My CHEAP Watch Collection even Watch Snobs RESPECT

I built an Affordable Watch Collection with high quality time pieces that even a Watch Snob would respect (for the most part). I'll go through everything I learned in the process that might be helpful if you are looking to start a collection of your own, or just buy a watch for yourself or as a gift.

Links to the Watches in this video*:

I understand that "cheap" is relative, so I cover the truly inexpensive watches starting under 40$ before I get into the watches that are affordable compared to similar watches in their category.

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[awkwardgenius]

Wow this video has gotten a really great reaction, thank you to everyone who has watched and commented. I also just realised that I have earned almost 30€ from this video already. If this keeps up, I can buy another watch... what do you think it should be?

[ravipeiris]

It's a descent collection but personally I wouldn't care about other people's opinion, especially snobs.
I wear what I enjoy... Why bother ... My money, my taste, my watches, my enjoyment.😊

[joshuaammon]

It's nice to see watches appreciated at all price points. No snobbery.

[wingandhog]

Three years ago my 84 year old father passed away. Before he died, he handed me a wooden box full of watches. Most are vintage, but also included were four Rolex watches, one of them being a Submariner that I wear on the weekends. Having said that, my everyday go-to is one of two Timex Expedition’s, or on occasion a Marathon watch I bought while active duty USAF. I do need to go through my dad’s collection to estimate the value of which I have no idea.

[carravagio]

i am about a 2 years into my own watch journey. I dont have alot of money for them becasue i have 2 kids and other life responsibilities, but i did alot of research and alot of watching youtube videos, i ended up getting a Hamilton Field watch as my mechanical watch and then i have a G-shock digital watch. i love them both for different reasons. I also enjoyed your presentation very down to earth and transparent. i look forward to more. thank you

[mikemurphy]

As a Watch snob I can tell you that you have a decent collection. Vintage Omega is as good as it gets. Tissot is entry level for Swiss made watches. I will say though that it doesn’t have to be “Swiss” for it to be good. When a company says Swiss made it doesn’t actually mean the whole watch was made in Switzerland. A lot of those companies outsource parts from Asia. The Japanese, Germans and Italy have some fantastic watch brands as well. I think the law is that a certain amount of parts have to be made in Switzerland for it to be labeled “Swiss made”

[Leo-Crespi]

"I realized, all the best watches in the world are Swiss" oh god no, keep researching my friend.

[baijokull]

I got into watch repair about a year ago and I've been collecting tools and broken watches since then. I think about half of my watches so far are old Seiko 5 watches that I got very cheap, some running some not. I've turned a few of the non runners into runners again and it's a wonderful feeling and my favorite watches to wear are the ones I've repaired. I just bought my most expensive watch, a 1950s Jaeger LeCoultre with a power reserve complication for $300. Running but the crystal and gold case are in terrible shape.

[HappyGuy]

I have a silver 35mm Timex Easy Reader, with a white face and Indiglo, that's over 20 years old. It's not only still ticking, but it's locked into +1 second per month timekeeping. I got about 12 years on the last battery and this watch has traveled with me to most of the countries of Europe, to Russia, Scandinavia, England, Ireland, Peru, Ecuador, the Galapagos, Argentina, Uruguay, the Falklands, Chile, China, Thailand, Cambodia, China, Japan, Canada, most of the U.S., and probably a few more places I've forgotten. The only thing I had to change was the faux-leather band, because in the Mekong Delta the combination of humidity and Deet turned it's surface into a black goo that stained everything it touched including my wrist. I switched it out for the classic, indestructible, nerd bracelet, a silver Speidel "Twist-O-Flex", which is as comfortable as it is durable. When I met a guy about my age who had traveled more than twice as many places as I have, I noticed that he was wearing the same watch and Twist-O-Flex combination. My Timex has never been under water, and at this point I wouldn't risk it, so I now pack a backup, a Casio W800H digital (100m water resistance and even cheaper than the Easy Reader) in case my day might involve water or call for a more rugged watch. Like you I prefer analog watches, but you should really consider at least one Casio digital. I recommend the W800 (100m, 10 year battery, about 20 bucks on Amazon). It's a solid choice and a much more rugged field watch than a Timex Expedition.

[JDivider]

What about a wrist check? I wanted to know what you're wearing during the video

[technoviking]

Great review and discussion, excellent editing and lovely personal stories for each watch - fantastic video! This is what watch collecting is all about.

[FredHenry]

I own a few watches, yet my main EDC watch is the Seiko Sport 5 SRPG35 39mm. It's cheap enough to damage it without much regret. It allows me to wear it with confidence, yet I still enjoy wearing it.

[kho]

Love the Mondaine as well. You’re a cool guy in my book. The Omega looks great as well. Thanks for the great video.

[jonlouis]

Fun video, and I like your collection. I was recently privileged to meet one of my role models, a guy at the absolute top of his game in our field. I noticed he was wearing the cheapest, smallest Timex watch. With a NATO band.

[Menruleall]

I've worn a Fossil Arkitekt Diamond that I found in a workout gym in 2006, every single day, for almost 20 years. It's only in the past 6 months that I've began to expand my watch collection.

The Chinese are actually making some incredibly appealing time pieces with Japanese automatic movements, beautifully chamfered/brushed ss cases and bracelets, gemstone dials, etc. Many are clone/homage watches, to be sure, while many are unique designs of high quality, and lustrous beauty.

[MrPleers]

Both high and low end watches have their place. Here I am, saving up for a Cartier Santos. Having an Omega, and some other Swiss watches (Hamilton, Tissot) in my collection. Still for the last few days I have been enjoying wearing my Casio A1000 a lot. Maybe it's like food. I love eating lobster. On other days I'm just craving for some french fries or pizza.

[aashishjain]

The first 2 watches in my collection are Timex Expedition and Casio Duro!

[pete]

That’s right. “It spoke to me…” a good reason for buying a watch.

[lorenknowles]

I’m a retired illustrator and graphic designer and in my retirement I’m building my own watches. They are primarily built around Seiko automatic movements. They are definitely nowhere near the Swiss quality, but, they are my designs. I do own some Casio, Seiko, and Citizen watches, but my builds are all about my art.

[porscheoscar]

Bill Gates wears that Casio diver.
The best "cheap" automatic watch in my opinion is the Seiko Mojito cocktail. It checks all the boxes. 100 years in-house movement heritage which not even Rolex can claim. It has legendary reliability. It has a 41 hour power reserve. Its 150 feet/50 meters water resistance. It has an exhibition case back which is a must if you spent all of your cash on your firsr automatic movement. It has the date window so you never miss your appointments. Slap that green dial on navy blue sailcloth strap with tan stitching or a khaki NATO. You will get heaps of compilents.