2 different answers here:
1.) cheap-ish watches such as seikos, micro brands, etc, just to try to scratch an itch, meanwhile in the end I lost money trying to sell these watches and could’ve saved the money and bought a nice watch I really wanted (obviously there will be cheap watches you want as well, I’m talking impulse buying here)
2.) I don’t really regret any nicer watch purchases I’ve made, part of the hobby that makes it fun for me is working within my budget and buying/selling/trading pieces to find what I like and what I don’t. Ive been surprised to find I didn’t like some watches on wrist that I loved in pictures, and Vice versa. You’ll always have regrets along the way and never really be satisfied, it’s a part of this hobby, so just enjoy it!:)
The grand seiko all day long. Yes, it’s quartz, but it’s the Grand Seiko specific 9F quartz movement that is super accurate and the finishing and dial will make you never even question what’s in side. They wear really well on wrist also, more versatile than the other options here!