What's Your Biggest Watch Mistake/Fail?
As watch enthusiasts we are passionate about our timepieces. That being said we can sometimes make mistakes along the way, I have for sure. For those new to the "watch game", below are some mistakes/pitfalls you will want to avoid (and I have listed my biggest watch mistake/fail at the bottom of the post).
1. Impulsive Buying: One mistake is making impulsive purchases without proper research or consideration. It's important to take the time to educate yourself about the brand, model, features, and price range before making a purchase.
2. Ignoring Maintenance: Neglecting proper maintenance and care for watches is a common mistake. Regular servicing, cleaning, and following the manufacturer's guidelines for maintenance are crucial to ensure the longevity and performance of your watch.
3. Counterfeit Watches: It's essential to be cautious and avoid purchasing counterfeit watches. Counterfeiters have become increasingly sophisticated, so it's important to buy from authorized dealers and reputable sources to ensure authenticity. Remember the seller is just as important as the watch during the buying process.
4. Overestimating Resale Value: Some of us watch enthusiasts may assume that our timepieces will retain or increase in value over time. While certain watches can appreciate, it's important to remember that not all watches will necessarily become valuable investments.
5. Focusing Solely on Brand Name: While brand reputation is significant, it's essential to assess each watch based on its own merits. Don't solely rely on the brand name and reputation; consider factors such as design, movement, quality, and personal preference.
6. Neglecting Versatility: Choosing watches solely based on trends or limited to a specific style or occasion can limit their versatility. Consider watches that can be worn across different settings and occasions to maximize their usage.
7. Watch Wearing Rotation: Watches that are left unworn for extended periods can experience issues such as oil drying out or parts seizing. To maintain the optimal performance and functionality of our mechanical watches, it's recommended to wear them in rotation or keeping them wound.
8. Neglecting Personal Fit and Comfort: Watches should not only be aesthetically pleasing but also comfortable to wear. Ignoring factors like case size, weight, and strap/bracelet fit can lead to dissatisfaction and discomfort in the long run.
My biggest mistake/fail was purchasing a Rolex Submariner before I knew anything about mechanical watches. My preference were Citizen watches, Eco-Drives specifically as they run on light, no battery needed. I did not understand the historical significance of the Submariner and how mechanical watches operate, thus after 2 short years I became frustrated with winding a 7k watch (yes when you could purchase a brand new Sub for 7k) and ultimately sold the timepiece, OOPS!
No one likes admitting to their mistakes however if we can help a fellow enthusiast avoid our mistakes it's a good thing. What is your biggest watch fail?
Early to being a watch enthusiast. Enjoy the history of horology as much as I do the hunt for the next timepiece. I enjoy striking up conversations with folks I don't know and finding out what drew th...
Me getting into this hobby… weirdly miss the days when I only have an Apple Watch…life was easy no choices of which watch to wear …
😉
starting.
I think I’ve done a little of everything at this point 🫠🙃
When I first started buying/ selling on eBay, I was obtaining watches like crazy because there were so many “great deals”. Over time I ended up selling most of them because I was still developing a preference for what I liked to wear. It was a lot of wasted time & effort. I’ve learned to do more research on any given watch & to try it on if possible.
A few old Smiths watches from the 50's. I just got carried away with the whole British made vintage vibe.
Buying a watch off Kickstarter
Buying a Hublot at MSRP price….
About 55 years ago when I bought a second watch when I already had a watch that worked fine.
Me not getting into the hobby seriously when I should have. I used to think that I couldn't possibly wear a nice watch. So I looked at fashion watches instead. Mostly because I didn't realize that you could get nice watches with great features for not much more money. Thinking the proper watches were too expensive. And maybe because my spending interest was also elsewhere.
My collection would be much different today had I done proper research and purchases at that time.
Lost my 1st watch I bought. Gave away the 2nd and 3rd watch I bought. Really babied my 4th watch.
Im starting in this watch game, thanks for this 😊
regarding the point 5, I would say kinda, I just feel much safer buying a watch from Swatch group than some other brands, and everybody knows by now that I am an omega fanboi (and have several other watches... ok 2, within swatch group as well)
My biggest mistake was buying 20 watches in 10 months last year.
