An irreverent Guide to Buying a Watch for Beginners

[@AbdulRWatches]

Great guide Bill, research is the best friend of any watch collector, begineer or advanced :D Thanks Bill!

[@d23bw]

Thanks again for your clear and interesting video. A bit of humour makes for a better experience. cCeers from Ireland.

[@watchartsci]

My pleasure Duncan. Take care, Bill

[@SouthPadreTony]

Thanks for suggesting the High Horology Lounge!

[@Fortgeorge67]

Finally watch it with sound 🎉

[@watchartsci]

Finally, George! I have no idea why it was giving me so much trouble, but all's well that ends well. Take care, Bill

[@Chiller11]

It was good practice for my lip reading skills.

[@Paul-ic2ki]

Thank you for doing this Bill. I also think that silicon is mass-production at it's core. Yes there are some benefits, but once the manufacturers figured them out, they became very easy and cost effective to produce, which was their ultimate goal. They sold the benefits on us without actually admitting silicon hairsprings are a cost-saving approach... I think I agree, they cheapen the watch and ultimately, the hobby.

[@vonkruel]

Agenhor's "AgenPit" regulator looks interesting. So far I'm happy enough with a simple ETACHRON w/ fine adjustment screw, but I like to learn about different regulators. Thanks, Bill. 👋

[@AlirezaGhods-rp7rl]

Thanks for fixing the audio

[@watchartsci]

Appreciate it Ali! It's always a work in progress, isn't it? Take care, Bill

[@mikewinston8709]

Bill, I read the title without my glasses and thought it said irrelevant!……😂😂

[@DanielThomas-j2t]

Great content, as always! Could you help me with something unrelated: My OKX wallet holds some USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). How can I transfer them to Binance?

[@reikhasso]

thank you for the video. what is your opinion on the Vacheron Fiftysix? I am interested in buying a preowned model, time only, blue dial, on bracelet. - Regards

[@watchartsci]

Hasso, the ValFleurier movements in the Fiftysix, seem to be doing well. The blue Fiftysix on the market right now haven't seemed to dropped much from the MSRP of a new one. Might have to save a bit more for a new one. Take care, Bill

[@remus2001]

Bill, I understand your dislike for silicon hairsprings. However, I don’t understand why you never seem to acknowledge that some of the top watches with metallic hairsprings are free-sprung and, therefore, are adjusted the same way as silicon hairsprings (and not with the use of a regulator).

[@watchartsci]

David, the balances with silicon have no choice but to adopt free-sprung balances. When I was in Geneva recently, I talked with some respected watchmakers, and was told 'no watchmaker with a serious interest in horology' uses silicon hairsprings. The reason, the Geneva Seal Foundation pulled the Seal from Patek Philippe was because they started using silicon hairsprings. It's a choice, and I choose to go with the more traditional. For more precise timing, I use my iPhone. Take care, Bill

[@remus2001]

@@watchartsciI understand your perspective on silicon hairsprings, Bill, and I’m not challenging it. All I’m saying is that equating metal hairsprings with the use of regulators is not correct because there are metal hairsprings that are free-sprung.

[@The-Real-Al]

Bill, please break it down for me. Why would serious watchmakers only use metal hairsprings? I’m a bit new at this hobby and would like to get your thoughts. Is it based only on tradition? Thanks in advance.

[@watchartsci]

@@The-Real-Al kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqmZYoeOgJaFas0 ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZW3hIyEg9F1gJo Those two ought to explain it. Take care, Bill

[@garyh.2487]

How does Parmigiani come up with a $81,000 MSRP? With Parmigiani 75% off, it still sells at a profit. If all ultra luxury watch brands line AP, VC, Patek would reduce their MSRP by 75% would they still sell at a profit? This is assuming no brick and mortar store and other overhead costs. Most watches are about 50% off MSRP used.

[@watchartsci]

Gary, the point is that an MSRP price can drop like a rock, even for an excellent watch if no one buys it. Further the idea is to find discontinued models in new shape. Pricing of watches ranges from about 6X to 10X the mfg costs. Take care, Bill

[@remus2001]

I would not assume they’re making a profit at that price. They may be looking to minimize their losses.

[@Motovationnation]

Beginner watch buyers don't care about what type of hairsprings a watch has.