How did you feel about your first watch ?
Watch enthusiasts that recently joined the hobby, how did you feel about your first watch ?
I want to share my experience because I loved it.
So, I FINALLY got my first REAL watch,1 week ago, after a few months struggling to select the right one, I bought a basic seiko 5 SRPE51. My criteria was simple : automatic, nice looking, versatile, not a big watch, 20mm lug width, display case back and less than 500€ (preferably less than 300€ 😅)
When I ordered it, I expected my new seiko 5 to satisfy me as a first watch, in fact, I am more than satisfied, it brings me joy each time I wear it ! The moment I got it felt special.. probably because I suffered from hesitation before pulling the trigger.. I was too afraid to miss my first watch to the point that I could no longer decide. I couldn’t stop seeing watch reviews everyday, most of them talks about beautiful watches and I want them all in my collection 😂, in the beginning I was very close from making an impulsive buy but I decided to hold on and be patient and I am glad I did. Now I am enjoying every time I wear my seiko 5, I love the mix of brushed and polished case, I was afraid that the dial will be boring for me but it’s not, very well finishing, maybe only thing I don't like much is the “5” under seiko logo.
Even the bracelet that all reviewers agreed about its poor quality didn’t seem bad to me, I love it, maybe because I am used to really poor bracelet from my old Festina watch.
Now I decided that my next should be a diver, but I want to have some time with my seiko 5 and build a relationship 😅
Did anyone have a similar experience ?
An SRPE (57 or 67 with the gilt dial?) is next on my list, but my first automatic was an Invicta 1953 diver (also a 40mm/20mm with a Seiko 4R/NH movement, but at less than 1/2 the price)... and I had a similar experience - brushed top and sides with polished chamfer that I couldn't take my eyes off. Reviews said the oyster-style bracelet was crap but I'm enjoying it.
When you look at divers, don't discount the 100m WR 5Sports "divers" - 100m is more than most people need, and I'll be the first one to admit that a screw-down crown is a pain in the ass when winding daily... I'm always worrying about cross-threading the crown (and I have a Casio Duro for when I really go in the water).
My first proper watch as an adult was a G-Shock and I really enjoyed it. The first couple of automatics wasn't for me. But I soon found the Seiko Turtle Pepsi and enjoyed that for a couple of years before moving on.
Thank you for sharing !
Khaki field is definitely a great choice, at the moment I consider it a bit expensive for me, but I really think that I ll end up buying it soon enough.
The Seiko dressKX is a great choice. My go to suggestion for someone getting into the hobby or someone who wants a first automatic watch. Its versatile, does the job and a no fuss watch. I got the black dial version as a gift for my friend who was getting an interest in the hobby and he ended up liking the watch more than I thought, he pretty much wears it all the time now and recently bought a Seiko Turtle.
The grey dial variant is not boring at all, the sunburst effect plays nicely with the light and Seiko knows how to get a dial right even if it basic. Enjoy the watch, don't get sucked into the hobby fast.
Get a few straps, natos, leather...pretty much this watch looks great on all. AliExpress is a nice place to pick up some affordable natos and rubber straps. Esty and colareb are for good leather straps (under $50). The watch can always be interesting choice of straps for that versatility. The bracelet is decent, you can pick up an 18mm milled clasp for the bracelet for $5 from Aliexpress and it would improve the bracelet more than enough for daily use.
If you are looking for a diver, Orient and entry level Seiko Prospex watches are a great entry point.
Congratulations on your new watch.
The Seiko dressKX is a great choice. My go to suggestion for someone getting into the hobby or someone who wants a first automatic watch. Its versatile, does the job and a no fuss watch. I got the black dial version as a gift for my friend who was getting an interest in the hobby and he ended up liking the watch more than I thought, he pretty much wears it all the time now and recently bought a Seiko Turtle.
The grey dial variant is not boring at all, the sunburst effect plays nicely with the light and Seiko knows how to get a dial right even if it basic. Enjoy the watch, don't get sucked into the hobby fast.
Get a few straps, natos, leather...pretty much this watch looks great on all. AliExpress is a nice place to pick up some affordable natos and rubber straps. Esty and colareb are for good leather straps (under $50). The watch can always be interesting choice of straps for that versatility. The bracelet is decent, you can pick up an 18mm milled clasp for the bracelet for $5 from Aliexpress and it would improve the bracelet more than enough for daily use.
If you are looking for a diver, Orient and entry level Seiko Prospex watches are a great entry point.
Congratulations on your new watch.
Thank you for the tips, I want to buy one nato and one leather strap, I will definitely check ebay for that.
I bought the basic watch repair toolkit so I can swap straps and resize bracelets, I think I ll be able to change to clasp as well.
Thank you again for the suggestions 😉
congrats and welcome to the obsession!
I still have my first mechanical watch and even though it doesn't get a lot of wrist time anymore, I'll never part with it.
My first watch was a 1980s Seiko digital watch that looked like a Casio homage. I had no strong feelings regarding the watch itself, but it meant that I was in 5th grade, and old enough to take the bus by myself. It was a big step made possible by that watch, and it felt like my world had expanded.
My very first wristwatch was a mechanical Timex, given to me as a child back in the 1960s; a gift from my parents. Don't remember much about it except that it fascinated me and got me interested in timepieces, which I still am to this day, 50 plus years later!
Recently gave my 5 year old grandson a Timex as his first watch. Hopefully he'll catch "the bug" too! 😀