At what point in life did you decide to spend some real money on a watch?

Not sure if that title conveys what I want to ask, but I'm wondering when it is you guys thought "Yeah, 5k is fine. I can do that."? (I would consider that to be a proper bit of money on your first expensive watch.)

I'm going through a phase I go through every few years and am looking at watches. Don't know if it's the quality of video being put on YT, or the quality of the watches themselves, but I'm getting that feeling that I'm around the age to get something I'll have for the next few decades. "My grandfather had this watch for 40 years and he gave it to me." sort of thing.

My position is pretty simple. 32. Micro company. Still work outside of that. Have savings. No family. No financial worries.

But.. 5k would get me a nice second-hand motorbike. It would get me a lovely trip around Europe. It would get me a some nice things that have tangible benefits more than the difference between a Grand Seiko and a beautiful Seiko 5.

Still, the idea of a watch I'd have forever is appealing instead. When did you decide to jump?

Today

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=112352761&postcount=31


It’s “real money” to me :P as quite simply, previously, max of about 350 euro

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

Today

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=112352761&postcount=31


It’s “real money” to me :P as quite simply, previously, max of about 350 euro

Lovely watch.

unkel

Deleted User wrote: »

Not sure if that title conveys what I want to ask, but I'm wondering when it is you guys thought "Yeah, 5k is fine.

Whoah - hold on! I'm sure almost none of us in here jumped from a cheap watch (worth maybe a few hundred max) to a €5k watch in one step. It's usually a gradual process

But yeah, if you can afford it, why not. And spending €5k on a watch is rarely the same financially as spending the money on a holiday. That money is gone after the holiday. The watch could very well maintain most or even all of its value. Do get a watch of that value insured though. It won't cost much to add it onto your home insurance and it gives great peace of mind.

funkyouup

Or get a nice quick bike

unkel

unkel wrote: »

Whoah - hold on!

Watch fever.. Is that a term? Horolavirus? Something anyways.

I will try to hold on. But some of these Grand Seikos with the macro photography are sublime. Blows my mind that something like that could be on my wrist, just doing its thing.

Cienciano

Some people just have more money or would rather a watch than a holiday. Personally I reckon about €400 would be the absolute max I would spend. Some people think €5k on a bike is crazy,each to their own. Even if it's a gradual climb, you still have to get there and justify €5k on a wrist which I can't do. If money is no object, I'd have a grand seiko. Look at the amount of new cars around that drop €5k the moment they're driven off the fourcourt, I'd rather a GS and a year old car.

893bet

Cienciano wrote: »

Some people just have more money or would rather a watch than a holiday. Personally I reckon about €400 would be the absolute max I would spend. Some people think €5k on a bike is crazy,each to their own. Even if it's a gradual climb, you still have to get there and justify €5k on a wrist which I can't do. If money is no object, I'd have a grand seiko. Look at the amount of new cars around that drop €5k the moment they're driven off the fourcourt, I'd rather a GS and a year old car.

GS loses a fair chunk when you walk out the door also.

For cars and watches buy second hand!

I see watches the same as cash in the bank. A liquid asset that is typically not increasing or decreasing. However a nice watch gives a lot more enjoyment that a few quid in the bank.

Oral Surgeon

21 years old..... Omega SMP (Bond- blue)

Wibbs

To be fair I kinda came at it from a different angle to many, if not most folks and a good few years ago before the watch hobby became a thing. Never really thought of buying a new watch. I just liked "old watches" and kept it to pocketmoney or a couple of hundred quid. It was more a small collecting hobby thing(among others. I'm a terrible magpie hoarder:D). I suppose the only time I did put down "real money", to me at least in this collecting thing, was a 1000 quid for a Heuer Bund. As it turned out that worked out well financially, though I wouldn't really have cared if it didn't. I moved on a few in my time that would be worth a few bob now, but TBH I would prefer the watches than the money if I had the choice. An early enamel dialled Longines Czech being a biggie.

oxocube

OmegaGene wrote: »

If I had a spare 5k to start all over again I would be buying a few pre owned bits rather than going balls deep in the one watch but each to their own

If I had 5k to spend all over again I'd buy a Rolex Explorer II on the used market and be done with it.

Till I got another itch

sparrowcar

oxocube wrote: »

If I had 5k to spend all over again I'd buy a Rolex Explorer II on the used market and be done with it.

Till I got another itch

+1

or my speedy again.

