Collecting watches 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 watch collecting on a budget 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. As such, 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 personally not what got me in, but we’re all different, and this is a no-judgment zone.
With a little guidance and creativity, anyone can get in on this highly entertaining hobby — regardless of your price range.
Watch Collecting on a Budget (Collecting 101)
First of all, if you’re collecting watches on a budget, 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.
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 a budget in both of these pieces, but we’ll dive deep into it starting now.
Set Intentions
Equally as important as the budget itself is figuring out your intentions for your collection.
If you’re going for a highly practical collection, then you’ll need 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 you want to collect around that. If your grail is a dive, then maybe you 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, maybe?).
Or maybe you’re collecting 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 budget.
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 everyone 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 budget, and who knows? Maybe you can use this as a launching point to slowly level up.
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 a budget. Of course, the most important thing to do is to stick well within your means. Don’t move money around to make this budget happen.
Setting a budget might mean putting aside a certain dollar amount allotted for a certain number of watches.
It can mean setting aside a budget for a 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 budget 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.
The most important thing is to be reasonable about your budget and stick to it.
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. And these days, a lot of 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. I believe family heirlooms can be worn almost anywhere. And at the very least, I can always tuck it underneath my suit jacket sleeve.
One 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 budget hack: When you have several strap options for one watch, it’s like having multiple watches. You’d be surprised at how much sportier a no-frills field watch looks when you attach it to a rubber or Nato strap. Or how dressy it can be when paired with an elegant leather strap.
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 budget collection.
First of all, luxury doesn’t have to mean price. It can mean reputation or rareness. That usually means a high price tag, but 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 your budget, it can be an excellent alternative to the Speedy.
Then there’s the Everest PRS-25, which has the same Mount Everest history as the Rolex Explorer, but never got as famous. It’s extremely difficult to find but is a lot less expensive than an Explorer if you can find it.
Sometimes, collecting on a budget means paying with time and effort instead of dollars.
If you’re interested in a specific brand, say Omega or Rolex, see what vintage watches they have 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 so much of that current, more expensive model that it’ll be good enough for you after all. 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 definitely legal and a place for extra stock to go.
To help you decide on whether or not you want to go that route, here’s our exploration into what gray markets are exactly and what they mean to the industry.
And, here’s a round-up of some of our favorite luxury watches that can be considered affordable, all things considered.
And again, you can always just save up for a grail or two. Make a realistic saving schedule for yourself, and look forward to that fateful day.
Budget 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:
- 16 Best Affordable Watches for Men
- Men’s Fashion Watches
- 11 Automatic Watches Under $200
- Small Watches Under $50
That being said, there are some great budget brands out there to look out for. Here are just a few.
Sfeiko
Seiko is a good brand to turn to 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.
And since the Swatch Group owns so many brands, they’ll often partner 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 their archives. This means you get a combination of American design sensibilities with Citizen’s Japanese discipline and horological chops.
You can go for their robust sport watches like the Lunar Pilot. Alternatively, spring for retro cool models like their all-gold Computron or something swanky from their 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 complete with automatic movements, impressive power reserves, and that coveted Swiss-made moniker.
I always say that Seiko is a cheat code for affordable mechanicals, and Tissot is a cheat code for affordable Swiss-made pieces.
Conclusion: 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 most fun about it? Let me know!
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