New Cheaper Second Watch or Trade In for One More Expensive?

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THFan346

·Nov 1, 2022

Got the hankering for a new watch, but can’t decide whether to buy a new cheaper watch or trade what I have in against it be more expensive watch.

For clarification, I have a 12 month old Seamaster Diver 300M in Black on bracelet, which is my first and only luxury watch. Really like it, but not as much as the Speedmaster ‘57 with the black sandwich dial, or the old stock Speedmaster ‘57 auto with the white dial and blue hands. Also like the Speedmaster Racing too.

I didn’t really look at the Speedmaster when buying last year, but I guess taste changes as you get into watches.

I can’t warrant the amount of either Speedmaster as an additional watch, but can justify it to myself if trading in what I have, but am just interested in opinions as could buy something else in top of the Seamaster if I keep the price down. For example an Aqua Terra, a CK859, or something completely different.

So, two cheaper watches, or the single pukka watch. My long term aim is either one pukka Watch or a max of three cheaper ones. I am not aiming for a bigger collection tbh, for various reasons.

EDIT, am also warming to the Marstimer too. Not sure why really, but just drawn to it.

 

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sah

·Nov 1, 2022

Unclear as to how you use your watch(s). Do you need water resistance? A chrono feature? A dressier watch. All those should help decide if you add another or trade.

Also ask yourself if losing money on your Seamaster will be ok. If not, perhaps buying a nice second hand Speedmaster that has already taken the hit on price will allow you to pick up the Speedmaster. That way you can add to your Seamaster and give you both.

 

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Rat Fink65

·Nov 1, 2022

Trade it...watches are like cars..drive it, enjoy it and change it if your needs or tastes change...😀

 

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SC1

·Nov 1, 2022

Rat Fink65

Trade it...watches are like cars..drive it, enjoy it and change it if your needs or tastes change...😀

or...

Watches are like cars: drive it, enjoy it and keep it when your needs or tastes change (and have a fantastic divorce attorney on retainer).

 

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Evitzee

·Nov 1, 2022

I don't think it's ever a good idea to buy a cheaper product rather than something you really want. If you can't afford it now start saving for it and get it when you have the money. Sometimes your tastes will have changed by that time.

 

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THFan346

·Nov 1, 2022

Thanks for the above points.

To answer @sah and maybe other who wonder too, I wear my watch everyday, but take it off for bed as like to sleep track using my Garmin. I have yet to get the Seamaster wet! I have worn it in a while range of circumstances, and not felt like I have wanted or needed anything else. Decision will literally be down to what I like the look of, rather than specific criteria. Was originally looking for a chronograph, solely due to looks rather than function, and still fancy one too. Hence the Speedmaster situation.

 

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Jockywilson1

·Nov 1, 2022

I’ve bought several “cheaper” micro brand watches to scratch an itch. In my experience it never works. Trade in and get the watch you actually want. But be warned, you’ll be contemplating the same thing in 6-12 months again.

 

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Omega-Q

·Nov 1, 2022

If you want a cheaper watch...try the MoonSwatch 😀. It's really fun to wear!

 

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Scarecrow Boat

·Nov 1, 2022

bpsmith

but I guess taste changes as you get into watches.

Another thing that changes as you get into watches is

bpsmith

I can’t warrant the amount of [...] as an additional watch

That is what I first said too but now I have 8 watches 😁

In seriousness, it kinda sounds like, after 12 months of possibly being a primary watch, the SMP has become stale? If so, put it on a new/different strap while you decide what to do. That will help it feel new and then re-evaluate how you feel. If you have not fallen out of love with the SMP and you are just pining for something new, I suggest saving up for the watch you want and don't buy something cheap as a place holder- that wont scratch the itch. Before trading your SMP away, could you see yourself in 12 months time considering trading your Speedmaster for something you weren't looking at before but have found yourself liking (as you described in your OP)? If so, I go back to my initial quote of yours and save up for an additional watch so you can have fun rotating through them, which will help keep your interest alive. 👍 Hope this makes sense.

