Before watches became a hobby for me, I did little thinking. Exhibit A:
At some point after not wearing a watch for a while during my life, I decided I needed to wear one again. It wasn’t a hobby or a passion, or even an interest, it was out of the desire to tell the time without my phone again. Somehow I managed to abandon all sense and sensibility and bought this horror show I bring before you today. If I were to rack my brain as to what exactly was or was not going through it at the time of purchase, I think it went something a little like this:
“i need watch, only one, must be tough, must be inexpensive (less than $50). ooo, tough looking lugs, digi just change battery every several years, inside budget. dun.”
Admittedly, I was going through a little phase at the time where I was getting my brother a gag gift of a zombie apocalypse go bag, and that silly mentality may have overwhelmed my purchase making process. Now that I’ve done a little more research, and maybe give more of a damn, I can safely say that this watch was a regrettable purchase. There was no reason I couldn’t have spent just a little more time on the internet and found out about Casios, Citizens, and Seikos. But alas, mistakes were made and I do my best to move on.
Just wondering if there are any others of you out there who kept any of those head shaking, face palming decisions of a purchase, before you knew what you know now.
Not the fanciest of collections. Just an amateur enthusiast, with a little interest in some things EDC as well. And tennis. And F1. And nature. And science.
If the watch has survived those years, it was worth keeping. I regret buying watches that broke, but even some silly purchases I wear from time to time, even if it's just as a beater watch.
If the watch has survived those years, it was worth keeping. I regret buying watches that broke, but even some silly purchases I wear from time to time, even if it's just as a beater watch.
Would be true if it were fully functioning. Light doesn’t work, analog hands don’t move anymore. Haven’t checked if any other functions work.
Would be true if it were fully functioning. Light doesn’t work, analog hands don’t move anymore. Haven’t checked if any other functions work.
Given the signs of wear on that watch, I'd still say you got your money's worth, right?
I don’t think your experience is not too different from many folks - and there is probably people out there who still hold your previous perspective/criteria for a watch when making their purchases now.
For me I’ve definitely held onto some pieces that would fall into this category but I probably see them in a different light, as I know I can be very nostalgic/romantic about things I am passionate about. So I’d say holding onto the watch you pictured above should really depend on how you feel about it. You clearly have a story attached to it as an original purchase - you were looking for a gag gift for your brother… maybe it reminds you of him or your shared laughter. It looks like it’s has a ton of “battle scars” - perhaps the scratches prompt a specific memory you had wearing it. Maybe you just want to hold on to a watch that marks your change of perspective on watches and/or where you entered the hobby.
If all you see is a dumb purchase, I say ship it out, no reason to keep it in the box. 🤙
Given the signs of wear on that watch, I'd still say you got your money's worth, right?
Longest running cheap watch I've owned. Certainly got the job done.
I don’t think your experience is not too different from many folks - and there is probably people out there who still hold your previous perspective/criteria for a watch when making their purchases now.
For me I’ve definitely held onto some pieces that would fall into this category but I probably see them in a different light, as I know I can be very nostalgic/romantic about things I am passionate about. So I’d say holding onto the watch you pictured above should really depend on how you feel about it. You clearly have a story attached to it as an original purchase - you were looking for a gag gift for your brother… maybe it reminds you of him or your shared laughter. It looks like it’s has a ton of “battle scars” - perhaps the scratches prompt a specific memory you had wearing it. Maybe you just want to hold on to a watch that marks your change of perspective on watches and/or where you entered the hobby.
If all you see is a dumb purchase, I say ship it out, no reason to keep it in the box. 🤙
I do wonder why I've held onto it. Romantic at heart, maybe? Eh.