How im building a watch collection as a uni student with (almost) no money
As you may have guessed from the title im a uni student who recently got into collecting watches. Since im a student I really dont have much excess money for anything rn let alone for watches, but I belive I managed to cover the basics even with my limited resources and experience.
Heres how the "collection" is doing today and how I got each of them. (And also some on wrist pictures of them)
First on the list is the ORIENT Sun And Moon Automatic
One of my fathers friends is a huge watch nerd and this was a gift from him on my 20th birthday. I really adore this one and it got me down the rabbit hole of watch collecting, altough not until like 3 years later. It doesnt get much wrist time nowadays but im always happy to wear it when it comes to it.
The next watch i got at the beginning of this year. Its the Timex Expedition North Field Post Solar 41mm.
Ever since ive started looking into watches I loved the field watch aesthetic so it was an obvious choice for me, both bc of the looks and the value for money. This one I bought from the money I managed to save up, and it served me well these past 7 months or so, I think I wear this one the most out of all my watches. Also I'll probably get a nato strap for it so I can actually use it in water.
The third watch I got is a classic, the Casio F-105W.
I know its not an F-91 or A168 but i really wanted a proper backlight and loved the F-91 looks as well, so this is the one I got. Its a perfect weekend beater for me, slim, lightweight and you can match it well with almost any outfit. It was also cheap af which was a bonus to my broke uni wallet.
The last watch i own currently is actually my fathers old Seiko 5.
I really couldnt find the proper reference number of this one so you guys might help me out with that. This watch spent the last 20 or so years in a drawer, it also doesnt work as of now so soon I will get it fixed. The crystal also needs some love, since it accumulated some decent gashes over the years. Really looking forward to wearing it, altough i might change its bracelet since it feels rather cheap to me.
So this is where im at rn. It took a fair bit of luck to get all these watches while only paying for 2 of them but im mostly content with them as of now.
I will probably get a G-Shock next, altough im not really sure which yet. Any other suggestions where i should branch out with the next few watches?
Awesome collection so far!
My budget friendly suggestions:
Casio Duro + strap or bracelet change if you want a dive watch or possibly an Orient Mako/Kamasu.
G-shock Square or CasiOak will serve you well too.
Hey good for you, nice collection already, lots of years ahead of you , slow and steady !
That’s a great collection and I think @AshKetchup has some good ideas for a next step, I’d probably also add Citizen to the list of good affordable brands, but to be honest it looks to me like you’re doing pretty well on your own. 👍
Awesome collection so far!
My budget friendly suggestions:
Casio Duro + strap or bracelet change if you want a dive watch or possibly an Orient Mako/Kamasu.
G-shock Square or CasiOak will serve you well too.
A good dive watch was the other option i considered, the duro is a great option, altough i always felt 44 mm to be a bit too big of a watch for me to wear. But if casio ever makes a smaller duro ill be first in line
Great collection! Enjoy the hunt!
Hey, we are swimming in the same boat mate!✋😄
Im also at uni and also broke, did one cleaning job a while ago, made some good money, spent it all on watches.😄
I love your collection, but it desperatelly needs a G-shock, you are right. In terms of value for money its unbeatable imo. Id reccomend a square one with solar and bluethoot connectivity. It costs a little "premium" but its worth it because the capabilities and longevity of the watch increases big time.
Try looking around on the used/secondhand market. I bought my GW-B5600 for a third of the retail price on facebook marketplace, and thats a real bargain for what you get.
Have fun, hunt for bargains and drool over what everyone else has here!😄
Cheers!
Casio and timex are your friends in this situation. Also don’t sleep on vintage, some awesome pieces you can pick up for cheap. Just be wary of condition and such with those!
If you’re thinking of a great Value G-Shock I would go for DW5600 (the G-Shock square). I think I’m biased because I just got one yesterday for a great value at Walmart, but I honestly think that this is the only G-Shock I need. I got a lot of shoks in my collection even the newer models, but this one is highly legible, very nice backlight, great history behind it, 200m water resistant and a beater forsure!
If your looking for an affordable diver.. can’t go wrong with the Casio Duro, pretty good specs for the Price. True diver, 200m water resistant, strap monster, variety of colors to choose from for $49.92 right now on amazon 😁.
But if you can save a little more and want an automatic diver, Orient Kamasu is the watch that really got me into watches. Runs on Seiko Epson movement, a smaller case size compare to the duro. Also has a screw down crown, 200m water resistant, day/date complication and beautiful dials!! Hope this helps 😁👍🏽
Very tasteful and done so on a budget! Agree with dude above -- at least one G-Shock belongs in everyone's collection. A classic like the DW5600, DW6900, etc. I'd also suggest a diver as well. On a budget, I'd suggest the Casio MDV106 for a quartz option. If you want to add an automatic diver, any of Orient's models are great.
If you’re thinking of a great Value G-Shock I would go for DW5600 (the G-Shock square). I think I’m biased because I just got one yesterday for a great value at Walmart, but I honestly think that this is the only G-Shock I need. I got a lot of shoks in my collection even the newer models, but this one is highly legible, very nice backlight, great history behind it, 200m water resistant and a beater forsure!
If your looking for an affordable diver.. can’t go wrong with the Casio Duro, pretty good specs for the Price. True diver, 200m water resistant, strap monster, variety of colors to choose from for $49.92 right now on amazon 😁.
