Every man in the world should own at least one good watch. Unfortunately for many, the good watch category starts at about four grand, which they don’t have to spend. What I mean by that is there is not much difference between a hundred dollar watch and a two thousand dollar watch. Unlike some sites, however, I’m not going to shame you into running to the Rolex store and maxing out your credit card. Let’s start off with some dos and don’ts. You need to decide if you’re a watch man or not. If you’re not then you only need one really nice watch that can fit any occasion. If you are, you may be looking to start a collection, which is awesome. Once you determine what kind of guy you are there are certain things you need to stay away from.
Watch Buying Tip #1
Never, and I mean never, purchase a watch made by a fashion designer. They are absolutely useless and are a waste of $200 to $500 and even more. They’re usually shoddily made and they carry absolutely weight in the watch world. Also, they are made assembly line style so there are about a trillion of them floating around. There’s nothing cool about being unoriginal so avoid these like the girl with pit stains at the club.
Watch Buying Tip #2
With the increased emphasis on men’s watches in recent years, watch companies are popping up left and right. Stay away from anything too trendy because chances are the company will be out of business about six months after you buy the watch. This means avoid flashy, multi-colored, and diamond encrusted timepieces. They’re too flashy and have absolutely horrible resale value, if any at all. In short, you’ll be able to get $10 bucks for it on EBay if you ever decide to sell it because you want an upgrade.
Watch Buying Tip #3
This next tip is very important. As I stated above, the $1500-$2500 price tag on watches is one you want to stay away from. They’re basically a $200 dollar watch on steroids and hold about the same value as a watch made by a fashion designer. Seriously, this price point is where jewelers make a killing. It’s like the Bermuda Triangle of watches. The price really can’t be justified. If you’re going to spend $2000 your best bet is to save up for a little longer and spend about $4000. You’ll be glad you did and that will be money well spent. There’s a world of difference in that $2000 difference. I should note that there are a couple of exceptions in this category and we’ll discuss that in a minute.
Watch Buying Tip #4
You’re also going to want to avoid watches that are all yellow gold. They’re not as fashionable as they once were and they’re not very versatile. Also, they kind of make you look like a retired senior citizen. Some all yellow gold watches are awesome but I suggest if you want to take this route you begin collecting. It shouldn’t be the only watch you own. You’ll also want a two tone or a straight stainless steel/ silver/ white gold watch as well.
Watch Buying Tip #5
This final tip is a biggie. You’ll want to avoid purchasing a watch with a quartz movement. There are exceptions but a timepiece with a mechanical movement just screams class.
Alright let’s get down to the nitty gritty now, the actual watches you should purchase. If you’re on a serious budget then you’re in luck because there is definitely still a way to stay in the watch loop.
$150-700 Budget
The solution is an Orient watch. Orient watches are made in Japan and while they do have quartz watches they are known for their mechanical movement, self-winding watches. They have a nice selection and all of their pieces are very classy. They easily hold up to their counterparts that cost up to 50 times more. At between about $150 to $700 these watches are a steal any day of the week. Even if you’re in a room full of guys wearing Rolexes you’ll be able to proudly wear an Orient watch.
$225-$1000+ Budget
Next up on the list is Hamilton. Regardless of what anybody says, Hamilton cannot be denied when it comes to fine timepieces. This watch brand which is still made in the good old U.S. of A was started in 1892 and made watches so accurate that train conductors were able to use them for the sole purpose of avoiding accidents. That’s freakin’ accuracy. It was also the official provider of watches to the Armed Forces, all of them, and yes that is extremely manly and badass. To this day, Hamilton makes a gorgeous watch in a variety of styles. Not only will you look class in a Hamilton watch, you’ll have a touch of old school American ruggedness which is always a good look. With prices ranging from about $200 to over $1000 these pieces definitely won’t break the bank and can serve as a great start to a big collection. Oh, also, Elvis wore a Hamilton, enough said.
$1000-$3000+ Budget
Another watch that is definitely worth looking into is Tag Heuer. I know you’ve seen the Leonardo DiCaprio billboard so I’m sure you have some familiarity with the brand. Tag Heuer does fall into that grey pricing area we were talking about earlier, the $1500-$3000 price point. Among laymen, Tag Heuer is viewed as number two right behind Rolex but some watch snobs will say the brand isn’t worth it and can’t stand up to Rolex, etc. I say phooey on that, oh yeah, I went there. Tag is a great brand and they have a huge selection. Some of their lines such as the Monaco or the Carrera are downright incredible and kickass.
Vintage Watches Can Be In Any Price Range
Another option not to be overlooked is vintage watches. Vintage watches never go out of style and hold their value pretty well. Under the right circumstances you can get a great deal on a good vintage watch. You might find one at a garage sale for ten bucks. You can also expand the brands you will choose from as the brand matters less when buying vintage. You can look for watches from Omega, Rolex, Citizen, Seiko, Hamilton, and the list goes on. A vintage watch is usually a safe bet and is always a conversation starter. You’re no longer just a guy wearing a nice watch but a connoisseur. You also get originality points as not many people take the time to find a nice vintage timepiece.
$2800-$5000 Budget
There is a way to go ultra-luxury without breaking the bank and that is purchasing pre-owned. You can pick up a classic stainless Rolex for as low as $2800. I know you may be thinking, “Who wants to buy used?” However, this isn’t an issue when it comes to Rolex as people selling them to upgrade is a very common practice. Whoever is selling it will get it in like new condition and you’ll be good to go. The best part? You’ll probably be able to sell it for what you paid when it’s time for you to upgrade to a Presidential.
Stick to these tips and I promise that you’ll definitely look like you know what you’re doing and you could be on your way to having a great watch collection.
Article By: Jon DaBove
