That said, I might still consider a used Rolex.

In the end, we're all different.  I mentioned that I always think about the several watches I could have for the price of something like this, but the truth is that I might still choose the single watch.  Especially if it's something I've wanted for a long time.  Because I also think "well, will I have this much money to spend again?  Will I have another shot at this watch?"

And that's why I always write my thoughts but end up with "buy what you love and will wear".  Because not only shouldn't you do what I say, it's not even clear I'd do what I say.

Hey mate, please go with the one you want. if not, you will regret. only one life! 

Personally, I find it very hard to spend a low 5-figures on a watch versus a higher amount paying a vacation for my family.

Watches are things. Things are not important. If things get in the way of your family or the more important activities of life, then you should avoid those things.

However, if you have discretionary funds, then buy those things that please you most. 

For some that is the one amazing watch they have always desired. For others it may be a collection of mid-priced vintage watches. For others it may be a salmagundi of inexpensive, moderately priced, and/or luxury watches.

We have collectors who focus on a brand: Timex or Seiko, others who focus on a model within a brand: Casio G-Shocks, and others who only want their three watch collection of a sport watch, a dress watch, and a rugged/beater watch.

Quantity versus Quality is an ever persistent question with no right or wrong answer.

Just remember you have only two wrists - on the other hand (pun intended) you can wear a different watch every day.

My life motto has been "Why choose?"

If a frivolous purchase you've wanted to make for the past week is enough $$$ that it makes you hesitate, listen to your head. If it's a year later and you find yourself still wanting that same thing, listen to your heart and pull the trigger.

There have been more instances than I can count where I've seen a new watch online and thought "I must have it. NOW!" But I always table it, for another week...another month... And nine times out of ten, I end up concluding "meh, glad I didn't actually do it."

Watches are fun no matter what price point they're in. But I do think, for the most part, you do get what you pay for. Yes, the level of return diminishes greatly as you go up in price, but there are increased returns.

I love my Orient Mako II. In fact, if I didn't know better, I'd have been perfectly happy with it and would not have entertained the idea of getting a similar watch (or another watch at all).

But I know (from trying on other watches) that the bezel action isn't quite right. The winding doesn't feel very satisfying. The crown is too small. The OEM bracelet is jangly. The precision isn't there.

I'm not sure where the line for me to stop noticing improvements is at right now. But if I could afford it, I would go for the Rolex, especially as the SS models are still pretty difficult to come by. You can always buy the other watches another time.

I love Rolex but when someone asks me to pay extra for something that in retail comes ridiculously less (black market comes to mind) then I know I am a sucker. I will never be a sucker. 
Suckers for example go to Mykonos and pay 300$ over a drink.

No, not for me.

Look if your financially stable and have no debt to speak of, your family has all it needs, a roof over their heads and their healthy and living a comfortable life, you have spare cash for those unexpected moments, like your car dies or the refrigerator needs replacing. If your financial future is looking good and you have the spare cash at hand then why not buy your grail piece now. I don't see the point in buying 2 or 3 cheaper watches just to scratch that itch, you will only regret it later on.

My current gold is to buy a Sinn 356 chrono, so roughly 4K AUD, at present I'm three quarters of the way there and have been tempted so many times buy other watches and I too have often had the thought run through my mind "You could have 3 or 4 decent watches for that money" but would I be happy, and the inevitable answer I always come back with is NO, I'll still want that 356. 

I've owned literally hundreds of watches in my 20 years in this somewhat ridiculous hobby, buying on impulse, adding just to complete a certain line up of watches, going down the vintage rabbit hole and now in my late 50's, for me, I just want a small collection of the watches I want to wear every day, not just store them away like some trophy to be admired, that's just pointless in my opinion. They don't all have to cost thousands of dollars either, just be pieces that speak to me and make me happy, even if it is a G-Shock or a Timex makes no difference, you have to be happy wearing it nobody else.

Of course just my opinion so make of it what you will, we all have our own lives to live.

In my experience, there is not a more blah day than the one after I buy my grail watch. I am always left with the lingering question, "Now what?"

That is not to say you shouldn't go for it if you feel compelled. I know that in my heart of hearts I can only have one watch at a time. And that watch is never my grail.

Good luck. Follow your heart.

--Michael

Just get it since you have the funds, find out if it's everything you thought it would be, otherwise you'll always be wondering.  It's an easy watch to move on should you have buyers remorse.