9 Luxury Watch Buying Mistakes (And How To Avoid Them)

[@neilmartin7776]

Best bit of advice I wish I'd gotten as a newbie is, the price of the watch is not the cost of the watch. Servicing, especially for premium brands, can run into the high hundreds, if not over a thousand, for the authorised dealer to take care of it. For vintage, this can run even higher. Servicing is not something to be done every year, but it is a consideration that buyers should take into account.

[@yorusuyasoul69420]

That's the first I always consider when getting an expensive auto watch the servicing cost that's why I went to GS quartz because it has no maintence needed and and can keep good time

[@neilmartin7776]

@@TheTightSqueeze yeah, sounds about right. I have a 1975 Constellation Megaquartz that I'm looking at about 1200 to get serviced. Because it's so old, most watch repairers won't take it, so it has to go back to Omega in Switzerland.

[@pistonburner6448]

Then again if you can't service it right now then just keep it in the drawer for a while. It won't spoil. But if you skip buying a watch you can afford (but can't yet set money aside for the servicing at the time of purchase), you might not be able to buy that watch a year later...who knows with the world of watches being like it is. This doesn't apply to all watches of course.

[@Judah.Rosenthal]

I once read if you can’t afford to break it, you can’t afford to buy it. Servicing can be a huge factor.

[@LuisMedina-ok5cg]

thank you

[@geno816]

Teddy, you have been cranking em out a lot lately. I love it.

[@Amplitudeproblem]

"Say you have a blue dive watch. Do you really need another blue dive watch?" Yes. Great video today, Teddy, with great lessons.

[@dave7500]

When he said this, I immediately thought of Tom from Watchfinder lol

[@billiondollardan]

LOL so true dude. My next dive is going to be an omega

[@chriscon8463]

These are all great points! I especially like the one about buying a watch & being afraid to wear it. Every scratch on my watch is indicative of another adventure of mine, and proof that it was on my wrist at the time.

[@laurencehogg6010]

I liked the ranty humour that crept into this; feels nice and relaxed. These watch advice vids are good fun, and I'm probably not the only one checking off my own mistakes as I watched, but people are still gonna learn the hard way - I know I'll probably make one of these mistakes again (probably the alternative one 🙂). I think the trick is not to let the hard way cost too much financially or emotionally. Thanks TB; take care.

[@selkiemaine]

"Someone who is impressed with the watch on my wrist ..." Someone went nuts about my sub-$300 Seiko the other day. I would love something "luxury" but it's not in my budget, and I really do love this watch.

[@liquidtunes]

Which one?

[@craigwthomson]

It’s funny what people notice. I’ve been wearing a particular watch from my collection for the past six months. It’s the most expensive piece within my collection and nobody batted an eyelid until I put it on an inexpensive red rubber tropic strap from eBay. “Stunning” someone said… 😄

[@selkiemaine]

@@liquidtunes SRPH29 It's my daily wear.

[@sacragon]

@@craigwthomson Quality is a lot less substantial than uniqueness to a passing observer.

[@mathewkeipert6021]

Just the best video TB. So many things you clarified.

[@Juandiegostefan]

Teddy you should do your top 10 favorite watches, (it doesn’t matter the categories, prices, etc.) just your top 10 favorites of all times

[@rayestefania3725]

I have definitely made the mistake of settling for a watch because I could not immediately obtain a certain model and ended up regretting the purchase and selling the watch later at a loss. This is all good advice! Better to wait for what you really want rather than buying something just to “scratch the itch.”

[@patrickcannady2066]

I have done that, too but thankfully it was so discounted by the Grey Market seller I got it from I probably stand to break even, even if I service it.

[@pistonburner6448]

Hehe, 90% of Tudor sales are probably Rolex directing the people who they refuse to sell to over there... The most hilarious thing is that some jokers allow themselves to be put on a waiting list for a Tudor after being refused by Rolex!! You can't make this stuff up...

[@martingk2523]

Im still waiting my submariner…. Maybe next year have “the call” or nah….☹️(but i dont buy an other premium Watch to fill the space….)

[@alexlilano1931]

This true with Lower end mechanical watches. Some services cost more than the watch, so it is actually better to buy another watch. You also replace the movements for cheaper mechanical watches too.

