I think the long waiting lists have played into this further. it just makes it look like a flex that you are part of an exclusive club or that you paid above MSRP to pretend to be. Explorer I is one of very few current models that I am interested in as it feels less showoffy at least to me.

I’ve seen it in person as well, and it looks like a much more expensive watch. I’m usually a hard no on retro-vintage styling for modern watches, but that watch makes me reconsider.

That might be the most beautiful watch I‘ve ever seen. Ticks every box for me. The other side is not bad either.

Some other suggestions:

Grand seiko sbga285/283 can be had in this price range as entry level spring drives. There are also quite a few quartz and mechanical models that can be bought in this price range.

Oris in-house aquis or big crown pointer date.

Aqua Terra 8500 38.5mm from previous generation can be found ~3k used.

Almost anything from Nomos - I am partial to the original Metro and Clubs.

Oris for me as well, although I prefer their other motto: Real watches for real people

This is where the hobby gets complicated. Spending even $100 on a watch could be considered unethical when that money could have gone to a charity. The moral dilemma is the same at $1,000 but may feel more outside of social norms and therefore more guilt-inducing. I would counter that it is conceivably even more unethical and selfish to SAVE money than it is to SPEND it, and therefore you’d have been violating your stringent morals even without buying said expensive watch. By saving money, you are hoarding it from others in order to protect your own personal financial stability, whereas by spending it (however frivolously) you are helping support others jobs and their financial stability. It is easy to see how applying this level of scrutiny to every action you make would drive you crazy. I maintain that it is okay to treat yourself a little now and then, but determining what level becomes excessive is personal. Personally, I have justified purchasing several higher-priced (for me) pieces of art since it enables the creator to continue to pursue their passion. I could see myself buying a higher-end independent watch some day under similar logic, but I may be more hesitant to do so with bigger brands.