Is there a right and a wrong path on your watch journey?

This is the classic question of small collection of high end vs. larger collection across the spectrum. You have to decide what your tastes, purpose and goals are for your collection. 

I personally prefer a larger variety of choices to match my mood, outing and outfit. Others prefer a carefully curated, small number of watches they wear more often. 

I dont think anyone can tell you one answer is more right than another. You have decide what you're wanting to achieve.

Nice start to your collection BTW. Maybe you should look for a dress watch next to help round it out?

Good point. I think the question can only be answered by what your goals are. I don’t know if I’ve totally figured that out yet, but I’m sure enjoying the journey!

And thank you for the compliment. A dress watch is exactly what I have me eyes on next. I was leaning presage, but then I wonder if I’m getting too Seiko heavy, so I might look to the Swiss again for the next one.😉

The only wrong path is when you're in debt/in poverty because of buying watches.

Through my past 3 purchases (lower end of the price spectrum) I realized what features I liked about watches and that I honestly like that expensive brand name on my watch. So I'll be saving up for my next purchase(s), whatever that may be.

Addendum: having watches at different price points highlighted for me what the good things about the expensive watches are, and how certain standards are there regardless of the price.

I started by building a collection of dozens upon dozens of vintage watches.  I was perfectly happy with having a wide variety of shapes and styles to choose from.

Then I got a couple of nice modern watches, Hamilton, Longines, Ball, etc. and realized how much I liked that style.  Eventually, I stopped buying vintage and spending more on modern watches despite some of them costing individually much more, everything from Timex to Rolex. 

I have almost stopped buying watches now to save for higher end pieces.  I sold most of my vintage pieces.  I traded some modern watches towards higher end watches.  I’m at the point where I have enough variety in my collection to meet nearly every mood or occasion.  This frees me up mentally to enjoy what I have while saving up cash to increase the quality of the watches in my collection.  

Not trying to sway you away from Swiss, as that might be another way to extend the diversity of your collection. But I will say that the first watch I bought after catching the bug (my first 3 watches were gifts) was a Presage Cocktail Time and I love it. Love it so much I've purchased several more. So yeah, I highly recommend getting something in the Presage series, they have such great watches in a variety of looks/styles.

But as nytime said above, finding aspects of more expensive watches can turn you off to features that cheaper watches lack. Many focus on sapphire crystal vs mineral, but for me the biggest disappointment is getting watches that lack key movement features like hacking and winding in automatics. Like I said, I started with Presage line Seikos, so when I got Oreints or Seiko 5's without these features it was a real letdown. 

Finding what matters to you is key in your journey. 

I guess it all depends upon the taste and preferences and then comes affordability. 

I personally think that the watch needs to appeal to me and literally "shout to me" when I look at one, doesn't matter if its a budget watch or a super expensive one. Of course, we all somehow manage to buy that elusive piece that has been haunting us in our dreams if it is something that we really want, don't we?

Great start to your collection though!

Definitely don’t want to go into debt over any of this. Solid point. Also a good point about learning what you like. I’m definitely finding that that’s an important part of the journey 

You've made some good choices so far, I'd say you're off to a great start.  As others have pointed out, it's all about knowing yourself.  For instance, there are several high(ish) end watches I want, and a ton of cheaper stuff.  Right now I'm not in the market for high-end...I just don't have the cash for it.  But I find enjoyment in buying cheaper watches while I wait.  You could make the point that it will take longer to save for bigger stuff, but the enjoyment I get from looking at and occasionally buying vintage stuff on ebay outweighs that concern.  But that's me, some would be miserable in my situation.  

It will probably take some time to figure out what your priorities are, and they will change over time too.  My best advice is to keep your eyes open so you see what other people do...your path will become clear.

Cheers.

That’s encouraging to hear. I have to remember that it’s a marathon. I’m obviously not going to have the perfect collection right off the bat

I think you've got off to a great start with the choices you've made, as you mentioned and others have too, it's not a race as there is no winners line, just being happy with what you have is the end goal here.

