New beginnings
What’s up everyone
New to the community and wanted to share the start of a journey / have this post to look back at.
This is my new apple watch (face is motivation to get a coke gmt lol)
I’ve been researching all about watches for the past 2 months or so now. I’ve been learning a lot from my older brother @Mr.Santana - who really has a passion for watches and building his collection.
I’ve had some watches passed down/gifted to me by my father when I was younger. I personally am not looking to buy any more fashion watches.
Really looking to start a new collection and to continue to learn. I can tell this a great community to share my process and connect with you all.
My questions for you:
1.) What was your first watch? (Drop a pic if you have it)
2.) Do you have any recommendations for starter mechanical watches?
Looking forward to reading any responses and learning more from you.
Welcome aboard! My first watched was a birthday gift when I was nine. But my "proper" watch journey began over a year ago, first purchase being an Orient Bambino v2. Since then, I've amassed about 30 watches, all of which vary in style and movement. As many will tell you, this hobby is borderline deranged and an intervention may be my only way out at this point!
The start of something great!
I started off mine the same way. Now I’m 33 watches deep. Welcome in little bro
Welcome! I got more into watches a couple years ago after wearing an Apple Watch for a couple years.
There are so many considerations when it comes to recommendations. Without any specifics, I usually say Seiko or Orient is a great place to start.
Welcome aboard! My first watched was a birthday gift when I was nine. But my "proper" watch journey began over a year ago, first purchase being an Orient Bambino v2. Since then, I've amassed about 30 watches, all of which vary in style and movement. As many will tell you, this hobby is borderline deranged and an intervention may be my only way out at this point!
Hell yea Fred!
You can’t go wrong with a “Bambino” a.k.a orient classic. White dial pops nice. Check mine out in the gallery
I went with rose gold - ostrich strap but not for nothing I was also feeling the shiny leather it comes stock.
I hardly see anyone with the rose gold or white dial most go with the cream.
Either way you go it right , it is a really good dressy way to step into mechanical for sure! Vintage feel modern movemt. 🔥
Welcome! I got more into watches a couple years ago after wearing an Apple Watch for a couple years.
There are so many considerations when it comes to recommendations. Without any specifics, I usually say Seiko or Orient is a great place to start.
Apple be the Segway drug though…
Welcome aboard! My first watched was a birthday gift when I was nine. But my "proper" watch journey began over a year ago, first purchase being an Orient Bambino v2. Since then, I've amassed about 30 watches, all of which vary in style and movement. As many will tell you, this hobby is borderline deranged and an intervention may be my only way out at this point!
That looks clean! May look into an Orient for sure.
& 😂😂I already know it’s coming my way
Thanks Fred 🙏🏽
Hell yea Fred!
You can’t go wrong with a “Bambino” a.k.a orient classic. White dial pops nice. Check mine out in the gallery
I went with rose gold - ostrich strap but not for nothing I was also feeling the shiny leather it comes stock.
I hardly see anyone with the rose gold or white dial most go with the cream.
Either way you go it right , it is a really good dressy way to step into mechanical for sure! Vintage feel modern movemt. 🔥
I own five Orients now, different models with either white or cream dials. One is a Small Seconds with a champagne mug. And yes, I did see your Orient when you first posted it and gave a thumbs up. Rose gold isn't my favorite, but if I were gifted one out of the blue I wouldn't be unhappy at all. Good to see fellow New Yorkers here too. I was raised in Brooklyn and Queens, but have been living in Virginia for a number of years now.
Welcome! I got more into watches a couple years ago after wearing an Apple Watch for a couple years.
There are so many considerations when it comes to recommendations. Without any specifics, I usually say Seiko or Orient is a great place to start.
Looks like i’m headed down a similar path 🫡
Thank you for the recommendations🙏🏽
That looks clean! May look into an Orient for sure.
& 😂😂I already know it’s coming my way
Thanks Fred 🙏🏽
Orient Star Heritage Gothic just darkened my door recently. My only gripe with the brand are the straps they come with! I always replace them, usually putting in an order at the same time I'm purchasing the watch.
Orient Star Heritage Gothic just darkened my door recently. My only gripe with the brand are the straps they come with! I always replace them, usually putting in an order at the same time I'm purchasing the watch.