[@loe7717]

I'm not rich, but I'm interested in watches. For two years I wanted to buy one mechanical watch and after many attempts at different brands, I chose the Seiko spb 143 and I am happy.

[@finnbarker7820]

great watch, i hope you enjoy it my friend!

[@ageofthoughts]

Can’t go wrong with Seiko mechanicals

[@joshhead9368]

I just bought a seiko aswell. I love watches but I'm not rich either. The watches these guys call cheap and affordable are the ones I hope to one day afford.

[@24934637]

Great looking watch! Basically the looks of an early Vintage Rolex Submariner for about £99K less! I do highly rate Seiko for value for money!

[@nicholaspostma3024]

Hey Teddy, first time long time. Im sure this has been suggested before, but I would love if you did a wrist check at the beginning of your videos. Always trying to see what you are wearing at the beginning of your videos. Love the content!

[@andrewsamuel368]

Willing to bet he’s wearing his blue Seamaster right now

[@Mans1810]

Looks like a Tudor bb58.

[@vamosdaniel22]

I dont think that teddy is the kind of person who likes to show what he is wearing. Very humble guy

[@iamLODD]

Was just watching a Longines video of yours with Kevin O Leary, amazing content Teddy ❤️ purchasing a Seamaster 300m later this year and I cant thank you enough for your guidance

[@differentxminds9907]

"I am a sick individual." LOL same, Teddy. I love the final point you make. Sometimes it's easy to confuse admiration for a watch for wanting to own a watch. I love the 16713 GMT Master II, but once I started picturing myself wearing a two-tone Rolex and literally looking down at my wrist and imagining I was wearing it, I realized that it wasn't a good fit for my style.

[@joshs3916]

What did you end up getting in place of the GMT TT?

[@differentxminds9907]

@@joshs3916 Leaning towards the Seamaster Diver 300 these days

[@joshs3916]

@@differentxminds9907 Nice watch :)

[@chrisvandermerwe7111]

@@differentxminds9907 I just bought one today! Love it!

[@24934637]

I absolutely LOVE some aspects of some of the watches made by A. Lange & Söhne but none of them are really my style, and although I massively appreciate the incredible craftsmanship that goes into producing their movements, I have NO need for a perpetual calendar, nor would I wish to own a watch that is so complicated to set. Knowing what style is right for you is so important! No point in owning a watch that you never wear, unless it's purely an investment piece.

[@michaelvitale4029]

My big watch "mistake" is since getting into the hobby, Ive collected enough $250-$500 watches that I really love, but now I think perhaps Id like to have all that money back that Ive spent so I could comfortably get into the watch that's out of my comfort zone. I bet this is a common mistake. I can't wear 20 watches at once. Id rather have 2 special watches instead of 20 everyday watches 🥴

[@CorvusHyperion]

Exactly the mistake I made but almost an order of magnitude worse! Roughly 150 “affordable” watches that in total could easily have purchased 15 much more special pieces. Currently in the process of selling most of my collection to focus on a smaller, more elegant collection

[@GrayShark18]

Do you think in a way that’s a good thing? It let you try out 150 different watches and now you know from experience what you like and what you don’t.

[@dr00]

Great video! Definitely felt like a punch in the throat when you said, "Buying an iconic watch just because it's an icon." and then you showed the SKX009. The watch makes me so happy and I only spent like $180. I don't think that could ever be a mistake. Though I did notice, they are getting harder to find at that price now. 😅

[@24934637]

There are two things you said above that are 100% conclusive PROOF that you didi't make a mistake. Firstly, you only spent $180, so already (2 years after your comment above), you've made a profit, as the prices have gone up significantly. Secondly, and most importantly, you say that the 'watch makes you so happy'......There is ONLY one person who's opinion really matters when it comes to watches, and that is the owner.....YOU are happy, so it wasn't a mistake! I wish you many more years of continued enjoyment! :)

[@LevinLg17]

Always knowledgeable, eloquent, with a sound attitude. A pleasure to watch

[@miifed]

Teddy - I bought my first luxury watch a month ago after years of looking from afar. Your videos were a massive part of my research and decision making. I was really looking for a do-it-all / one and done. Can’t thank you enough for content, it’s excellent and you surely prevented me making these mistakes long before this video came out. I love the Seamaster 41mm AT as a result. 3 continents and 6 countries of memories and counting on the experiences.

