Watch Temptations – or: A Watch to Scratch an Itch

I struggle all the time with this.

I looked at what I spent last year on 20 watches (yeah, i know) and I could have had a mid century Seamaster with what I spent.

So now I just remember that every time I want to buy a watch.

Grab an inexpensive vintage Hamilton and enjoy.

I love the Mischel reference. The question is, will that figure always be a concern? If you were to save that, what will the impact be? If any impact, there are a ton of great watches for less and best skipped. No purchase of a luxury good, or any non essential product, should cause stress.

Perhaps eat the marshmallow now, and when you are in a better position, sell it for a small loss for the whole bag of them.

Wow, that's a lot of watches! Yeah, it really is the eternal struggle: delayed gratification.

I understand the sentiment. A little watch fun now is tempting. But, alas...

I see many decent cheaper pieces go for perhaps 2-300 dollars, so the purchase of the grail would probably not be delayed more than a month or two. But still, time is time, and feeling that I am putting stress on my budget also puts stress on me. 🤔 On the other hand, if I buy a cheap watch and it indeed dampens the main urge for a long time, then that would be very nice. But that is a big if.

Much to think about.

I don't think there is a substitute for watches from what I call Omega's good period. They are truly special. This gives you the real collector of seeking something particular in the best condition for a tolerable price (in that order).

I’m so deep into marshmallows at this point I could eat s’mores every night for the next century. Luckily, I have no more high-end grails dangling like some kind of carrot of Damocles, limiting my enjoyment of the late night, cheap, impulse buys that have long ago filled every slot in my many watch boxes, yet still accumulate with every trip to my porch by the weary mailmen, UPS, FedEx, and DHL drivers who all know me by name and… oh, gotta take a phone call, it’s the producers of Hoarders calling again.

Ohh I know both feeling very well. And let’s just say I wasn’t very good at holding out in the beginning of my journey. But know I have came to a full stop and enjoying my 30+ watches before cutting down and buying a lot less frequently

Good luck 🤭

🍻

Empty calorie collection only works if you are me and you just want to try / use a variety of cheap quartz timers and also have a few bits of color and shine for variety. For most the most vocal people on this site, even for people into smarter or fancier or antique Casios, I would say save up and get something nice, but not get something nice and save because thats not how wish fulfillment works.

For some here, I imagine a moonswatch or a pagani or biden or a bargain swiss brand brings great fulfillment, but personally, I am not convinced that this works on most people.

I have this opinion despite many hours of watching enthusiastic pitches on youtube. For me, those brands best sellers are merely imitations of items that valuable specifically for their unique craftsmanship, or even better, as fine jewelry. A fine homage has value of its own, something I believe can be sensed, and... I personally don't sense that many places.

You have to be you. So be the best you and wait until it means something, then buy a banger.

Couple of hundred on eBay depending on current market conditions and individual auction results.

I’ve found that the best way to scratch the itch without dipping too much into the pot is to purchase a new watch band. Needless to say, I’ve purchased many straps in the past 9 months, 😂

Haha, "carrot of Damocles" - I love it! Sounds nice to have the high end grails taken care of.

So true, everyone is different, and everyone's goals and priorities are different. And those goals and priorities are likely to change over time.

Why though? They're fine, but it's not what he wants?

I say go for it if you like it that much

[read as James Mason in Poe’s “Tell Tale Heart”] There’s a tunnel vision that engulfs me that seems similar to your malady. Self denial is key. Be firm! I have had the vintage Omega kick that you’re on now. I feel that I can speak with conviction—It ended upon spending a lot of money on two (maybe just weeks apart). It was as blissful as you’d think—we’re hooked on this feeling for a reason. It’s wonderful.

But it also fades.

The watches are with me. Lovely, classic and forever acquired. No more juice of the hunt. I no longer want any more vintage anythings. What if I’d never bought them and just let the cravings pass? Would I still want these watches? Is it even about the watches at all?

Oh, but that ship had sailed. Deeds and funds done. Happy to report that the hunger is sated. It’s two months since and I’ve not looked at a vintage watch with any pangs of falling in again. It’s a tepid consideration now. Dead. But it’s also been quiet, just enough that the tell tale beating of a distant heartbeat can be heard. You can hear it? It’s not the stirrings of new cravings just beyond the sunset. It’s not.

I don’t want to buy another watch. I don’t.

But maybe…a 39mm automatic chronograph. New and shiny. Two sub dials. You understand, don’t you? I don’t have to have another watch.

I don’t.

I love rose gold myself, and I can see that that rose gold Cartier Santos-Dumont XL is going to look amazing on you.

I agree, saving up for the grail would probably be the wisest choice. I'm not a dedicated collector and I have not done any deep research into precise editions or reference numbers; I just know what I like when I see it. Like in the case of my grail watch: a classic Seamaster with white sunburst dial and a date on the 3 o'clock, preferably manual wind. Gold or steel, but I am recently leaning towards gold.

I so far resist even thinking about what I might get back on a watch, mainly because I do not see watches (or cars or any other consumer products) as investments. If I buy something I consider that money spent and gone, replaced with a beautiful object. I think that is the safest and soundest way to look at it, so as not to delude myself into more easily wasting money without taking full responsibility for that purchase decision. I just sold a watch for the first time, my Seiko Presage SRPE19J1, and I was happy to get about 50% for it. I was prepared to get nothing.

Anyway, hope to see that rose gold Cartier on you in due time!

Sounds great and wise! And wonderfully relaxed and hype-free.

Absolutely, a bit of time between the flirt and the purchase decision should lower the risk of eventual disappointment.

Beautifully written. I understand. Brain and heart, responsibility and desire, forever engaged in a friendly tug of war.

I love my vintage Breitling chronograph. It was a bit of an impulse buy (or, well, I restrained myself a few weeks) and it cost more than all my other watches combined, but it satisfied my desire for a vintage chronograph. I may well buy another vintage chronograph in the future, as I have a particular fondness for chronographs, but not anytime soon.

I say, enjoy the feeling of satisfaction. That means you can devote your desires and energy on other things – at least for now.

Get the watch you really want ! “All good things comes to those who wait “ or so I’m told 😂.

I like the sword has turned into a carrot :)

Get a Tag

I stopped buying “stopgap” watches. Save up for what you really want and enjoy what you already have. Less is more.

There are many great vintage watches around and you mention one of my favourites, Certina. But a nice Omega, of your liking, is worth waiting for.

Certina have sure produced some very nice designs. Very elegant.

I love vintage Certinas. Have an Argonaut and am currently on the prowl for the right 1st generation DS.

But, I'm not going to buy a watch that reminds me of a DS because it's cheaper. Like Seamasters, there's really nothing quite like the DS. I'd stick to my guns.

Now, granted, the watches that are in the same class (IMO) as the DS - KonTikis, Antarctics, Sherpas, etc. - are rarely cheaper... but still.

Take your time and enjoy the hunt! Read up on the myriad case references, movements, and materials. Then keep a sharp eye out for exactly the right one, and when it comes along you’ll be glad you hadn’t spent several hundred dollars on “substitutes” that will never fully scratch the Seamaster itch.

Hope you find it soon! The only vintage DS I have seen IRL was this one I tried on recently.

Thanks, I'll try to hold out! True, I probably should do more research.