jonathanjong
Headphoneus Supremus
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- Aug 4, 2008
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Everybody's budget is different. A person may want to spend up to a certain amount (for example $50) and call it a budget watch, whereas another person may have more money to put towards purchasing a more expensive watch and may not have a defined an ending 'budget' price. Even though I have multiple watches (posted on this thread), it doesn't mean I would be willing to automatically spend more on each watch, thus raising my budget limits in essence. I would go out on a limb (not going that far out) and say that $1,000 or $500 would not be seen as the budget limit on a watch for most people in this world. Not even $300. It would be more than likely around $30-$60. Some people want a great watch for around that price. And of course there are others who don't mind spending way more than that. Those people probably wouldn't call their watches budget though.
This is interesting. I think I tend to believe that there's a sweet spot that'll appeal to the interested layperson looking beyond a beginner unit. So, when someone asks for headphones recommendations, I tend to go for Grado SR60/80 (< $100) or a used Sennheiser HD25 (< $150). [The Grado choice is a bit idiosyncratic, seeing as most people start at SR60/80. But I happen to think that it's no bad place to end too.] When someone asks for fountain pen recommendations, I tend to advise them to pick up a refurbished Parker 51 (prices vary, but should be < $100) or Lamy 2000 (< $150) or Pelikan M200/205 (< $150); or, if they prefer Japanese nibs, a Pilot 92 (< $120) or Sailor 1911 (~$100). The theme, I think, i that they're all faithful workhorse models that will--with some luck and not an undue amount of abuse--basically last forever. They're not *fancy*--no top-tier flagships, no silver re-cables, no exquisite hand-painted casings, no shiny ebony--but they're well-designed objects all the same. Even if that design is the radioshack DIY look of the Grados.
Maybe that's what I'm looking for, then. A watch that'll serve me faithfully practically forever, and that exemplified good design. I'm tempted by the pricepoints of Kickstarter watches, but I am wary of how well they're made, and how difficult maintenance will be in the decades to come. I have an Issey Miyake 12, but strap-changing is a real pain in the ass, and the shiny chrome is going to deteriorate over time, and quickly. I guess I figured that if I go vintage, at least I'll know that the watch has withstood some life already, and is likely to go one for longer still. That is, it'll be a model with a track record.
Perhaps this is nonsensical, but if there's no sweet spot, perhaps I should ask about the $100-$200 range, given that the pens and headphones I've listed here seem to be at that price. I mean, I spend considerably more on both kinds of objects, but I'm a hobbyist in those cases: not so for watches. As I say, I'm just looking for a watch or two that'll last me for decades to come. Thoughts?