Ideas and issues for a first "expensive" watch purchase
Hello crunchers,
It's been a while since my last visit here but such is life I guess. Anyway as some of you might remember, I'm very much into cheaper watches and homages since I do not have a lot of disposable income. However, I'm willing to part with some of my money and as such, I'm looking into buying a watch beyond what I normally spend. So what I'm looking for is, preferably used (for even lower prices), an under 2k dive watch.
What I'm currently eyeing are a Doxa 600T in yellow, an Oris Aquis 39 or 41, Longines Hydroconquest in 39 or 41. And maybe if it's an exceptionally good deal, a Tudor Pelagos.
My problem being, for me this is an insane amount of money to put into a watch, and I have no way of experiencing any of those watches in the flesh, nor do I find any of those watches for sale used around me. So what I'm wondering is, how do you guys do it, do you just wait a while until an opportunity arise? Or do you go search for something else instead? And do you have any other ideas for watches that would fit my criteria ?
Thank you and have a nice day,
TL,DR: Cheap dude looking for cheap watch, but don't know how to find.
Motorsport mechanic, watch enthusiast, low budget, high fun, here to talk all about cheap watches and read about expensive ones
I’d take a look at some independents. Christopher Ward have some great divers in your budget including some titanium ones as you mentioned the Pelagos. I just got a titanium compression diver from Farer for around €1000 and I wouldn’t get the bracelet as I have some issues with it but the watch itself is great.
That's a good idea, I'll keep it in mind thank you 😊.
I’d take a look at some independents. Christopher Ward have some great divers in your budget including some titanium ones as you mentioned the Pelagos. I just got a titanium compression diver from Farer for around €1000 and I wouldn’t get the bracelet as I have some issues with it but the watch itself is great.
Ah thanks, I hadn't thought of CW, will check them out!
You are on the way to fall into a trap. In the watch hobby world we are talking a lot about models and brands which are not cheap. People showing their new purchased watches and their collections. Waht people don't show are their incomes or how they financed it (i actually don't care). But you should keep in mind, that people who buy an expensive watch have a high income (our a medium income but low outcomes), good savings or they bought but can't affort...like differenet ways of financing by debt or hard saved (only saved money) but can't pay the service costs.
If you don't have a high income I would recommend you not to buy with your savings and not to buy with other money (debts).
The first moment of purchasing and opening the box will give you en emotional push and endorphines will float your mind. Day 1.... day 2....After one week it feel like "nah..I don't care...it's a watch like the others before....after a month you will ask yourself what you have done.
And this wonderful luxury watch will remind you everyday how bad your decission way and you will feel yourself very bad. You will start hate the watch because you will associate the watch with stupidness.
But a watch should be connected with positive emotions or you shouldn't own that watch.
My advice: If you have saved up 2K. Take that money and invest it in a World-ETF-Fund and start repeating that process every month with your spare money for the next years, till you are retired before you spend it for consuming goods.
If you don't know what ETF-Funds are, I would recommend you to spend your time for the next weeks/months with that topic of funds, investing and financial indipendence.
I personally have no watch in my collection that is over 1K. And noone around me has any expensive watches either. No friends, no colleagues.
You actually don't have to spend that much money. There are awesome watches way under 500.
If you want a diver that isn't a homage, here are great recommendations:
Orient Kamasu (old or new version) around 220.
Citizen BN0200 titanium around 250
Casio Duro between 50 and 70.
You are on the way to fall into a trap. In the watch hobby world we are talking a lot about models and brands which are not cheap. People showing their new purchased watches and their collections. Waht people don't show are their incomes or how they financed it (i actually don't care). But you should keep in mind, that people who buy an expensive watch have a high income (our a medium income but low outcomes), good savings or they bought but can't affort...like differenet ways of financing by debt or hard saved (only saved money) but can't pay the service costs.
If you don't have a high income I would recommend you not to buy with your savings and not to buy with other money (debts).
The first moment of purchasing and opening the box will give you en emotional push and endorphines will float your mind. Day 1.... day 2....After one week it feel like "nah..I don't care...it's a watch like the others before....after a month you will ask yourself what you have done.
And this wonderful luxury watch will remind you everyday how bad your decission way and you will feel yourself very bad. You will start hate the watch because you will associate the watch with stupidness.
But a watch should be connected with positive emotions or you shouldn't own that watch.
My advice: If you have saved up 2K. Take that money and invest it in a World-ETF-Fund and start repeating that process every month with your spare money for the next years, till you are retired before you spend it for consuming goods.
