Watch Collecting on a Budget: Horology Is for Everyone • The Slender Wrist

Watch collecting on a budget might seem daunting, even impossible. It isn’t, though! Anyone can get in on this hobby, and here’s how!

There’s a lot of guidance regarding economical timepiece collecting out there. There are tons of blog posts on the matter and even more forum threads. Here’s something I noticed about most, if not all, of the content on this matter, though.

It always seems to be a touch intimidating. Even if just the tiniest scosche.

I’m not going to do that here. People are driven to the watch hobby for different reasons, and I’m not going to discount any of these motivators.

If, say, simply wanting to look cool in front of your friends is what gets you in the door, then I say, “The more, the merrier.”

That’s not the beginning of my watch-collecting journey, but we’re all different. Regardless of how you chose your first watch in your collection, this is a no-judgment zone.

With a little guidance and creativity, anyone can participate in this highly entertaining hobby, regardless of their price allowance.

First of all, if you’re budget watch collecting, I’m going to assume you’re a beginner of sorts. Either you’re completely new to the watch world, or you’re a book expert who’s about to put theory into practice.

storage box with collection of men wrist watches — Photo by AV_photo / Depositphotos.com

Or, you’re a beginner again. Maybe you used to collect, and for whatever reason (I won’t pry), you’re starting again from scratch.

Either way, check out our guides on beginner watch collecting in general:

For watch-collecting tips, check out this piece.
And for starting a collection, head over here.

We give some guidance on expenditures in both of these pieces, but we’ll dive deep into it starting now.

Table of Contents

Start By Setting Intentions

Figuring out your intentions is equally as important as setting aside money for collecting watches on a budget.

If you’re going for a highly practical collection, you’ll need very few watches. You’ll need basics like a dress watch, an everyday watch, and a sporty one.

The most minimal collection might only have two timepieces. That’s because, depending on your lifestyle, your sporty model might also be your everyday beater. If you’re in a suit and tie all week like me, perhaps your dress watch is your EDC.

Maybe you have a grail and want to collect around that perfect watch. If your grail is a dive, you could complement it with other sports watches or contrast it with dress watches.

Or, maybe, you want to set up an all-diver collection, each with a special distinction. (A vintage, a modern, and a deep diver, possibly?)

Or maybe you’re collecting amazing watches to impress. Almost every single blog out there will tell you this isn’t a particularly honorable intention. Again, I won’t judge. Just don’t go over your timepiece allowance.

It’s a fun hobby but not one worth missing mortgage payments over. More on that later.

At least just figure out who your audience is. You have to accept the fact that not every other watch collector is going to love your collection. That’s okay.

Find your people, and perhaps you can parlay your attempts at impressing others into a fun, healthy competition among friends — “Look what I got at this price!” It doesn’t have to be toxic.

And relatedly, you might want to get in on buying and selling. Just stick within your means, and who knows? Maybe you can use this as a launching point to slowly level up the pieces in your watch box.

Regardless, set a thesis for yourself, even if it’s super simple and even if you stray here and there.

Set a Budget

Where you shouldn’t stray is your budget.

There are several ways to set up your watch allowance. Of course, the most important thing is to stay within your means. Don’t move money around to make your means happen.

Your spending plan might mean putting aside a certain dollar amount allotted for a certain number of watches.

It can mean setting aside money for your grail or at least a pack leader that you’ll collect around.

It can also mean setting aside a dollar amount allowed per time. Perhaps it’s $50 a month or $500 a year. Perhaps you don’t even end up using your allotted amount per period and let it roll over.

This is just good old-fashioned saving up. It’s the perfect approach for something not immediately within your price range.

You can also use the first allotment to buy a placeholder that you know you’ll still love.

We have several round-ups of great alternatives to high-priced models you can refer to.

Some of these include alternatives to the Omega Speedy, the iconic Submariner, the Cartier Tank, the Explorer and Explorer II, and even the Hamilton Khaki Field.

Alternatively, you can start with quartz watches. They tend to be more cost-friendly than a mechanical watch.

The most important thing is to be reasonable about what you want to spend and stick to it.

The Typical Items in a Watch Collection

Again, you’ll want to start with two to three watches:

A sports watch
A dress watch
And an everyday watch

Remember, your dress watch or your sports watch can be your everyday watch.

And again, your collection can also have a theme that doesn’t need to check all of the boxes. Or not. That’s fine.

You can wear dress watches with a clean-lined, casual outfit. These days, many people wear sports watches with their suits.

Since it’s so delicate and small, I wear a 28-millimeter Seamaster as a dress watch on formal occasions. Family heirlooms can be worn almost anywhere. At the very least, I can always tuck it underneath my suit jacket sleeve.

