Buying While Saving For A Bigger Purchase?
I’m saving up for a Longines Spirit, which is still a little ways off. But in the meantime, I’ve bought a couple $60-$120 watches. What are your thoughts? Am I sabotaging myself?
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Andrew
@GullibleAndroid
Just a man with a few too many watches, and a borderline-unhealthy infatuation with blue dials.
DeKalb, IL
Member since
Last active: 5 hrs ago
I think a combination of all of those answers. You have to scratch the itch in the meantime, however you need to buy things that you are prepared to see take a backseat once the big purchase arrives, so inexpensive stuff like Casios are fine!
Everyone is different. If you want to continue buying while saving up, you do you.
So let me ask, do you enjoy buying watches more than wearing them?
Go full Dave Ramsey. Rice and beans!
My opinion has changed a bit on this recently. I used to be all about variety and getting whatever I found interesting. But once I finally got a couple "grail" watches, I'm viewing many of those impulse buys as mistakes. Some were necessary mistakes to gain experience along the way, and some I do continue to enjoy. But I'm finding now that buying a cheap watch just to scratch an itch will probably be a mistake in the long run, and will end up eventually being sold at a loss.
Being very selective about any watch purchase is a good idea. If you genuinely like something and have good reasons for buying it, go ahead. But be wary about impulse buys.
Everyone is different. If you want to continue buying while saving up, you do you.
So let me ask, do you enjoy buying watches more than wearing them?
That's a really good question. For the most part, I have settled into enjoying what I have. But every once in a while, something comes along that really gets my attention. Probably good advice to stay focused on something that will be enjoyed long-term.
I think you can do both.
The spirit is also one of my grails.
But it's not the one and only.
The current model is still new. So have patience. In one or two years you will find it in bigger numbers (new or used) on websites like chronext for two third of the retail price.
Till then you can enjoy few other affordable watches. But do yourself a limit. Like maximum one or two a year. Otherwise it makes no sense.
If the Longines is going to be a new level of watch for you, I would focus on saving. Once you experience better watches your perspective can and will change. Once I got my first true luxury watch, my Breitling Crosswind Special, it really satisfied me as much as I hoped and more. I loved it so much I didn’t even want to buy another watch for years. Once I did decide to build a collection, I had a much better understanding of the hobby and what I really wanted. Since completing the core collection, I do pick up the occasional inexpensive piece, and enjoy those also. However, that first luxury watch was really satisfying and my advice is to focus on acquiring that before buying a bunch of substitutions.
This is a tough call for me! I'd say save for the Longines, it's a great watch. However, I'd say it also depends a lot on if you're comfortable wearing a luxury watch that costs a huge chunk of cash. I once bought a CW Sealander and despite how great it was, I felt weird wearing a watch that cost nearly $1K, so I sold it. I felt that I could've bought something less expensive and felt just as happy about it. I don't make a lot of money, but I get by reasonably well. It all depends on your financial situation and if you spend money on other things on your life that are important to you. It's all a balancing act! Good luck to you, cheers!