Spend it now VS Discipline

It’s not easy, but if I want a watch enough I’m usually able to focus on it and not buy other stuff.

Simple. Toy with the infatuation, imagine wearing the watch for 20 years N it's all worn out n faded or broken... N then...

Don't buy it. 😁

I find that the longer I collect the easier it is to remain focused. It still isn't easy, like you said.

Good advice. I can't let my imagination run away with me and romanticize it as the next Pepsi GMT. 😁

I like the question! If we’re enthusiastic about, watches that can be a catch all phrase for ‘collector’ which in turn can be a catch all for ‘compulsive’. To be clear the terms are too broad and fuzzy for any reasonable accuracy.

I have learned to my regret - and indeed at times sharp regret - that it is much more sensible and satisfying to hang on and wait.

The desirable watches of the moment will not likely disappear forever into a void (there are exceptions, no doubt) within a decade. The one you dearly love and admire for its exemplary watchness just might, if you waver.

Yeah, the allure of new watches for the sake of new watches has worn off a little over time so it’s easier. That said, I’m always looking at vintage watches online.

Once you realise that you’ve spent more on ‘affordable’ watches in 6 months than the cost of the watch you really want but tell yourself you can’t afford it gets easier.

🙂

I've recently moved to the idea of only really purchasing a watch when it is a significant moment in my life

If I knew what to look for in vintage watches, it would be a dangerous time for my wallet.

😆 That way it's not an impulse. You've slept on it.

You've hit the nail on the head mate. It isn't easy n I totally feel you. When I first started, I didn't intend to start a collection (don't we all?)... Then after a few hundred videos later, here I am with 10. 😅 The main issue is that we won't really know:

1. Do we truly like the watch or just the fascinating marketing finesse or even just the idea of having that particular watch?

2. Even after dispelling some 'undesired notions' about the watch, to dissuade/delude ourselves from spending that sum of money, including any possible regrets later... The temptation to buy may still remain strong.

Of course, the best way is probably to try on that watch n see how it looks on your wrist n that obviously involves an investment of which we can't forsee how it may work out eventually.

I recently saw a watch renting service n honestly, I just might try it. 😁

I'm curious about how renting would work too. I hope it won't be like renting a car. You reserve a speedy. When you go to pick it up they tell you it hasn't been returned but they can offer you a mission to the moon for the weekend instead. 😄

I'll let you know after I tried it mate... Though I don't mind if they don't have the watch that I wanted n asked me to try a watch that's been to the moon before... 😁 🌕🤣😂

Discipline. I have been collecting watches since the early 2000s and procuring what you really really want is the most satisfying. You can start with one entry level piece or two, but at the end, you will want the timepiece that speaks volumes to you.

Spend less on placeholders as if you're lusting for that higher end Swiss or Japanese timepiece, also note that these end up appreciating in price new or used. Note that I recently read that over the past five or so years some brands upped their retail prices by 25%+. Used prices, even though are cheaper, also follow suit. So if you keep on buying placeholders and your dream watch fund doesn't fill up.

Of course, bottomline is, it's your money. But spend wisely.

I'll await your review.

100% the same. It is so hard to keep saving especially if the target is not close enough. For example; I was planning to sell 4 of my watches (Seiko spb245j, meistersinger Metris blau, Longines Conquest automatic 41mm black and a claudebernard slimline automatic gold pvd). And save a little bit tonadd over them to buy my second watch which i can pass through generations: Nomos Club Sport 39 Smoke dial. Which i believe one of the best gada watches in watch indistry ever. It would be the best companion to my Longines Spirit 40mm white dial. But after selling 2 of them (meister and seiko) somehow i couldn't stop myself to buy the original quick release bracelet for the Spirit which cost me 450€ and dropped my budget sharply. But, I don't have any regrets about it. Definitely it was a good decision, since investing on a watch which i'm not planning to sell ever and keep it for generations (also because of some personal reasons) not a bad thing. It is still one of the most versatile watches i've ever seen. But after that, even if i sell the other two with their best values, i had to save 800-850€ more. I decided to keep the other two and buy a watch from the same brand which i love: Nomos. Just added 150€ to my remaining budget and asked for a discount and bought the Nomos Club Campus 38 electric green. Since i'm in love with green, in couldn't be more happier than this. But for sure club campus 38 is not as versatile as the club sport 39. Currently i'm releaxedand dont have that pinching feeling to buy sth new. And now started to save for that 39mm sport too already. When i reach around 2K budget, i'll sell the conquest that day and definitely buy that one. And will have my dream collection. Don't get me wrong but my dream collection does not have any Rolexes, APs or Omegas etc. I love things that i can wear any second without compramise. It is not related with how rich i am or not.

Retail prices have gone up quite a bit over the last few years. With that said, many of the bigger brands are having a hard time actually selling watches which leads to discounts and lower prices on the used market. I've been tracking numerous models from the likes of Omega, Grand Seiko, Tudor, Tag, etc... and almost every model is cheaper on the used market today than it was 1 year ago. There are models that have stayed the same or gone up, but most have gone down on the used market.

This

Or this

Both could weigh the same but I guess it's up to you which one you find tastier.

The 5303, black dial. I saw it at windup in NY and was impressed by the case design and bracelet. Then I heard about movement complaints which made me hesitant. With a new movement and COSC certification I'm interested again.... and flirting.

I have a PRX that I plan to sell. I'm waiting until I'm closer to my savings goal before I sell. I'm almost there.

To your point of wearing without compromise. I just had a rolex AD who was trying to get me to buy a CPO. I said I like the watch but was worried about getting the wrong attention and getting knocked over the head. He looked at me and said "We don't live in fear." 😆

That's actually a very sensible way to delete 'extra' watches... 😁 👍

Well said mate. Celebrating new watches is one thing... Celebrating it when it's the 200th watch... 😅

Stay away from youtube watch channels! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Depends on budget and collection preference. I know many people prefer to have a big collection of cheaper watches that can be bought impulsively, but idk - for me collecting is about having a reasonable number of watches that can be worn quite frequently instead of sitting in the box. So I am more careful with thinking which watch will contribute most to diversity in collection and target price range above 800$. This is not a big amount for me, but still reasonable enough to prevent impulsive buy. I plan purchase once a year and invest excess cash into some safe assets in meantime to generate at least small return

Does that mean you have a 1in, 1 out philosophy?

You got what i meant😅😅

Not really, I probably defined my target pretty narrowly - German watches only, ideally one watch per type (one dress, one tool watch, etc.) and in budget reasonably high to avoid impulse buys. So I guess my collection will eventually be 8 quality watches at most

So I have a list of goals, both personal and business goals, and I have a watch associated with those goals.

For example, I started my business last September. My first $60k quarter or $250k revenue year, whichever comes first, I will buy a Tissot Heritage 1938 to wear daily. My goal is to finish paying off my student loans by next year, and to celebrate I will buy a Tag Heuer Carrera with the SHU logo engraved in the dial. And so on

When I started this watch collecting journey I made the mistake of buying a lot of cheaper/more affordable watches instead of saving for the watches I really wanted. I keep myself grounded now by limiting myself to 1 watch purchase a year (usually for my birthday or if there’s a major milestone I.e promotion, graduation, anniversary). This helps me think about what I want in my collection next and will actually wear instead of looking pretty in the watch box.

I just stare at the watch box which is already full, one must go before new can come who goes??

Seems to slow my roll.