[@michaelmorgan3415]

You've made many salient points in your overview. The Flex culture of hyped watches, matching the watch to your life style and buying what you like not what is "hot" among a few. I forget where I heard it (maybe on ID guy) "Many collectors know the price of various watches, but few know the value". Great vid as always.

[@frankmirandosr875]

Teddy I have Been Following you for over a Year,this was a great piece. I have been a watch collector for over 20 years and have enjoyed every moment. I have made several mistakes over the years. the 32 Watch’s I have collected there has been Mistakes for sure. Thank You for all you do.

[@Relo67]

Excellent and informative episode wrist buddy👍🏼😊

[@Foreverrunning247]

Love this video, really great considerations!

[@SuperNecessary81]

Teddy your channel is simply amazing. I like the content and you are so authentic. Love it. Keep up the great work. Greetz from New York

[@stateofflow2174]

Simply the best you tube channel on watches.

[@MrGMT1992]

Great stuff. More people need to see this for sure.

[@curtbrown7718]

Great presentation, Teddy! Your advice is sound on all fronts, and you come across as very identifiable and caring about your fellow watch enthusiasts’ watch buying experience.

[@kingdionysus]

Great video. Really helps focus my mindset ahead of my next purchase. Thanks, Teddy!

[@matthewfriend6672]

Excellent advice Teddy! It’s basic, but makes a whole lot of sense. Think it through, before any big decisions or purchases. Well done my friend.👍👍✌️

[@loganoftherockies9453]

Yup. And as always, delivered with an evenness that allows the joy of collecting to keep expanding. My early mistake was the classic buying too many affordable / mid-range pieces new and then off-loading later at depreciation, but I also kind of feel like it's part of the journey. When I first got into watches I didn't think I'd want to spend very much, but then as my appreciation for the art grew, it was worth dedicating more of my "fun money" to much more than other things. And on the other hand, while I ended up in the Grand Seiko / Omega sort of range and love both, the watch on-wrist at present that gets by far the most wrist time is my Formex Reef, and it's one of my favorite watches and brands of all time. So I'd also add the whole slew of ways that pricing doesn't necessarily translate into enjoyment. The advice I'd have given someone like myself would have been to buy pre-owned for more entry level pieces so you can experience them and move them on as your tastes develop.

[@lcm6091]

I like “the art of collecting “

[@melihpuskulcu8335]

I totally agree with you. It will help most watch enthusiasts. Thanks for such a good video.

[@NavyGuy1216]

Great video Teddy. One thing I’ve learned is to not buy numerous watches in a short span of time. My taste in watches has changed from what it was a year ago, and now I have watches I’m trying to sell because I bought them more on an impulse.

[@CalebTBrown]

Such great advice Teddy. I find myself agreeing and almost giving the same advice to people around me. I especially liked what you said about not following the hype. I bought a Sinn as my first luxury watch and I could not be happier. I don’t get many compliments, but when I do, the people who know what my watch is genuinely brighten up and we end up having a great conversation about our shared interest. Also doesn’t hurt that this is one of those brands that sell their bracelets separately ;)

[@MarioGonzalez-yq3gw]

Good for you! I want a 556i so baddddddd

[@PaulKaiser42]

Great stuff as always!! I enjoy looking at all the watches I have purchased and will happily wear all of them at any given time. Pride of ownership and love for the machine is what gets me 👍🏻👍🏻

[@zGraeme]

Hey Teddy I recently posted a comment on one of your other videos stating that I was just getting into watches and was looking for advice on a first watch to buy. After lots of research and window shopping I finally settled with the new Seiko 5ks GMT Black Dial and I love it! I wondered if you would be doing a review on this watch as it’s fairly new and it’s great value for money at only £400, thanks and keep killing the yt vids👍🏼

[@marketingsuccess2637]

Great video Teddy. I would add one to the list, which is the clasp and if it has on the fly adjustment. For some people it’s not important to them, for myself, I find that watches without it tend to not get in the rotation as much due to do the fact my wrists swell during the day and can often become uncomfortable.

[@briane1116]

“Buy the seller” is some of the best advice, especially for newcomers

[@leonardgoldberg3587]

Great job. Very practical reasons to select my next watch. Thank you

[@mcroley591]

Teddy, you are wise beyond your years. Thank you for your videos! You are a special young man.

