@jakelawry I rather buy a tudor instead of an Rolex, I never saw (sorry if it's wrong, English is my second language) the appeal of a Rolex, most of look exactly the same, I prefer buying a Breitling or an IWC
I got unironically asked the other day if my Orient Kamasu was a Rolex. Most people do not care what sort of watch you're wearing or even if they do, they don't know a lot about them. Just wear a watch you like, it's primarily for you.
Interesting list and I mostly agree with all your points. I think if you just follow 2 rules you will be fine: 1 - buy watches you like rather than what you think you should, 2 - enjoy a watch for what it is and don't expect it will change your life
Very much agree with point number 1 - I had a bunch of watches; they weren't worth a lot but I realised that they were there just because I wanted to buy something instead of waiting for something I could keep for life. In the end, I sold 11 of the 12 watches I had - I kept my G-Shock as an end of days beater and swapped the other 11. With the money I bought the truly wonderful Seiko Tortoise (SRPG15) as my daily and a gorgeous little 1960s gold tone with champagne dial for a dress watch and it's the best decision I could have made. 3 watches with clear roles in my life that I can actually bond with instead of chopping and changing all the time. I know my route isn't for everyone but it's exactly what I needed.
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR It's all a journey and I'm sure there will be more watches in the future. Oh and I also kept my first ever grail watch from when I was 9...The forever glorious Casio W-86! That backlight!
I actually got a Ranger this year as my first "luxury" watch. I had been lusting over it online until i finally managed to save up enough and spent a few months trying to track one down locally. I went in with the mindset that it might not be the right watch for me but once i actually handled it and tried it on i knew i had to have it.
I was planning on getting a BB58 for over a year & when I eventually went to my AD & tried it on, at 39mm it just didn't have enough dial real estate for me so tried on the Ranger & instantly fell for it & picked one up & haven't looked back.
The engine and build of the ranger and bb58 is essentially the same. The difference is the design. And for me the ranger wins hands down. It’s a proper tool watch. The 58 is nice but just too generic for me
Tudor is an amazing brand; so congratulations on buying an excellent watch. Each to their own, but I find the Ranger rather bland. I prefer larger watches (BB P01 and Pelagos FXD are permanent members of my collection); and if I was to buy a Ranger, the Heritage Ranger (41mm) is much more to my liking as it has history and is the authentic Tudor tool watch (ETA movement that is cheap as chips to service, drilled lugs, etc.). Apart from being too small for me, the Ranger is too much of a dress watch (as is the Rolex Explorer). Those watches get babied. Then again, most people find my tastes odd (Seiko Monster Tuna on my wrist 😳). Life would be boring if we all had the same taste, so enjoy your new watch proudly in the new year!
I just got started in watches and my first ever mechanical watch was a Seiko that went for 106 USD and I'm happy with it. Also, do not get into a massive debt trying to buy that particular watch you're lusting after, there's nothing wrong with buying what is within your budget. Thanks for bringing this up most specially designer watches.
I resisted temptation for over two years while researching and saving for my BB58. I almost made it, but got a PRX80 towards the end. No big deal that I caved. Got the BB 3 months later on Chrono24 when one night I decided I was tired of waiting for 'the right time' and just finally went for it. The PRX, I was aware was going to wear larger. Hesitated for a while. Ran into someone I didn't know but saw their watch and chatted a bit and tried it on. Borderline on my wrist, but I could see that I could still pull it off. As the for 58, I had never seen one, but thanks to its popularity, I spent a lot of time watching like a hundred vids and reading articles and posts and comments over that 2+ year span. I knew literally everything there was to know about it. And when I got it, it truly lived up to everything I knew and expected. Perfect watch as you said. I wore it exclusively for 5 months before bring my other watches back into rotation. Even the days I don't wear it to work, I put it on when I get home until going to bed. (Sometimes I keep it on to bed for no reason). 😊 It was love at first sight in around early 2019 when I hear about it. But never thought I'd spend over a grand on a watch, so it was just something I enjoyed from afar. Early 2020, got a Speedy Reduced impulsively with zero research, and was like...hmmm, maybe I could spend a little more next time and Get a BB. The Impulse Speedy worked out though, I love it wear it a few days a week.l, and almost every day during the time between getting the Tudor. But I basically made the 58 my goal and my grail right after the Speedy. I have a good eye for things and will say with confidence that I have exquisite taste, with an ability to accurately imagine reality, so even my impulse buys are never mistakes. I have never not purchased a keeper.
I have learned most of these lessons in the last 3 years. I recently went to buy a PRX in gold PVD, only realise I would not wear it much when I had it in my hands at the AD. Instead, I left the shop with the new Seiko 5 GMT with the blue dial and bezel, which I have been wearing constantly since getting it. I bought a dress watch a few years back (Rado Coupole Classic), and it gets little to no wrist time. Why? I suppose its due to the death of the suit at work, and the increase in working from home thanks to the pandemic. I also recently bought my first G Shock after years of prevaricating. God only knows why I took so long. Damn near perfect watch for my lifestyle, and under £100!
Tbh for the submariner most decent clomages or homages are more true to the original than an actual Rolex. The price tag alone disqualifies it as a practical watch.
I know you’re gonna hate me… but my invicta pro diver got me back into watches, it’s a super reliable watch that I just get to wear, nothing to worry about bumping it, goes diving just fine, I work a job where I couldn’t wear the luxury watches anymore and my hobbies starting becoming chores with a 2000$ watch on my wrist. It’s just a watch I can’t help but appreciate
@@charlesseitz1366 I love my invictas bro I deff got back into it because of them too. Now I just ordered my tissot t035 and I’m waiting for my Movado SE to come back from Movado. I love my watches
True story. I purchased a nice automatic watch from Melbourne Watch Co. around ten years ago. It has a nice dial, simple Myota movement and sapphire crystal and a see through case back for around $450. Around two years later during my bachelor party in Las Vegas I purchased a Bourne & Maurcie (don’t wear it nearly enough to remember how it’s spelled). Oh I was excited. It was my first really expensive watch. It looked lovely. Nice alligator strap and great presence. Of course, I really wanted a Panerai, but that was about twice as much. I get home after a weekend of shenanigans and I realize that my lovely new. B&M is nearly identical to my other existing watch. You’d think I did it on purpose. That’s my big lesson and I really need to just let it go more than likely.
Really nailed it on saving up for one watch. I want that CW Aquitaine GMT so badly but have had to wait and resist buying other less expensive watches. Its my grail for now but I have had a lot of other financial responsibilities for my family in the meantime. Gonna stay strong, no matter how long it takes!
Agree with all of the points, the only problem with getting it on the wrist before you buy is with microbrands. I've bought from a couple of UK companies that would have given a refund if unhappy, but that wasn't necessary because fortunately I loved the watches. But I've also bought a couple that came from Europe which I'm really not that fussed about, and had to pay VAT and import duties to get them, so even if I did send them back I'd be seriously out of pocket.
100% agree with you, microbrands/independent brands as some are calling are getting to expensive plus I live in Europe I do like Lorier but they are in the USA first they all sell quickly them if you have bought one and after paying 💰taxes/duties 🛃 etc and when you got your “cool watch them you think uhnmm it’s not the watch I like and so on … plus all these brands now are starting to put you on Pre-order list ?! What are they like Rolex ? This year enough for me I’ve enough of waiting lists , pre-order whatever they call because if you search a bit in the web they start to appear and more expensive then they should be ( not saying Lorier does it, Zelo’s does ! And some other brands I’ve bought and now it’s what it is..) plus those ones if you send some emails to the website dealer you pay less them the Brand himself! Is this correct? No thank you, prefer buy a Longines Zulu or Hydroconquest, Sinn’s etc not gone waiting for the Hype of UA-cam watches. About the fashion watches have to agree they are the worst pieces of crap I’ve seen rather buy a Casio them a Calvin Klein , etc etc , fake watches no way why on earth you buy them taking the risk some “wise” guys see them are robbed you amor beat you because of a 20€ fake watch anyway wish you all a good new 2023 all the best and buy what you like not that Tudor Ranger please the hour hand looks a dildo 😆 for 3500k
New subscriber. Thanks for the show. My very first watch was a Timex: my only regret is i don’t have it any longer. No idea where it went (behind the sofa?), but at least i was spared all the horrid Timex jibes about cheap watches. No idea how their stuff fares these days as i’m only just getting into the world of ‘movements’. On the other hand i’m surprised Casio have such a huge following … it’s the watch of choice i would use when travelling abroad as i’m less likely to get mugged whereas a sub, even a cloned one, screams ‘come & rob me’ iyswim. Stay brave, stay safe. 👋
Absolutely outstanding video and some of the best watch buying advice I have heard..."Super" ! It is so easy to get caught up in the hype and lose sight of what attracted us to the hobby to begin with. We have all made mistakes and sometimes its hard to remain focused and not scratch every itch (AliExpress watches). Take your time, stay focused and yes, even ask your wife what she thinks about the look/design it can help (sometimes). Most importantly, buy what YOU like. Buy what speaks to YOU, not what a friend, UA-camr or a salesman is telling you to. Buy what you like, make smart, well thought out decisions so you dont end up looking down at your collection wondering what you did, where you went wrong. Thanks Russ keep up the outstanding work and have a great New Year.
Russ, I found your channel this year, as I am new to watch collecting. What your doing is great. You have brought me a lot of joy, humor and knowledge. Well done, sir!