You've got some nice watches in there,don't worry about price its about what you enjoy. Most people start at the less expensive end and work their way up. Any regrets of course but nobody knows what's in the future and our tastes change and develope over the years. You've got some cracking watches there so enjoy them and if you do want a bit of Swiss(I think I've read you want something a bit dressier) save and have a go,longines make some lovely peices that aren't financial cripplers, and have got heritage and the Swiss kudos. Me personally yes I could have bought a super high end peice,but I enjoy variety, you might end up with one or two high end pieces or a good few lower priced items,we are all different just enjoy. And I've enjoyed seeing your collection 👍

No right or wrong path, just an expense-laden one.

I think there actually is a wrong path.

You could decide one day that - for whatever reason - you're interested in watches.  As a result you go out and buy a collection of high-end pieces - Rolex (ha ha! Yeah, I know...), Patek, JLC, Cartier, whatever.  It's not so much the expense, because the actual cost may not be significant to you (and, if it is, I think you're an idiot).  It's more the fact you don't have a frame of reference to know why these pieces are great; they're only good because someone told you they were.

It's like having a Porsche 911 GT3 as your first car.  You've read all the magazines, watched all the videos and listened to the experts.  It's widely regarded as one of the best driver's cars ever created, but you don't have the skills or experience to understand why they're so highly regarded.

You've essentially jumped in at the Boss Level, with all the guns.

I'm sure for some people watch collecting is a game to win.  The dopamine hit of having the best-of-the-best is clearly seductive.

I'm not convinced that's a particularly satisfying journey, though.  You've got no stories to tell, no advice to give, and no real way of appreciating other collector's pieces, except perhaps by price.

I’m very much on a similar journey to yours. Started with a cheap quartz fashion watch in college but was too broke to buy anything nicer.

Eventually got a hammy down Apple Watch and fell in love with it.(it was THE Apple Watch. It was a Series 0 as some call it since it predated the Series 1) I saved up for a newer, nicer one when the Series 5 came out and wore it everyday.

Last Christmas, I was gifted my first automatic, a Seiko SNKL23. I’ve purchased a couple of other cheaper automatics but would love to step up to the next tier both in quality and price. Now I only wear my Apple Watch for workouts.

Also, love that Khaki Field! 😍

Seiko consistently knocks it out of the park with their dials. I have to say I’m a huge fan. When I’m ready for the big boy watches, I’m totally going Grand Seiko over Rolex.

Wow, great point. I think you really hit on something there. i agree that there is definitely value to building up to it. experiencing and understanding what different watches have to offer. I suspect a good portion of Rolex owners do exactly what you just described

thank you! It’s such a versatile watch! I’m sure it’s out there somewhere, but I haven‘t found a strap yet that doesn’t go great on it!

I think you're off to a good start, meaning that you have bought watches that most would consider a solid value, with a range of styles to fit a number of occasions. 

Are there any wrong ways to collect? If you consider "unnecessarily expensive" to be synonymous with "wrong", then yes, there are surely wrong ways to go about it.

a) You just avoided "tele-shopping channel watches", meaning the stuff that is peddled on TV late at night, and represents often questionable design with horrible value. (Other sales events fall into the same category.) Based on what watches you have bought already, I'm sure this doesn't apply to you.

b) Something more tricky is buying watches that are a good value, but that you don't really want, also known as the siren song of the grey market sites. Yes, the watch is from a reputable brand, it will last you a long time, and is possibly offered at cost. But it is such a boring design that it had to be sold at a discount. Most people fall for this trap once or twice.

c) Drunken watch shopping - Something more common than most people will admit. Oh, the surprise when a SpongeBob-theme watch is being delivered!

d) Trying to buy "into a brand" and not buying a watch you really want. This is common with luxury brands, meaning that somebody buys a "lesser" watch of the brand, only to find out that while the brand is right, the watch is not.

e) Buying a "trendy watch". Watches last a long time, and the hype around a watch usually does not. This can usually avoided by simply waiting a few months between the decision to buy a watch and the actual purchase. 

f) Filling the void - This means that you are buying a watch just because you don't have something in a particular category, or are simply trying to fill the slots in your watch case. If you don't like certain types of watches, just let them be. The number of watches you own is also not a goal, in fact it is more or less arbitrary. If in doubt, ask our resident one-watch watch collector.

g) Trying to collect vintage without doing the homework - I'm still staying away from this, simply because I lack the experience to correctly evaluate the watches I would be buying.

And I'm sure I am leaving out a lot ...

