For me a watch collecting has been something that I do in spurts. I may buy nothing for years and then something catches my eye. Just lately I purchased 3 watches and sold two long term closed box specials. I felt a slight sense of watch gluttony as normally it's once in a while I purchase. I always try to have a reason for my purchases and I confess to sometimes being value driven. I will see a bargain and sometimes fall in love with it and at other times it's just gets me hot to trot for a new watch and I buy something esle.
My last 3 purchases and the reasons.
The curiosity purchase Invicta pro diver thingy in blue. I purposely chose the wave bezel and blue so it didn't look like it was trying to be a submariner. The reason for the purchase was curiosity, were these really that bad. The style I wanted in automatic form popped up for £60, so I hit the button. It arrived, NH35A movement ticking away nicely. All I can say is it's not only a good watch for £60 (wait for those discounts), it's a good watch for what it is. Well made, decent enough bracelet and case, wears well at 40mm (unisex version
. For someone with limited cash, a great way to get into mechanical watches. It can be used for7-10 years and when it needs a service, tossed in the bin. Mine loses only a few seconds per day on the wrist and seems to be a nice reliable beater watch. Oh yes, it's also got a decent cyclops and with my near vision not so good and the annoyingly small and impossible to read date on my Oris Diver beater....this is a joy to read.
The I want that tech purchase The Bulova 262 kHz. This forum alerted me to it when one member pointed out a cheap TK Maxx deal on these discontinued watches. My first battery only quartz, supposedly accurate to +/-10 seconds a year....I'll let you all know in 6 months time. Bulova say you have to wait a year to know, but as the movement hacks with the clocks leaping back and forth every 6 months...that's a bit tricky. The purchase was both a fascination with the tech, fulfilling a childhood wish (cos I couldn't afford an Accutron) and something where I can easily change the CR2016 battery. One of the clearest faces I have ever seen and the date window is large, legible and super cleverly placed. On the 6th it almost blends away completely. The leather strap must be made out of bits of "old mother in law", it's tough, feels nasty and is going to take ages to break in and become pleasant....possibly dying before it ever does.
The horologically driven heart purchase C65 Diver SH21 Limited Edition. These are not fun purchases but something more seriously considered, marking a time, moment and event in your life, something that when you look at it you will remember. Desired with the heart, bought with the head, often a combination of circumstance. The main driver here for me was the SH21 (the bit you don't see), I just needed to find the right clothes for the SH21 to wear.