[@1018Frankie]

Very good recommendations when buying a new watch, keep the good work my friend!

[@genebrit]

Great job Teddy. The voice of reason :)

[@seven921914]

Man excellent video Teddy with so many valid points👏👏👏

[@ronaround2897]

Good stuff. Thanks Teddy.

[@eddieg849]

You came from the heart with this video

[@rjptoronto]

Amazing advice. Incredibly helpful tips. Thanks 🙏

[@camdaddy623]

Amazing video with amazing advice. Great video Teddy!

[@chaiwatt1443]

I had many experiences of buying mistake watches. Thank you for the greatest advice that I have ever seen. 👍

[@Con2288]

Im glad teddy has these videos. I really want a Tudor Pelagos but there’s just not a model that I want. Been looking at super oceans to get into watches but I think I’ll just wait until Tudor hopefully drops a Pelagos I want

[@roytrevisan3491]

Well presented, Good info especially for the newbie to the hobby.

[@russellekins2799]

Really useful, thank you Teddy

[@ConnerYoder]

Just got an omega seamaster 300m as my first luxury watch this past week. Was considering one of the new tag aquaracers as a cheaper alternative and man I’m glad I went with the piece I wanted! Good tips

[@robertn3121]

You made the right decision.

[@hunterphan5506]

This is a very helpful video. Everyone who is getting into watch collecting should watch this.

[@SD_702]

My advice is to not become "brand blind". In other words, discounting a piece outright purely based on the brand. Buy the best tool for your needs that you can regardless of the brand or price.

[@ThePlaiibox]

This is true 👍 except when it comes to Hublot!........just. no!. 😆

[@loopje]

If u want liquidity and appreciation you 100% have to be “brand blind”…

[@mattg27]

@@loopje unless you are buying on the way down.

[@loopje]

@@mattg27 and you’re going to time the bottom ?

[@mattg27]

@@loopje huh?

[@Npcguy21]

I recall buying my first "real" watch. My mind was stuck on a Tag, as one "usually does" when buying the first watch. I went to the store to get it, realized that it was too big, too bulky, and finish was too flashy. I was stuck...then glanced on a Baume Mercier GMT which looked so much more elegant and sophisticated and after some research, I figured that both Tag and Baume use the same ETA movement in their GMTs. So happy with my Baume. I would have never been happy with that Tag. Go with your gut, not hype! Great video!

[@mitchmatic8029]

Great Video, and sound advice. Thanks Teddy.

[@bloodshot6]

Great video, education on these topics are key. I’m still a student in the watch game.

[@garrymckay804]

Awesome video, Teddy. I think I've made most of these mistakes along the way. Great advice

[@ivarwb4115]

9 very interesting mistakes, well known to many of us! And I appreciate your way of discussing them, without prejudice and "snobbery" - if that is a word. I will try to take your advice into account the next time I feel the urge to pull the trigger on a tempting purchase, but I know it will be hard🤣

[@FireBlade57]

This video is 100% on point!

[@NandaLinnAung]

Spot on!! i am 6.25 inches wrist size, henceI have been your long time subscriber. LOL. this one is very thorough discussion and love it. very well presented. Thanks so much.

[@Don-Anvar]

As always, great work. Thank you.

[@arlopoetiray5534]

That’s true Teddy thank you for the insights about buying luxury watch 😍🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@InfiniteRagnarok]

One of your best videos spot date!

[@Phil-p7p]

Teddy, a big thank you for all you do to educate us watch enthusiasts and to democratize the hobby of watch collecting. It is so refreshing to have such a continual flow of informed, honest and open-minded information, opinion and critique.

[@kjstewys]

Bought my first Rolex the other day. 124270. I think I watched every video on KZbin before pulling the trigger 😂 including yours that compared it to the 214270. Couldn’t sleep and knew it was the one. Couldn’t be happier.

[@chinthm]

Been following your reviews mate.. I think this is one of the best videos you have ever made. I am a watch newbie and have been hearing bits and pieces of advice from you and others on what to avoid and I love the fact there is one video that captures all the emotions that lead into first luxuary watch buy. I also would like to add, don’t buy a luxuary watch thinking you will be noticed or represent how much wealth you have. If that’s the intention a fake one will also do the trick Buy the watch with the intention no one will ever notice it, it gives you pleasure satisfaction and inspires you to do better things in life.

