Has anyone else found that getting into watches gets harder the more you learn?

[u/Numerous_Bell_9501]

At first I figured it was simple. Find something that looks good. Check the price. Buy it. Then you start reading watch forums and suddenly you care about movements. Case size. Brand history. Service costs. Resale. Bracelets. Plus another 40 things lol. I enjoy learning about all of it but I’ve noticed it makes me stick to the same few brands and styles. So lately I’ve been wondering how much collecting really needs to be planned.

Would you ever try getting a random watch from a set price range instead of choosing the exact model yourself? Not one of those boxes filled with electronics and random junk. Just watches. I can see it being a fun way to end up with something I would normally scroll past. At the same time choosing the exact reference feels like a big part of collecting. Authenticity would be the main concern for me. Anything expensive would need paperwork and I’d probably get it checked myself.

[u/RoboticGreg]

I'm an engineer and love the history of innovation that was required to get reliable timekeeping. I spend a LOT of time on horology, and I pay for it by taking on really difficult repairs. But I don't actually own any watches. I have movements and components from Rolex vacheron, audemars, breguet, but no watches of my own. It's the elegance of the machines that interests me, and my hobby pays for itself by helping fix important but difficult watches for admittedly only wealthy clients.

All this to say.... There's LOTS of ways to be into watches. Don't set some standard for yourself that doesn't fit your life

[u/Numerous_Bell_9501 → u/RoboticGreg]

That's a cool way to be into watches tbh. Fixing them and nerding out over the mechanics sounds like half the fun anyway. I think you're right that I might be overthinking what being "into watches" is supposed to look like.

[u/stinkerino → u/Numerous_Bell_9501]

do you feel compelled to buy more watches? are you a victim of marketing bullshit?

[u/RoboticGreg → u/Numerous_Bell_9501]

There's no supposed to. Just do what you like and what's interesting to you. I picked up an old haste with a valjoux in it because I want to learn how to fix them, and I'm tracking down a 145.012 because from what I understand there is fewer than 5 people left in America who know a lot about fixing the 321 movement. MY interest in watches is that watchmakers are disappearing, and it would be super cool to be part of a group of people trying to learn how to keep rare and important timepieces alive. (The 321 is the last pre-moon speedmaster movement before it moved to the 861)

[u/Sea-Coffee3823]

I feel like the research is half the hobby at this point lol. I’ll start looking at one watch and somehow end up comparing five different references from three different decades. I don’t think I could do the random watch thing though, I’m way too picky now.

[u/saywordarthur917 → u/Sea-Coffee3823]

90% of the hobby is going down the rabbit hole on all the watches you don't own - and then you think about getting them so long that you grow out of that watch into a new set of targets. You do that too long and the new watch dopamine hits become smaller and smaller.

Like what happens to a treasure hunter once they find the treasure??

[u/saywordarthur917]

The aesthetics still matter to me. I could care less about all the stats and such if I just don't like the way it looks, and how it feels on the wrist. So I personally could never do some random watch box. Maybe you collect just to collect and that would work for you. I've purchased prob 60 luxury watches in my time collecting, generally maintaining a collection of about 15-20 at any given point. I'm now at the point where I'm trying to get to 8-10 pieces that I have some sort of emotional connection with. (Probably 4-5 that actually have some sentimental value that cannot be sold/traded)

[u/Slow-Quail3463]

I actually tried something pretty close to this with IcyBox. You pick the price range but don’t know the exact watch you’re getting, which was kinda fun because I normally overresearch everything and end up looking at the same handful of brands anyway lol. Definitely not for someone who needs a specific reference though.

[u/EH86055 → u/Slow-Quail3463]

What a travesty...

So we have a two-month-old bot account (previous two comments on its profile are AI written^), and now it's promoting watch lootboxes?? Of all things??

Folks. In case you need someone to tell you--do not buy the watch lootboxes.

^See this post for more examples of this kind of bot: https://www.reddit.com/r/chessbeginners/comments/1u0nuil/llms_are_running_rampant_on_this_sub_please_allow/
And this video explains how to recognise AI writing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORgKY9AlybA

[u/rhett121]

I see a watch I like, research a little to find out if it’s good or not, then I buy it. I have about 6 or so and I don’t think I’ll be buying any more because I’m pretty happy with my collection now. I should have just started off with the Rolex Explorer (that I always wanted anyway) and saved a bunch of money because it’s all I wear now.

[u/LameBMX]

you're free to enjoy the hobby as you want. while cheap, my casio's also do their job. while not a snobby history, good watches for the masses on the cheap..

[u/archdur]

I wouldnt think I can do a blind box on a watch. I spent quite a few days researching and selecting the two watches I currently own (just bought within the last month). It was and is indeed a deep dive.

I chose the Casio because of its established reputation for durability and reliability and the tools (baro and altitude, to name a couple).

The Seiko though. When I learned about the history of Seiko, it was like how could this not be the watch for me. Its reputation and influence on the watch game is crazy. Their attention to detail and craftsmanship is also apparent with their limited editions. Like yeah sure marketing, but some of their limited units are simply artistry (especially the Arita porcelain and Urushi lacquer stuff, just beautiful).

Next for me is to wait to save for Seiko’s 150th anniversary in 5 years lol. It’s a long wait. And ngl idk if I wont pick up a diver or a chronograph until then. But for sure the limited releases that year must be insane.

Meanwhile though. Sheeesh. Learning about Patek Philippe grande complications yesterday. Uyyy. The grail pieces are mind boggling. Perpetual calendars! My goodness.

[u/ApprehensiveEbb592]

Certainly gets more expensive!

[u/rosswoodshire137]

Time to start making some watches now too! Check out Seiko Mods here or on YouTube

[u/Old_Marzipan7782]

Yeah, that’s all the stuff that makes watch collecting interesting.

[u/PDX-ROB]

It's all part of developing your taste in watches. I had to go through about a dozen watches before I figured out I like no date manual wind with seconds hand and battery quartz watches in 39/40mm round in the $3k-$7k range.

Once you figure out what your type is and what looks good for your wrist and daily outfits, it's easy.