Watches

My Tag Aquaracer quartz. It started losing time after only 3 years and so Tag stung me for a large amount of £££ for a full service. According to them this is to be expected as Tag is a "premium brand". I won't be buying another one

When I was getting into it, MVMT looked great bc they had fantastic advertising and their watches looked great. I ordered one, and I remember a guy I was waiting on at the time asked me what I thought about it. I looked at it, and it was minutes slow, the second marker never lined up, and I told him to not waste his money. I cheaped out admittedly for looks. Next thing I bought was a seiko cocktail time bc a buddy put me on. Still one of my mainstays.

Cheap watches that you buy on a whim. They hold your interest for a week but quickly end up collecting dust.

The ones with complications (GMT, chronograph) that were cool... but I never used. Just a waste of money on every flip.

Also watches that were too big for my wrist. "Yeah, cool" doesn't work when there's a hockey puck on your wrist.

OTOH, now I have the size and complications (or lack thereof) that I like ;)

Had a phase where I would just buy any good deal on a watch, and I ended up with a Seiko SUN023P1.

I get that some people love them, but I hated it. Bought it second hand and it was just way too big for me and everything about it felt wrong and it was underwhelming in every way possible. Form over function I guess. Was really difficult to sell as well, so I had to put it up as a bundle.

But it did teach me about watch dimensions in ways I just could not have learned otherwise. It also helped me prioritize in what I really wanted to wear, so these days I only own a Seiko 5 GMT. Don't need anything else.

I bought a rotary chronograph a year or two ago. The watch kept stopping and starting, intermittently ticking so I took it back and got a replacement. Within a week, the hands on the watch misaligned and so I took it back and got a different watch. I feel that rotary has slipped in quality therefore I’ll never buy their watches again.

When I was younger I had around 6 metallic wrists watches and 2 like casual watches. I believe that they really helped me with my outfits. But now that Apple Watches have tons of different wrists colors and styles, there is no reason of buying others. Some people called me basic or that it is too informal but I think that if you find the right wrist and maybe even the right background in the Apple Watch it can match you with everything.

Many regrets in the comments could have been avoided if people had tried the watches on before buying.

None, really.

Got some inherited and/or very carefully chosen vintage watches (1920s through 1970s) which I absolutely adore, each and everyone of them. Had one sort of miss-buy over the years, which turned out to be rather fragile mechanically, so ultimately traded that back (proper dealer). One or two still on wishlist, searching for a solid example, which takes time (no hurry there at all).

Also own a few new, relatively (but not overly) expensive watches, which I only bought after serious consideration and comparison to all manner of alternatives. Like those a lot, wear them when appropriate, no regrets. There are a few still on my ‘wishlist’ that may survive the ongoing pruning I do of that list, so which I may end up buying down the line.

And I own a good handful of micro-brand watches. These are predominantly for fun and novelty, and frankly cost so little that they do not interfere with anything else. I am slightly faster and looser purchasing those, but still only buy only 10-20% of what I come across and (fleetingly) like. So perhaps not that surprisingly, none of those have really disappointed: I know what I got them for and why, and that is exactly what they bring.

My only overall hesitance is the simple fact that in the end, the more watches I buy, however carefully elected, the less I get to wear each of them on average. First world problem.

Timex Fairfield Chronograph.

Funnily enough, the watches I've regretted buying have been the ones I bought brand new. Maybe it's the bargain hunter in me, but setting an alert on auction sites to find a watch I'm interested in and then pulling the trigger once it comes up for sale or winning an auction are the best ways to get them for me.

I especially love the ones that I've snagged that are no longer available new, or ones that have simple issues that I need to rectify (install new crystals, replace seals or bezels, polish cases, replace straps). There's something great about breathing new life into neglected watches that makes them feel special to me afterwards, no matter the original price point.

Of my current rotation, I'd say 80% are watches I've restored just with a basic set of tools, some spare parts and elbow grease. It's really worth looking into for any watch collector.

I bought a hublot classic fusion chrono….Then I subbed to r/watches. It’s a great looking watch, but a little big and 2x the price it should be :/

All of my AliExpress watches. I could have bought a couple of watches that are still on my wish list for the money I spent on impulse purchases. I've since sold them all at a loss because I didn't wear them. No judgement to those who collect AliExpress watches. For me, they are the empty calories of watch collecting.