Great show and happy new year! All excellent points. I’ve been guilty of some of these things over the years… but remember, CASIO DOESN’T COUNT. It exists in its own geeky-cool pocket reality 😂
@@whywecollectwatches Don't tell the missus but I've bought 6 in the last 2 months. BUT I will say, Casios don't count. And there's a DW5600 I've been waiting for from Amazon for 5 weeks too
I made it a bit too obvious for my significant other as I bought a second identical box to store my Casios in. But the needed a proper home as well! One up or downside: There’s now room in both the „proper watches“ box as well as in the Casio box 😅🙈
I know fashion watches are a no no but I have a Vincero I absolutely adore. With various straps, it pairs with almost my entire wardrobe. I also think the the construction with the marble back is pretty nice too.
Youre absolutely right about trying the watch on the flesh before pulling the trigger, it happened to me with a Omega Seamaster 300 (the vintage type) that very much appealed to me on videos and pictures but was very underwhelming when seen at a jewelry store
As a watch and fragrance collector just an Fyi that Tom Ford is not an 'aftershave' plus it costs more than many watches ($200+). That said I do get not buying 'fashion watches' bad value for money and quality. Years ago I was gifted a Tommy Hilfiger Tank watch (before I got into collecting) ... but what SHOCKED me was that a company like Macys is STILL selling them today - I happened to see them when I was browsing the watch cases around Christmas. 😖🤦♂️.
Great advice all-round. Most working class people would have to save their hard earned money to buy a luxury watch. When I got my Omega Speedmaster it was worth the wait. Looked at many watches, the Speedmaster racing was the one for me. Some luxury watch manufacturers don't do anything for me and others offer many great watches. Thank you for the great advice.
I very much agree with all these points and have fallen down most of these rabbit holes but I do have to say while I’m not fond of Rolex, Patek or other high end clomages one of my guilty pleasures is a good cheap Seiko clomage. I just can’t bring myself to spend $600-$2,000 on a good condition used Monster, SKX or Turtle but $150 for a Heimdallr with better specs, finishing, build quality and an upgraded Seiko movement? Yup, love ‘em and I don’t have a heart attack every time they smack a doorknob. They were originally meant to be inexpensive beaters after all not case queens. Honestly there’s not much guilt what with Seiko continually downgrading their new watches while increasing pricing and straight ignoring QC issues. Feels like they find a new way to slap us in the face every few months. Also I’m pretty sure Seiko makes more selling movements than actual watches so I don’t think they are all that bothered. I say that but in truth they are the OG designers and deserve the credit for creating such wonderful products. If I had money to burn I would buy the originals so that’s where the guilt comes in. I understand they’re not authentic and I don’t try to fool myself or pretend they are anything but copies. I think that’s the bit where people go very wrong.
Yeah I totally get it my friend! I would just not want to be in a situation of having like 6 Heavy Homages and realising I could've bought an original. Also if its bought at an AD, you can take it back if there is a misalignment!:]
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR Oh I definitely get it lol. I’ve looked at my collection and gone “f-me I coulda bought - instead” more than a few times. Now my cases are separated by personal grails, proud to have, much loved/sentimental, Casios (there’s no such thing as too many or enough) because Casio, mild regrets/guilty pleasures and then those that will be kept hidden in the darkness because I feel shame for what I have done. I wish the UA-cam community including yourself had been around when I really started collecting to smack some sense into me. One of these days I need to figure out how to sell off my regret/shame/guilty sections.
Love your content mate. So different to every other watch you tuber … great video except I have to disagree on the Ranger. When I got it I was in the fence but after wearing it for a while I have fallen in love and seriously curbed my desire for the explorer 39m. The tooliness of it just works so well with the bb58 size… I was as shocked as I thought :) happy new year !
Same here. Tried the Ranger on 4x and mulled it over for 2 days before getting a Ranger. I saw all the reviews on it, but it just fit me so well. Next day, saw a North Flag, in the back of some shop…and it was a watch I wanted years ago…some kind of weird karma thing ha ha.
for those who want a Sub with a vintage look- Grab a Steinhart Ocean One 42mm - with the red triangle at 12 - under $500 , 300mrs wr , vintage lume look. a really good bracelet - a really good watch ! daily driver for me for over 2 years and I have some expensive watches as well- Panerai , Rollie - et cetera - but bang for the buck is amazing
I think you nailed it with #1. At the moment, I'm patiently waiting to get the money together for a watch that I really like but am getting distracted left right and centre by Christmas specials and discounts on watches that are a lot cheaper. Nice to have watches, but nothing that I'm really itching to get... I also think you nailed it with trying the watch on in store. I had the new Oris Propilot X Calbre 400 on my list but tried it on at the Oris store when on a work trip. All good, but the guy in the store had one and I just did not like the bronzing of the titanium on that watch after a bit of time. Wanted it to stay silver!! I think the only other thing to add (especially if it's an expensive watch) is to try to buy from authorised dealers close to where you live, for the service and support, whether warranty or just servicing. I think there is a bit of a danger dropping thousands online for overseas dealers, especially if second hand.
New sub here from Southern California USA. Love the craziness and the fact you're a bit frenetic. Looking frw'd to binge-watching your channel... ¡Saludos!
My best advice is be patient and do your research on why luxury brands are so expensive. Put branding aside and see what they do compared to cheaper brands. Makes you appreciate cheaper brands more and how good of a value some of them are.
Weell, i used to have like 15 casio/g-shocks watches, sold 12 of them so now all the Casios i have is: ga2100, rangeman and a retro vintage A168WA. Took the money and bought myself a Hamilton Khaki King Chrono Automatic, also bought a nice watch box for 5 watches, so iam missing one. Saving money for my Oris diver
So by your logic, if the Ranger is a watch for someone who really wants an Explorer, then the BB58 is for those who can't afford a Submariner? Somewhat hypocritical. If you like a watch, you should just buy it.
Hahahahaha you can explain it however you want! A year after the first submariner came out , the Tudor Submariner was released so it’s a homage to the Tudor Sub!
Thanks for your first point. I’m saving for the Hamilton Khaki 38mm Aviation Pioneer as a 40th birthday watch. I tried it on, love it, fits my personality and style and it’s something to pass down. But I’ll be saving for it well past my birthday in all likelihood and the temptation to get something I like well enough is just….it’s strong.
Calvin Klein Infinity watches were manufactured by Tissot and are absolutely no different quality wise besides the Calvin Klein branding on the dial, so why should anyone care. For many they were an absolute bargain when the prices dropped. They are a legitimate Swatch Group product with ETA high beat movement's.
@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR most who bought the infinity watches got them because of the movement and build quality...and price drop...cuz we follow all the watch guyz on youtube. Being a careful shopper and enjoying what you get is the whole thing!
Great show Russ. Have a great 23. Santa brought me the Pelagos in blue. Speechless. Admired from afar and overwhelmed that the Mrs splashed the cash. Cheers mate. 👍👍
I was quite satisfied with my Pagani V3 moonwatch homage. I'm a busker. I also like vintage watches but they're often fragile and can't take the hard use I'm going to put them through. All good advice you've given . It's taken me years to know what to stay away from. I can gestimate by size and lug width what I'm probably going to get away with without trying on.
Totally agree. The V3 Pagani moon gets the most time on my wrist at the moment. It's value for money, specifications and appearance are impossible to beat at around £100. These type of watches also serve as a tester and enable people to assess how comfortable they are with a Speedmaster or Submariner format on wrist over many weeks which could possibly avoid them spending thousands on a High-End Swiss watch unsuited to them.
First video I’ve seen of this guy and absolutely love him. So entertaining and captivating to watch. Had my attention throughout the video. “Claps” Liked and subscribed!
Solid advice for someone who is just starting out although I’ve ignored a few of these I have a pretty large collection ranging from Casio, citizen, orient, seiko to GS, rolex and omega and the only ones i ever tried on before buying were the ladder 3 coating $4k plus that’s just simply because I don’t really have many authorized dealers around me and I’m confident in seeing the dimensions whether it’s going to fit or not but like most of us there are definitely a few box queens I regret buying and I have to disagree with the homages outside of buying a fake I found that it was a great way for me to test the case dimensions before making my more expensive buys like my Rolex SD43 so I bought an homage and I was blown away by the quality you can get from some of these clomage brands I paid less than $140 for this sea dweller homage it came with a sapphire crystal a ceramic bezel screw down crown and a 4hz movement it gave me a good idea of how the dimensions and bracelet would fit on my wrist before spending almost $14k on the real deal so there are definitely quality watches out there and depending on your budget I would steer you towards brands like citizen, seiko, orient, Hamilton, or tissot all make quality watches at an entry level price point
You are are breath of fresh ocean breeze . Your show has so much energy and creativity minus the loan officer / my accountant perspective. Your wife is very smart and keeps it fun. Good luck to you and yours!
Hi Russ, had my first look in the flesh of a Tudor bb58 yesterday, must admit to being very tempted to move some watches on and treat myself. You are spot on in saying look and handle the watch before buying, only seeing on screen did not inspire me to get one.
My man i agree on the designer watches....but check out the latest RALPH LAUREN, it is a killer, army style, with or with no bound strap..came out in paris last month..... happy new year mad watch.