[@carlosalvarez4641]

What an excellent video. Thanks for making it.

[@samueldanealexander180]

I was waiting for you to say 'my friend Kevin O'leary says never go I to debt over a watch' but it never came. Love the videos, love the collaborations. Top watch channel 👌

[@dwayneclayton6364]

Great advice! I like the idea of reaching out to find someone that has your wrist size to get a better idea of how the watch will look on you. It's why I love when you show the wrist size during your reviews. As a new collector, I would suggest you really consider how much you're going to wear a watch before you make the purchase. At most, you can only wear two watches at a time.... 🙂

[@MarioGonzalez-yq3gw]

Great advice! I totally think about how much I will wear each watch, and I'll likely sell some and upgrade every few years versus adding more. At a certain point, you can't wear them enough and it would be silly (for me) to have $5-10k watches I can't even wear enough..

[@arescuda7234]

Thanks Dad! Great vid.

[@joeblackwolf17]

Teddy continues to deliver high quality vids

[@dmofficial_markiplier1onte267]

👆👆Thanks for watching and Commenting send a direct message right away we got something special for you Giveaway✅🆙

[@MrAumbra]

Once again, many great points Teddy! The one that I see a lot of is buying an icon because of status or because it supposedly makes you a collector. I own more pieces than I probably should and yes many do fall into the category of iconic but I do not own a single submariner. I do own Rolex pieces but I buy what I like not what others like or think I should own. My advice, buy what you absolutely love and you will never sell a single piece. I have never sold a single one of my timepieces (probably why I own too many, lol) and my hope is that my 3 boys will remember me when I’m gone every time they look down at their wrist. To me, that’s one of the greatest benefits of collecting timepieces. One last point, does it make sense to buy a Reverso; uhhhh the answer is ALWAYS “yes” Teddy - Always! Lol. Love the content. Thank you.

[@dondondini3661]

always reverso is god idea :)

[@mikequinlan9585]

Great video, I know I’ve guilty of a few of these mistakes!

[@b2themfeto]

What a great video teddy. The last point def hit home. I have so many beautiful watches that I just don't wear, bc I'm afraid to damage them.

[@devia1988]

Great tips, I’m a vintage guy and I am 100% with you on saving to get a top specimen. Also compliments on the excellent build up, content and montage as always. Your 17 minute videos feel like they are only 5 minutes long because they are just so well built!

[@jimlittle5769]

This is good information Teddy. Nice video.

[@dtroutmann]

What city are you in? Great backdrop. Is that a great lake or the ocean behind you? Great video as always. TY

[@davidhori4899]

Teddy, you always bring such a grounded attitude to watches. There’s not enough of that. Also, how many blue divers do I need? As many as I can get! 😁

[@scottv781]

Great content! It has taken years to refine my taste and understand what types, size, brands, styles, etc. suit my taste. If my first watch were a luxury watch, I probably would have later regretted it because I "didn't know what I didn't know" when I started collecting. I recently bought my first true luxury watch (an Explorer), and this was the product of years spent learning what I like and developing a "tolerance" for more and more expensive watch purchases. But to your first point, I tried to scratch the Explorer itch a few different times and I was never completely satisfied. Granted, I ended up with a SARY 057, SARB 035, Khaki King, and Monta Noble as a result (all of which I love and still wear), so I have no regrets. Those less expensive watches (and all other watches in my collection for that matter) helped be better understand my taste and some of the nuances of watch design. But....I can now move on from everyday watches and really expand my collection in different ways now that the Explorer itch is scratched (say hello to my Sinn 104...on bracelet of course lol).

[@walkerb1734]

TEDDY….please do another ‘reaction’ video (i.e. where you get the opinions on various watches from non-watch people). I really loved that video you did a while back and would love to see more.

[@sainyalafaireet4377]

Nice video. Always enjoy these advice videos. One additional advice bit I would give: try the watch on beforehand wherever possible, especially for watches outside of the entry level price segment. Speaking from personal experience, actually having the watch on crystallizes impressions that were only theoretical before. It's worth it to piggyback a watch trying session on top of an existing trip, and being patient on the purchase until you can do so.

