"But for that price I could get..."

CONSTANTLY, which is why I usually don’t spend much time looking at microbrands that cost more than $1k. If I’m going to shell out real coin for a watch, I want to know I’m buying a brand that a) I know will be around in 5 years and b) is established enough that I know for sure it’s worth what I pay for it. 

See, your 'b' is another very good point. A few times I've seen brands being revived from the dead after presumably falling to the quartz crisis some 50+yes ago (Fears is one, Alsta is another). The problem I have with this is the question of whether this is a brand with true heritage and hence can charge the bigger bucks, or are they essentially a micro brand that has bought an old name to trade under? 

I do, but the results vary from brand to brand. Fears, while a revival brand does have some tradition and by all accounts, they are well-made watches by genuine enthusiasts trying to revitalize British watchmaking. I totally respect and admire that. That said, I really want a Fears Brunswick, but for $3500, it is a hard pill for an ETA 7001 based watch. That movement drives many <$1k watches. Yes, the movement is not the whole watch and there is more to a watch than that, but as one of the points of comparison, it cannot be ignored. Yes, they service and refinish it, but ultimately it is still at ETA 7001.

If this was <$2000 or less it would be a no brainer. Needless to say, I have alerts all over the place for a second-hand one should the opportunity present itself.  

Yes, I think I'll have to do the same with alerts for this archival. I'm not sure I could justify the RRP. The other option is to wait until either the Black Friday or Boxing Day sales for a 20% off at Jura. That would still make it £2.7k... which would still probably be too much for me.... Will depend if the loves grown by then (or it may well have sold out!)

At least a choice has been made 👍 The datejust is a FINE watch.

I would be tempted at 20% off, or even if I did a factory tour, but alas, being state based it is almost impossible to see their selection in person, nevermind find a place like Jura.  

I think we all play the mind games for sure. That Fears model is quite beautiful - and if you love it, I say dive in. All the other brands and models will still be there to admire and enjoy, and the best part is you’ll have something a bit more unique than anyone else. Good lucky with mental thumb wars - in the end, I am betting you still come out on top whatever your choice is! 🍻

Wise words. Thank you 🙏☺️

I don't do this for watches, but I do for all sorts of other stuff:  "Honey, why did you buy the Charmin?  For 6-rolls of Charmin, I could have gotten us 48 rolls of institutional-use toilet paper from Costco!"

All this is being said, while waving my arms around like a madman, Omega PO in titanium on my wrist.  WTF is wrong with me?

Nothing. Nothing at all. 😉

I definitely went back and forth on that when I bought my Zodiac, since they’re one of those brands that was resurrected. The difference, for me anyway, is that they’ve got the backing of a major brand - even though Fossil doesn’t actually have anything to do with their actual watchmaking process. It give them a solid infrastructure that you don’t get with brands like Shinola. 

I decided in my early 20s that no matter what happens in my life, there are two things I will never skimp on: good coffee, and good toilet paper. Life is not worth living if you have to survive on Folger’s and Scott toilet paper. 

100% agree

I do that a lot with anything that costs more that a couple hundred. The other struggle is FOMO I’m fighting a inner battle right now as there are Traska watches in stock which may last another hour. Lol

Analysis paralysis? All the time. For what its worth, Fears watches have been calling to me for quite a few months now. I love the salmon dial Brunswick. Damn you, fears for having such sexy watches.. 

You can only spend each dollar once, so I constantly compare a purchase I'm considering to what else that same amount of money could buy.

well said, i know fear from adrian from bark and jack. i used to think that fear is a cheaper option for reverso, now i know the price. thx

I do the cost comparison all the time, it helps me determine if it's something I actually want long term, or just something I think might be cool to have. 

It has saved me from a lot of impulse purchases, and means I generally buy only what I will make use of long term.

Also, anything less than 3 ply is just being cheap... Get a bidet if you want to save money. 🤣 

I love the Fears Brunswick Blue.  Absolutely beautiful.  I discovered Fears about a year and a half ago.  At first I played those mind games you're playing.  "I could buy an Omega for that price, etc, etc."  However, I never been able to get that watch out of my head.  At this point, I no longer have those qualms with purchasing the watch.  I've grown used to the idea, and it will probably be the next watch I purchase.  Although you can find similar looking watches, there is just a depth and amazing design quality to them.  It actually have begun to think that maybe the watch is actually great value at that price.  Either way I'm just going to go for it when I have the money.

I hadn't heard of Fears until this thread.  WOW.  That's pretty much everything I'm looking for in a luxury mechanical watch.  The movement is a bit basic, but really, it goes to show how much of the value of the watch is in the other elements.  I love their transparency, their dedication to sourcing the best that they can (although I think a watch of this calibre deserves an applied logo), their obvious pride in these watches.  Not cheap but to my mind the value in a Fears is more evident than in most mainstream luxury brands. 

I want one.

And a bidet! Huge quality of life improvement.

Please share your experience and pictures if and when you get your hands on one 🙏❤️

The other thing I discovered on their website is that they will lend folks watches for free for their interviews so they can make a good impression. I think that's wonderful ❤️

I do this with everything in my life not just watches. when buy something I always think "What else could I get for the same money that might bring me more joy?" This has helped me with many purchasing decisions. So I kind of feel the opposite way of you about this, in that I wouldn't call it tormenting I would call it a "helpful guide to buying things" but I do get where you're coming from.

Love how half the thread has taken a hard left detour into shoes and bidets.  🤣

On the original topic, I think it’s natural and prudent to think of watch purchases in terms of opportunity costs, not just with respect to other watches you can buy but also other life’s wants and needs.

Agree 100%.

I also ask myself “how many hours of work will it take to pay for this purchase?”

I like to just follow my heart on these things. If it’s something I really like and it’s not the common popular thing to buy for that price, then that’s all the better. I like being unconventional.

Don’t choose a watch that’s what everyone else would like to see. Be brave and follow your heart. If it makes you happy every time you see it/wear it, then it’s the right choice for you! 

An interesting point of that watch - fears pays more for the hands than the movement.  You're right, you can get the ETA 7001 in a watch less than 1k and you can get 50cent hands. Its not about whether the watch is value - its about what you value.

Almost never - I think of watches as luxuries not whitegoods, my microwave/fridge/dishwasher/vacuum has value for money for watches never do.

For me its simple - do I want the watch for my collection? can I afford the watch? 

if yes it goes on the buy list, after that its just a matter of timing between watches on the list.

i feel the same way. i love fears, would love a brunswick champagne. but at 3.6K USD, i feel like i could get a longines for a thousand less. or i tell myself that I'd want it to be all in-house at almost 4K. but maybe one day i will cave in and do the "buy what you love" regardless of movement at a the spicy price point.