How do you scratch the itch for a watch that you can't get?

[boychild]

Hi all! I've been coveting for the Hulk recently. Pretty sure many of you have experienced this, but what watches are you currently desiring and how do you practice better judgment without going against it? Curious what you all folks have to say.

[spacebjorn]

You don't. This is exactly how regret is formed.

[Gab27]

If I want something enough, the financials are workable, and I can justify the expenditure relative to the benefits (whether that be on the basis of investment, health, happiness, relationships, the future, etc. depending on the specific situation), I buy it. If those stars don't align, I don't.

I apply that rationale to most items in my life, and watches are included. I could justify my Submariner's purchase price on the basis of happiness and longevity, and so I purchased it. I could also justify it on the basis that if I purchased a less expensive watch, I would still find myself always wanting a Submariner.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by spacebjorn

You don't. This is exactly how regret is formed.

I can attest to this.

[TimeAZ]

Keep searching for a used / secondary-market example in the condition you want (e.g. NOS or unworn, unpolished, etc, whatever) and at the best price possible, and pull the trigger if you think the price is fair. Sadly this is the new state of the "hunt", but at least the rules and game are clear and fully transparent.

[huncho]

you don't, and if you do it'll cost you more than just going grey to begin with

[mk2jag]

I try not to crave things that are unrealistic for me to attain. So my strategie is not to spend time thinking about it. If it is a realistic goal then its definitely worth mulling over....

[m j b]

Part of being a grown-up is having self-restraint.

Or so I hear.

At the end of the day, it's just a watch. It tells time. It looks pretty. That's about it.

There are lots of other options. Today, for example, I am wearing my "hulk". It's not a Rolex, it doesn't keep time quite as accurately, but it looks just as good, it is just as comfortable and don't even ask me about the thousands of dollars that I saved.


Yeah, yeah, I know, I didn't set the date this morning.

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by boychild

Hi all! I've been coveting for the Hulk recently. Pretty sure many of you have experienced this, but what watches are you currently desiring and how do you practice better judgment without going against it? Curious what you all folks have to say.

I'm not sure anything in this hobby can reasonably be filed under the tag "better judgement" but I personally try to be mindful of the overall cost of the collection. And that cost is approx equal to what I used to have tied up in a secondary "play car". So I personally justify this insanity as a shell game where I moved the chips from one hobby that was highly expensive and likely to get me in jail or dead into another hobby that is just highly expensive. Personally, I think that shows great progress towards becoming an adult. Feels like I should be rewarded in fact. Another watch perhaps?

The other thing I've realized in recent years is that the really dangerous temptations are those you almost can swing. I can happily read about a complicated $500k watch and not feel any sort of heartache. It's simply an order of magnitude more than I'd ever consider spending. The "what ifs" don't even start percolating. But when I see a gorgeous piece that is just outside my comfort zone financially, that's where the real battle against bad decisions takes place.

[1665fan]

Go grey….

[vipereaper30]

I'm sorry to say this but you just can't scratch that itch any other way. The hulk is amazing, what are you waiting for??

[Harry-57]

If I want it and can afford it I will buy it. I got my Hulk while they were still in production but I paid the grey premium because I tried and failed at multiple ADs. I couldn't even get on a list. I've never regretted it, although the current market price is more than I would be prepared to spend. We each draw the line in a different place.

[Calatrava r]

It's no longer made so you will have to buy one used. Just save up and get one when you are able. That is really all you can do. Jump in when the prices soften, which I think they have from the peak early this year.

[ryangambrill]

Do you apply a similar approach to other aspects of your life? If that works for you, great!

If you want it, I mean really want it. Feel it in your soul “want it”. Then make it real in your mind, body, & soul. Put a plan together and start executing today. Measure. Adjust when necessary. Anything else is a waste of energy.


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[Champagnepapi]

Be patient and be prepared to strike if the right opportunity comes along. And if it doesn’t, remind yourself there are far more important things in life.

Or… if you can afford financially… buy it tomorrow first thing when you wake up and avoid the daily mental torture…. Until the next one


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[macrowatch]

Originally Posted by spacebjorn

You don't. This is exactly how regret is formed.

That is some spot on wisdom. And at post #2!

[Old Expat Beast]

I just wait for the itch to go away. Another usually comes along soon enough. Then goes away again. Most of my most-regularly-worn watches were impulse buys at ADs, oddly enough.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by boychild

...how do you practice better judgment without going against it? Curious what you all folks have to say.

W a i t .. a .. m i n u t e .. h e r e.

Better judgment requires being rational. Since when does being rational have anything to do with.... ???

[johnorpheus]

Better judgment went out the window with my first Rolex. This is not a hobby for better judgment.

[dnd2984]

You don’t. Don’t settle.

[-dustin]

Nothing in my eyes can replace a 2-tone SD. So…I just sit and wait.

[Nova1]

You learn about other/ better watches. Then buy them instead.

[AF_Rob]

If the market value isn't worth it, do your best to move on. If you can't, bite the bullet and take the hit to add it to the collection. It's cheaper in the end than chasing it with consolation pieces.

I love vintage Subs. They are not at a price point I'm willing to pay. What do I love about vintage Subs? The visual design elements... Who comes close? The BB58, which is why I added one.

To add, the BB58 is at a price point where I'm willing to make compromises to get me into design elements I love. It's a great watch that stands on its own. I wouldn't pay Rolex prices to get close to something you want. If you are staying within the brand, just get it.

[subprimero]

Spend time researching watches and your tastes will probably change. Maybe you will get lucky and the new watch that you want will be available.

[MRBolton]

Originally Posted by m j b

Part of being a grown-up is having self-restraint.

Or so I hear.

At the end of the day, it's just a watch. It tells time. It looks pretty. That's about it.

There are lots of other options. Today, for example, I am wearing my "hulk". It's not a Rolex, it doesn't keep time quite as accurately, but it looks just as good, it is just as comfortable and don't even ask me about the thousands of dollars that I saved.


Yeah, yeah, I know, I didn't set the date this morning.

I did the same thing getting one of these. I sold it when I got my current LV, but the quality difference for the price is very surprising--in a good way in favor of the Steinhart!

[Bladeshot]

If you can afford it, get it. Don’t settle. It’ll never work. It’ll cost more and take longer poking around and trying to convince yourself you will be satisfied with something less than your goal.

I would pause for a healthy time. Just be sure it’s not a passing fancy.

[boychild]

Good point! Thanks!

Originally Posted by Gab27

If I want something enough, the financials are workable, and I can justify the expenditure relative to the benefits (whether that be on the basis of investment, health, happiness, relationships, the future, etc. depending on the specific situation), I buy it. If those stars don't align, I don't.

I apply that rationale to most items in my life, and watches are included. I could justify my Submariner's purchase price on the basis of happiness and longevity, and so I purchased it. I could also justify it on the basis that if I purchased a less expensive watch, I would still find myself always wanting a Submariner.

[LC23]

depends how itchy you are, if you validate... go grey

[boychild]

True, I still prefer the AD experience though. Grey prices were better a few years ago, but now it has gone astronomically high!

Originally Posted by TimeAZ

Keep searching for a used / secondary-market example in the condition you want (e.g. NOS or unworn, unpolished, etc, whatever) and at the best price possible, and pull the trigger if you think the price is fair. Sadly this is the new state of the "hunt", but at least the rules and game are clear and fully transparent.

[shaunylw]

Just wait it out. Give it a few more months, see where the grey prices land after the new year and if you can stomach the up-charge, buy it. I’ve bought a few watches i thought would take the place of what i really wanted, never worked out. Just ended up buying what i really wanted when my number was called.


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