The only point where I'd disagree is about clomages. :) One of my favorite watches is my Pagani Design Sub homage. It definitely doesn't have the finishing or the materials of a Submariner, but It's got decent specs for the money. To get a sapphire crystal, solid end links, and a good clasp with an NH35 from Seiko, you'd be talking about spending a lot more money. I understand the disdain people have for clomages, because they lack originality, but sometimes I think you just want to have a watch that apes the style of a much more expensive watch without buying a fake. At least the clomages are honest about what they are.
Cheers Brian, no can not get on with them at all. Take a look at the Loreo submariner, check out the text underneath the hands . It is literally a logo away of being a cheap counterfeit. There are plenty of fantastic affordable watches that take inspiration from popular watches over the years. I just can’t get on board !;)
Whilst I do take your point about try before you buy I think this would unfairly rule out microbrands such as Farer who produce really good value and interesting pieces but keep prices down by selling direct to market. You usually get a no quibbles return policy so try at home with no pressure to buy.
Set my goal thanks to this video. Tudor Black Bay fifty-eight 39mm. Every time I see one in a shop window I’m drawn to it. I’ve always been obsessed with dive watches so it’s aesthetics are perfect for me.
Good grief my friend… Russell, yet another enriched video experience… great start to 2023! Loved it! Ps… will you be sending out fuzzy balls samples to all your 2023 subscribers?
I happen to be quite partial to the Invicta homage watches, I own a few and they serve me very well, but I also agree that Orient is really the best in class when it comes to super affordable Rolex homages. The rest of the list, I totally agree with, especially with avoiding fashion/trendy brands. I bought a MVMT watch once and...yeah, never again.
My pro diver 8926OB is the toughest,most accurate automatic i've ever had....its been my work watch for 3 years , and in my line of work it doesn't get an easy ride
Great tips Russ! I agree with all of them besides possibly the watch that suits your life style. I had no intention of owning a Cartier watch a year ago but now I have 3 of them! I get that most people think they are dressy but watches like the santos and many grand seiko models are dressy and sporty at the same time!
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR well you never know until you try! There’s so many models that you are bound to find one that is more sporty than dressy. For me the best thing is how well they wear on the wrist especially the slightly curved cases! Have a Happy New Year Russ! I might even muster up the effort to start a watch channel next year!
Man...I everytime wondering about your video editing skills. You spend so much time and effort. And the results are so great. Thank you for making our hobby less boring.
You are definitely ticking well over 4 Hertz by I like it! So refreshing.... It might be obvious but you did nail the 8 or ten commandments. Here's my collection and I am not sure what to get next... Perhaps a Hamilton Khaki field. Omega 1932 pocket watch that I got from my grandfather Yema Automatic that my grandfather bought me when I was 10 Tissot PRS 516 automatic that I got for my 40th birthday 5 year old Swatch Irony chronograph (all steel) that I wear as a daily (much nicer Moonwatch homage than the Moonswatch...) Alpina StartTimer Quartz, simple but effective design pilot watch.
One rule to mention: avoid a watch that won’t fit your wrist. Take a measurement: if your wrist diameter is below 6.5”, then there’s no way a watch with a lug-to-lug above 53mm can be worn without overhanging, unless it’s an integrated strap.
Great point. Exactly the same thing stands from the other side. If you have an eight inch wrist don't buy a 36mm watch just because it looks cool in a picture.
@@NickNick-id8sb I have a few smaller watches, mostly vintage or older military watches but they don’t look to bad to me on my just under 8 inch wrist. I actually prefer the size to some over 40mm watches with large faces and small bezels. Of course it may have something to do with the shape of my wrist as well as it isn’t very wide compared to the “depth”.
Sage advice, across the board. For me, one of the biggest struggles is taking stock of who I am (lifestyle, wardrobe, location, etc) vs who I wish to be. I often do this to stop myself from buying a watch that just does not fit. It's important to be realistic when pondering a dress or a dive watch, when neither are appropriate for where I am today.
My 2023 watch will be the Citizen CC5006-06L or JY8127-59E. I'm leaning towards the CC5006 cuz I love the satellite wave time keeping. I need precise time so mechanical watches ain't an option. I just bought my EDC watch, the G-Shock GW6900. Happy New Year, mate!!
If you are looking for a very precise watch, might I suggest the Bulova Precisionist line. I love both of mine and they run at 262 khz. Accuracy is around +/- 10 seconds a year. Their Curv line is really nice for dress watches and again, 262 khz makes for a very precise watch.
Do fuzzy balls aftershave also do watches 🤣🤣. Obviously haven't paid any attention to your suggestions. Great video and advice as always. Hope you and the family have a great new year. Looking forward to 2023.
I have mentioned this before here but I have one of these super clone watches. The Submariner Starbucks green bezel version. It is astonishingly good to the point that I feel if I had the real one it wouldn't be any better. I can't buy the real one because the supply issue is so chronic now that I would have more fun eating dog do do than waiting for a real one. And mine was available and costs me just $600. I'm not trying to impress anyone and tbh those few that have seen my watch have been told immediately it's a clone and I'm not fooling myself either. But the reality is very simple. If Rolex made more watches and took the shite out of buying one of their pieces I would buy one. In fact I did buy one a few years back. I bought a 214270 Explorer and very lovely it was too. I sold it because I'm an idiot. Tried to but another one or anything else from Rolex but the dealers were so rude and obnoxious I felt like punching one of them clean into next week! If normal people like me who have worked hard for the dosh and want to spend it on something nice cannot buy a Rolex then I have no sympathy for some of these clone factories filling the gap with their excellent offering. You should get your hands on one to see. They are truly astonishing.
I went though a time of wanting to collect rare vintage watches. Not entirely with the intention of wearing them, but because they were difficult to find. The Omega Jedi and the Albatross for example. Both very special and cool looking watches, but not meant to be worn on my small wrist. Then came the realization that these were going to need service eventually. That was simply not an expense I was willing to commit to. So after years of pondering I sold both. Best decision I could have made. Thankfully I got my money back, so no loss there. But it was a learning experience. Unless you have money to burn, do not buy collectors pieces you get no use out of. The "investment" excuse is not good enough. Prices fluctuate too much and are too dependent on trends. You have to very aware of buying and selling timing.
@@thomaselwood12 yes I am aware. But considering a future service would cost more than I had paid for the watches, it simply wasn’t a risk I was willing to take. We’re talking about 40 year old watches. It was just a matter of time.
Totally agree with the never buying a fashion watch and that particularly applies to anything made by Swatch! Set a price point and enjoy looking for the very best specification you can get for the money and that suits your style. At the end of the day, anything over £500, you are paying for the name. My personal choices revolve around accuracy, a titanium case and bracelet, and sapphire glass. The Casio Oceanus S100 is probably the best value for money meeting those specifications, but Citizen and Orient have some very respectable offerings too. So perhaps an additional exclusion would be not to pay over the odds for anything displaying a Swiss Made label.
Swatch is NOT a fashion watch. It's a watchcompany making fashionable watches. A fashio watch is a watch with a fashion brand on the dial, like Tommy Hilfiger, or Hugo Boss. They should stick to clothing. Swatch only makes watches and is solely responsible for the survival of the Swiss watch industry. I really deserves alot of respect, like their watches or not.
Good guide! I think you have a little inconsistency between your assessment of the 58 and Ranger though. Very few people will buy a Ranger because they can’t get an Explorer. People will buy a Ranger because they can’t get a 1016 or a vintage Ranger (and/or because 36mm is too small for them). If you want a cheaper/more available alternative to the current explorer, you get a BB36 - swathes of internet comparisons between the two highlight this. It’s exactly the same with the BB58 (which was also super hyped up at release) - you didn’t buy that because you couldn’t get a modern sub. You bought it because you couldn’t get a 6538 big crown ;) Just like the Ranger, the BB58 is way more expensive in real terms than it’s vintage inspiration was when it was released. To me, that’s the great thing about some of the Tudors though - everyday usability and vintage Rolex charm at (comparatively in today’s crazy market) sensible prices. 👍🏻
I agree my friend but let me tell you from all the watches I’ve handled that were over 2k in price, I could see and feel luxury y’know. The Ranger is the only one where , if I was told it was £500, I wouldn’t be surprised. The value lies inside with the movement. I just didn’t like it! But that’s just me!;)
Great advice and to be honest you don’t need any more than a 3watch collection, if you do it becomes an unhealthy obsession Great show and as always the wife is right if you need a date magnifying lens you should have gone to spec savers 😎
Great Episode, Russ. We all have watches that just sit in the box! So many watches not enough money(Time). Happy New Year. I know your love of Dive watches, Did you see the Bulova Mil-Ship? Its a bit big at 41mm but, it is a beautiful watch, I framed a print of it. (along with a Sky Dweller). Thanks again.
Marcus! Appreciate this a lot! The Milship looks nice! Its just that Miyota that is owned by Citizen who owns Bulova! an 8k series is not nice, a work heres but loud and grinds!
