New Hobby: Watch Collecting
So if you’ve been reading my blogs for a little bit, you’ve probably seen a pattern of things I like to write about: medicine, backpacking trips, all-inclusive reviews, and hobbies like scooters, and Pokemon/sports cards (I forgot about those). Well, now I think I have a new one that I hope will be self-limited: watches.
Watch collecting is extraordinarily expensive. However, I find it interesting that all my hobbies have revolved around objects that may appreciate in value. I can’t recall how it started but I purchased my first “real watch” from Jomashop (apparently called a gray market seller). It was a Seiko 5 Sports GMT Automatic Field Watch. I wore it for a few days but realized that I did not like the strap. Nato straps are super redundant and the excess was just in the way. As with all my hobbies, I do deep dives for hours a day in research…well if you call Reddit, research. I realized that wasn’t the watch for me and it also didn’t look fancy enough to wear with suits and cocktails outfits. I went on to buy the Seiko 5 Sport Black dial SSK023K1, the non-field version. I realized once I put it on that “bling” looked horrible on my wrist. I also hated the multiple links on my bracelet.
Well that was a little bit of the beginning of my journey. I don’t want to make this post longer than it needs to. I eventually figured out that I preferred the vintage look a lot more than modern. There was a certain appeal to it. But that’s when things get a bit dicey because vintage watches are well…very old. 1930s-1990s are what I consider vintage. I went through eBay like crazy. Hours and hours of it. Cross-referencing using Reddit and what people recommended.
One lesson I learned is: Buy the Seller.
Buying the seller refers to not only buying the watch of course but buying from a seller that is trustworthy and that many people recommend. Vintage watches can be tricky because when they break, original parts can replaced. When a vintage watch is replaced with parts from other watches or non-existent ones, it is then known as a Franken watch. I did not want a a franken watch because then it changes the value and look. Not to be stereotypical but apparently Japanese watch sellers are well thought to be honest and provide good customer service. I really wanted a piece that was luxury (for investment and passing down) but didn’t want to break the bank. Settled on the Omega Seamaster and bought it. However shortly after it arrived, something happened to the crown and I was unable to change the time going clockwise. Realizing that this watch had never been serviced, I had to decide between returning this watch, which I purchased for several hundred or servicing it for several hundred to thousand. Long story short, I kept it and paid 1K to have it serviced. This kind of watch apparently is around 1.5K-2K to have it serviced and in good condition so I bit the bullet and did it. I always think to myself, will I remember spending this much money on it or will I enjoy having it. I thought to myself, the latter.
