1 Hamilton OR 5 Affordable Watches?
Full disclosure, I love the Hamilton brand. Early in my collecting journey Hamilton was my 1st grail watch brand. When it comes to heritage, not many brands have more prestige, IMO.
My question is for those that dabble in the affordable watch market and don't have any issues with hopping on the Ali Express train here and there.
Do you feel that buying quality Chinese watches has kinda ruined you in terms of buying big brand watches in the future?
Early on, I had a fairly tight budget when it came to watch purchases, and well-known Chinese brands like San Martin really helped me get into some great quality pieces for not alot of cash. Now, I make a bit more money and can allocate a little more to buying watches, but I still tend to have that "value for money" mindstate that looks at things through a very practical lens.
For instance, I have these 5 watches that I really love and paid under $500 for...
It really puts it in perspective when you see what variety you can get for less than the price of 1 Hammy...
I currently don't have a Hamilton, and I'm sure WHEN I get a Hammy I will totally get it, but at this moment it's just a hard sell.
Question:
Do any of you have a hard time justifying buying big brands while more affordable smaller brands offer similar/better quality watches?
I'm curious if any one else is having the same issue. Thanks!
Newbie on a mission to get all I can out of this beautiful watch journey. My philosophy is that life is too short to not pay attention to the passing of time.
Well put there mate. While the bigger brands do have the prestige, heritage, innovation, design originality n all that jazz... The crux of the matter is this... Do they tell Better or more Accurate time?
That's a rather simple n pragmatic view, I agree n even oversimplified. But when the focus is on practicality n even the Casio AE1200 can give us better accuracy than a COSC certified watch, regardless of brand, it can be a hard sell, for us anyway.
In recent years, the microbrands have been giving the bigger brands a run for their money. Some of the quality may not be on par witha Swiss brands but they do deliver a certain level of quality, even refinement of specs, at a much more attractive budget thus giving our watchfam more options n something for those new to this hobby, to go for.
While I agree that most wouldn't have the prestige, heritage n all the other horology goodies, I think my practical view has helped me keep my collection small, lovable n rediscoverable.
After all, we only have 2 wrists. N in my opinion, Great watches Needn't Come...
With even Greater price tags.
Who pays $600 for a Khaki Field auto? Not hard to find them at $300. $300 or $600, the answer is still the Khaki Field.
Quality over quantity. This coming from someone who loves variety and having options.
I haven't gotten into Ali Express watches, but I have found that brands like CW, Damasko, and a few others have cured me of any real interest in luxury brands.
I can sell you my mint condition Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba 🤑🤑🤑
1 Hamilton
Hamilton…no doubt
Who pays $600 for a Khaki Field auto? Not hard to find them at $300. $300 or $600, the answer is still the Khaki Field.
For a new Khaki Field your looking at at least $400, but I get your point.
Quality over quantity. This coming from someone who loves variety and having options.
Issue these days is, some companies offer incredible quality for much less than big brands.
For a new Khaki Field your looking at at least $400, but I get your point.
I hear you, they are not quite that at Joma anymore, but if you look at sold listings, not hard to find. $325 would be the ceiling if I were looking.
Give me the lot of them💪🏽
Issue these days is, some companies offer incredible quality for much less than big brands.
Eh, few and far between in my experience. I'd rather not take the risk even at that price point. In your example, Hamilton all day.
I hear you, they are not quite that at Joma anymore, but if you look at sold listings, not hard to find. $325 would be the ceiling if I were looking.
Touche.
Quality over quantity for me
I don't buy Chinese watches. So much of what I spend money on comes from China. I don't need my watches coming from China as well. I buy Swiss, Japanese and a few US brands
I paid under $340 for this HKF.
Although, I did buy the OEM bracelet afterwards for about $150. 🙄
But you can certainly get this watch on the NATO for well under $500.
Nope.
And while I haven't bought a Hamilton in years, I have always thought of them as an affordable middle range brand.
PS: I would have to have a side by side comparison to believe that Ali Express watch are the equal of Hamilton. Sounds sort of like when Reactor claimed they were the equal of Rolex, the compare us to line. No don't get me wrong, I love/loved Reactor in the day, but in no way are they comparable except in the most basic way.
I definitely always lean quality over quantity. Once you experience better brands on wrist you never want to go back like driving a Lamborghini vs a civic
1 Hamilton
If you buy watches just as a fashion/aesthetic statement, the cheap stuff is ok, i guess. But I’ve found the quality is absolutely awful - especially when using the crown. The time keeping is pretty awful too.
If you want a watch to do more than look a certain way, you want it to feel nice when operating it, keep reasonable time, last a couple of decades, then you probably do need to stump up the cash and buy a good quality watch.
Another perspective to consider is that you can resell the Hamilton for a reasonable chunk of what you bought it for, but the Ali express watches are essentially throwing all your money away.
