Your philosophy … no judgements !

For many years I had only quartz watches. I’m old enough that my first watches were hand wound and the first quartz watches seemed like an amazing leap forward. I’ve never liked digital displays, so stayed with analogues. I‘ve been fairly late to the automatic mechanical world, largely due to wanting an accurate watch, as well as being used to a fairly light weight on the wrist. Well, I’ve changed. I now like a variety of movements and complications. However, my go to’s are the lighter and more accurate ones. GS, followed by Omega, fit the bill the best.

I used to not know what an automatic watch was.  Or even manual wind.  Somehow, in my brain, all watches had ticking seconds.  As soon as I learned the difference between mechanical and quartz watches, of course I became a mechanical snob.

Now, I love both.  I couldn't care less about the movements inside the watches these days.  So long as the darn thing works, what do I care?  I mostly care about the finishing and the comfort!

Gotta have three hands.  A combination of digital and analogue is fine but just can’t get enthusiastic about purely digital displays.  I wouldn’t have even considered a combination years ago but the proliferation of cool watches with this feature changed my mind about that.

I like them all. If it ticks it comes along. I should show you guys a $2.00 watch sometime.

I avoid digital displays, except on watches with both analog and digital.

I usually resist quartz, but I've had a few.

I prefer watches with a date indicator and day/date is also cool.

Date window at 4:30 gives me zits.

Size much above 40mm is a problem on my skinny wrist, although there are exceptions - I'm looking at you Seiko Turtle.

I prioritize good lume on my pin pallet chronographs.

I still have a few minor deal breakers, but far fewer absolutes anymore. Most of my dislikes and quibbles have been sanded down by exposure to nice watches. I have a high tolerance for things that are worn down and barely work.

It’s changed so much over the years I’ve flipped between zealot and hypocrite more times than I care to imagine.

now it’s just no pin-pallet (except in rare occasions), decent Swiss movements, and if I like them quartz is acceptable.

I would only wear vintage watches. Modern watches lack soul and character.

This is the way.

I've since realized it's nice to have a watch that's water-resistant, with lume that doesn't crumble and disappear from the hands, and with parts that can be easily sourced at a decent price when it needs maintenance.

Also, I'm 6'5", so larger watches look better on me, and classic watches are typically 34 mm or smaller.

I've done a complete 360, but I still admire vintage watch designs and I love restoring and overhauling them.

My preferences, based on my casual lifestyle and an 8+ inch wrist.

The 'WOW" factor (I must love the dial)

40 to 42mm

Round and Analog

Arabic numerals or indices, no roman numerals

Bracelet with micro adjust or great strap

Date preferred, but not a deal breaker

I generally rate my watches on a scale of 1-10, 10 being perfect.

Only the GA-2100 on steel were rated perfect from the moment I go them.

The Tudor North Flag was 9.5 out of 10, because I had to source a link to make it fit.  No it is a 10.

When I first started collecting, Roman numerals on the dial were a deal breaker for me, but I have come to accept, and even embrace them, depending on the watch. 

I also tried to avoid manual wound movements, but after picking up the new Speedmaster Pro, have since decided that they have a charm of their own. 

My initial preference had been for smaller watches, but I now find that 40-42mm seems to be my preference, and have watches in my collection that are even larger.

Some of my favorite watches in my collection are watches that I would have never even considered when I started collecting 4 years ago, so I've learned to try to keep an open mind. My initial "deal breakers" have essentially morphed into "preferences".  

Quartz used to be THE deal breaker. Now I prefer them.

I don't do quartz.  

I don't do watches under 38mm.

I don't go past 52mm lug to lug, in fact I prefer not to go past 50mm.

If I ever pay five figures on a watch, it will only be once.

I have an amount I allow myself to spend on my overall collection.

If I'm not wearing it for long periods of time, it's sold, traded, or gifted (So far, I've only regretted this once).

I only looked at dress/dressy watches before. Now I'm sporting a 45mm titanium pilot watch.

My preference in clothes style changed and my lifestyle has changed. I think my watches reflect that oh too closely.

Oh and I'm limiting myself to one watch from each conglomerate. So I'm done with Richemont, Seiko Epson, Swatch, and Citizen Group for now!

Most of my life, I bought cheap watches from drug store counter displays.  When the strap cracked and broke, I'd spend $5 on another one.  When I started collecting around 2006-07, it was purely vintage Hamilton and I went a little bit overboard.  I have found that I prefer modern watches, though.

I don't really have a philosophy other than "ooh, shiny".  I am limited primarily by budget and whether I think I will wear a watch enough to justify blowing that budget on any specific watch.  I try to mix styles, brands and colour but there are no "rules" regarding that.  My last purchase was a Timex but I will buy Rolex if my AD offers me one that I like.  I've already been offered a new 36mm Explorer twice this year and turned it down for... reasons.  I'm just trying to build the coolest collection within my budget that makes me and nobody else happy.

It's all about how the watch makes you feel, and it's price point obviously. The rest is largely irrelevant.

People seem to focus on specs, but buying a watch (beyond Fitness Tracker, Casio, etc.) is not a rational decision, therefore it's all about your wants.

I started out liking slim economical quartz in a practical style. I considered digital watches declasse and too functional. I still can't say digital watches are all that pretty, but they are just so handy that it doesn't matter.

I dabbled in more interesting designs, mechanical movements. I have an appreciation for them, but I'm largely back to my roots. The real stupiphany was realizing that I'm fine with plain non-numerical indices. 

• No £200+ quartz (Spring drive doesn't count. What's the saying? 'Everyone draws the line just below what they like')
• Bracelets must be solid links. End links I don't care about, but links must be solid (except casios rolled links. See above)
• No Ani digi (not really prejudiced I've just found I dont look at the hands when there's a digital readout underneath)
• No male end links, though for fellow members of the IBWC thats a given
• No 48mm+ lug to lug (see above)

No smart watches for me.

38mm-43mm limit since I'm a small wrist.

No gold plated or bling.

Quartz, automatics and manuals ok depends on the brand.

The straps! gotta have the right strap for every watch.

I don’t have many requirements and they’ve mostly come about after the kids appeared. 
100m WR I can’t always waste time taking my watch off before it’s going to get wet. 
Saphire or at least a tough crystal because kids. 

Not too shiny as they can be like magpies. 
And not so expensive that I might cry in front of them if it breaks😉. 

Otherwise I’m not too fussy😂. 

Yes judgemen!  I judge you - guilty!  You have failed in the commandments of horology (‘bangs gavel )
 

😜

Actually - I totally love this idea.  I too have had absolute bans against manual winding, and hearing you makes me reconsider!  And I kinda thought sapphire is mandatory, but my 25 year old orange monster hardlex looks perfect, so why did I decide that?

Some of my other caveats include no chronos and min 100m and screw down crown … but this is more practical than a bias against as I have a ton of water exposure in my daily routines 💧 

“Ooo shiny!!” - love it, that boils down how my brain works 😂

Also, epic own of a Rolex AD, they’ve likely not had a Explorer purchase decline in living memory.  Ill never buy that brand after a rude and cold shoulder from my local AD.