Enjoying less expensive watches
Financially, 2022 was very good to my wife and I. My collection has seen some more expensive pieces added to it and I've really enjoyed them.
However, after the addition of these higher-end watches I've noticed myself gravitating back to my more affordable ones. Not at the pricier ones' expense (no pun intended 😝) but I'm "craving" them more than I did previously.
Has my cheese slid off my cracker? Has anyone else experienced something similar?
Have a great day watchcrunch fam!
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Ryan
Husband, soldier, wristwatch enthusiast. Located in central Florida, U.S.
Lakeland, FL
Member since
Last active: 8 months ago
Indeed... And thats the reason I have 2 amphibias😅
100%. agree. I was fortunate enough to start working for Toyota HQ here in TX in 2022. Went from being a humble woodworker to sitting at a desk working on financing & insurance. The result was a rather healthy bump in pay that I haven't experienced before & neither has my watch box. The Omega's I lusted after had become "just another purchase option". And yet, when I see the the more common, affordable pieces, my attention still gravitates to them the most. The color & character they have in this hobby just appeals to me.
not really, because i still dont have expensive one yet lol
My entire collection is affordable - I like wearing watches I think are fun, and have no desire for a luxury or "flex" watch.
When one has so many hobbies, as I do, one must spread the $ evenly. Cars, camera gear, fishing gear, wood shop gear...buying reasonably priced watches helps keep my other hobbies from falling by the wayside.
I feel great when wearing my inexpensive watches and that's what counts!
It's like my feeling about wine and spirits..buy the cheapest that you're satisfied drinking. Why spend more if you're happy with a less expensive bottle?
100%. agree. I was fortunate enough to start working for Toyota HQ here in TX in 2022. Went from being a humble woodworker to sitting at a desk working on financing & insurance. The result was a rather healthy bump in pay that I haven't experienced before & neither has my watch box. The Omega's I lusted after had become "just another purchase option". And yet, when I see the the more common, affordable pieces, my attention still gravitates to them the most. The color & character they have in this hobby just appeals to me.
Glad to hear I'm not the only one, I honestly thought something might be amiss lol. Congratulations on the advancement of your career friend!
When one has so many hobbies, as I do, one must spread the $ evenly. Cars, camera gear, fishing gear, wood shop gear...buying reasonably priced watches helps keep my other hobbies from falling by the wayside.
I feel great when wearing my inexpensive watches and that's what counts!
It's like my feeling about wine and spirits..buy the cheapest that you're satisfied drinking. Why spend more if you're happy with a less expensive bottle?
That's a great philosophy, truly.
not really, because i still dont have expensive one yet lol
Your collection has a soul mate. Ibe only got 1-2 watches from my early collecting days and I really miss a lot of the ones I she'd along the way, trying to climb the luxury ladder.
I think with with lower monetary value watches, they are great to have because there isn't that apprehension of "Oh, if I bump this - it's gonna cost X much to fix" or worry that people will think of mugging you for it. That's a benefit from my point of view: You can just go out and not have to constantly think about your watches health :D (Source: 80% off my collection are in this category :))
Plus: a watch being lower cost doesn't detract from how cool it is (unless you've been scammed!)
A true collector can appreciate watches at all levels.
A true collector can appreciate watches at all levels.
100% agree. I think what I'm getting at is that I'm enjoying my less expensive watches more than I did when I had no expensive ones. I didn't expect them to drop off my radar completely, but they've actually seen an uptick in wear.
100% agree. I think what I'm getting at is that I'm enjoying my less expensive watches more than I did when I had no expensive ones. I didn't expect them to drop off my radar completely, but they've actually seen an uptick in wear.
"expensive ones" I believe is at a different level for everyone of us. My rule is simple..I never purchase a watch I cant pay for right then.. Enjoy them all
I love them all in my watch boxes. Most of my watches are mid level but they all see wrist time. Some have more time on the wrist.
Enjoy those watches everyone!
Cheers!
Indeed... And thats the reason I have 2 amphibias😅
Yes and me too! A scuba dude and a Komanderski both worn a lot!
Great post. It reminded me of this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYesH088Jro
Would you fight 100 duck-sized horses or 1 horse-sized duck...?
Would I buy 1 #omega #speedmaster or 100 #vostoks?
...1/10th of the way to 100 Vostoks.
