Frugal or just Cheap

I’ve long ago realized I’m a value watch guy and not so much a luxury watch guy. This really hit home for me this weekend. As it was my birthday I had planned to buy myself a Swiss made watch. I was aiming CW, Squale, or Doxa not Tudor or Omega as I knew there was no way I could spend over $2000 CAD and not have buyers remorse. 

Still even at under $2000 I loaded online shopping carts then considered the cost with potential import charges then emptied the shopping cart numerous times. I just could not do it and was thinking maybe I need to turn in my watch enthusiast membership card as I have the money but could not pull the trigger. 

Then today I saw the Canadian Microbrand Vanbanner had their new VBAO model available for 50% off until June 30th. We are talking, Miyota 9039, Sapphire Crystal, 100m Water Resistance, a bracelet with 6 holes of micro adjustment ,  …. for $325 CAD. I loaded my cart and bought my birthday watch happily.

https://vanbannerwatches.com/collections/vbao

I’m going to go with frugal. Note the photo is not mine but it is the watch.

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I really like what Vanbanner is doing with color. 

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I have been hearing some good things about Vanbanner on YouTube and from some other collectors. I may have to check them out. The best price I had heard of for a microbrand with a Miyota 9000 series movement was the $349US I paid for my Islander #ISL-38.

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Aurelian

I really like what Vanbanner is doing with color. 

I was a bit bummed that the purple was sold out.

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Check out Jomashop.com I get watches there for good prices shipped to Canada 

List of Canadian Watch Brands

  1. Marathon Watch Company
  2. MOMENTUM
  3. 2nd Shot
  4. Whitby Watch Co.
  5. Solios
  6. Ferro & Company
  7. Novo Watch
  8. BERG+BETTS
  9. Konifer Watches
  10. Medium
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thatguy306

I was a bit bummed that the purple was sold out.

I didn't mention the purple because I suspected that's what drew you in first.  It did for me. Good news (sorta): Tsao's "Raven" (the purple one) is available for pre-order.

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LumegaudAnar

I have been hearing some good things about Vanbanner on YouTube and from some other collectors. I may have to check them out. The best price I had heard of for a microbrand with a Miyota 9000 series movement was the $349US I paid for my Islander #ISL-38.

I’ve had them on my radar since their parking watch. 

I think those Islanders are a great value this one maybe a bit better with the discount code but when it goes regular price the Islander may have it beat.

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OldSnafu

Check out Jomashop.com I get watches there for good prices shipped to Canada 

List of Canadian Watch Brands

  1. Marathon Watch Company
  2. MOMENTUM
  3. 2nd Shot
  4. Whitby Watch Co.
  5. Solios
  6. Ferro & Company
  7. Novo Watch
  8. BERG+BETTS
  9. Konifer Watches
  10. Medium

I almost bought a Hamilton Intra-matic on Joma on the weekend but did the US to CAD conversion and remembered I was dinged import charges last time I bought there and just couldn’t do it. 

Consider me impressed you have a few Canadian brands I wasn’t aware of, I’ll have to check them out.

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Aurelian

I didn't mention the purple because I suspected that's what drew you in first.  It did for me. Good news (sorta): Tsao's "Raven" (the purple one) is available for pre-order.

Damn that is a nice watch. I like the bronze.

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thatguy306

Damn that is a nice watch. I like the bronze.

The Maryland flag on the rotor. Oh, I am tempted.

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Aurelian

The Maryland flag on the rotor. Oh, I am tempted.

I never heard of that MD-1 movement got to read up in sounds cool. 

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Nice dial and beautiful watch.  Hey Man, we all approach this hobby differently.  Some want to have their watches appreciate in value, some collect for memories and others are not sure, but when they see something the like they go for it.  I have a bit of an OCD mind and need to have some sort of order in my collecting. I decided to focus on one brand become as knowledgable as I can about them.  I chose Timex.  It was my first watch when I was a kid and will be my forever collection as an adult.  They are fun and have a real essence of Americana.  I'm having a blast with my Timex only collection and don't regret approaching the hobby this way.  I'm an investor and learned the value of money due to my vocation, so even though I can afford to buy a luxury timepiece, it's just not me.  As the kids say, "you do you!"

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TimexBadger

Nice dial and beautiful watch.  Hey Man, we all approach this hobby differently.  Some want to have their watches appreciate in value, some collect for memories and others are not sure, but when they see something the like they go for it.  I have a bit of an OCD mind and need to have some sort of order in my collecting. I decided to focus on one brand become as knowledgable as I can about them.  I chose Timex.  It was my first watch when I was a kid and will be my forever collection as an adult.  They are fun and have a real essence of Americana.  I'm having a blast with my Timex only collection and don't regret approaching the hobby this way.  I'm an investor and learned the value of money due to my vocation, so even though I can afford to buy a luxury timepiece, it's just not me.  As the kids say, "you do you!"