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR Yeah, I'm still in the infatuation stage with the Mil-Ship. I'll take a Japanese movement over a Chinese movement, any day of the week. 🙂
Great points all around, and they sound like a common sense, but I'd stop for a minute at "try it yourself on your wrist first, and look at it with your own eyes". Again, it's a common sense to me, but it's not always possible. What about JDM watches? I'm from Poland (though I work in Germany), and around next week I'm planning to buy my first Oceanus. These watches are really hard to find and get, some models at least. Currently I'm going for OCW-T5000-AJF1. I've found one on Amazon, but it costs nearly 1350 EUR. Now I don't know if it's a ripoff or actually fair price, because you can also buy this watch directly from "Discover Japan" site, where price is substantially lower, but then again they only accept payment in YEN, so after all calculations and additional charges (overseas shipping etc), the price may be actually the same or higher... Anyway, I'm also planning to buy Oceanus OCW-T150-2AJF (its pearly dial is so uncommon and beautiful), but I've decided to buy T-5000 first, because the former is much easier to find. I agree with "buy watch that fits your lifestyle" part. I want to wear my watches. I always wanted to own a "classic" LED watch from 70s, and I was almost decided to buy Bulova's Computron. But I wanted to have those 70s red LEDs, since other colors were unavailable back then. From the technological perspective, the shorter the wavelength, the harder it is to build it. That's why first lasers were also red, and blue and green ones appeared only recently... However, Computron with red LEDs is all gold, and I don't like gold. Too "loud" for me, so it would only fit some more formal clothing, if you ask me. So eventually I went with T-2077 made by polish watchmaking company Błonie (on the market since around 1956), cooperating with CDProjekt, who made Cyberpunk 2077 videogame. Pretty solid watch, with all titanium case and bracelet and sapphire coated glass. It has yellow LEDs though (since it fits Cyberpunk aesthetics) 😆 I'm also guilty of being hyped for that one "special" watch, as I'm planning to buy Christopher Ward's C60 Sapphire in some undefined future...
Great video. I love the “buy your style” rule. I very much appreciate higher-end watches but as a fisheries biologist the folks in my circle would think I’m crazy for a) spending $10k on a watch, and b) wearing it! Thanks for the video!
Watch gecko has a nearly new Squale 30 Atmos GMT with blue bezel for £470, really tempted as love the jubilee bracelet but is it too homagey? I have a BB58 navy and an Oris ProPilot but think I would get more wear from the Squale?
Best advice buy what you like, will wear and will enjoy regardless of any 'rules' and suggestions. There is a watch for everyone and we could all use more enthusiasts. A 'bad' watch enjoyed may lead to a good watch. I.e. people could say 'never own more than 3 watches/5 watches/10 watches, because you will never need or wear them all'.
Excellent advice here and a great video. Your videos are so fun to watch! I looked and tried on the Cartier Santos serval times, it’s not my jam and looks great on other people…
Ha! Agree about fashion watches and with your logic about them. However... (dramatic interlude music) i have quite liked the Fossil brand which also manufactures the Armani range I understand. I always felt the visual designs were quite appealing.
Very good advice. As a general rule for a beginner, avoiding “fashion watches” is a good idea. However, it’s difficult to say what qualifies. Some would call Cartier, Bulgari and Hermes “fashion watches”, and that’s incorrect. But if you are dropping that much money on a watch, then either you aren’t a beginner or it doesn’t matter what we call it, enit?
Very good points for sure! The brands you mentioned are a little different especially Cartier! They have to be taken seriously and the prices relates to that!:]
Recently bought a Alpina startimer from Jomashop. Never again am I buying a watch online! Both spring bars were bent, no warranty information, the seconds hand is slightly bent but not noticeable from the front luckily. I did get it for a very low price. Now I’ve got to order a new strap from Barton. Rest assured it’s still a neat watch that I will wear. Next watch I purchase is probably a Seiko in person. I have a few old Seiko’s from my grandfather and have yet to own a new one.
I think the bent spring bar's were deliberate from the manufacturer. I have seen a few other reviews featuring them also. The reason is that one can fit a much thicker strap to watch.
My new in-laws gifted me my first "serious" watch. I've fallen in love with it. Now that the goal is to start collecting, I've been looking around for my next piece. Video helps a lot even it some of the advice seems obvious.
The settler advice is one I’m trying to keep to! It’s so hard though! 2023 in theory will be when I get 2 only, the seiko SRQ035J1 and SLA055J1…however only time will tell! Have a great new year and keep up the brilliant work 👌👌👊
first time ive watched any of your videos, great information. im looking to buy my first watch and this video is helping point me in the right direction.
Only one watch in my collection I have regretted buying : a huge U-Boat by Ítalo Fontana. I will gift it to a very buff friend of mine who will probably love the size and the military look of the watch. So it’s all good. 😊. Great fun and informative video as usual. Love your channel.
For daily use I wear a Bulova. Quite heavy and bulky but does the job. It's grown on me somehow. I also own an Orient Kamasu which is more sopisticated than the Bulova. I usually wear the Orient with formal occasions. I had two Invicta's but sold them both. They are good watches to, but I just couldn't get over the huge engraving on the side of the case 😢 I have some dress watches I enjoy wearing to. Indeed, I dont buy chinese 'clone' hommages or fashion watches. Have always avoided those.
I don’t usually subscribe to channels that try to be funny, but you are right on the mark, and you address my concerns as a new watch collector, thank you for your advice. 👌🏼
Great video and advice. Fantastic job on the channel and content. Always a fun thing to see. I would recommend not falling for the UA-camr watch herd mentality that you need to strive for a luxury piece in your collection. In the end, you are buying a watch because of others and not for yourself. In regards to your points Russ, I have also fallen privy to them like many of us here.
My number 1 rule for everything, including watches is. Buy what you like, not what others tell you, you should like.
Absolutely ! buy what the heck you like! Its you that's wearing the watch!
Wow, nice pfp from neuromancer, cool book
And what is in your price range! Don’t go broke trying to look rich. Half the Rolex out there don’t even look much better than a 500 pound watch
@jakelawry I rather buy a tudor instead of an Rolex, I never saw (sorry if it's wrong, English is my second language) the appeal of a Rolex, most of look exactly the same, I prefer buying a Breitling or an IWC
@@MidNightBuoy When you buy a Tudor the money goes to Rolex.
I got unironically asked the other day if my Orient Kamasu was a Rolex. Most people do not care what sort of watch you're wearing or even if they do, they don't know a lot about them. Just wear a watch you like, it's primarily for you.
Interesting list and I mostly agree with all your points. I think if you just follow 2 rules you will be fine: 1 - buy watches you like rather than what you think you should, 2 - enjoy a watch for what it is and don't expect it will change your life
i do this, but it contradicts what he thinks of reps lmao
he seems incredibly uninformed about "clomages" and reps.
Very much agree with point number 1 - I had a bunch of watches; they weren't worth a lot but I realised that they were there just because I wanted to buy something instead of waiting for something I could keep for life. In the end, I sold 11 of the 12 watches I had - I kept my G-Shock as an end of days beater and swapped the other 11. With the money I bought the truly wonderful Seiko Tortoise (SRPG15) as my daily and a gorgeous little 1960s gold tone with champagne dial for a dress watch and it's the best decision I could have made. 3 watches with clear roles in my life that I can actually bond with instead of chopping and changing all the time. I know my route isn't for everyone but it's exactly what I needed.
Everyone needs a journey and the mistakes you make made you the person you are today!!! So maybe we have not regrets ?:]
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR It's all a journey and I'm sure there will be more watches in the future. Oh and I also kept my first ever grail watch from when I was 9...The forever glorious Casio W-86! That backlight!
Eventually, we all end up having that same epiphany. 😉
3-5 is a great number
So what you are saying is that you SHOULD buy a smart tourbillon watch?
I think………. If you like it , go get it!!!!
Don't we buy most watches because we like the look anyway? Therefore, I'd say buy the digital tourbillion if you like the look.
Yep... And a Seiko GMT
I actually got a Ranger this year as my first "luxury" watch. I had been lusting over it online until i finally managed to save up enough and spent a few months trying to track one down locally. I went in with the mindset that it might not be the right watch for me but once i actually handled it and tried it on i knew i had to have it.
I was planning on getting a BB58 for over a year & when I eventually went to my AD & tried it on, at 39mm it just didn't have enough dial real estate for me so tried on the Ranger & instantly fell for it & picked one up & haven't looked back.
@@stevemoon2136 I originally wanted to get a bb58 too but when the ranger was re-released I changed my mind
The engine and build of the ranger and bb58 is essentially the same. The difference is the design. And for me the ranger wins hands down. It’s a proper tool watch. The 58 is nice but just too generic for me
Tudor is an amazing brand; so congratulations on buying an excellent watch. Each to their own, but I find the Ranger rather bland. I prefer larger watches (BB P01 and Pelagos FXD are permanent members of my collection); and if I was to buy a Ranger, the Heritage Ranger (41mm) is much more to my liking as it has history and is the authentic Tudor tool watch (ETA movement that is cheap as chips to service, drilled lugs, etc.). Apart from being too small for me, the Ranger is too much of a dress watch (as is the Rolex Explorer). Those watches get babied. Then again, most people find my tastes odd (Seiko Monster Tuna on my wrist 😳). Life would be boring if we all had the same taste, so enjoy your new watch proudly in the new year!
Good for you mate!
I just got started in watches and my first ever mechanical watch was a Seiko that went for 106 USD and I'm happy with it. Also, do not get into a massive debt trying to buy that particular watch you're lusting after, there's nothing wrong with buying what is within your budget.
Thanks for bringing this up most specially designer watches.
What's the name of that watch
@@magnusmohit a Seiko SNKK17K1 with a folded links stainless steel bracelet a black dial with green lume and a 7S26 caliber nothing fancy.
I resisted temptation for over two years while researching and saving for my BB58. I almost made it, but got a PRX80 towards the end. No big deal that I caved. Got the BB 3 months later on Chrono24 when one night I decided I was tired of waiting for 'the right time' and just finally went for it.