That’s fire 🔥 Good to know about the straps. Definitely will do the same
What I Tell Y’All!!! it even looks Great with a Gray Suit!! boom!!
I don’t remember my first watch unfortunately …
Welcome to the Crunch!
What I Tell Y’All!!! it even looks Great with a Gray Suit!! boom!!
I don’t remember my first watch unfortunately …
Welcome to the Crunch!
Thank you 🤝
I think I had a couple the sorts of dirt-cheap, gimmicky digital watches common to little kids (some kind of robot thing, maybe something with a calculator and alarm), but the first analog watch was almost certainly this Swatch (it came with a rubbery protective "bumper" that stretched across the face, too). My grandparents got it for me, circa 1987/12 years old. I remember being really stoked that it was so "normal" looking, because I (apparently) thought the more popular models were too colorful or something. Always the contrarian, I guess.
As a teen I often had a watch, but I don't recall any of them in detail. Just inexpensive department store pieces. Probably a Diesel or a Nixon, a Timex or two. Went without one for years, before buying the same sort of thing in my early 30s and realizing they weren't very good and didn't go with the clothes I was wearing. I started learning how to buy vintage pieces, of which this Seiko was a fairly early victory:
I buy mostly new now, though, because there are fewer headaches. As far as "starter" watches go, I'll leave specific brand suggestions to others in the thread. Instead, I'll say that it's good to use your first couple of watches to feel out what works for you, expressively. Are you interested in rugged, outdoorsy activities? Maybe a refined field or explorer style watch would cover your bases well. Do you need to look professional for work? Perhaps a dressier sport watch could be dressed up or down as needed. Personally, I started out with versatile, dressy-ish sports watches, got obsessed with vintage Soviet pieces for a while, bought a bunch of field watches (great for my photography practice!) and GMTs (great for my traveling for said photography!), and am now seemingly interested in classy retro divers/explorers and - full circle - dressier sports watches. There's a lot to experience, so have fun!
Pens were my gateway to watches so a Montblanc with a Moonphase was first.
Depends on your budget and taste. Seiko is a solid starting place. Tissot and Hamilton are a nice step up from there IMO. If your budget is bigger than that I think Nomos and Oris offer amazing bang for the buck under $2,000.
Pens were my gateway to watches so a Montblanc with a Moonphase was first.
Depends on your budget and taste. Seiko is a solid starting place. Tissot and Hamilton are a nice step up from there IMO. If your budget is bigger than that I think Nomos and Oris offer amazing bang for the buck under $2,000.
Awesome - Definitely do want a Tissot in my collection. bringing up then budget as i go on but may start around that price point. Thanks for the recommendations man
I think I had a couple the sorts of dirt-cheap, gimmicky digital watches common to little kids (some kind of robot thing, maybe something with a calculator and alarm), but the first analog watch was almost certainly this Swatch (it came with a rubbery protective "bumper" that stretched across the face, too). My grandparents got it for me, circa 1987/12 years old. I remember being really stoked that it was so "normal" looking, because I (apparently) thought the more popular models were too colorful or something. Always the contrarian, I guess.
As a teen I often had a watch, but I don't recall any of them in detail. Just inexpensive department store pieces. Probably a Diesel or a Nixon, a Timex or two. Went without one for years, before buying the same sort of thing in my early 30s and realizing they weren't very good and didn't go with the clothes I was wearing. I started learning how to buy vintage pieces, of which this Seiko was a fairly early victory:
I buy mostly new now, though, because there are fewer headaches. As far as "starter" watches go, I'll leave specific brand suggestions to others in the thread. Instead, I'll say that it's good to use your first couple of watches to feel out what works for you, expressively. Are you interested in rugged, outdoorsy activities? Maybe a refined field or explorer style watch would cover your bases well. Do you need to look professional for work? Perhaps a dressier sport watch could be dressed up or down as needed. Personally, I started out with versatile, dressy-ish sports watches, got obsessed with vintage Soviet pieces for a while, bought a bunch of field watches (great for my photography practice!) and GMTs (great for my traveling for said photography!), and am now seemingly interested in classy retro divers/explorers and - full circle - dressier sports watches. There's a lot to experience, so have fun!
Definitely have to do some exploring, but sports watches that could be dressed up/down are my vibe. The Seiko looks clean by the way. Thank you for sharing 🤝
You can start with a Seiko 5 Sports or the Orient Mako 2