[@zhicaofang2354]

Great advice. As a newbie in watch collection I'd say even for luxury watches you need to think about price-performance ratio. Does the aesthetics and functionality of the watch convince you enough, rather than the brand and the trend? In my opinion all luxury goods marketing follow similar logics of overwhelming the customers with brand imaging and trendy rhetoric so that they overlook the actually appreciation/use value of the item. Watch buying is no exception and every customer should be careful.

[@tylerjames646]

7:38 "I have woken up in the middle of the night thinking about a watch. I am a sick individual." I thought I was the only one lmao

[@craigwoolbert2443]

done that many times!

[@sumitkar8146]

Man happens to me almost every night🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@Rodolfoguerra12]

I guess I’m sick as well…

[@willayton4950]

Points 7 & 8 are the key ones here, quite a few icons don't fit me and my wrist at all well but some more slightly off the wall choices do. In the cold light of day recently, the personal style element steered me away from the watch worlds darling the Tudor Black Bay 58 in Blue or Silver and towards a grey dial Seiko Prospex 62MAS SPB143. It's going in the sea with me as soon as possible!

[@EandT11]

What a great video Teddy. I think like anything you want to buy, you have to look at how it makes you feel. If it feels good to you, to your point, it doesn’t stress you to purchase and after 10yrs it still makes you feel as excited or satisfied as the day you got it, then it was something worth doing. I have watches from Suunto and Citizen to Omega and Rolex and I like them all for very different reasons and they add to my mood depending on the day, memory or just because……..

[@dmofficial_markiplier1onte267]

👆👆Thanks for watching and Commenting send a direct message right away we got something special for you

[@lancepower3579]

I always enjoy when Teddy drops a "Hell" in a video.

[@basvanbrakel1930]

Beautifully said!🙌🏻

[@stevenlake7158]

not only advice about buying watches but about life! good work!

[@dmofficial_markiplier1onte267]

👆👆Thanks for watching and Commenting send a direct message right away we got something special for you Giveaway✅🆙

[@hiroshiyamamoto7167]

So true!! Bought a pre owned snk805 for US$24 before. 7 years later, still keeping a time great @ +/- 13 seconds a day 🥰

[@adityasonwane2926]

Thank you Teddy, I have watched a lot of your videos and made a list of watched I would like to own and would enjoy wearing them. I really appreciate the advice you gave in this video which helped me shorten my list. Little background here I had about 20 watched which I wished to own but now I have removed a lot taking your suggestions. Also I am a newbie in this watch world and NGL your videos are the reason I have entered this world and enjoying it. Thank you 🙏🏼🙌🏽.

[@MR-C5-C130]

Great, great advice. Everyone thinking about their first watch purchase or 100th should watch this video. Well done! (Wish I learned to avoid these mistakes years ago, would have made fewer purchasing errors.)

[@Mark-el8sb]

Excellent advice, thank you.

[@dmofficial_markiplier1onte267]

👆👆Thanks for watching and Commenting send a direct message right away we got something special for you Giveaway✅🆙

[@sol_alejandro1]

I bought a Lorier Falcon Pre owned over MSRP and I love the watch. Daily driver for the summer.

[@joshuabenjestorf8565]

I have learned so much about watches by just watching Teddy's videos about them.

[@dmofficial_markiplier1onte267]

👆👆Thanks for watching and Commenting send a direct message right away we got something special for you

[@chingwa888]

Very sound points here. I fell in love with the Jaeger LeCoultre Master Control Calendar. Went to lunch and decided to go for it after lunch but wife suggested I calm down and consider it for a few days first. Turning out to be a good decision as I did more research and ended up loving the Glashutte Original Panomatic Lunar much more. The JLC is a fantastic watch, but it just wasn't right for me, specifically the date window was unreadable due to my poor eyesight and not a design issue.

[@JuanRamirez-po1yo]

Great advice Teddy as always👍🏽

[@dezmarinvestmentsllc9964]

Teddy, my friend, you always hit the bullseye!

[@phillygrappler]

Fantastic advice - as usual!

[@kuhagz]

Perfect video!! Especially the second to last point. “No one cares what you’re wearing!!l

[@thomaszannier1638]

Great video as usual ! Almost made no mistake until now 😅!

[@guyallen2355]

Great advice. Thanks!!

[@deangtrs]

Nice view of Lake Erie.