If you don't know what ETF-Funds are, I would recommend you to spend your time for the next weeks/months with that topic of funds, investing and financial indipendence.
I personally have no watch in my collection that is over 1K. And noone around me has any expensive watches either. No friends, no colleagues.
You actually don't have to spend that much money. There are awesome watches way under 500.
If you want a diver that isn't a homage, here are great recommendations:
Orient Kamasu (old or new version) around 220.
Citizen BN0200 titanium around 250
Casio Duro between 50 and 70.
Thanks for the write up, those are advice that I generally follow, however, I've got a lot of watches already and the models I'm looking at are in a realm where I could justify spending that amount for a special occasion. This year for me is looking good right now and if it keeps going like it has been it would be my first year being professionally successful and I want to celebrate it with something special. Honestly I shared a list of watches that I'm looking into but the more I think about it and the more I want the doxa (i.e the only one I can't physically try on without going to Switzerland).
Thanks for the write up, those are advice that I generally follow, however, I've got a lot of watches already and the models I'm looking at are in a realm where I could justify spending that amount for a special occasion. This year for me is looking good right now and if it keeps going like it has been it would be my first year being professionally successful and I want to celebrate it with something special. Honestly I shared a list of watches that I'm looking into but the more I think about it and the more I want the doxa (i.e the only one I can't physically try on without going to Switzerland).
Ok...I see...anyway....taht's a lot of money. Even or especially for someone who is just starting into the profession. I would still recommend you to wait. Let's say 5 years. That sound like a lot...but it isn't. There are so many financial traps issues waiting for you: Moving, new apartment, wedding, children, additional study courses to grow in your job, moving again, children, serious illnes of you our loved ones. There is nothing more sad looking, than a man who wears a luxury watch but can't pay the bills. Of course this is the worst case cenario, but in a good risk management for your life you should always consider the worst case.
Anyway....if you are such in love with the Doxa-Style I can recommend you Circula as an alternative. It's a traditional independent german brand located in the watch city of Pforzheim, still owned by the same family. They offer some great styled watches in great quality. Build from enthusiats for enthusiasts. Their AquaSport II line is a good diver alternative for less than 900 Euros.
Ok...I see...anyway....taht's a lot of money. Even or especially for someone who is just starting into the profession. I would still recommend you to wait. Let's say 5 years. That sound like a lot...but it isn't. There are so many financial traps issues waiting for you: Moving, new apartment, wedding, children, additional study courses to grow in your job, moving again, children, serious illnes of you our loved ones. There is nothing more sad looking, than a man who wears a luxury watch but can't pay the bills. Of course this is the worst case cenario, but in a good risk management for your life you should always consider the worst case.
Anyway....if you are such in love with the Doxa-Style I can recommend you Circula as an alternative. It's a traditional independent german brand located in the watch city of Pforzheim, still owned by the same family. They offer some great styled watches in great quality. Build from enthusiats for enthusiasts. Their AquaSport II line is a good diver alternative for less than 900 Euros.
I agree with that and I'll be honest, most of those are already planned between the wife and I, we have budgets and dates planned for most important things that are coming up in life so I'm not too worried, as I said I'm not looking to buy right now anyway, and only if the year ends well. Thanks for Circula, I'd never heard of it and will check it out!
I agree with that and I'll be honest, most of those are already planned between the wife and I, we have budgets and dates planned for most important things that are coming up in life so I'm not too worried, as I said I'm not looking to buy right now anyway, and only if the year ends well. Thanks for Circula, I'd never heard of it and will check it out!
German watch brands are alway worth to check if you are on a thight budget but want a high quality watch. Mostly the movements are swiss anyway and the german watch manfufactures have the same DNA with the swiss watch makers. But you safe often the half of the price.
Ok, I agree with this string that you should save the 2K before spending the money. IMO & life experience, this is a cash purchase hobby and/or addiction. That said, 2k buys a lot of great Swiss and Japanese divers . The pre-owned market gives you many options for watches that retail much higher. Chrono 24 with verified buyers. Even new watches sell their below list
What are looking for as you reach up the price ladder? I there is no point in and off itself. I would start there.
Second hand sounds smart. It's like getting to try the watch if you got a good deal on it. Because you can sell it again for the same price 😊
What are looking for as you reach up the price ladder? I there is no point in and off itself. I would start there.
Second hand sounds smart. It's like getting to try the watch if you got a good deal on it. Because you can sell it again for the same price 😊
I'm looking for better fit and finish, as well as better feel. See with my certina and my Seiko, even though aesthetically from afar they're not much better from my Chinese watches, once on wrist they just feel different, better, I can't really explain it.