Krombopulos Michael

I haven't gotten to that point. Haven't owned a watch that cost over 250euro yet. Every time I think to myself, yeah I'm going to get something nice for 1k or so... I end up upgrading my PC, fixing the car or now with Baby #2 on the way, expenses for the little one.

But my mate has now got 2 or 3 watches that are all over the 3k mark and every time I see him, I'm checking out the watch. I'm close...very close to going for something that bit nicer.

stuchyg

Presumably it's all a matter of what finances allow. I'm not in a position to spend 100 quid on a watch at this moment in time really but I would have no problem spending 5k on one, or even obtaining a small loan to find a purchase.

A holiday will be done with in 2/3 weeks, 5 grand car might last you 5/6 years. A used Rolex or GS could last you a couple of generation if looked after

C0N0R

I’m currently at that point right now, received a healthy bonus from work so have decided I’m going to treat myself, only issue is I can’t make my mind up what I want, that to me is the hardest part. Will be home in 5 weeks time so have to decide by then!

Cienciano

893bet wrote: »

GS loses a fair chunk when you walk out the door also.

For cars and watches buy second hand!

I see watches the same as cash in the bank. A liquid asset that is typically not increasing or decreasing. However a nice watch gives a lot more enjoyment that a few quid in the bank.

You're right but you see a lot of €50k cars on the road that will be worth €5k in 12 years. For me it's unfortunate, I don't have the money and if I did most of the watches that are holding their value or going up, I'd have no interest in. Except a nautilus, but I'm talking realistic under 10k stuff

redlead

oxocube wrote: »

If I had 5k to spend all over again I'd buy a Rolex Explorer II on the used market and be done with it.

Till I got another itch

https://www.watchfinder.co.uk/prize-draw

It could be your lucky day :-)

Deep Thought

I’d say about 12 years ago. I had always liked watches but didn’t know much except for the usual big names, then one day in the golf club, a lad was chatting and noticed his watch. I asked about he and he said it was an IWC (Portofino I think) , I said I had never head of them and he said, that they were a brand only watch people know. This made me go look, I joined some forums and learnt more. If I had the money, a IWC Spitfire Chrono would be the grail.

aaakev

November 2018. I have always had a love for watches, i still have a 1970s seiko 5 automatic that I got from my grandfather when I was 10 and have now passed it to my son!

Went through tons of cheap watches over the years the longest being a lovely eco drive my wife (then girlfriend) spent a fair few quid for her on, wore that every day for about 6 or 7 years but I always had a thing for tags and used to piss her off every time we walked by a shop window! We were in Amsterdam in November 18 and once again I was looking and she said I wish ya would just buy one, so I did. Spent 2.5k on my then dream watch! Timing was perfect to do it, wedding was done and had a **** ton of savings and feck all to spend it on

It only comes out on special occasions now or if I'm not doing anything that will get it scratched up and I mostly wear my Garman smart watch (that I always swore I'd never get)

unkel

Krombopulos Michael wrote: »

I haven't gotten to that point. Haven't owned a watch that cost over 250euro yet. Every time I think to myself, yeah I'm going to get something nice for 1k or so... I end up upgrading my PC, fixing the car or now with Baby #2 on the way, expenses for the little one.

Don't worry about it, all those things are far more important than watches. There are many glorious watches that only cost a few hundred quid that you can afford now anyway. Your time will come to buy a more expensive watch maybe a bit later in life if you fancy one or if you have a windfall, or sometime!

Time

About ten years when i was 21ish, i hadn't ever even really worn a watch before that and got a tag aquaracer. Which was 2k or so from memory, i got a seamster after that and then a rolex last year, all in that was probably 12k or so but i don't really see it as a having spent a huge amount.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

To be honest there are far worse things to spend money on than a nice watch. As the only "acceptable" bit is jewellery most men wear its important to have something you like. Your tastes and resources will change dramatically as time goes by. Its very individual.

blue5000

Going to try answer the OP's question, it really boils down to 'when' you can afford it. But I can't see myself dropping 5k on a watch anytime soon. So I treated myself to a hirsch strap before Christmas instead.