A collection is important. Gives context to what you buy vs buying everything you like (to which there is no end).

bought way to many invicta watches,many many regrets

My Breitling Superocean Ocean Heritage. It looked great on my wrist at the AD. Ended buying it on eBay. The honeymoon period was very short and now I don’t like the watch. Too “blingy” for a diver. Should be a thin dress watch, instead.

Watches that I lusted over, but didn't buy at the time, went back and bought later, out of boredom and a wish to recapture that enthusiasm lightning.

After getting my first couple of Seiko's in my 20's I spent several years reading, and particularly wanting a particular Hamilton and Victorinox, amongst other stuff. They'd have been incredible watches for a guy in his late 20's.

Later, in my early 30's, after I'd bought several £2k-£4k watches, I thought I'd treat myself to the Victorinox.

But a watch that would have been incredible when you were 28 might not fit into your life at 33.

What would have been an incredibly upgrade from the Seiko's, was far less impressive coming from a Tudor.

But it's languished pretty damn hard in my box, and isn't worth reselling.

There are watches worth waiting years for, and there are watches that you know will work perfectly for your current circumstances. Provided you can afford it, don't wait to buy the latter.

I spent 1,000 euro on a quartz Rado 15 years ago, I liked the ceramic strap and case and thought it looked classy, however I hardly ever wear it and the battery only lasts about 2 years. It also keeps terrible time, it gains about a minute a week.

If you really really like one particular watch, buying substitute watches that sorta resemble that watch if you squint, will not satisfy you. Only the actual one. I have a NUMBER of watches that closely resemble a Rolex Explorer ref 1016. I never wear those watches, they were an utter waste of money. I invariably wear my genuine Rolex 1016 (not a museum example, service dial) instead.

The biggest advice about watches I have is DON'T BUY LOTS OF WATCHES. You'll end up with a load of watches you never wear and one you wear all the time. Much cheaper to figure out what you really want and just save up to buy that one watch. Anyway good luck

None.

Orient star

The secret is to figure out the difference between the (many) watches you like and the (likely few) watches that you will regularly wear.

There are many factors that play into this and the lines of delineation will be different for everyone. Unfortunately I’m not sure how to figure it out unless you have first hand experiences. If you’re short on cash, the process will just take longer. But the journey is the fun part! Good luck!!

I think if you keep the price in a comfortable range you are unlikely to experience deep regrets. The one watch I wish I hadn’t bought is a Sinn 104. I really thought I wanted something military and austere looking. Turns out, that’s not at all the kind of watch I wear. If it had been a $200 watch, that’s a cheap lesson. But it wasn’t a $200 watch!

The yellow Casioak. I still love the way it looks but really never wear it because it seemed to look silly on me as an older grey haired man. I sold it and miss looking at it but replaced it with a watch I actually wear. It's like I wish I could look good in it but it comes off as if I am trying too hard to be hip. I bought a jean jacket recently and never wear it for same reason.

I bought, and I was ofc scammed. Bought a watch, a expensive one too. It was told it was one of those 'diver- watch one.' type of watches.

*Not remember the brand, sorry^

It should hade make it down several feet. At least that's what I was promised. It was nice and all.

But then on the day a few days later taking/ having the watch on me. Taking it to the beach. I was going snorkeling. Not giving it much thought. After the day was over I couldn't believe it, the clock had brok it was, the watch was filled with water and not working anymore.

I sat down reading about the watch It proved not too be the least at all waterproof not making it stand against water at all.. not head down any depth at all.

I was so devastated. I tried return the clock back to the store. "I was told the clock been in the water and that I had brok it myself. the insurance certificate is no longer valid and has been terminated. I got not one single dollar back! 😡

Traded for an Alpina AlpinerX without doing enough research to realize what a piece of junk I was getting, also got swindled on the trade value. Granted this was at a local store not online and I got caught up in the hunt.

Now I can't give the damn thing away.

Junghans Form A. Its a beautiful watch but just looks too big on me tbh. Im a bigger guy too and it feels like im carrying a car rim on my wrist.