Buy what makes you happy, there are plenty of nice watches at every price point. I have a few affordables, a few luxury watches, and most of my watches in between. Right now my favorite is my Hanhart, tomorrow it might be my Oris Aquis, or my Seiko or Orient.
My original post started quite differently, but a lot of these comments have really taken it in that direction. I get the feeling that some didn't read the whole post, or at least didn't understand it. 🤷♂️
Happens a lot, you give them an inch they’ll take a mile.
In the end we all know ur mainly paying for the name. There are tons of quality built watches for under $250. I myself have quartz and automatic pieces all for under $250. I like them all but I have to say my favorite is my Vostok amphibia👍🏻
In the end we all know ur mainly paying for the name. There are tons of quality built watches for under $250. I myself have quartz and automatic pieces all for under $250. I like them all but I have to say my favorite is my Vostok amphibia👍🏻
So is $250 the price of entry?
Watches are jewelry in reality. Each to their own likes and budget.
So is $250 the price of entry?
No not at all. $250 just gives a wide range of brands and models. I love my timex expedition chronograph which was $40
No not at all. $250 just gives a wide range of brands and models. I love my timex expedition chronograph which was $40
so are you the exception to your own rule?
so are you the exception to your own rule?
Idk what u mean I originally said anything under $250, meaning anything from $20 timex to a $250 citizen can be a well built quality time piece. Just saying u don't have to spend some crazy amount for a good watch
Idk what u mean I originally said anything under $250, meaning anything from $20 timex to a $250 citizen can be a well built quality time piece. Just saying u don't have to spend some crazy amount for a good watch
You’re the one putting price tags on things
You’re the one putting price tags on things
Well unless someone gives u a watch for free u have to pay something. Ur over thinking what I'm saying. U don't have to spend alot to get a good watch period.
Scuba Dude.... gotta love it!!
Do I spy a soviet.market #amphibia special edition?
Well unless someone gives u a watch for free u have to pay something. Ur over thinking what I'm saying. U don't have to spend alot to get a good watch period.
I’m not. You’re the only one throwing monetary values around in this thread, this is the rabbit hole you’ve started to dig. How much do you have to spend to get a decent watch: you’ve said less than $250, how much less. Can one spend £12 on a vintage and it be deemed better value than £25 on a new quartz watch. What is the criteria here - I’m just dying to know now that we’ve brought monetary values into the thread where we can officially start drawing the line. Is an £85 Vostok the be all and end all, or can we drop to $40 Timex provided certain criteria is achieved? What are those criteria? I‘m genuinely fascinated to know when value starts and when we can start talking about watches, there has been at least 10 threads about this this week but you are the first person to start throwing monetary values around and, ladies and gentlemen, we need to get to the bottom of this because clearly people are starting to feel ashamed of enjoying a “budget” piece.
What is the price point of entry, is it $250 or is it $40, and what criteria satisfies both: over to you…
I’m not. You’re the only one throwing monetary values around in this thread, this is the rabbit hole you’ve started to dig. How much do you have to spend to get a decent watch: you’ve said less than $250, how much less. Can one spend £12 on a vintage and it be deemed better value than £25 on a new quartz watch. What is the criteria here - I’m just dying to know now that we’ve brought monetary values into the thread where we can officially start drawing the line. Is an £85 Vostok the be all and end all, or can we drop to $40 Timex provided certain criteria is achieved? What are those criteria? I‘m genuinely fascinated to know when value starts and when we can start talking about watches, there has been at least 10 threads about this this week but you are the first person to start throwing monetary values around and, ladies and gentlemen, we need to get to the bottom of this because clearly people are starting to feel ashamed of enjoying a “budget” piece.
What is the price point of entry, is it $250 or is it $40, and what criteria satisfies both: over to you…
This will be my last comment with u on this topic. Like I said before ur thinking way to much into this. I stated u don't have to spend alot to get a quality good looking watch. It's comes down to the persons taste, needs and budget. U keep saying I'm throwing values on things and ur asking what's the entry level price point. There is NO entry price point! I am still baffled how u turned my one comment of "you don't have to spend alot to get a nice watch" into this long dragged out conversation. And even after I explained myself u still are not understanding me. This will be my last response in this matter.
not really, because i still dont have expensive one yet lol
Same here.... just love this watch.