The Watches I Almost Bought (And Why I Didn't)

Hey {{first_name|Reader}}.

I've spent hours looking at watches I'll never buy. (I still do)

Not because I can't afford them. Not because they're bad watches. But because wanting something and being ready to own it are two very different things.

This year alone, I seriously considered five watches. I researched them. I visited dealers. I tried some of them on. I imagined what they'd look like on my wrist and how they'd fit into my collection.

And then I walked away from all of them.

This is the story of the watches I didn't buy. And what saying no taught me about discipline, impulse control, and knowing what I actually want.

(I’m always looking for feedback. Let me know! Reply to the email.)

This year, I seriously considered five watches. I researched them. I visited dealers. I tried some of them on. I imagined what they'd look like on my wrist and how they'd fit into my collection.

Here's what I walked away from and why.

I love white dial watches. I love the Hamilton brand. They used to make watches 20 minutes from where I grew up, and I respect what they represent—American heritage, tool watch philosophy, accessible quality.

The Murph is 38mm, which is a perfect size. It's clean, legible, functional. It's a solid watch that looks great.

It's too simple. No crown guard—a feature I didn't know I liked until I got into watches. No screw-down crown. For $995, it's a chunk of money I could put toward my next big purchase instead of settling for something that checks most of the boxes but not all of them.

No. I'm glad I passed. It's a great watch, but it's not the watch for me.

Sometimes "good enough" isn't good enough. If there's hesitation, there's a reason. Don't buy a watch that's 80% right just because it's available and affordable. Wait for the one that's 100%.

A friend has the Marathon GSAR and it's a tank. You can beat the hell out of it and it keeps running. It's a true tool watch—built for military use, tested in extreme conditions, over-engineered in the best way.

The Arctic Edition looked incredible. Utilitarian. No-nonsense. A watch that could survive anything.

For what it is—an SW200-1 movement in a steel case—it's not worth over $2,000 to me. The bezel is huge. The dial is small in comparison. Even though it's a 41mm watch, I found myself squinting to read it at a quick glance.

It's a great watch if you need that level of durability. But I don't. I'm not jumping out of helicopters or diving in the Arctic. I'm sitting at a desk most days. This watch is over-engineered for my life.

No regrets. It's an impressive watch, but it's not practical for me.

Don't buy a watch for the life you don't live. Buy for the life you actually have. A tool watch should match the tool you need, not the tool you wish you needed.

I gave the Hamilton Murph a hard time for being too simple. But I also love the Tudor Ranger. Go figure.

At 36mm, it's the classic watch size. It's a field watch that competes directly with the Rolex Explorer. Clean dial. No frills. Just time. And when Tudor released it in the "dune" colorway, I didn't think I'd have the willpower to resist.

At $3,700 new, I'd rather save for a used Rolex Explorer. I know Seth from The Laughter Collection could get me a good deal on one. Used watches tend to be the way to go—I love the history and the stories they tell.

The Tudor Ranger is a great watch. If you want one, look on the used market. You'll save money and get the same quality.

Honestly? I still think about the Tudor Ranger in dune white. But I know I made the right decision. I'm holding out hope that one day Rolex releases a white Explorer. And if they don't, the Ranger will still be there on the used market.

Sometimes the right decision still stings a little. That's okay. Restraint isn't always easy. But if you're holding out for something better, don't settle just because the good option is in front of you.

This watch checks all the boxes. GMT hand. Date window. 300m water resistance. Similar size to my Explorer II. 60-hour power reserve. At $3,350, it's an incredible value for what you get.

If you're looking for a watch similar to an Explorer II but don't want to spend Rolex money, this is it. An easy one-watch-collection piece.

My Explorer II does everything this watch does. Same functionality. Similar size. Similar power reserve. I already own the watch this one is trying to be.

There's no reason to buy a near-duplicate just because it's cheaper or newer. I'd rather wear the one I have into the ground.

No. It's a great watch for someone who doesn't already own an Explorer II. But I do. So it doesn't make sense for me.

Don't buy a watch that duplicates what you already own. Even if it's cheaper. Even if it's new. Even if it's tempting. Stick to your collection strategy.

This is a new release Omega dropped toward the end of 2025. I'm not a dive watch fan, but there's something about this watch that's just badass.

Top-tier specs. 600m water resistance. Could survive a small nuclear explosion. At $9,200, it better be able to.

It's 42mm and thick. I don't want a chunky diver on my wrist.

And more importantly, it's trying too hard to be a Rolex Submariner. Sure, Omega has the James Bond affiliation, but this watch looks like it wants to be the cool Submariner and falls short.

For the same price—or less—I could pick up a used black Submariner in 40mm with no waitlist. Why would I buy the imitation when I can get the original?

Not even a little. This watch is impressive, but it's not for me.

If a watch is trying to be something else, it's not the right watch. Buy the original or buy something that stands on its own. Don't compromise on an imitation.

Looking at all five of these watches, there's a clear pattern: I hesitate on expensive watches.

And I'm okay with that.

I have an emotional attachment to my money. I work hard for it. I work long hours for it. If I'm going to part with it, I need to be totally sure about the decision.

The watch industry wants you to pull the trigger on every new release. Every review, every Instagram post, every dealer interaction is designed to make you feel like you're missing out if you don't buy now.

I don't know about you, but I'm not wired that way. I need time. I need certainty. I need to know it's the right watch, not just a good watch.

To be honest, I still think about the Tudor Ranger in dune white.

But I know I made the right decision holding off. I'm still crossing my fingers that one day Rolex will release a white Explorer. If they do, I'll be ready. If they don't, the Ranger will still be there.

The goal is that it will.

I'm waiting for the right polar Explorer II 16570 to come along. Every watch I don't buy brings me closer to the one I actually want. The restraint is building toward something specific, not just saving money for the sake of saving.

There's always a new watch. Always something cool dropping. Always a feeling of FOMO—what if there's something better out there?

That feeling is real. And resisting it is a constant decision.

But here's what I've learned: the FOMO never goes away. There will always be another watch. Another release. Another "this is the one" moment.

The question isn't whether you feel the pull. The question is whether you let it control you.

I'm better at saying no now.

I know what I like. I have a checklist of what a watch must do for me in order to pull the trigger. I have a style. I have a personal brand for how my watches represent me. If a watch doesn't fit in that bubble, I pass.

It's not about being closed-minded. It's about being focused.

If you're struggling with "should I buy this watch or not," here's my framework:

If it's not a hell yes, it's a hard no.

If there are any questions in your mind—any hesitation, any doubt, any "but what if"—pass on the watch.

The right watch doesn't require convincing. It doesn't require justification. It doesn't require a pros-and-cons list. You just know.

When you find the one that's a hell yes, you'll know. Until then, keep walking.

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Every action or inaction you take creates value.

A purchase creates value by adding a new watch and tool into your possession.

Saying no creates future value—value that gains interest, value you can cash in down the road when the right watch comes along.

Restraint builds discipline. Passing teaches you what you actually want versus what you think you want in the moment.

There's value in the watches you don't buy. Maybe more value than the ones you do.

I looked at five great watches this year. I walked away from all of them.

Not because they were bad. But because they weren't right.

The Hamilton was too simple. The Marathon was over-engineered. The Tudor was great but not better than the Explorer I'm saving for. The Longines duplicated what I already own. The Omega was trying to be a Submariner instead of standing on its own.

None of them were hell yes watches. So they were all hard no watches.

And I'm okay with that.

The right watch is still out there. And when I find it, I'll know.

Watches count time. Your choices make it count.

—Ian