Quality over quantity

Any and every Apple Watch 😂

Do not impulsively purchase any watch. Sometimes they do workout when there are good deals on Amazon and Flipkart. But often times, they don’t.

For example, when I was college, I saw this Formal Casio on Flipkart which was only 800. It had a brown leather strap and black dial with a black stainless steel casing.

On arrival, I realised it was made of plastic completely and Flipkart has mentioned it as steel.

Strap quality was really bad and I hated how it looked on my wrist. I was quite disheartened by this and ended by returning the item. I’m not even sure if it was real Casio because I never saw that watch ever again.

Lately, e commerce sites are only offering replacement for many items. Imagine being stuck with such a watch which you can’t even return.

So, be careful, watch some review photos, YouTube videos and get a second opinion from a friend or someone who knows their watches and see if it’s worth the price when you are purchasing one.

Two vintage watches on Catawiki. One Seiko bell-matic and one Citizen chronograph. Both from the 70ies advertised as “in full working order”. Both turned out to be lemons. Buyer beware when buying from Catawiki.

Bought an Omega Seamaster GMT. Gorgeous watch and love the two tone finish. But it’s seriously a “chunky” watch. Makes me feel like I’m wearing an Invicta. Can’t wear it with sleeves buttoned.

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watch-omega-seamaster-aqua-terra-150m-co-axial-chronometer-gmt-chronograph-43-mm-23113435202001

All of them except my Cartier Tank and Casio Royale.

I regret buying some cheap mechanicals like the Vostok Amphibia and Seagull 1963. They seem great until the pusher stops working or the timekeeping starts to falter. Then you learn the cost to service a Venus 175 is too-damn-high so you toss it in favor of a new one. Then within a year that new one takes a dump. Fool me once... If only I took all that money and put it in my 401k instead lol. I have nicer Omega and Hamilton mechanicals to fall back on but with smartphones and the ever-growing list of magnetic devices and accessories we carry, I wear them less and less. In fact, I no longer think it’s practical to wear mechanicals unless they have fancy silicon hairsprings and are certified antimagnetic. But that’s the problem…these watches are $$$$. Unless it’s a gift or a carefully considered purchase for an occasion that warrants the watch, you’re going to have some buyers remorse. Especially if you’re doing it for attention. 99% of people are not watch nerds and will never notice or care. And you also have to worry about a laundry list of silly things like saving the boxes/papers/hang-tags/plastic-wrap/microbiome/etc, wearing them out in public and attracting thieves, damage because your home has door jambs, waiting months for someone in Switzerland to service your fancy watch down the line. It’s the hidden tax you have to pay to enjoy luxurious things. These days, I don’t want to pay that tax. So I’ve come around to wearing quartz and digital. A Moonswatch gets you a Speedmaster at low cost, high accuracy, few worries, and some street cred/validation from WIS nerds on the Internet. A G-shock never disappoints anyone. It’s a chronometer grade GMT, chronograph, and dive watch rolled in one that you’ll never have to worry about wearing anywhere in the world, in almost any situation. Freedom is never having to worry. Just something to consider.

My watch was stuck on service limbo during Covid for 6 months so I bought a Milgauss (figured I’d sell it when I got my other watch back). Years later I now have a Milgauss I don’t wear lol

Casio Royale! Definitely was a cheap lesson but I saw all the hype online for them and it just doesn’t compare with my other Casio’s. Personally think it’s too clunky, it functions well enough for what it is but it’s ugly as sin. My DW5600 or A168 is what I choose over it every single time and it just sits there taking up a spot in the box.

The 2 enormous UBoats I own, never wear, and can't sell.

It is the first watch that I bought with my own money… Breitling Avenger Skyland! I was handed down a Cartier Tank, which was my first good watch. I wanted something totally opposite at the time and went with a gigantic chronograph. I do not like it because it is too heavy and bulky. If it was lighter and thinner, Id still wear it as dial is still good.

Buying a watch without trying it first often leads to disappointment. Especially if you are picky, or have a bigger or thinner wrist than average.

Every Rolex I’ve owned. Explorer II, Submariner, Datejust.