Finally, and sadly, buying cheap rip offs are often cheap because they are made in unregulated conditions. You may be funding child labour, sweat shops and organised crime.
Personally I'd go for the 5 affordable. I have an issue with higher priced watches, no knocking Hamilton but I just don't think they can justify (like many others) their price.
Straight talk: It's not like the Hamilton is some amazing watch, but I'd go with that as a good, solid, dependable watch from a great brand... and just wear the hell out of it.
Ignore the gluttony - there's no other word for it, really - that YouTubers (who often get their stuff free), and other watch people are always pushing. You can only wear one at a time. Make it a good one that you will really bond with, rather than a bunch of cheapies.
That's how I'd do it, anyway. Mileage will vary and mileage obviously does vary in your case. But given $600 and a choice, that's how I'd do it, any day of the week.
Where can I get them for 300?
Kindly share I’m in the market for one
Set up eBay alerts. That is likely the best bet. Otherwise, keep an eye on the grey dealers, but they seem to be hovering around $400 these days.
When I was new to the hobby I rushed in and purchased several "value" watches. They were great watches and scratched the itch I had for building my collection. However, the honest truth is i've sold most of those watches (at a loss) and replaced with more higher quality brands that will last. Hamilton, Seiko, Lorier, Tissot, Sinn, GShock, Certina ( I love this brand) and Vaer. I think Hamilton is a great value watch. Looking back I would have focused more on the quality perspective of the "value" proposition. I hope that helps.
I don't think there is a right/wrong answer to your question. As long as you are getting enjoyment from the watches you are buying, all is good! Happy hunting! 😀
When I was new to the hobby I rushed in and purchased several "value" watches. They were great watches and scratched the itch I had for building my collection. However, the honest truth is i've sold most of those watches (at a loss) and replaced with more higher quality brands that will last. Hamilton, Seiko, Lorier, Tissot, Sinn, GShock, Certina ( I love this brand) and Vaer. I think Hamilton is a great value watch. Looking back I would have focused more on the quality perspective of the "value" proposition. I hope that helps.
I don't think there is a right/wrong answer to your question. As long as you are getting enjoyment from the watches you are buying, all is good! Happy hunting! 😀
I appreciate the advice. I am fairly young in my watch collecting and I'm constantly evolving so... I imagine my POV will ebb and flow as I move forward.
If you buy watches just as a fashion/aesthetic statement, the cheap stuff is ok, i guess. But I’ve found the quality is absolutely awful - especially when using the crown. The time keeping is pretty awful too.
If you want a watch to do more than look a certain way, you want it to feel nice when operating it, keep reasonable time, last a couple of decades, then you probably do need to stump up the cash and buy a good quality watch.
Another perspective to consider is that you can resell the Hamilton for a reasonable chunk of what you bought it for, but the Ali express watches are essentially throwing all your money away.
Finally, and sadly, buying cheap rip offs are often cheap because they are made in unregulated conditions. You may be funding child labour, sweat shops and organised crime.
I appreciate your POV.
Real question: Have you handled a San Martin watch(Chinese)?
They really do make quality watches (IMO). The movements very from Sellita clones to Seikos NH series, so nothing too impressive there. But many quality microbrands(Lorier, Nodus etc...) use those same movements. My point is, San Martin sells quality watches for affordable prices, but I wouldn't call them "cheap". For example, this San Martin GMT was $300, but is exceptionally finished. If I bought this same piece with a Zelos logo on it, it would be touted as a great microbrand watch. That said, I question if it's the Ali Express-ness of the watch that gives it it's negative connotation. This is why my pragmatic mind asks such a question.
I appreciate your POV.
Real question: Have you handled a San Martin watch(Chinese)?
They really do make quality watches (IMO). The movements very from Sellita clones to Seikos NH series, so nothing too impressive there. But many quality microbrands(Lorier, Nodus etc...) use those same movements. My point is, San Martin sells quality watches for affordable prices, but I wouldn't call them "cheap". For example, this San Martin GMT was $300, but is exceptionally finished. If I bought this same piece with a Zelos logo on it, it would be touted as a great microbrand watch. That said, I question if it's the Ali Express-ness of the watch that gives it it's negative connotation. This is why my pragmatic mind asks such a question.
Fair point, I wasn’t really focussed on San Martin or any particular brand as such, more a general commentary on very low cost watches. I see them face the same problems as fast fashion.
1 Hamilton for sure
I'm reliably informed that Hamilton is not what they used to be?! Not being an engineer or watch maker I can't exactly pinpoint the 'ball of confusion ' where Hamilton is concerned but most of the comments I've seen suggest that they are trading (still) on their U.S military heritage but not delivering the hardiness of yesteryear. So I'm gonna say ...get the affordable set. Then you can have a little play around with different brands.
at this price point I would go for the 500$ watch. especialy if it is the Hamilton. I have it and it is very good. and remember you don't wear 5 watch on your wrist only one.