STOP Wasting Your Hard-earned Money on These Timepieces!

In the world of watch collecting, knowing what not to buy can be just as important as finding the perfect piece. In this video, I’m breaking down the most common mistakes new collectors make and the watches that will drain your wallet without giving you the value you deserve.

🕰️ In this video I go over:

- The dangers of impulsive watch purchases and how to avoid them.
Why buying brand new watches without proper research is a recipe for regret.
- The truth about fashion brand watches and why they’re not worth the hype.
My personal experiences with watches that looked good on paper but ended up being huge disappointments.
- The pitfalls of buying fake and homage watches, and why they never measure up to the real deal.
- Why smartwatches and certain high-priced brands might not be the best investment for serious collectors.
- Whether you’re just starting your watch collection or you’ve been at it for years, this video is packed with insights to help you make smarter buying decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

💬 Let’s keep the conversation going! Drop a comment below with your biggest watch regret or your best purchase ever. I’d love to hear your stories.

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more honest advice from a passionate watch collector and dealer!

CHAPTERS

01:15 The pressure to buy new isn’t always worth the cost
06:27 Fake watches might look good, but they’re never a good idea
10:00 Fashion brand watches leave you paying for the name, not the quality
15:47 Homage watches blur the line between fun modifications and fooling yourself
20:30 Skeleton watches may look cool, but they’re rarely worth the hype
23:45 Smart Watches…just don’t
25:12 Hublot: Why the Hate in the Watch Community Might Be Justified
28:49 Project watches can quickly become a bigger headache than anticipated
32:30 Project watches can quickly become a bigger headache than anticipated

V I D E O S T O W A T C H N E X T :

What to know when buying and selling vintage watches

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[justpassingthrough]

I bought a Seiko diver in the early 1980's because I liked it. It's still running, has never had the back off and has doubled in value.

[zrx]

Your exactly right about the old Seiko Automatic’s, I have a POOR MAN'S 62 MAS 1977 Ref. 7025-8099 Cal. 7025 that I bought when I was 20 or so. Still runs great and never been serviced. It’s not a daily wearer anymore but one shake and it starts right up. 🙏

[jcaam]

Expensive watches talk to me too, they say, you can't afford me.

[AJHall-yz]

Thank you for your honest, sincere and straight talk. I hope more of us will learn and benefit from your presentation. I am a big fan of Universal Genève watches and have a micro rotor one designed by Gerald Genta. Its movement is just mesmerizing. My biggest regret, "why didn't I listen to a talk like yours 20 years ago" and some of my best purchases are 1. Universal Genève 172.144 2. Grand Seiko SBGA111 3. Seiko Spring Drive SNR 011 4. Zenith El Primero Captain Winsor annual calendar chronograph (Boutique Edition).

[andresgianfelice]

I started collecting seikos three months ago. I also bought a few Steel Dive, and Addiesdive. It's showing me what I like. I have 6 watches, and I wear a different every day.

[CharlesThompson-ouwp]

My man! Thanks for your insight! You really tied this piece into a nice little bow at the end. You really hit home with the used car salesman’s pitch regarding watch values. You were right on with the, why aren’t they keeping it if it’s such a great investment bit. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! Keep it coming! I won’t be impatient like some of these other guys with their comments.

[geor]

What a great discussion and impart of knowledge. Thanks.

[redneck]

If you are new to watches start out with a Seiko automatic, you need to see if you even like the idea of a mechanical watch.
As far as smart watches go I think people that are into watches look at them the same way as a mechanical watch whereas the general public sees a smart watch as a piece of technology like a phone or tablet that will be obsolete, disposed or upgraded every few years.
As far as brands with weak resale and fashion watches shop around and buy preowned. You want a Baume Mercier, Hamilton, Raymond Weil, Oris, Mido, Maurice LaCroix or Hublot buy pre owned let someone else take that depreciation hit. You also might just find that for a dress watch you might wear three times a year a swiss quartz that retails for $1, 600 and you can buy pre owned for $250 might be the bargain for you.

[larryhand]

Really enjoy your channel. Keep up the good work. My grail was a 6263 Big Red. After collecting for 20+ years I decided to make that happen. It was a while ago when I found one from a well known dealer and I worked on a trade for 5 great vintage pieces of mine. It was about $40K at the time. I sold it for $60K about a year and a half later. Just wasn’t comfortable having a watch that was worth that much and wearing it out and about.

[johnmichaeltracy]

i like the way you presented this. actual real watches for people that will use them. seiko watches are just great, the keep on working and if something happens to it, its not a big bite out of your wallet.

[DonnaIsabella]

Great video Cris! Thankfully, I haven't done too many mistakes so far. I would have to say, my biggest mistake as a beginner was to be afraid to buy a pre-owned piece and also not knowing you at TimeMerchants from the start! Happy to know you now and get the best pieces and the best advice 😁

[rolandlickert]

Im 75 years old 5years lifespan is fine with me.Beside Eco-drive/solar is fine last long time

[stemikger]

My biggest regret is buying too many watches. I strive to become a Timex Historian, so as a hobby I built a Timex museum in my spare room. I have over 100 watches from Timex and show them off in old Timex display cases. My room is literally a museum, but no one gets to see how great it is and the memories the brand evokes. After all is said and done, I probably spent about 50K building the museum and at 60 years old, not sure why this labor of love drove me to go this far. On a side note, I don't understand why so many like Rolex.

[oweng]

Homage watches have a place.
1. You love the look of a particular design but you'll never have the money to buy the real thing.
2. You do have the money to buy the real thing, but you get a homage first to 'try before you buy' to see if the size / weight / balance / comfort / looks works for you. Just like you said for the Nautilus.

[marcob.]

Great video. I have watched several of your probative, logical and honest "talks" and I couldn't agree more!

[jackominty]

Well done man. I watch various Comics (Archie Luxury), Liars (Paul Thorpe) and Posers (Oisin O'Malley) and you have offered more reality, truth and good advice in the couple of videos I have seen from you than all of those charletans combined. You deserve to get noticed, but when that happens ...don't change. Subscribed, and notification bell hit!

[supportmyresistance]

I got a citizen Tsuyosa and I love how well its built and looks stunning

[estatesla]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

[kchart]

Thank you for your video, I learn a lot! “Well made…not well made” can you please make a video on what to look for when determining the quality of a timepiece? Maybe comparing/contrasting a good quality and a poor quality watch. I’m just beginning at watch collecting and i would love to know what to look for when selecting my next piece. Thanks again!

[jomarmiraflor]

Thank you for enligthtening me on how to decide when owning a piece.