But if you can save a little more and want an automatic diver, Orient Kamasu is the watch that really got me into watches. Runs on Seiko Epson movement, a smaller case size compare to the duro. Also has a screw down crown, 200m water resistant, day/date complication and beautiful dials!! Hope this helps 😁👍🏽
Without reading your comment all the way through, I basically suggested exactly what you did. 🤣 And after reading the others, I think we are all on the same wavelength.
Without reading your comment all the way through, I basically suggested exactly what you did. 🤣 And after reading the others, I think we are all on the same wavelength.
Haha!! 😂 yessir!! Reading your comment and my head was like: “he just shortened my post” same wavelength forsure.
Hey, we are swimming in the same boat mate!✋😄
Im also at uni and also broke, did one cleaning job a while ago, made some good money, spent it all on watches.😄
I love your collection, but it desperatelly needs a G-shock, you are right. In terms of value for money its unbeatable imo. Id reccomend a square one with solar and bluethoot connectivity. It costs a little "premium" but its worth it because the capabilities and longevity of the watch increases big time.
Try looking around on the used/secondhand market. I bought my GW-B5600 for a third of the retail price on facebook marketplace, and thats a real bargain for what you get.
Have fun, hunt for bargains and drool over what everyone else has here!😄
Cheers!
Thanks for the suggestion, I will definietly look around for some G-shock bargains.
Personally, instead of buying a fifth watch, I’d get that Seiko working again.
I agree with the others on here that a Casio Duro would be a good choice (if it fits on you’re wrist of course). It’s cheap, and the quality is great for the price. Vostok Amphibia is also a good dive watch, although finding one under $100 these days is hard.
Personally, instead of buying a fifth watch, I’d get that Seiko working again.
Thats priority number 1 rn. I wrote it in the original post too that soon I will get it repaired, until than im just looking around for options but first I really want to wear that Seiko as well
I'd say a nice chronograph, perhaps the seagull 1963. Not overly expensive if you shop around. The cheapest quality mechanical chronograph money can buy.
Nice collection. And I'm with you on the 105W!
Excellent collection! That Seiko 5 is a very handsome piece. I've also considered that Orient Sun and Moon but with the white dial. I will echo other comments to get a G-Shock 5600. I've had one for 16+ years and it hasn't let me down. I will also vouch for the Casio Duro (I have two! Lol) In the long run get whatever you like and wear them all!
A small solar diver with saphyre crystal? For your vacations? Beach? Pool? Or just every day because it's light and very versatile? A vintage vibe classic look?
That's the Seiko SNE573.
Thank me later!
And yes a Gshock is always a very good choice! The original square with solar and multiband would be a very good long lasting watch!
Great collection man, even I am a uni student so I totally understand your point even I am at the stage of 3 watch collection trying to enjoy them as much as I can cause it's gonna get bigger and better in the coming future 🫡
You don’t really need another watch at the moment.
If I were in your shoes, I’d then start saving up for a nice watch that you can buy in a few years when you get your first job (or some other momentous occasion in your life).
Try the Seiko 5 on a black leather or rubber strap. It’ll change the look completely!
Advice from an experienced dude? Love the watches and go slow. Really, weirdly slow. Live with a picture on your phone of the one you want next - but look at it hard and long. Is it in your heart to fall for this one..? What about that Oris? (you have leapt forward in your imagination, and intend to save a boatload of money, Scroogeing it away, eyes on the prize).
Point is, if you save BIG, you’ll have more time for choosing and changing, without wasting funds testing your tastes.
Oh and, very cool collection, I particularly like the Casio (my type as well) and the old Seiko. That’s worth some fish, wow!
I hope I haven’t overstepped my bounds, I fear I can witter away.
Cheers!
This is all quite sufficient and the best part is that there are no dive watches.
I am also a uni student myself and ur collection and mine is quite similar bro, Kudos!
Good on you, I believe this is mentioned but you should look into Casio Duro as your next watch and doesn't heart that it's a dive watch
A small solar diver with saphyre crystal? For your vacations? Beach? Pool? Or just every day because it's light and very versatile? A vintage vibe classic look?
That's the Seiko SNE573.
Thank me later!
And yes a Gshock is always a very good choice! The original square with solar and multiband would be a very good long lasting watch!
Man, that Seiko is gorgeous, thanks for the suggestions
eBay, thrift shops, swaps, car boot finds, all watches are apricated watches, there's no watch snobs here, just people who like WATCHES ✨
Great start!
My input is that a watch collector on a budget has three good friends. One is Long Island Watches and their Islander brand. Another is Seiko Epson Group which includes Seiko and Orient brands. Finally Swatch Group has Hamilton, Tissot, Certina, etc., which are more expensive but can be sourced from places like Jomashop at well below retail price. Have fun searching.
Fixing that Seiko is not really worth it, value-wise, as it's cheaper to just get a fully working vintage Seiko of a similar persuasion. Of course, if you want to do the fixing yourself as a way of cranking up the hobby - that's a different story.
That Casio is a more sensible choice than the F91W. One way to keep interest in the hobby without breaking the bank is to experiment with straps. There are some nice non-Casio aftermarket straps that fit those Casio models, e.g. this. Although the listing doesn't mention the 105 it seems to me that this has the same dimensions, so these straps should fit this model too.
It's his dad's watch so fixing it makes complete sense.
Excellent collection. You prove that you do not need a lot of money for a nice collection at all. Regardless I think it better to start off that way because generally speaking your trying to figure out what you like anyway.