That is a cool approach for a collection.  Lord knows Timex has a very deep catalogue. 

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Congrats and Happy Birthday!

You can rarely go wrong being a value buyer - I think Warren Buffet did pretty good for himself with that philosophy.

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Same logic and feeling here. 👍 Happy Birthday and enjoy your gift. 🍻 

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Happy Birthday!! Enjoy your watch! Frugal/ cheap/spender/excessive/rich…I say you love the watch no matter what it cost it’s your watch and that’s what matters. I’m Also looking for a birthday watch turning the big 4 5 so looking for something special 😉

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We live in a time that makes it easy to sniff out great values thanks to YouTube reviews and blogs.

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Watches are all about how they make you feel. If this makes you feel 'good' - then it's a winner.

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thatguy306

That is a cool approach for a collection.  Lord knows Timex has a very deep catalogue. 

Yes, the choices seem to be endless which is why my collection went from 0 to 60 pieces in 18 months.  lol

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Congrats & happy birthday from a fellow Canadian! Of the dozens of microbrands I own, the VanBanner PM 2.0 is probably my most worn. So much value and good looks! 😎👍

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IanCognito

Congrats & happy birthday from a fellow Canadian! Of the dozens of microbrands I own, the VanBanner PM 2.0 is probably my most worn. So much value and good looks! 😎👍

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I had lots of regrets on not pulling the trigger on that one when it came out. I read that they are going to have stock available again later this year so I may get my second chance. :)

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Really fun lume too! 

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Cool watch.  I'm with you here. Since I have my "grail" Speedy (which started me on this hobby) and got stranded on the Rolex Pepsi GMT waitlist (3 years), I got some more affordable watches and finally realized that what I loved about watches was not the premium brand (and accompanying price) so much as the watch itself. 

Thankfully, I couldn't get the Rolex right away (or ever) or I may have spiraled into more and more expensive watches (and a divorce) because I had been looking at JLCs, Subs and Seamasters, IWCs, etc. for my next watch after the Pepsi.  

Don't get me wrong, I still like a lot of these less affordable watches but the top of my current "next watch" list consists almost entirely of Seikos, Hamiltons and Microbrands (might pull the trigger on the Cincinnati Watch Company's P40 preorder next). 

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Rocketfan

Cool watch.  I'm with you here. Since I have my "grail" Speedy (which started me on this hobby) and got stranded on the Rolex Pepsi GMT waitlist (3 years), I got some more affordable watches and finally realized that what I loved about watches was not the premium brand (and accompanying price) so much as the watch itself. 

Thankfully, I couldn't get the Rolex right away (or ever) or I may have spiraled into more and more expensive watches (and a divorce) because I had been looking at JLCs, Subs and Seamasters, IWCs, etc. for my next watch after the Pepsi.  

Don't get me wrong, I still like a lot of these less affordable watches but the top of my current "next watch" list consists almost entirely of Seikos, Hamiltons and Microbrands (might pull the trigger on the Cincinnati Watch Company's P40 preorder next). 

My wife barely tolerates my current watch spending. I told her the going rate of the Rolex Explorer as she was reading a book about the Everest Expedition I think she feels I made that number up to make my spending seem trivial lol. 
 

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I love that Vanbanner deal ... some of us are just not luxury watch buyers. If I inherit or am gifted an Omega, Tudor, or Rolex, I will truly appreciate it, but until I have much more disposable income, I can't see myself buying a luxury watch.

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AFChris

I love that Vanbanner deal ... some of us are just not luxury watch buyers. If I inherit or am gifted an Omega, Tudor, or Rolex, I will truly appreciate it, but until I have much more disposable income, I can't see myself buying a luxury watch.

Totally agree I am at a point in life that I could buy one but just don’t want one enough. I realize I’d regret it and wish I’d used the money somewhere else 

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I have been wearing a watch for what seems like my entire life, (I’m 58). Always, Always, Always buy what you like. Don’t get caught up in the hype over the “Latest and greatest”. If it’s watch that’s stretching the budget, save for it, when you have the money for it, and you still want it, then buy it. 

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Nice ad

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TheCianinator

Nice ad

That comment could be made on every watch picture posted here. But for the sake of transparency I feel I should make the following disclaimer: 

"I do not own any shares in or have received any financial incentive from Vanbanner or any other watch brand I post a picture of or share information about." Well except my own builds but those aren't for sale.

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Good for you (and congrats!) I guess fall into the mid-tier luxury brand watch guy. My most expensive watch costs $4,300. And that is a lot for a watch imho. Nevertheless,  I enjoy my Citizen and Seiko just as much as my Cartier and Grand Seiko. 

I  respect watch enthusiasts who won’t go over $500 or $1,000. Let’s face it, they only tell time. And less expensive brands often are very well made. In many ways, it’s downright illogical to spend more.