No big regrets, thankfully. I also got into this hobby in 2011 when there was not as much hype trying to push everyone into the lastest thing, so I don’t think I experienced pressure like those who have entered recently.
I would say I slightly regret selling my Tudor Prince Oysterdate Roulette date from the early 1970s. I wore it everyday with a suit for a few years and gave it up in favor of something more modern and reliable. Shame, as it was a pretty reliable watch, considering its age, and the 34mm case and silver dial felt just about perfect. I know I can get another, I just really liked this one!
After several years of mostly buying used vintage watches, I started getting tired of the immense amount of research, seller assessment, and upkeep, and decided to start getting new ones more often. After a few successful such purchases, I got really excited about Spinnaker's Boettger model, a beefy dive watch with dramatic floating indices. It was the first-run limited edition, and in my FOMO fever-state, I hadn't really processed the scale of the watch, or even realized it had an integrated bracelet. Although technically not too big for me, the sheer mass of the watch - plus the jutting end links - just made it feel so overwhelming. For years it was easily the most I'd paid for a watch, and yet the least I'd worn one. I still have it. I take it out and wear it very rarely, but most times I just say "oof!" and put it back.
The lesson was that a design might speak to me, but I need to be constantly updating my understanding of dimensions and how they relate to my wrist. And, that I should be wary of pressure caused by artificial scarcity. (I continue to buy Zelos, so maybe that one didn't stick.)
Being too rough with my timepiece! I was adjusting the bracelet on a new watch and ended up denting the bezel with the bracelet’s clasp 🤦♂️
No regrets yet since I’m just starting out and have no money. 😂 But I’ve been able to try a variety of cheaper watches as my dad (who’s also into watches) makes mistakes and hands the pieces off to me.
In the process I’ve learned what my weak point will be: buying on a fad or good review. It’s easy for me to get enchanted with a watch and really want it. Then that switches to “meh” a month later. Buying homages and sitting on a watch concept I’m passionate about will be essential to finding out what I really like before dropping the money.
My biggest mistake was buying 20 watches in 10 months last year.
What kind of watches did you buy?
vintage complicated pin-pallet… yes, even I drop an absolute clanger despite my advice to others.
Slightly less egregious from a love/hate point of view
vintage tuning fork - cost me an arm and a leg for a service which turned up a colossal list of defects. Great watch, immense baggage…
What kind of watches did you buy?
Generically? Cheap ones. LOL
I only wear 4 of them regularly. Consequently, those 4 are the highest priced pieces I bought.
To the OP’s first and most important point. Never buy on impulse. The path of buying a nice watch is to do the research and then at the end, go into the store and try it on after. If you reverse this process your setting yourself up for regret.
Underestimating the complexity around servicing vintage watches. I love vintage watches from the 50s/60s. I bought 3 or 4 of them over a stretch of 2 years or so. And found out that even when they came from trusted sellers and had been "serviced" prior, inevitably would fail in some ways. The costs can be a quite a shock, parts might not be around anymore, and you really need to find a watchmaker that you can trust and knows their way around old vintage watches. Now it feels like I will always have a second thought when grabbing them from my watchbox....
I think we can all agree that at some point, we care too much about accuracy as well? I do at one point but I’ve learnt no automatic can beat quartz. Now I just enjoy the wearing them and not care so much. LOL
My biggest mistake was buying 20 watches in 10 months last year.
Is 20 watches on the high or low side?
Is 20 watches on the high or low side?
High, low, it's all subjective. But for me, it was too many.
That said, it helped me understand what I wanted from my watches. Less, but better.
My Timex Q Chronograph keeps reminding me how I love to be able to change straps often for different situations and vibes... So I will be more careful about my next watches and make sure they have a normal size lug. I won't wear this watch much because it's 18mm lugs that gets 22 wide so it's difficult (impossible with a rally leather) to find straps for it.
18 mm looks not so good on a 40mm chronograph...
My Timex Q Chronograph keeps reminding me how I love to be able to change straps often for different situations and vibes... So I will be more careful about my next watches and make sure they have a normal size lug. I won't wear this watch much because it's 18mm lugs that gets 22 wide so it's difficult (impossible with a rally leather) to find straps for it.
18 mm looks not so good on a 40mm chronograph...
Great choice. Great looking watch.