The PRX, I was aware was going to wear larger. Hesitated for a while. Ran into someone I didn't know but saw their watch and chatted a bit and tried it on. Borderline on my wrist, but I could see that I could still pull it off.
As the for 58, I had never seen one, but thanks to its popularity, I spent a lot of time watching like a hundred vids and reading articles and posts and comments over that 2+ year span. I knew literally everything there was to know about it. And when I got it, it truly lived up to everything I knew and expected. Perfect watch as you said. I wore it exclusively for 5 months before bring my other watches back into rotation. Even the days I don't wear it to work, I put it on when I get home until going to bed. (Sometimes I keep it on to bed for no reason). 😊
It was love at first sight in around early 2019 when I hear about it. But never thought I'd spend over a grand on a watch, so it was just something I enjoyed from afar. Early 2020, got a Speedy Reduced impulsively with zero research, and was like...hmmm, maybe I could spend a little more next time and Get a BB. The Impulse Speedy worked out though, I love it wear it a few days a week.l, and almost every day during the time between getting the Tudor. But I basically made the 58 my goal and my grail right after the Speedy.
I have a good eye for things and will say with confidence that I have exquisite taste, with an ability to accurately imagine reality, so even my impulse buys are never mistakes. I have never not purchased a keeper.
I have learned most of these lessons in the last 3 years.
I recently went to buy a PRX in gold PVD, only realise I would not wear it much when I had it in my hands at the AD. Instead, I left the shop with the new Seiko 5 GMT with the blue dial and bezel, which I have been wearing constantly since getting it.
I bought a dress watch a few years back (Rado Coupole Classic), and it gets little to no wrist time. Why? I suppose its due to the death of the suit at work, and the increase in working from home thanks to the pandemic.
I also recently bought my first G Shock after years of prevaricating. God only knows why I took so long. Damn near perfect watch for my lifestyle, and under £100!
I know!!!! I was the same with G’s my friend!!!!!!
Tbh for the submariner most decent clomages or homages are more true to the original than an actual Rolex. The price tag alone disqualifies it as a practical watch.
Good point! Thanks for watching my friend!
Love my Cronos Batman GMT homage, works as expected for when travelling and a reasonable price.
I know you’re gonna hate me… but my invicta pro diver got me back into watches, it’s a super reliable watch that I just get to wear, nothing to worry about bumping it, goes diving just fine, I work a job where I couldn’t wear the luxury watches anymore and my hobbies starting becoming chores with a 2000$ watch on my wrist. It’s just a watch I can’t help but appreciate
Same bro!!!
@@charlesseitz1366 I love my invictas bro I deff got back into it because of them too. Now I just ordered my tissot t035 and I’m waiting for my Movado SE to come back from Movado. I love my watches
True story. I purchased a nice automatic watch from Melbourne Watch Co. around ten years ago. It has a nice dial, simple Myota movement and sapphire crystal and a see through case back for around $450. Around two years later during my bachelor party in Las Vegas I purchased a Bourne & Maurcie (don’t wear it nearly enough to remember how it’s spelled). Oh I was excited. It was my first really expensive watch. It looked lovely. Nice alligator strap and great presence. Of course, I really wanted a Panerai, but that was about twice as much. I get home after a weekend of shenanigans and I realize that my lovely new. B&M is nearly identical to my other existing watch. You’d think I did it on purpose. That’s my big lesson and I really need to just let it go more than likely.
Hahahaha this is great my friend! You know what you like!!
Really nailed it on saving up for one watch. I want that CW Aquitaine GMT so badly but have had to wait and resist buying other less expensive watches. Its my grail for now but I have had a lot of other financial responsibilities for my family in the meantime. Gonna stay strong, no matter how long it takes!
Well done my friend it is not easy at all! And very easy to say just save!!! But it can be done!!
Russ you nailed it with... buying cheaper watches that we end up not wearing, I have quite a few of those! 😟Happy New Year to you and your family!
Happy new year my friend!
Agree with all of the points, the only problem with getting it on the wrist before you buy is with microbrands. I've bought from a couple of UK companies that would have given a refund if unhappy, but that wasn't necessary because fortunately I loved the watches. But I've also bought a couple that came from Europe which I'm really not that fussed about, and had to pay VAT and import duties to get them, so even if I did send them back I'd be seriously out of pocket.
I think that’s a very good point my friend! Micro brands are hard to try out although there are watch shows that go on around the year!
100% agree with you, microbrands/independent brands as some are calling are getting to expensive plus I live in Europe I do like Lorier but they are in the USA first they all sell quickly them if you have bought one and after paying 💰taxes/duties 🛃 etc and when you got your “cool watch them you think uhnmm it’s not the watch I like and so on … plus all these brands now are starting to put you on Pre-order list ?! What are they like Rolex ? This year enough for me I’ve enough of waiting lists , pre-order whatever they call because if you search a bit in the web they start to appear and more expensive then they should be ( not saying Lorier does it, Zelo’s does ! And some other brands I’ve bought and now it’s what it is..) plus those ones if you send some emails to the website dealer you pay less them the Brand himself! Is this correct? No thank you, prefer buy a Longines Zulu or Hydroconquest, Sinn’s etc not gone waiting for the Hype of UA-cam watches.
About the fashion watches have to agree they are the worst pieces of crap I’ve seen rather buy a Casio them a Calvin Klein , etc etc , fake watches no way why on earth you buy them taking the risk some “wise” guys see them are robbed you amor beat you because of a 20€ fake watch anyway wish you all a good new 2023 all the best and buy what you like not that Tudor Ranger please the hour hand looks a dildo 😆 for 3500k
Russell! Your energy just brings me LIFE AND JOY!
WG!!! Always very happy after a comment from you on a show!!!! Happy new year to you and WP!!!
New subscriber. Thanks for the show. My very first watch was a Timex: my only regret is i don’t have it any longer. No idea where it went (behind the sofa?), but at least i was spared all the horrid Timex jibes about cheap watches. No idea how their stuff fares these days as i’m only just getting into the world of ‘movements’. On the other hand i’m surprised Casio have such a huge following … it’s the watch of choice i would use when travelling abroad as i’m less likely to get mugged whereas a sub, even a cloned one, screams ‘come & rob me’ iyswim. Stay brave, stay safe. 👋
Absolutely outstanding video and some of the best watch buying advice I have heard..."Super" ! It is so easy to get caught up in the hype and lose sight of what attracted us to the hobby to begin with. We have all made mistakes and sometimes its hard to remain focused and not scratch every itch (AliExpress watches). Take your time, stay focused and yes, even ask your wife what she thinks about the look/design it can help (sometimes). Most importantly, buy what YOU like. Buy what speaks to YOU, not what a friend, UA-camr or a salesman is telling you to. Buy what you like, make smart, well thought out decisions so you dont end up looking down at your collection wondering what you did, where you went wrong. Thanks Russ keep up the outstanding work and have a great New Year.
Buy what you like for sure!! Happy new year to you and your family my friend!
Russ, I found your channel this year, as I am new to watch collecting. What your doing is great. You have brought me a lot of joy, humor and knowledge. Well done, sir!
Thank you so much for your support my friend! Means a lot!
Great show and happy new year! All excellent points. I’ve been guilty of some of these things over the years… but remember, CASIO DOESN’T COUNT. It exists in its own geeky-cool pocket reality 😂
Understood Chaz!!! Ps hope the watch comes soon!!
You can never have to many Casios!
@@whywecollectwatches Don't tell the missus but I've bought 6 in the last 2 months. BUT I will say, Casios don't count. And there's a DW5600 I've been waiting for from Amazon for 5 weeks too
@@lefizz55 hahahahaha i WONT!!!
I made it a bit too obvious for my significant other as I bought a second identical box to store my Casios in. But the needed a proper home as well!
One up or downside: There’s now room in both the „proper watches“ box as well as in the Casio box 😅🙈
I know fashion watches are a no no but I have a Vincero I absolutely adore. With various straps, it pairs with almost my entire wardrobe. I also think the the construction with the marble back is pretty nice too.
Youre absolutely right about trying the watch on the flesh before pulling the trigger, it happened to me with a Omega Seamaster 300 (the vintage type) that very much appealed to me on videos and pictures but was very underwhelming when seen at a jewelry store
As a watch and fragrance collector just an Fyi that Tom Ford is not an 'aftershave' plus it costs more than many watches ($200+).
That said I do get not buying 'fashion watches' bad value for money and quality.
Years ago I was gifted a Tommy Hilfiger Tank watch (before I got into collecting) ... but what SHOCKED me was that a company like Macys is STILL selling them today - I happened to see them when I was browsing the watch cases around Christmas. 😖🤦♂️.
Great show! Some good advice. Happy New Year to all!
Cheers Rob! Happy New year to you !
Great advice all-round. Most working class people would have to save their hard earned money to buy a luxury watch. When I got my Omega Speedmaster it was worth the wait.
Looked at many watches, the Speedmaster racing was the one for me. Some luxury watch manufacturers don't do anything for me and others offer many great watches. Thank you for the great advice.
I very much agree with all these points and have fallen down most of these rabbit holes but I do have to say while I’m not fond of Rolex, Patek or other high end clomages one of my guilty pleasures is a good cheap Seiko clomage.