A note if you’re going to follow my sometimes bad example. If you wear a sports watch in a formal situation, just make sure it’s inconspicuous. If it has a lume that might activate in dim lighting, you might want to forgo it.

Other items you’ll want include:

A watch display
Extra straps
A watch tool kit (for strap changes)

Here’s a hack to stay within your means: Having several strap options for one watch is like having multiple watches. You’d be surprised at how sporty a field watch looks when you attach it to a rubber or Nato strap. You can also dress it up with an elegant leather strap or stainless steel mesh bracelet.

It’s a way to get a lot of mileage out of a small collection. When you’re done here, head over to our comprehensive guide to watch straps.

Finally, a watch display is a great way to keep your pieces safe and secure and to admire them. If you’d rather allocate funds to more watches, at least make sure you leave dedicated space for your watches somewhere. Perhaps in a cool, dry drawer.

You just don’t want them lying around the house haphazardly.

Luxury on a Budget

There are a few ways to incorporate “luxury” into your affordable watch collection.

First of all, luxury doesn’t have to mean price. It can mean reputation or rareness. Luxury usually comes with a high price tag. However, there are hidden treasures in the market that don’t inextricably connect the two.

For example, the Bulova Lunar Pilot is often called the “other Moonwatch” because of its history with space. Depending on how much you have, it can be an excellent alternative to the Speedy.

Then there’s the Everest PRS-25 with the same Mount Everest history as the Rolex Explorer but never became as famous. It’s extremely difficult to find but a lot less expensive than an Explorer if you can find it.

Sometimes, cost-effective collecting means paying with time and effort instead of dollars.

If you’re interested in a specific brand, like Omega or Rolex, check out what vintage watches are on secondary markets.

You never know what predecessor models from the past will remind you enough of current ones.

A vintage predecessor might remind you that the current, more expensive model is good enough for you. And a lot of the time, since they aren’t technically within that coveted subline, they’re a lot more affordable.

Look into gray markets as well. Some don’t think gray markets are all that honorable, but they’re legal and a place for extra stock to go.

To help you decide whether to pursue that option, here’s our exploration of gray markets and their meaning to the industry.

Here’s a round-up of some of our favorite luxury watches that can be considered affordable, all things considered.

Also, think about balance. You can save for your coveted luxury first mechanical watch and keep the other watches in your collection cost-friendly.

Again, you can always save up for a grail or two. Make a realistic saving schedule for yourself, and look forward to that fateful day.

Wallet-Friendly Watch Brands

We have a lot of resources when it comes to budget watches here at TSW.

Here are just a few I’d like to highlight:

That said, there are some great inexpensive brands to look out for. Here are just a few.

Seiko

Seiko is a good brand for the horologically curious. They’re known for their low-priced mechanicals, many of which feature an exhibition case back for your viewing pleasure.

Even more, there’s a whole Seiko community on watch forums throughout the internet. They’re an effective resource for any questions and story exchanges.

Swatch

Swatch watches are built on their collectibility factor. You might want the same bioceramic model in three different colors, or you may eagerly await their next brand partnership.

Since the Swatch Group owns so many brands, it often partners within the family. Can’t afford a Speedy yet? Well, the MoonSwatch is much more affordable. It could serve as one of the best placeholders on the market since it’s literally brand-approved.

Bulova

Citizen owns Bulova but continues to make models from its archives. This means Citizen combines American design sensibilities with Japanese discipline and horological chops.

You can choose robust sports watches like the Lunar Pilot. Alternatively, you can spring for retro cool models like the all-gold Computron or something swanky from the Sinatra line.

Casio

And speaking of retro cool, maybe you want to start with something nostalgic like the Casio F91W or the AI58W. I’ve gotten far enough in my collecting journey that I mostly buy Swiss hard hitters. However, I’ll never stop being charmed by either of these models because they remind me of repurposed GameBoys.

Of course, you can also choose a G-Shock to fill the sports watch spot in your collection. By the way, there are a few models in this subline that are slender-wrist-friendly.

Or perhaps you can go for one of their calculator watches if you love a retro gadget aesthetic.

Tissot

Thanks to efficient manufacturing, Tissot serves up some classic-looking models. These models have automatic movements, impressive power reserves, and that coveted Swiss-made moniker.

I always say Seiko is a cheat code for affordable mechanicals, and Tissot is a cheat code for affordable Swiss-made pieces.

Watch Collecting On a Budget: Buy What You Love

Affordable watches don’t have to be boring.

I say this all the time to beginner watch collectors: Buy what you love, and everything will fall into place. And truth be told, there’s something to love at every single price point.

Again, I’ve been buying watches for years. I’ve leveled up many times, but the charms of my past budget acquisitions have never dwindled.

Are you starting a watch collection on a budget? What have you found to be the most difficult and fun part of it? Let me know!