Pretty solid advice. So far my main guiding principle has been “do I love this watch?” At this point, I’m collecting for me. If it’s not something I love, it has no business in my watch box.

Yeah, everybody is different in that regard. With me it is always a good sign if a watch grows slowly on me. Something I wasn't too keen on at first, then over a few months it looked more and more like something I'd want. But yes, it is always one watch at a time. 

I think what you've done is great and what everyone else is saying above is all good. There is also another wrong way to collect (related to buying what others say you should buy) and that is the "checking all the boxes" method where you need this style or this model to have a complete collection rather than buying watches you will wear and enjoy.

Your journey is off to a good start - you are buying: (1) what you can afford; (2) selected from well-regarded brands/models; and (3) in a variety of styles you like.  You will learn what is important to you (size, accuracy, legibility, strap choices, style, brand, etc.) and, if desired, apply it to the $1000+ range when you are ready.

Thank you. I sure hope so!🙂

Very cool. I kind of figure that’s how it will play out for me. Anything in the $1k+ range will likewise be a special purchase that will require saving and budgeting.

I got into it 2 years ago, I have so far stuck to Casio Duros, Vostoks, Orients and a Seiko 5. Recently got 2 more expensive ones in the Citizen Nighthawk and the Helm Miyako. I was looking for the highest value in watches and I am very happy with all the options I have. Plus, I was able to understand what I like and dont like, whats important and whats not important. I most likely will get a Christopher Ward Aquitaine GMT to cap it off, at which point I will most likely stop collecting. I have everything I really want now. 

I think you have made some wise choices here. Most likely best to save up for a single piece that you want. 

I agree. Trying to figure out a good dress watch for my next piece.

 First of all very nice cool collection. Right now I got just 12 main watches that I really love I call them my All Star line up. They not high end watches just watches that are good and fun to wear. Plus 6 more 3 vacation watches 1 workout, 1 fashion and other easy find. I want to get at least 3 high end watches in the future. Maybe a Sinn, Omega and Bulova Accutron Vintage. With that I be all happy and set.

Thank you! And very cool plan. I’m going to get an affordable dress watch, and then start saving up for something in the $1k range. I don’t know yet how big I’m going to let this collection get, but I kind of like the idea of keeping it smaller. We’ll see though.

Its so easy to fall into rabbit hole world of watches they fun especially the different variety. But main thing here keep it simple fun and hard part is staying satisfy. Just when you say this is it... Theres gonna be another watch out for some reason just got to have it. And that right there my friend Lucas you must use the force!

So a few months back I decided I was sick of my Apple Watch buzzing my wrist all the time and decided to get a regular watch. I got the black Seiko 5 pictured above. All I was looking for is a reliable, sturdy, and maybe a little fun, automatic watch.

My journey was very similar to yours. I always had traditional watches until the Apple Watch was unveiled, but lately I had been more and more frustrated with the amount of notifications in my life and disposable gadgets one had to replace every few years. I used to love getting new gadgets, but now this brings me almost no joy.

First I got the Tissot PRX Powermatic, as a great entry-level option, but now I had the watch "bug" and I just couldn't stop. I mean the PRX is a good watch (especially for its price), but it's hardly something special and I quickly realized this when I was learning more and more about watches and how few companies were actually doing something that's relatively original and special. I also got interested in the various types of watches, their history, the brands landscape and so on. In short order I got a Casioak (the beater) and a NOMOS Tangente (the dress watch) and yesterday I got a Tudor Ranger (the GADA).

If someone had told me I'd be willing to pay 3k EUR for a mechanical watch 6 months I would have never believed this. 😄 It's a slipper slope - expensive and time-consuming, but also very fun and rewarding hobby. I've promised myself (and my wife) to restrain myself going forward and to stop with the watch purchases for now. The Ranger is truly special piece for me and I think I don't really need any other watches at this point. That being said - I never needed any mechanical watch in the first place. 😄

Still, I'm sure I'll continue to lust over all sorts of watches (I find equally appealing some relatively cheap and expensive ones - e.g. Lorier Neptune, CW Sealander and Omega AT) and I guess at some point I'll have to get a nice diver to check all the boxes. 😄 I'm also wondering if it at some point I'll be able to justify spending 5k+ on a watch. 😄

One more thing - I'm curious if your collection grew over the past 5 months. My guess would be - "Yes, it did!".