A roundy birthday might be a good time to splash out.

hoganj

Kindof wanted to get a special watch for my wedding there a couple of years ago. Wife got the ring and I was also interested in watches (but not that interested). Decided on something like a Junghans Max Bill, due to being popular on some of the UK forums and me liking it too. Then the eyes started to wander, how about an Oris or Hamilton etc. Eventually ended up with a Speedy MOTM, due in large part to Archie. Very pleased too. I remember seeing new steel Submariner dates for £6k in the shop windows at the time ... If only. Anyway starting to twitch again now.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

OmegaGene wrote: »

you seem very easily influenced, i wouldnt listen to archie about anything its purely a comedy but a speedy man on the feckin moon is a nice watch

I think that the MOTM and the seamaster and the sub and the Daytonaand others are classics. People say they lack imagination, but as tastes change classics remain classics and are not susceptible to the vagaries of fashion (mostly because the are never fashonable).

If your selling the MOTM let me know, always wanted one. But honestly you should keep it.

eljono

OmegaGene wrote: »

Man on the moon is a must along with a seamaster but the one I don’t like is the aqua terra for some reason

I wasn't gone on the original AT but really like the current gen with the horizontal lines. I'd quite like one like this at some point: https://timeandtidewatches.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Omega-Seamaster-Aqua-Terra-blue-6.jpg

893bet

eljono wrote: »

I wasn't gone on the original AT but really like the current gen with the horizontal lines. I'd quite like one like this at some point: https://timeandtidewatches.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Omega-Seamaster-Aqua-Terra-blue-6.jpg

Yeah that AT is on my list of wants also.

omeara1113

Love these two
https://www.reddit.com/r/Watches/comments/evogb9/casio_edifice_eqb500d1acf_solar_bluetooth_chrono/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

https://images.app.goo.gl/xyqqY5Ji16qPSTYE9

893bet

Felix Fast Gelatin wrote: »

I think that the MOTM and the seamaster and the sub and the Daytonaand others are classics. People say they lack imagination, but as tastes change classics remain classics and are not susceptible to the vagaries of fashion (mostly because the are never fashonable).

If your selling the MOTM let me know, always wanted one. But honestly you should keep it.

You ever in limerick?

Might trade mine for a new set of nashers

btkm8unsl0w5r4

893bet wrote: »

You ever in limerick?

Might trade mine for a new set of nashers

I can travel, but my equipment doesnt...however I would be worth traveling to dublin for and barter is always welcome

893bet

Felix Fast Gelatin wrote: »

I can travel, but my equipment doesnt...however I would be worth traveling to dublin for and barter is always welcome

Half tempted. Could badly have done with a few implants. 10 years ago. Well into middle age now and less concerned with it. Will prob regret it!

anewme

Bought mine at the time of the SSIA's.

Said if I'd knuckle down and save the whole lot, I'd bank half and spend the other half on a watch and holiday.

Five years later, bought my Breitling and a 6 week holiday in Australia.

John_Rambo

I'm afraid I've never spent big money on a watch, but this guy did, not sure if it's been posted before. Great story and some reaction!

https://time.com/5773619/antiques-roadshow-veteran-rolex-watch/

Wibbs

893bet wrote: »

You ever in limerick?

Might trade mine for a new set of nashers

Job done and you can afford another watch. Man maths.

Wibbs

Felix Fast Gelatin wrote: »

I can travel, but my equipment doesnt...however I would be worth traveling to dublin for and barter is always welcome

He lies. I have it on good authority he does hipster dentistry and his equipment is portable.

micks_address

Started with me when I was 40. Friends fault really as he had a seamaster 300 and a very nice breitling..I started with a 500 euro steinhart and within 8 months had bought a seamaster aqua Terra. That's my biggest spend and I don't see myself spending more. I have just spent 500 euro on a Seiko diver and my other watch is a gshock all metal which is perfect for less delicate work.


pic host

Dev1234

Had always planned on getting a decent watch since I was in college. Had my eye on a Tag Heuer Monaco with the blue face. There was one in the window of the jewellers in the Castletroy Shopping Centre in Limerick that I used to stop and admire on a weekly basis.

I've picked up a couple of watches in the 50 to 200 range over the last number of years but am waiting on delivery of a Speedmaster Professional later this month.

I've pulled the trigger due to a combination of things: land mark birthday late last year, promotion at work around the same time.