I just can’t bring myself to spend $600-$2,000 on a good condition used Monster, SKX or Turtle but $150 for a Heimdallr with better specs, finishing, build quality and an upgraded Seiko movement? Yup, love ‘em and I don’t have a heart attack every time they smack a doorknob. They were originally meant to be inexpensive beaters after all not case queens.
Honestly there’s not much guilt what with Seiko continually downgrading their new watches while increasing pricing and straight ignoring QC issues. Feels like they find a new way to slap us in the face every few months. Also I’m pretty sure Seiko makes more selling movements than actual watches so I don’t think they are all that bothered.
I say that but in truth they are the OG designers and deserve the credit for creating such wonderful products. If I had money to burn I would buy the originals so that’s where the guilt comes in.
I understand they’re not authentic and I don’t try to fool myself or pretend they are anything but copies. I think that’s the bit where people go very wrong.
Yeah I totally get it my friend! I would just not want to be in a situation of having like 6 Heavy Homages and realising I could've bought an original. Also if its bought at an AD, you can take it back if there is a misalignment!:]
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR Oh I definitely get it lol. I’ve looked at my collection and gone “f-me I coulda bought - instead” more than a few times.
Now my cases are separated by personal grails, proud to have, much loved/sentimental, Casios (there’s no such thing as too many or enough) because Casio, mild regrets/guilty pleasures and then those that will be kept hidden in the darkness because I feel shame for what I have done.
I wish the UA-cam community including yourself had been around when I really started collecting to smack some sense into me.
One of these days I need to figure out how to sell off my regret/shame/guilty sections.
Flippin love your channel. Loads of good info hilariously presented. Nice one.
Thank you so much for finding the channel my friend!
Love your content mate. So different to every other watch you tuber … great video except I have to disagree on the Ranger. When I got it I was in the fence but after wearing it for a while I have fallen in love and seriously curbed my desire for the explorer 39m. The tooliness of it just works so well with the bb58 size… I was as shocked as I thought :) happy new year !
Love people, not things.
Same here. Tried the Ranger on 4x and mulled it over for 2 days before getting a Ranger. I saw all the reviews on it, but it just fit me so well. Next day, saw a North Flag, in the back of some shop…and it was a watch I wanted years ago…some kind of weird karma thing ha ha.
for those who want a Sub with a vintage look- Grab a Steinhart Ocean One 42mm - with the red triangle at 12 - under $500 , 300mrs wr , vintage lume look. a really good bracelet - a really good watch ! daily driver for me for over 2 years and I have some expensive watches as well- Panerai , Rollie - et cetera - but bang for the buck is amazing
I think you nailed it with #1. At the moment, I'm patiently waiting to get the money together for a watch that I really like but am getting distracted left right and centre by Christmas specials and discounts on watches that are a lot cheaper. Nice to have watches, but nothing that I'm really itching to get...
I also think you nailed it with trying the watch on in store. I had the new Oris Propilot X Calbre 400 on my list but tried it on at the Oris store when on a work trip. All good, but the guy in the store had one and I just did not like the bronzing of the titanium on that watch after a bit of time. Wanted it to stay silver!!
I think the only other thing to add (especially if it's an expensive watch) is to try to buy from authorised dealers close to where you live, for the service and support, whether warranty or just servicing. I think there is a bit of a danger dropping thousands online for overseas dealers, especially if second hand.
Great advice my friend! One day I’m gonna get a bronze watch! ;)
New sub here from Southern California USA. Love the craziness and the fact you're a bit frenetic. Looking frw'd to binge-watching your channel... ¡Saludos!
Thank you so much for finding the show my friend and welcome aboard!!!!!!!
My best advice is be patient and do your research on why luxury brands are so expensive. Put branding aside and see what they do compared to cheaper brands. Makes you appreciate cheaper brands more and how good of a value some of them are.
Great advice my friend! Happy new year to you and the family!
Weell, i used to have like 15 casio/g-shocks watches, sold 12 of them so now all the Casios i have is: ga2100, rangeman and a retro vintage A168WA. Took the money and bought myself a Hamilton Khaki King Chrono Automatic, also bought a nice watch box for 5 watches, so iam missing one. Saving money for my Oris diver
Good luck on the saving my friend! Be strong!:]
So by your logic, if the Ranger is a watch for someone who really wants an Explorer, then the BB58 is for those who can't afford a Submariner? Somewhat hypocritical. If you like a watch, you should just buy it.
Hahahahaha you can explain it however you want! A year after the first submariner came out , the Tudor Submariner was released so it’s a homage to the Tudor Sub!
that is not wrong tho. i saw people bought sub after they have bb58 and made more money, but never the other way around.
Thanks for your first point. I’m saving for the Hamilton Khaki 38mm Aviation Pioneer as a 40th birthday watch. I tried it on, love it, fits my personality and style and it’s something to pass down. But I’ll be saving for it well past my birthday in all likelihood and the temptation to get something I like well enough is just….it’s strong.
I like my calvin klein infinity watches. Maybe because I got them at a huge discount but still have nice movements and cases
Well that's just grand my friend! Wear it in good health!
Calvin Klein Infinity watches were manufactured by Tissot and are absolutely no different quality wise besides the Calvin Klein branding on the dial, so why should anyone care.
For many they were an absolute bargain when the prices dropped. They are a legitimate Swatch Group product with ETA high beat movement's.
@@ivanmaxwellkahn6053 superb!!
@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR most who bought the infinity watches got them because of the movement and build quality...and price drop...cuz we follow all the watch guyz on youtube. Being a careful shopper and enjoying what you get is the whole thing!
Great show Russ. Have a great 23. Santa brought me the Pelagos in blue. Speechless. Admired from afar and overwhelmed that the Mrs splashed the cash. Cheers mate. 👍👍
Wow!!!!! You luck son of a b@&£!! Happy for you Jim!!!!!
I was quite satisfied with my Pagani V3 moonwatch homage. I'm a busker. I also like vintage watches but they're often fragile and can't take the hard use I'm going to put them through. All good advice you've given . It's taken me years to know what to stay away from. I can gestimate by size and lug width what I'm probably going to get away with without trying on.
love the pagani moonwatch. way better than seiko and other "real" brands for value. seiko cant even have sapphire and a solid bracelet for $500
Totally agree. The V3 Pagani moon gets the most time on my wrist at the moment. It's value for money, specifications and appearance are impossible to beat at around £100.
These type of watches also serve as a tester and enable people to assess how comfortable they are with a Speedmaster or Submariner format on wrist over many weeks which could possibly avoid them spending thousands on a High-End Swiss watch unsuited to them.
First video I’ve seen of this guy and absolutely love him. So entertaining and captivating to watch. Had my attention throughout the video. “Claps”
Liked and subscribed!
Thank you very much my friend! Welcome aboard!
Solid advice for someone who is just starting out although I’ve ignored a few of these I have a pretty large collection ranging from Casio, citizen, orient, seiko to GS, rolex and omega and the only ones i ever tried on before buying were the ladder 3 coating $4k plus that’s just simply because I don’t really have many authorized dealers around me and I’m confident in seeing the dimensions whether it’s going to fit or not but like most of us there are definitely a few box queens I regret buying and I have to disagree with the homages outside of buying a fake I found that it was a great way for me to test the case dimensions before making my more expensive buys like my Rolex SD43 so I bought an homage and I was blown away by the quality you can get from some of these clomage brands I paid less than $140 for this sea dweller homage it came with a sapphire crystal a ceramic bezel screw down crown and a 4hz movement it gave me a good idea of how the dimensions and bracelet would fit on my wrist before spending almost $14k on the real deal so there are definitely quality watches out there and depending on your budget I would steer you towards brands like citizen, seiko, orient, Hamilton, or tissot all make quality watches at an entry level price point
Great post
@@dr.kevinmoore8889 Can't find a single period........................................
You are are breath of fresh ocean breeze . Your show has so much energy and creativity minus the loan officer / my accountant perspective. Your wife is very smart and keeps it fun. Good luck to you and yours!
Hi Russ, had my first look in the flesh of a Tudor bb58 yesterday, must admit to being very tempted to move some watches on and treat myself. You are spot on in saying look and handle the watch before buying, only seeing on screen did not inspire me to get one.
Awesome my friend! It’s crazy, I was the same with the GS GMT that was sent for review! It blew me away and I had to have it!;)
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR it can an expensive hobby once you are hooked, aye!
My man i agree on the designer watches....but check out the latest RALPH LAUREN, it is a killer, army style, with or with no bound strap..came out in paris last month..... happy new year mad watch.
Ive been shown this RL! Looks great my friend!!!!
The only point where I'd disagree is about clomages. :) One of my favorite watches is my Pagani Design Sub homage. It definitely doesn't have the finishing or the materials of a Submariner, but It's got decent specs for the money. To get a sapphire crystal, solid end links, and a good clasp with an NH35 from Seiko, you'd be talking about spending a lot more money.
I understand the disdain people have for clomages, because they lack originality, but sometimes I think you just want to have a watch that apes the style of a much more expensive watch without buying a fake. At least the clomages are honest about what they are.
Cheers Brian, no can not get on with them at all. Take a look at the Loreo submariner, check out the text underneath the hands . It is literally a logo away of being a cheap counterfeit. There are plenty of fantastic affordable watches that take inspiration from popular watches over the years. I just can’t get on board !;)
Whilst I do take your point about try before you buy I think this would unfairly rule out microbrands such as Farer who produce really good value and interesting pieces but keep prices down by selling direct to market. You usually get a no quibbles return policy so try at home with no pressure to buy.
