Welcome to the new installment of the 'Back to Basics' series dedicated to newcomers in our shared passion for watches.
In this edition, we will not focus on a single specific topic. Our goal is to provide beginner watch enthusiasts with universal advice and recommendations for the right mindset. Where to start? How to start correctly? What mistakes can we help you avoid? These are the questions we will address today.
As always, we invite experienced readers to share their observations and advice. Let's warmly welcome beginner enthusiasts and help them avoid the mistakes we once made. Share your tips in the comments!
The Mindset of a Beginner Watch Enthusiast
If you are reading this article, you probably already have a faint interest in watches and have decided to delve into this hobby. This stage is both exciting and daunting. Today we have more information available than ever before. It allows for quick in-depth knowledge acquisition but can also be dangerous.
First and foremost, you will encounter many debates online. If you read too many comments on social media, it might seem that if you love brand X, you must hate brand Y. Or even worse, you might think that to be a 'real' watch enthusiast, you must have a cynical and detached attitude. None of this makes sense. If you can maintain a beginner's mindset based on wonder, curiosity, and enthusiasm for as long as possible, you have already won. There is no place for hate here, as it is just a hobby.
My main advice at this stage is to find your niche and develop in it. The world of watches is vast: from space models to military ones, from complex complications to mechanical inventions, from design to craftsmanship techniques, from racing to dive watches, and much more. Start with what interests you the most and delve deeper. There is no need to learn everything at once - just begin with what is closest to you.
Loving Does Not Mean Owning
Allow me to offer some guidance, as this is one of the traps I am sure all watch enthusiasts have fallen into. Loving watches does not necessarily mean owning them. Being an enthusiast does not equal being a collector, and being a collector does not mean you need to acquire everything indiscriminately.
Watches are fascinating because they can serve as portals to other worlds. You are not the first to learn a lot about space exploration starting with an interest in the Omega Speedmaster, for example. If you spend a lot of time studying, your brain might convince you that 'now you must own these watches,' only to be disappointed later. Be critical of your desires. It is perfectly normal to explore and enjoy watches without owning them. Conversely, you do not need any reason to want to own a watch other than simple desire. If you want to avoid cognitive dissonance at all costs, then watches are not the most suitable hobby. Accept it!
Let me provide a personal example. I am obsessed with Hublot. I cannot help it. The brand with its unique marketing strategy based on the concept of 'fusion' captivates me immensely. I follow all Hublot's new releases, but I do not own a watch from this brand and do not plan to buy one. These two parts of my interest live in different areas of my consciousness.
What a Beginner Watch Enthusiast Should Own
Now that priorities and motivations are clear, let's move on to buying the first watch. Where to start? There is no single right way for beginners to acquire their first watch, but we will help you avoid common mistakes.
First of all, look for watches that are easy to wear and maintain. You can find many very cheap vintage watches online. Although they seem like a bargain, owning them can be complicated. Such watches require professional servicing by a watchmaker. Firstly, economically, it may not be worthwhile for the craftsman. Secondly, parts can be extremely hard to find. You are not the first to buy vintage watches and find that they fog up on the first outing, and the watchmaker refused to service them.
It is better to start with something reliable and easy to maintain - for example, watches with common calibers like Sellita, Miyota, or Seiko. Maybe you enjoy searching for rare parts online - that is also an interesting hobby, and I understand that. But make sure you are truly ready for such challenges before taking on something exotic, old, and rare.
Filler Watches
Now we move on to the controversial topic of filler watches. Most beginner enthusiasts gradually develop their passion. You might be the exception and immediately acquired your dream watch to celebrate professional success. Nevertheless, most start with smaller models and gradually move to more prestigious ones.
Many beginners dream of watches that are currently out of reach. This could be a Rolex Submariner, Cartier Tank, or Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar. Along the way, you may be attracted to filler watches - more affordable models that serve the same purpose or resemble your dream watch. Sometimes, these are even homage models - copies of the design but without the quality and brand.
Choosing filler watches is a very personal decision. In my experience, such watches always feel like a compromise. I have bought many fillers, and they all left my collection quickly. I derived much more pleasure from affordable original models than from budget copies. Your experience may differ, but I advise thinking about it before choosing your next target.
Learning Expenses for a Beginner Watch Enthusiast
The next piece of advice is to be prepared for learning expenses. Yes, with the right skill, you can buy and sell watches with minimal losses. But remember, this is a hobby, and hobbies require expenses. Even professional dealers face challenges, so do not believe those who say they are in watches 'as an investment.' Of course, there are successful examples, but they are less common than they appear on Instagram.
The fact is, as your experience grows, your taste changes. What inspires you now may cease to interest you in a few years. And vice versa. Be ready to sometimes incur losses until you find exactly the watches that suit you perfectly.
Interacting with Other Watch Enthusiasts - Beginners and Experienced
My final advice is to seek interaction. The watch enthusiast community is active and diverse, with members worldwide. In recent years, the number of meetups, fairs, and events has dramatically increased. Attend them, meet like-minded people - both beginners and experienced collectors.
These meetings give you the opportunity to hold in your hands watches you would not otherwise see. You will hear stories from their owners and enjoy a true abundance of models - from exotic to everyday. The main thing is to meet interesting people and form genuine, often long-term, connections. It is not the first time that friendships begin precisely with a passion for watches!
Importantly, the cynicism of social media is absent at live events. You will shake hands with many friendly people who share your interests, and it will bring real pleasure.
Final Thoughts
There you have it - basic advice on mindset and approach for beginner watch enthusiasts! Soon, I will prepare a more practical article in the 'Back to Basics' series about the best models for first real watches. Which watches are best suited for a beginner? Stay tuned!
In the meantime, I invite you to share your tips and observations for beginners in the comments!