Seeking Advice of the Wiser - Recently Purchased My First Watch

I believe this "danger zone" on date changes applies to many, but mine in particular was/is caliber 1120. I suppose it might have been easier to say that the advice to my younger self would have been to read the instructions more thoroughly in general (thus covering topics such as date changes).

Regarding the refinishing, I do see the topic come up a lot in regards to the collectible watches. Mine my not be valued the same but has significant sentimental value and it's disappointing seeing the lack of a chamfer on the underside of my SMP's case (now ground down), and the area near the crown guard where it looks like a polishing device sat too long. Back then I was hardly wearing it (i.e. no scratches) and wish I'd known I could have requested "no refinish, please". Leaves this uneasy feeling as I could have prevented it by doing some research or asking some more questions.

Huh? That ain't no Timex you posted!

There are no rules. Buy what you like and buy what you will enjoy wearing. If you buy something that you're either afraid to wear or just because someone else said it was valuable/worth collecting then you're not doing yourself any favors. Personally, I have to fight the "limited edition" and the "so-and-so wore this in space" temptations with a few watches that I don't actually find attractive.