Watches feel underwhelming.

I had a broadly similar experience, I went to see a few of the Seikos that people rave about online, and I was unimpressed.

My advice is to be skeptical about any watch that "everyone" says is amazing.

Happens to us all. Your lusting after something and check out all the reviews etc and hands on it isn't happening. The main thing is, imagine buying it online and you open the box and get that feeling. It is not always possible to get hands on, especially micro brands etc, but as you said the old school way is the best way to go, when possible of course. Good hunting.

You are wise beyond your years. Don’t buy just to buy. Be selective with your money and wait for the one. Also, to echo your point, you can read all about something but you should always test drive before you buy, especially on anything of a substantial investment.

At the end of the day, your money, your opinion, your taste and your wrist are ALL that matters! Happy hunting 🤙❤️🤙

Reviews are much more helpful in avoiding turds than in finding gems.

If you find a watch that does speak to you in person, read/watch reviews before purchasing unless you already have done the research.

Buy what you like within budget you have and try as much as possible prior buying. I had same experience upon meeting my hero - the Speedmaster. All reviews, the story behing, history... I loved the watch on paper and upon saving for some time went happily to AD convinced I will buy it. Long story short I don't have it, tried 4 times already and still nothing. You feel kinda strange as everybody praises the watch, some even calling it grail. Lession be patient, explore and eventually you will find something that suits you. The journey to find is as important as buying/owning it

I agree 100% with @SpecKTator on this. Unless a watch really grabs you and screams "buy me", it's probably not worth having in your collection.

Never meet your heroes…they can only disappoint you 😂

Too bad every watch I meet screams buy me

Thank you for saying that man. It feels nice to hear a compliment. I was at home preparing for exams and when i took breaks all i did was watch reviews, servising videos and comparisions. After my exams i i finally visited the shop and that's were this thought hit me.

Maybe i should see reviews as opnions and and consider it as a theory and than experience watches in a boutique.

Your compliment made my day better. Thank you 💐

True said, i am so upset after finding out that Seiko nh35 had plastic part in the movement lol. I was looking for a watch which i can were my whole life but plastic part just bothers me lol.

Someone told me this quote before. I decided to that, i will idolise moments in people's life and not the people themselves. Isn't it the most imp thing which makes a hero a hero. 💐💐💐

Maybe for people like us, old school way of going from shop to shop is the best

You have experienced the excitement of the "hunt" and sometimes that feels much better than post-purchase. I try my best to always see and try on a watch before making the purchase. The lights of a studio and macros of the camera can make the watch "shine" far beyond what the normal eye will pick up. I'm sure most of us have had some type of buyers remorse. Sounds like you learned a valuable lesson without losing any money. Well-done!

Always. I never buy new warch before trying it on my wrist. Vintage is another story

That is a very insightful story. I had the same experience recently when I went to a jewelry shop in our shopping mall (I hate shopping centres btw). There were a few nice pieces but generally I felt underwhelmed. I couldn't even bring myself to ask the staff to show me one and try it on.

Price does not matter brother. The point of the hobby is the journey and finding out what you like. If you go by hype and price of the watch you will be very disappointed cause some expensive watches feel just as good as a 100-200 dollar quartz or Seiko 5. Is your style your watches your hype.

Try on as many watches of different case types , you don’t need a dive watch . You need a three hander that’s reliable for everyday use ! Preferably at least 100 meters water resistance ( humidity in India I believe you would want at least that in a hot climate) day date meh 🫤 if it’s what you like or can afford, simple is best , Myota 9015 movement or quartz woukd be great 👍🏼

I did too , both the small 36mm cushion case one , the chrono too, I only mildly liked the titanium one but to my mind too dear .

Dial color is the big booboo for me. I have rejected several watches upon seeing them in person that were lust inspiring on the Internet.

You make an important point. Adrian Barker has complained that watch photography isn't good enough. I'd say it's often too good. A while ago I was absolutely mad to get a sub, driven not least by the amazingly beautiful images posted outside the Rolex store - but when I finally handled one for real, I thought, just like you: is that it.....? Take your time, so that when you pull the trigger you can be as sure as possible that you will bond with your watch. That's what I did with my Pelagos and GS spring drive - and I'm certain as can be that I'll never sell them

I will, it's not the most welcomed feeling, but i will remember this feeling.

Maybe we get caught into the hype.

The second experience we get is taking a toll on the happiness of handling things for the first time.

Maybe we should stick to the old school ways of just entering a dealership and checking if we enjoy something or not

I agree. I have few HMT watches. It's the first Indian watch company. It's closed now they do backdoor business now lol.

But the watch has history to the soil I was born in, and appricate it dearly, it costs like 1500 rupees to maximum on 10,000rupees for reference Seiko king turle was 50,000rs. And here in India you can buy a motorcycle for like 100,000rs. So that kinda money on a watch for a middleclass family is big here. Borderline stupid.

But we also understand that money we earn is to make us happy so over time i can save little amount and get it.

Going thru that much calculation which causes the hype and that leads to the feeling of underwhelming watch. The mind goes ( dam, all that for this)

It's confusing but, maybe things will get simple

I was looking for a diver because i do plan on learning scuba diving ( no solid plans yet,) and and if the watch is going to be my only one and done GADA watch it should bare Treks, hikes, motorcycle rides, swiming pools, beaches etc.

This the diver choice

I do some photography too, i have photographed my watch before. But dammit i still get caught up lol

It is a very cheap ( i mean low cost) movement compared to Swiss made movements in general. But being Japanese it is really made well made, just mass produced. If it breaks down it is very easy to replace as well

The only plastic parts in the NH35/4R35 movement are the couple of gears in the date changing mechanism, which are low stress parts. These movements are still industrial movements which are robust and can be serviced over the years without any issue. Unless you go about looking at the current entry level ETA movements where many crucial parts made out of plastic, then keeping it for whole life cannot be guaranteed. Its a use and throw movement. Older ETA, Sellita and Seiko movements are always serviceable easily if you have a access to a reliable watchmaker.

Then if you go scuba diving , a dive computer is far more a safer requirement and if using for sports then a bezel is a problem to get damaged, I own two dive watches but I surf , these days I realised a Ripcurl tide & moon watch makes better sense for that , it’s ok to admit you just like the look of dive watches !!!! 😉 heck I do ! Hey just an old 62 year olds experienced opinion 🙂

This happened to me recently. I’d say there’s atleast two variables for me; hype macro shots and positive youtube reviews. To elaborate on the last variable: most reviewers tend not to be brutally honest about a watch for commercial reasons. They won’t put up a bad review on model or type x. They’ll do a general “dont buy these…”. But this way you get confirmation bias or atleast a distorted view.