I'm looking for better fit and finish, as well as better feel. See with my certina and my Seiko, even though aesthetically from afar they're not much better from my Chinese watches, once on wrist they just feel different, better, I can't really explain it.
I get it, but I also think our perception is influenced but how much we have payed for something and also statis factor. Subconsciously of course 😊
I also think you can fin these things under 1000$. With the right fit both taste wise and in the physical sense. And high level of finnishing can also be found one certain watches like the PRX or the newer and more expensive Seikos (which is available on the used market for about half new price aka well under 1k).
Just input 😊 I have no problem with people jumping into "luxury" either
I get it, but I also think our perception is influenced but how much we have payed for something and also statis factor. Subconsciously of course 😊
I also think you can fin these things under 1000$. With the right fit both taste wise and in the physical sense. And high level of finnishing can also be found one certain watches like the PRX or the newer and more expensive Seikos (which is available on the used market for about half new price aka well under 1k).
Just input 😊 I have no problem with people jumping into "luxury" either
I was gifted the Seiko and managed to grab the certina for 250€ so I'm not sure haha. No really I get it.
Well I just bought a PRX that I managed to win at an auction to replace a pagani that I had so I'll see what the hype is about!
To me everything above 500€ is luxury because that is an amount of money that can feed my household for well over a month, so it's difficult to justify a purchase like that other than pure pleasure and impulsivity.
The title of this thread concerns me. The first thing that comes to mind, is “Dude, it’s a watch, for like telling time”. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the hype, marketing, minutia and current general thinking for a particular brand or model… and that’s totally ok if you enjoy it and can afford it. If it creates financial hardship, then that direction is a path to unhappiness, that’s best reevaluated. Remembering that Bill Gates, wears a $20 Casio might help put things in perspective. On a totally pragmatic functional level, anything over $20 is excessive, unless you venture into a way-more-functional smartwatch realm. If you don’t lust after a particular watch now, then ask yourself why you’re even considering for a moment going through financial stress of buying some various permutations of brands and implementation minutia. A $20 Casio has digital hourly chime. Is it work paying $20k to have that as an analog mechanical chime instead? Well, if $20k means as little as $20 to some others, then of course. Else, it might be helpful to expand one’s mind view on the world and evaluate what that can do for a car fund, or a kid college fund, or a retirement fund, or for paying for a vacation of a life time.
Switching gears… It’s not about the price, it’s about what you’re actually interested in that matters. I’m very excited about the 60’s vintage Spaceview Accutron (~$500) I just a bought this weekend…because of the space age 60’s techie coolness factor, and gravitation for steam punk-ish and nuclear fallout era styles, like way more excitement than some Rolex which might cost me 20+ times more for 100+ year old tech redone in a fancy case. Also just bought a unique manual rotating digital wheel $16 AliExpress watch this weekend which I’m excited about, because it reminds me of a flip digital analog clock I use to own in the 70’s. Personally, “holy trinity” AP royal oak could never achieve the same level of excited anticipation for me. Nixie tube watch is next on my excitement list, though may hold off due to excess eccentric avoidance ;-).
Good luck
The fit and finishing of the Oris Aquis 41.5mm is rather impressive. I got this pre-owned (Like BNIB Condition) at almost 50% off MSRP. Its wears nicely even on my small 6" wrist.
I’ve got an Oris Aquis …but think my Seikos are better divers and wear better, IMO
Other excellent options are a second hand alpinist (200m WR!) or the US special edition turtle 🐢 (wears wonderfully and is high end enough to keep me happy!)
Some other Swiss options if you want to avoid Japan are Zodiac (mine was $1k used, had bracelet and band included, and is COSC certified!) ..
..or, Rado Captain Cook (used maybe 1500?). My full ceramic blingy one is for sale for 2500, but the steel ones are about 1k less.
I’ve got an Oris Aquis …but think my Seikos are better divers and wear better, IMO
Other excellent options are a second hand alpinist (200m WR!) or the US special edition turtle 🐢 (wears wonderfully and is high end enough to keep me happy!)
Some other Swiss options if you want to avoid Japan are Zodiac (mine was $1k used, had bracelet and band included, and is COSC certified!) ..
..or, Rado Captain Cook (used maybe 1500?). My full ceramic blingy one is for sale for 2500, but the steel ones are about 1k less.
Out of the ones you showed, I prefer the turtle (already got one) and the Ginza, which, although it looks amazing, is too much money for me in a watch that I won't wear much (I'm a divers guy), but thanks, maybe zodiac and Rado have options for me!