I was also getting tired of admiring the watch from afar

I also realised that if I find myself not wearing it or enjoying it I can pass it on so its not a complete loss!!!

njburke

In the early 2000s I was working for a high tech startup. We were doing our first trade shows round the world SEMICON. There's no point in being a well funded startup if nobody knows it. So we were all dressed in good suits, the first pair of shoes I ever spent more than $250 and a decent watch. The company owner had loaned out his watch collection to us.i was given a Breitling B2, which I liked wearing so I bought one when the show landed in Singapore.
At the time I wasn't really into watches, I had an orange monster for diving, a Raymond Weil dress watch I was given for my wedding and one of a pair of his and hers ellesse watches we picked up on honeymoon. I still have all those watches.
My only regret is that at the time I could have just as easily picked up a Rolex, which to be honest would suit my toolwatch simple three hander taste. There's a lot of numbers on a B2 dial.
I still have the shoes, very comfortable to stand round a trade show for a couple of days, and you can resole them.

Pinch Flat

Got an Oris BC3 for my 30th birthday. Cost me about £700 at the time. I'll be 50 in less than 18 months, so will look at picking up something nice. Thinking of IWC or a Sinn. Better start saving.....

TheRepentent

I worked for years with electricity so got out of the habit of wearing watches (never had anything special , just cheap casios/seikos).

Fast forward 20 odd years(man I feel old) and I started to get a pain in me hole checking my phone for the time.

Bit the bullet and bought a Steinhart military 42 and never looked back

As it stands I have 2 steinharts. an orange monster , a casio and a Vostok diver.

2 watches I want are an Seamaster and a Tudor Blackbay , which Ive started saving for.

unkel

I've had a similar path in watches as yourself. And I'm quite likely going to put my Seamaster up for sale in the next few months. To free up money for a Rolex.

micks_address

unkel wrote: »

I've had a similar path in watches as yourself. And I'm quite likely going to put my Seamaster up for sale in the next few months. To free up money for a Rolex.

Post a pic and details unkel?

unkel

Seamaster 300M professional automatic 41mm Reference 2531.80.00 from around 2011.

The cheapest one currently for sale on chrono24:

Linky


That one is with no box, no papers and from 2008, and more worn then mine and its asking price is €1,650 shipped from the USA, with of course the chance of being stung for customs

Mine is obviously a private sale and I'll be looking for less money than that, to give you an idea. I never had a box, but I did have warranty card and some other papers, but I can't find them. Here's mine on my favourite NATO (I have the original bracelet too)

micks_address

unkel wrote: »

Seamaster 300M professional automatic 41mm Reference 2531.80.00 from around 2011.

The cheapest one currently for sale on chrono24:

Linky


That one is with no box, no papers and from 2008, and more worn then mine and its asking price is €1,650 shipped from the USA, with of course the chance of being stung for customs

Mine is obviously a private sale and I'll be looking for less money than that, to give you an idea. I never had a box, but I did have warranty card and some other papers, but I can't find them. Here's mine on my favourite NATO (I have the original bracelet too)

Don't see a pic of yours?

unkel

micks_address wrote: »

Don't see a pic of yours?

You quoted the picture of mine and all

Birneybau

unkel wrote: »

You quoted the picture of mine and all

Don't see it myself either. May be a mobile site thing.

unkel

Yeah just checked myself on the touch.boards.ie website and it's not there. I guess the graphics on the touch site are very limited and only allow low resolution pictures. Have a look on the proper boards.ie site and my watch will be revealed

Not working on desktop for me either. Your post doesn't show an attachment at the bottom like it normally would and following the link in your post gives an error.

Jude13

I had dreamed about a certain watch since seeing one as a kid, GMT Pepsi, I thought when I make some money I will buy that one. It got discontinued so I would have to get it second hand. I put my name down in a few places in case one came in second hand and waited.

When I got married my OH said she wanted to get me a gift, we always discuss big expenditure for things not essential. She produced a rolex box and said she had gotten the one I always wanted. I was over the moon, a nice Pepsi GMT, but when I opened it there was an explorer. She still doesnt know but I don't care as it was an amazing gift, once in a lifetime. I love it and its my daily. So that was the point in life I got a real, as you put it, watch.

Few years later the new Pepsi was released in Baselworld, and that day I got my name down for one in and AD and got the call about a year after that. So I got the pepsi in the end, however I still prefer the explorer. Less blingy.

Deja Boo

At what point in life did you decide to spend some real money on a watch?

Not even if I had a plethora of funds at my disposal, would I ever be at a point to fritter away "real money" on vanity jewelry.

California Dreamer

Bought a breitling after I got inheritance from my dad. Always wanted something really special to pass to my son.

Bought a 2nd breitling about 3 years ago because it was totally different from the first.

Have my eye on a 3rd for my 50th birthday but that’s a few years away.