When working within a small budget, do you think it is better to buy more "less expensive" watches or do use ones whole budget on one single watch?

It depends. If you are new to watches and unsure of your taste, then get multiple watches to find out what you like. If you already know what you like, a cheap place holder will not cut it.

Congratulations on your first post 🎉🍾🎊. I would always recommend for a new collector to get a lot less pieces in the begging. There is so much information and your taste will change after gaining knowledge so rapidly going from knowing nothing to alot from binging content and doing research. Of course that like telling a teen not to have sex after they discover it.

I wouldn't recommend "many" less expensive watches, but also wouldn't recommend spending the whole budget on one either.

I'd go with the poll option of "few", but make it a couple of well made interesting watches.

If starting out, do a realistic evaluation of your personal style, and what types of watches make sense for you. Don't buy stuff just because a few rando influencers say "everybody must own _____". Whether that's a specific model, or style doesn't matter. I came to that realization when I was hunting for a dress watch, and thought "I never dress up, why would I buy something just to have one?".

Welcome.

There is no answer to this question that anyone but you can answer.

And if you don't find the answer here PLEASE don't go to Youtube for advice.

Make each purchase count by doing lots of research first and try to not buy anything on a whim.

Quality always

As long as the less expensive watches are still good then I'd say stick with those.

If we're talking about spending $50 on 5 watches from Wish then absolutely not.

If I could do it all over I would limit my purchases to watches that absolutely blew my socks off. Not merely ones that were good deals, well spec'd or popular in the watch community. The evolution of your tastes will make this difficult but not impossible. Holding out for the ones that please you the most is harder than buying ones that you merely like.

Few. In fact, I'll be specific: 2.

You'll want a main watch that becomes your go-to, that you put a lot of love into and build some memories with. I'd recommend a mechanical dive watch. And for a limited budget, it's hard to beat the Orient Kamasu.

Then you'll need a beater for the times that one doesn't come out. Travelling, working on a car, sports, yardwork, etc. You can't go wrong with an affordable Casio here. Nearly any would due, but the AE1200 "Royale" is a fan favourite.

Enjoy the journey! Don't rush it.

You've got nothing but time :-)

I think that @foghorn hit the proverbial nail squarely on the head - it all depends on personal circumstances. With that said, I've heard more stories of people regretting buying multiple cheaper watches than stories of people regretting buying fewer more expensive watches (assuming that quality goes up with amount spent, which isn't always a given).

I’m not recommending buying total junk, but I always prefer variety.

The eternal question...

For me, if I were to begin again, I'd get the best 4 watch collection I could buy (Dive, Field, Flieger, Beater), get a 6 slot watch box, and stay at 6 or less, only replacing as I upgrade pieces.

So, would start by buying a few, but then just get one when I could afford & have earned an upgrade via life achievement.

In the beginning you're going to buy more, it's inevitable. As time goes on, you'll be more discerning when it comes to your choices. I keep telling myself this.

That's a hard, if not Impossible to answer question.

Philosophically it is better to delay gratification. It teaches you to set and achieve goals over a long period of time and to remain focused without wavering.

Mostly this philosophy pertains to life goals such as career, owning a business, financial freedom etc.

Most collectors later on in their journey regret buying lots of cheap watches instead of setting goals and buying that Tudor or Rolex or Hamilton or IWC, the list goes on. Having said that, each person's journey is their own. You must make your own decisions and mistakes.

The number one rule of collecting is, buy what you want when you want. As long as you you don't jeopardise your quality of life or the ones you care for.

Happy collecting.

You may regret buying lots of cheap watches. There is no need to rush. Buy one, then use the time go into as many watch shops that you can and see what you like and make sure it suits you.

I Don't work like that,i have a target watch if I can't afford when I decide that's the one I wait and hunt save until I can,normally more on the side of finding because there rare vintage,or hard to find in good condition.

Buy what you like. I would only say if you go homage I would not over-do it. Which I can understand the value for money and the choices. At the same time is a hobby so you want to get the most fun out of it finding the "next watch".

Buy a few watches, two or three (1 dress, 1 sport, 1 casual/field), to suit different occasions. If you only have one watch, you might get bored of it, but if you have too many cheap watches, none of them will feel valuable.

The beauty in "collecting" is that you can have multiple interests and watches for different situations. I wouldn't go and buy 10 super cheap Chinese clones but I wouldn't spend it all on a single watch either.

Buy watches one at a time and spend time with each to figure out what you like and don't like to refine your tastes and goals. Don't make the common mistake of going into a buying craze the first few months, acquiring all the cheapies on the market only for the sake of collecting.

My current 3-watch rotation is 1 diver, 1 field, 1 dressy and my collection has felt "complete" this way for the past year.

I switch it up from year to year. This year I'm going with less more expensive watches. But there is one cheap watch on my 2024 list. It's the Momentum Magnum P.I. watch. $295. The rest are $950+.

I was once a one watch person for the longest then two. All of a sudden fast forward now 18+ watches. It was my choice don’t regret it but the main thing I learned something taught me well.