8 Kinds Of Watch Collectors You Should Never Become

As much as we all love our little hobby, it's not perfect. There are certain types of collectors that lead to a toxic environment in some cases. In this video, I'll share eight different types of watch collectors and enthusiasts I think you should never be or become.

0:00 - Intro & Organization
1:53 - Afraid To Wear
3:21 - Every Dollar On Watches
4:55 - Snobby Elitist
6:50 - Can’t Afford
8:34 - Flipper
10:41 - Window Shopper
12:30 - Critic
14:33 - Unrealistic Expectations

[imcg]

Last year I got a Seiko 5 GMT close to its launch. Same day it arrived I had previously arranged to visit the AD (in Scotland) to buy Jaeger LeCoultre. Obviously I had it on, but realised I might regret it as I walked through the AD door. I took it off to try on a Master Control Calendar. The salesman immediately spotted it - "is that the new Seiko GMT?" - Yes. "wow - not seen one yet - can we have a look?" It spent the next 10 mins being passed round the shop (they don't sell Seiko). Lots of "Mmm, nice", "how can they do this for the price" and so on. They were genuinely interested and complimentary. I left with my Seiko, a new JLC and a big smile.

[harrisonstace]

I started noticing watches a year ago and would spark up a conversation every time I saw a watch I liked on someones wrist. Whether it was a speedmaster, citizen, tag, vintage omega, Daytona or even Casio's. I often found that no matter the price point, the person was wearing their watch with pride and could tell me exactly when, where, how and why they bought it/ received it. These conversations filled with no bias has sparked my interest and then stumbling across this channel sparked it even more. I am so, so, sooo excited to receive my first watch (Orient Mako 3) in a couple of days. Love the content Teddy.

[AleSsandro-edff]

"You can actually be happy for other people even if they have something you can't have". Good stuff.

[Greygoose]

I agree with all of these 100%- except for a little bit on the window shopping- I think that’s a bit harsh. Sometimes it is nice to go in and look and handle a watch that maybe you can’t afford right now- but it’s just fun to dream- I think for some of us the shopping experience- which sometimes may drag out for years- is as fun as the actual purchase and is often used as motivation to work towards something you just really want. I think good sales people can make this discernment and still be very helpful to people they know aren’t quite customers yet.

[butapioka]

My guy. You handle so many luxury products and rich people yet you’re very humble and down to earth. Please don’t change. You’re a classy guy

[apples]

Im a true watch enthusiast


I watch videos on watches I'll never afford

[flyingfish]

If people would apply these same principles to life, the world would be a much better place. As always, thank you, Teddy.

[dantedavis]

Hey Teddy! I recently began selling luxury watches at Dillard’s (of all places) in Florida and watching your videos has made me one of the top sellers in my district! You are truly a master of this subject matter. 💪🏽

[Greygoose]

This is what is great about you tube as a medium- it’s a true media democracy - no personality is just forced upon you, if a creator is a jerk or an idiot, then they just aren’t successful- and the people who are successful are almost always nice, pleasant, enjoyable, and talented people like Teddy.

[blakslee]

About the window shopper: there's probably a subset of people that are into watches, have 1-2 pieces that are $500-1000 and aspire to something in the $5k+ range but cannot afford it.

That is/was me in NYC recently. While there I wanted to go look at and try on nice watches because I wouldn't really have the opportunity again for a long time. I walked into the GS boutique with my SPB213 and was completely upfront with the sales person and made sure that I wasn't getting in the way of the 1-2 other people in the store who seemed like they would actually buy something. It was a really great experience and he seemed happy to put watches in my hands.

[MikeHere]

“Garbage human being.” Haha. I love the real honest talk.

[renebense]

Teddy is describong these types with the utmost precision. So eloquently phrased, so meticulously framed. Teddy is probably the best reviewer / dealer out there. The combination of fairness and scrutiny is rare, Teddy can pull it off, without hurting anybody's feelings. Chapeau..!

[sigee]

I cant stress enough how much I hate putting a scratch on a watch. I'm the same with most things and do all I can to keep my stuff looking like new. Having said that I do wear them all.

[mclaughlinja]

#9… the guy who makes house guests look at his entire watch collection if they express the slightest interest in watches. Oh wait - I am that guy 😂

[rchristie]

I really appreciate the care and thoughtfulness that went into this video. There are great reminders here for most of us. I certainly recognize the need to occasionally check myself. Here’s a little mantra I’ve taken away from Teddy’s message; “There’s room for everyone. If you truly love watches, you should be able to find the beauty in any timepiece. (Even if it’s not for you) Don’t be a jerk.”

[Tizianv]

Thanks for speaking out!! A lot of us think those things but don't have the platform to share like you do. Very cool of you !

[Boblw]

Thanks for great video! Another type of enthusiast, is the person who buys a watch, is disappointed and flips it without giving it a chance to “grow” on you. I’ve had lots of pieces I immediately found to be not quite satisfied with but grew to really appreciate after living with them a while.

[introvertswag]

It'd crazy how watch collecting has changed my mindset on money. I recently had to pay $1000 dollars to replace axles and bearings for my car, which is quite a lot of money. But then the next day I'm looking at watches that are over $1000 and I'm saying to myself, "Wow that's not too expensive. I can afford that." But in reality I cant afford to spend so much on something not necessary like a busted car that I need to fix so I can work to live. It's just so weird. I've never had this with other hobbies, so I'm constantly having to catch myself and not make spur of the moment purchases.

[stevestevensky]

Great video. I have a small collection of watches. They range in price from $69 to $2, 000 and I never think about them on a dollar value scale or by brand reputation. I wear each of them because I like the way they look and what the watch means to me. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around anything else.

[Dasspapirfly]

While I can certainly understand the frustration on the "window shopper" category from a sales perspective I do feel that people have the right to look and consider something without feeling obligated to buying (especially with relatively luxury purchases like cars or watches). Maybe they found a better deal somewhere else, maybe their financial situation changed.

Personally I work mainly B2B but I've experienced much the same situation and there are several times where we spend days putting together an offer, contacting subsuppliers to get their prices etc. and then never hearing back, it's just part of the game.


When it comes to higher end watches it might also be a potential future customer so if a store gives a bad impression denying the college kid to try on something fairly pricey like a Glashutte Original or Omega they might lose a customer down the line.