 

M

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matlt

·Nov 1, 2022

It took ten years with my speedmaster (at my income level, I’m also a one expensive watch person) to get to a point I could really enjoy wearing something else, and didn’t have to force myself to wear cheaper watches.

My vote is to go big for the one watch, then have a couple meaningless beaters

 

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bananapeanut

·Nov 1, 2022

If you buy a cheaper watch, you'll still be craving for the Speedmaster ‘57. Problem not solved.

 

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STANDY

·Nov 1, 2022·schizophrenic pizza orderer and watch collector

Never use the first staple to fund the next.

Don’t know how many over the years have sold their first good watch to fund a next watch and months later it’s chasing the watch they lost money on.

Keep the diver, buy a cheaper chronograph. Save for the 57

By the way … You have the watch disease

 

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Aroxx

·Nov 1, 2022

I wouldn't let the Seamaster go yet. It sounds like you're not quite sure what you want long term. Sleep on it for a few months and let the situation develop. First, decide if you can really be a one watch person (can anyone really? 😀) or if a ~3 watch collection would work better. Then you can be more deliberate about the selection and hopefully avoid getting something that doesn't work for you. I will say, you just got me looking at that Speedmaster '57 and she is a beauty. Now it's causing me problems too... good luck!

 

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Dan S

·Nov 1, 2022

I don't think you should get so fixated on price/value. Don't be controlled by the marketing department, use your own judgement. The price of a watch is not necessarily related to how much enjoyment you will get from it.

 

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THFan346

·Nov 2, 2022

Loads of good points raised, thanks. Looks like the overarching advice is to hold out for what I really want and not rush into trading what I have. Appreciate the advice given and will mull it all over for a while. The only problem with that is the constant increase in price of late.

Just to clarify @Dan S , the fact that something is expensive is not the draw here, it just happens to be that I really liked the Speedmaster 57 when I popped in to see about maybe getting a nato strap for my Seamaster, as the guy brought it over to try as it had one already on in the shop for some reason.

Fell for it before even asking the price, so the fact it’s expensive is academic in that respect. The question raised here is a knock on from that and not the main driver.

 

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zetaplus93

·Nov 2, 2022

If funds allow, you could consider having 1-2 core watches that stays with you, and a few “fun” watches that comes and goes.

The fun watches helps to scratch itches as they come, and the core watches stays to help build memories etc and perhaps one day could be passed to kids/family members (if this is important to you).

 

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scapa

·Nov 2, 2022

zetaplus93

If funds allow, you could consider having 1-2 core watches that stays with you, and a few “fun” watches that comes and goes.

The fun watches helps to scratch itches as they come, and the core watches stays to help build memories etc and perhaps one day could be passed to kids/family members (if this is important to you).

This is generally what I've done since "divesting" of some pricey and seldom-worn pieces over the past year or two. I've kept my FOIS and a few others in that tier with sentimental or other personal meanings, and moved on others, including the same Seamaster owned by the OP, which I found myself wearing rarely, and hardly ever diving or even swimming with.

I just felt increasingly like too much time and $$$ was tied up in watches I tended not to wear and wouldn't miss -- and so it has proven.

The SMP Diver is a fine watch -- so is the new 57. So, at a quite different price point, is something like the Longines Zulu Time or a Sinn 103. Shopping in that tier can be every bit as satisfying, especially with a Speedy or SMP or whatever to come home to, or save towards as a special occasion purchase.

I love my "beaters" -- it's an interesting iconoclastic group, and they see a lot of everyday wear. And I love the few Omegas, etc., I've hung onto -- the appeal of vintage designs is far greater for me now. Not so much five-figure new entries onto the WIS stage anymore.

 

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THFan346

·Nov 3, 2022

Don’t get me wrong, I do really like the Seamaster, have zero complaints about any part of it and still enjoy wearing it. I wonder if I just played it a bit safe I think.

I have a trade in price request pending, just to get a feel for how much I would lose. I am guessing it will be more than I would be prepared to accept though.

New plan, as a number of you have suggested, is to pick up something cheaper that’s a bit of fun and see how I feel while saving for the Speedmaster.

Thanks for the time spent responding too.