Good point my friend!
Set my goal thanks to this video. Tudor Black Bay fifty-eight 39mm. Every time I see one in a shop window I’m drawn to it.
I’ve always been obsessed with dive watches so it’s aesthetics are perfect for me.
I got this watch as a present from the Mrs.get one you won’t be disappointed.
Good grief my friend… Russell, yet another enriched video experience… great start to 2023! Loved it!
Ps… will you be sending out fuzzy balls samples to all your 2023 subscribers?
Hahahahaha think I’m gonna buy shares my friend!
I happen to be quite partial to the Invicta homage watches, I own a few and they serve me very well, but I also agree that Orient is really the best in class when it comes to super affordable Rolex homages. The rest of the list, I totally agree with, especially with avoiding fashion/trendy brands. I bought a MVMT watch once and...yeah, never again.
Hahahaha well appreciate you watching my friend! Happy new year to you and your family!
I love all my invictas for all reasons. Orient has really nice stuff too. Its on my list
Invicta and mvmt. Good track record mate, lol.
@@dennyterrio1942 ; /
My pro diver 8926OB is the toughest,most accurate automatic i've ever had....its been my work watch for 3 years , and in my line of work it doesn't get an easy ride
Great show! I have nothing productive to add to the conversation lol - but I am saving up for the CWC SBS Diver!
Go for it! You won’t regret it!!!
Great tips Russ! I agree with all of them besides possibly the watch that suits your life style. I had no intention of owning a Cartier watch a year ago but now I have 3 of them! I get that most people think they are dressy but watches like the santos and many grand seiko models are dressy and sporty at the same time!
Oh I wish I could pull a Cartier off!!!;(
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR well you never know until you try! There’s so many models that you are bound to find one that is more sporty than dressy. For me the best thing is how well they wear on the wrist especially the slightly curved cases! Have a Happy New Year Russ! I might even muster up the effort to start a watch channel next year!
This was by far the funniest UA-cam video on watches i've seen in a LONG time!! Def got me to hit the sub button!!! Keep the vids coming!!!!!!!
Thank you so much for watching my friend and welcome aboard!!!!!
Man...I everytime wondering about your video editing skills. You spend so much time and effort. And the results are so great. Thank you for making our hobby less boring.
jesus christ this editing/content style is made for like ADD twelve year olds. plz stop
Why are you partaking in a hobby you find boring?!!
You are definitely ticking well over 4 Hertz by I like it! So refreshing....
It might be obvious but you did nail the 8 or ten commandments.
Here's my collection and I am not sure what to get next... Perhaps a Hamilton Khaki field.
Omega 1932 pocket watch that I got from my grandfather
Yema Automatic that my grandfather bought me when I was 10
Tissot PRS 516 automatic that I got for my 40th birthday
5 year old Swatch Irony chronograph (all steel) that I wear as a daily (much nicer Moonwatch homage than the Moonswatch...)
Alpina StartTimer Quartz, simple but effective design pilot watch.
Love this collection! Thank you so much for watching the show!
Fantastic show as always Russ! Really enjoyed the content and the edit👌😎 all the best for 2023 my good man🎉
Thank you so much my friend ! A happy new year to you and your family!
New to this channel and love the content and delivery. Bravo chap.
Thank you my friend!
One rule to mention: avoid a watch that won’t fit your wrist. Take a measurement: if your wrist diameter is below 6.5”, then there’s no way a watch with a lug-to-lug above 53mm can be worn without overhanging, unless it’s an integrated strap.
Great advice my friend!
Great point. Exactly the same thing stands from the other side. If you have an eight inch wrist don't buy a 36mm watch just because it looks cool in a picture.
@@NickNick-id8sb I have a few smaller watches, mostly vintage or older military watches but they don’t look to bad to me on my just under 8 inch wrist.
I actually prefer the size to some over 40mm watches with large faces and small bezels.
Of course it may have something to do with the shape of my wrist as well as it isn’t very wide compared to the “depth”.
Hooray! A new MWC vid is just what I needed today! Happy New Year, everyone!
Cheers Fred! Happy new year to you!!!
Another entertaining, informative episode Russell. Best wishes for 2023.
cheers Kirk!!! I came across your script yesterday!!!:] Happy new year to you!
Just picked this up Seiko 5 SNXS79 made in Japan new old stock,
It’s a little Beauty ,
Wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year 2023.
Sage advice, across the board. For me, one of the biggest struggles is taking stock of who I am (lifestyle, wardrobe, location, etc) vs who I wish to be. I often do this to stop myself from buying a watch that just does not fit. It's important to be realistic when pondering a dress or a dive watch, when neither are appropriate for where I am today.
I get that my friend! Id love a Cattier Santos!!!!! But realistically will never wear it!!!
0:25 Man that's quite a collection! Do you wear any of these for work other than the DW5610 or the Arnie?
I’ve worn all of them at work my friend! ;)
My 2023 watch will be the Citizen CC5006-06L or JY8127-59E. I'm leaning towards the CC5006 cuz I love the satellite wave time keeping. I need precise time so mechanical watches ain't an option. I just bought my EDC watch, the G-Shock GW6900. Happy New Year, mate!!
If you are looking for a very precise watch, might I suggest the Bulova Precisionist line. I love both of mine and they run at 262 khz. Accuracy is around +/- 10 seconds a year. Their Curv line is really nice for dress watches and again, 262 khz makes for a very precise watch.
Look at the Sinn ux. Quartz, built like a tank and will keep +- 10 sec per year
Very true and sometimes confronting words, unfortunately I recognize myself in some of the points you gave, great content!
Frank! thank you so much for watching my friend!
Don’t buy a watch unless you have handled it first!
Hmmm I buy them all unseen 🤷♂️🤣
Do fuzzy balls aftershave also do watches 🤣🤣. Obviously haven't paid any attention to your suggestions. Great video and advice as always. Hope you and the family have a great new year. Looking forward to 2023.
Hahahahaha cheers Andy! Fuzzy balls do not ;)
I have mentioned this before here but I have one of these super clone watches. The Submariner Starbucks green bezel version. It is astonishingly good to the point that I feel if I had the real one it wouldn't be any better. I can't buy the real one because the supply issue is so chronic now that I would have more fun eating dog do do than waiting for a real one. And mine was available and costs me just $600. I'm not trying to impress anyone and tbh those few that have seen my watch have been told immediately it's a clone and I'm not fooling myself either. But the reality is very simple. If Rolex made more watches and took the shite out of buying one of their pieces I would buy one. In fact I did buy one a few years back. I bought a 214270 Explorer and very lovely it was too. I sold it because I'm an idiot. Tried to but another one or anything else from Rolex but the dealers were so rude and obnoxious I felt like punching one of them clean into next week! If normal people like me who have worked hard for the dosh and want to spend it on something nice cannot buy a Rolex then I have no sympathy for some of these clone factories filling the gap with their excellent offering. You should get your hands on one to see. They are truly astonishing.
Happy New Year Russ mate!! Great year for the channel, here’s to another great year!!
Happy new year Nathan!!!! All the best you and the family!
I went though a time of wanting to collect rare vintage watches. Not entirely with the intention of wearing them, but because they were difficult to find. The Omega Jedi and the Albatross for example. Both very special and cool looking watches, but not meant to be worn on my small wrist. Then came the realization that these were going to need service eventually. That was simply not an expense I was willing to commit to. So after years of pondering I sold both. Best decision I could have made. Thankfully I got my money back, so no loss there. But it was a learning experience. Unless you have money to burn, do not buy collectors pieces you get no use out of. The "investment" excuse is not good enough. Prices fluctuate too much and are too dependent on trends. You have to very aware of buying and selling timing.
Love this thank you my friend!
A watch only needs a service when it fails to keep time. 10 years between services is more than ok.
@@thomaselwood12 yes I am aware. But considering a future service would cost more than I had paid for the watches, it simply wasn’t a risk I was willing to take. We’re talking about 40 year old watches. It was just a matter of time.
Russ ...omg that "hype" with the military march soundbite was f'ing gorgeous
Totally agree with the never buying a fashion watch and that particularly applies to anything made by Swatch! Set a price point and enjoy looking for the very best specification you can get for the money and that suits your style. At the end of the day, anything over £500, you are paying for the name. My personal choices revolve around accuracy, a titanium case and bracelet, and sapphire glass. The Casio Oceanus S100 is probably the best value for money meeting those specifications, but Citizen and Orient have some very respectable offerings too. So perhaps an additional exclusion would be not to pay over the odds for anything displaying a Swiss Made label.
Really need to get into the Oceanus range I'm not sure why I haven't already!
I own one Swatch and don't regret it.
Swatch is NOT a fashion watch. It's a watchcompany making fashionable watches. A fashio watch is a watch with a fashion brand on the dial, like Tommy Hilfiger, or Hugo Boss. They should stick to clothing. Swatch only makes watches and is solely responsible for the survival of the Swiss watch industry. I really deserves alot of respect, like their watches or not.
Looking Forward to the New Year..! Great advice for all..! Thank u for getting us threw a Crappy year.
RayRay! Thanks for sticking by me through the year! It doesn’t go unnoticed and it’s very appreciated!!!
The Tudor Ranger does have one major advantage over most of the other Tudor watches: They were able to remove the tumor from the hour hand.
Hahahaha it’s not attractive my friend. A little bit reminiscent of a males member;)
Man you're spot on. I have to say I'm a watch geek, love em, and truly enjoy your channel, great content and delivery.
Cheers from Boston Ma
“Avoid old man’s watches” until you’re actually and old man (me lately!) 😂
Hahahahaha true!!
Good guide! I think you have a little inconsistency between your assessment of the 58 and Ranger though. Very few people will buy a Ranger because they can’t get an Explorer. People will buy a Ranger because they can’t get a 1016 or a vintage Ranger (and/or because 36mm is too small for them).
If you want a cheaper/more available alternative to the current explorer, you get a BB36 - swathes of internet comparisons between the two highlight this.
It’s exactly the same with the BB58 (which was also super hyped up at release) - you didn’t buy that because you couldn’t get a modern sub. You bought it because you couldn’t get a 6538 big crown ;) Just like the Ranger, the BB58 is way more expensive in real terms than it’s vintage inspiration was when it was released.
To me, that’s the great thing about some of the Tudors though - everyday usability and vintage Rolex charm at (comparatively in today’s crazy market) sensible prices. 👍🏻
I agree my friend but let me tell you from all the watches I’ve handled that were over 2k in price, I could see and feel luxury y’know. The Ranger is the only one where , if I was told it was £500, I wouldn’t be surprised. The value lies inside with the movement. I just didn’t like it! But that’s just me!;)
Those Instagram scammers with the obvious fakes have been bombarding many people of late, very annoying. Love the guest appearances on this one!
Cheers Jason! Can’t believe the amount of scammers of illegal cloned watches there are!
Sick of scammers on instagram 😩😩
Love the individual information you give out and have a few older watches my self but now getting in to g shocks love them to bits cheers 👋
Great advice and to be honest you don’t need any more than a 3watch collection, if you do it becomes an unhealthy obsession
Great show and as always the wife is right if you need a date magnifying lens you should have gone to spec savers 😎
HAHAHAHA yes she doesn't like that cyclops!!!! Happy new year!
Hype watch of the century = Moonswatch 😒
Great Episode, Russ. We all have watches that just sit in the box! So many watches not enough money(Time). Happy New Year. I know your love of Dive watches, Did you see the Bulova Mil-Ship? Its a bit big at 41mm but, it is a beautiful watch, I framed a print of it. (along with a Sky Dweller). Thanks again.
Marcus! Appreciate this a lot! The Milship looks nice! Its just that Miyota that is owned by Citizen who owns Bulova! an 8k series is not nice, a work heres but loud and grinds!
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR Yeah, I'm still in the infatuation stage with the Mil-Ship. I'll take a Japanese movement over a Chinese movement, any day of the week. 🙂
I support homages and even fakes. Let's give the people some options...and Rolex some competition. They sure could use it,
Great points all around, and they sound like a common sense, but I'd stop for a minute at "try it yourself on your wrist first, and look at it with your own eyes".
Again, it's a common sense to me, but it's not always possible. What about JDM watches? I'm from Poland (though I work in Germany), and around next week I'm planning to buy my first Oceanus. These watches are really hard to find and get, some models at least.
Currently I'm going for OCW-T5000-AJF1. I've found one on Amazon, but it costs nearly 1350 EUR. Now I don't know if it's a ripoff or actually fair price, because you can also buy this watch directly from "Discover Japan" site, where price is substantially lower, but then again they only accept payment in YEN, so after all calculations and additional charges (overseas shipping etc), the price may be actually the same or higher...
Anyway, I'm also planning to buy Oceanus OCW-T150-2AJF (its pearly dial is so uncommon and beautiful), but I've decided to buy T-5000 first, because the former is much easier to find.
I agree with "buy watch that fits your lifestyle" part. I want to wear my watches. I always wanted to own a "classic" LED watch from 70s, and I was almost decided to buy Bulova's Computron. But I wanted to have those 70s red LEDs, since other colors were unavailable back then. From the technological perspective, the shorter the wavelength, the harder it is to build it. That's why first lasers were also red, and blue and green ones appeared only recently...
However, Computron with red LEDs is all gold, and I don't like gold. Too "loud" for me, so it would only fit some more formal clothing, if you ask me.
So eventually I went with T-2077 made by polish watchmaking company Błonie (on the market since around 1956), cooperating with CDProjekt, who made Cyberpunk 2077 videogame. Pretty solid watch, with all titanium case and bracelet and sapphire coated glass.
It has yellow LEDs though (since it fits Cyberpunk aesthetics) 😆
I'm also guilty of being hyped for that one "special" watch, as I'm planning to buy Christopher Ward's C60 Sapphire in some undefined future...
Love this thank you my friend! If you love the watch who am I to tell you not to get it!!!!
Great video. I love the “buy your style” rule. I very much appreciate higher-end watches but as a fisheries biologist the folks in my circle would think I’m crazy for a) spending $10k on a watch, and b) wearing it! Thanks for the video!
Watch gecko has a nearly new Squale 30 Atmos GMT with blue bezel for £470, really tempted as love the jubilee bracelet but is it too homagey? I have a BB58 navy and an Oris ProPilot but think I would get more wear from the Squale?
Best advice buy what you like, will wear and will enjoy regardless of any 'rules' and suggestions. There is a watch for everyone and we could all use more enthusiasts. A 'bad' watch enjoyed may lead to a good watch.
I.e. people could say 'never own more than 3 watches/5 watches/10 watches, because you will never need or wear them all'.
great advice my friend! Happy new year!
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR thank you Happy New Year to you too. Enjoy that Fuzzy Balls LOL.
Excellent advice here and a great video. Your videos are so fun to watch! I looked and tried on the Cartier Santos serval times, it’s not my jam and looks great on other people…
oooooo yes I'd love the Santos! Would never wear it though!:[ Thank you my friend!
what do you thinks? is steinhart a homage or clomage??
They need to stop making there Clomages;)
Ha! Agree about fashion watches and with your logic about them. However... (dramatic interlude music) i have quite liked the Fossil brand which also manufactures the Armani range I understand. I always felt the visual designs were quite appealing.
Hey fella, awesome vid. What do you think about the Tesla watches? Are good or at least a decent brand for his price? 🤔
Very good advice. As a general rule for a beginner, avoiding “fashion watches” is a good idea. However, it’s difficult to say what qualifies. Some would call Cartier, Bulgari and Hermes “fashion watches”, and that’s incorrect. But if you are dropping that much money on a watch, then either you aren’t a beginner or it doesn’t matter what we call it, enit?
Very good points for sure! The brands you mentioned are a little different especially Cartier! They have to be taken seriously and the prices relates to that!:]
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR Cheers MWC! I've been watching your videos for a minute. Time to SUBSCRIBE!
Recently bought a Alpina startimer from Jomashop. Never again am I buying a watch online! Both spring bars were bent, no warranty information, the seconds hand is slightly bent but not noticeable from the front luckily. I did get it for a very low price. Now I’ve got to order a new strap from Barton. Rest assured it’s still a neat watch that I will wear. Next watch I purchase is probably a Seiko in person. I have a few old Seiko’s from my grandfather and have yet to own a new one.
That Grandfather Seiko is priceless!!!!!!! All the best in your watch journey in 2023!
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR Definitely is a collectible! It’s a H556-5029 and another one that unfortunately needs repairs.
I think the bent spring bar's were deliberate from the manufacturer.
I have seen a few other reviews featuring them also.
The reason is that one can fit a much thicker strap to watch.
My new in-laws gifted me my first "serious" watch. I've fallen in love with it. Now that the goal is to start collecting, I've been looking around for my next piece.
Video helps a lot even it some of the advice seems obvious.
The settler advice is one I’m trying to keep to! It’s so hard though! 2023 in theory will be when I get 2 only, the seiko SRQ035J1 and SLA055J1…however only time will tell! Have a great new year and keep up the brilliant work 👌👌👊
Happy new year my friend!! Keep strong!!!!!!;)
first time ive watched any of your videos, great information. im looking to buy my first watch and this video is helping point me in the right direction.
As far as designer brand watches, there are a few that are made by timex, do you think those would be an okay sub $100 watch?
This is only my opinion my friend! If you like the look and the brand, you go for it!!!
Excellent video! I’d love to know how long your editing takes.
Only one watch in my collection I have regretted buying : a huge U-Boat by Ítalo Fontana. I will gift it to a very buff friend of mine who will probably love the size and the military look of the watch. So it’s all good. 😊. Great fun and informative video as usual. Love your channel.
For daily use I wear a Bulova. Quite heavy and bulky but does the job. It's grown on me somehow. I also own an Orient Kamasu which is more sopisticated than the Bulova. I usually wear the Orient with formal occasions.
I had two Invicta's but sold them both. They are good watches to, but I just couldn't get over the huge engraving on the side of the case 😢
I have some dress watches I enjoy wearing to.
Indeed, I dont buy chinese 'clone' hommages or fashion watches. Have always avoided those.
I don’t usually subscribe to channels that try to be funny, but you are right on the mark, and you address my concerns as a new watch collector, thank you for your advice. 👌🏼
What are your thoughts on Bliger watches...I've bought one and I'm quite impressed?
Great video and advice. Fantastic job on the channel and content. Always a fun thing to see. I would recommend not falling for the UA-camr watch herd mentality that you need to strive for a luxury piece in your collection. In the end, you are buying a watch because of others and not for yourself. In regards to your points Russ, I have also fallen privy to them like many of us here.
Thanks for watching my friend!