Don't listen to case width when considering a watch. It goes like this, 75% lug to lug, 20% case width and 5% thickness. I'm 6.25" wrist and I have found recently that I can wear a 44mm Citizen Promaster Diver and not a 39mm Visitor, no telling how many watches I've missed out on because of that.
I agree lug to lug is biggest dimension to look at . I have a 6.75 wrist and 47 lug to lug is my sweet spot and although I prefer 39/40 diameter I have worn watches that are 43/44 no issue BUT they had a short lug to lug! For example a Turtle .
@@chasfoster9895 yup, all the hype is 38mm this or 36mm that. I can tell you a 38mm Hamilton field and a 38.5mm Sinn 556 would look completely different on wrist. And the Sinn would wear smaller. I have a 36mm marathon gsar that is quite small but tall enough to have presence and it works on my 7 1/4 inch wrist. And when I swap to a DS30 which is quite larger at 39mm case 47.7mm lug to lug that too fits right at home. Some people just need to wear what that like and if you want to get into smaller watches then get one and wear it, eventually like a few days it will become natural and look completely normal. Same goes for larger watches. I personally enjoy smaller watches
I think the single most salient point here is "don't buy what you can't afford". We all love watches, but there are many, many other things that are way more important.
100% correct. I'd love to drop four or five grand on an Omega or a Tudor but honestly, with bills and things going on in everyday life it just wouldn't be right. Instead, I'll prioritise those things life throws at you and will save towards one of those grail watches I'm after, It might take a little longer but it will be worth it. ,
Good advice, Marc. As an adjunct to number 5, don’t buy a watch late at night; sleep on it, if you still want it after coffee in the morning, go for it! Thanks
@@calebrolin262 when everyone is a sup, no one is (Pixar, The incredible). When every watch release is a limited edition, there's nothing special about it.
Me too. I'm kind of OCD about all my watches running and being set to the right time at all times. So Ill often wind up my windable automatics (more than I should apparently) just to ensure they'll keep running when I'm not wearing them. Effective immediately, I'm just going to let them run out of power when I'm not wearing them. Fortunately my only two windable automatics are an Amphibia and a Bambino. All my nicer Watches are purely automatic or purely manual as luck would have it.
one of the reasons they the s726 is superior to the nh35. hacking and hand-winding introduces additional levers, spring, friction points and most importantly, human error.
@@okihaveaname technically the mainspring and mainspring barrels differ between manual and automatic movements . The bridal(end) of the manual mainspring is typically fixed bc the amount wound is a know quantity, so to speak. An automatic mainspring can slide along the outer barrel wall if it has exceeded its maximum wind bc we re now dealing with an unknown amount of wind. This is why you apply breaking grease to the inside of an automatic barrel and not a manual winder bc you want to control the slip. haha TMI 😆 and TLTR
Here is a funny one. Don’t let your spouse or significant other get a watch for you without knowing exactly what you want. That is actually not from my experience.
I would just go with “Never buy a fashion watch.” Easily the worst watch I have ever owned was a fashion watch given to me as a gift. It broke five times in three years and I finally threw it away.
Thank you Marc! You really a treasure to watch collectors all over the world. I am still relatively new to watch collecting and you give the best advice on the internet. You probably saved me several times from doing something horribly wrong. And you're a great and trusted watch dealer to boot!
This is why whenever I can I tell people to buy from you, and your brand. It's why I have 5 Islanders and have bought so many other watches from you. Because you are a man with integrity and values. I appreciate it that. You have a life long Customer in me.
#3 is a really important one for people who are new to the hobby. It's so easy to get brainwashed (for lack of a better word) into buying what the hivemind says you should. But often the watches that are the most satisfying to own are the ones that speak to you personally without any preconceived notions fed to you by someone else.
Thank you for the tip about not going crazy with winding your automatic watches! I'm less than a year into getting into watches and had no idea about this as it's generally not talked about from what I can tell. I'm for sure done hand-winding the watch I'm wearing in the morning.
You honestly are a straight up dude! You telling the truth to your customers and viewers put your business at risk but also makes us want to support you and your business more!! Props to you marc and much respect!!! bravo sir!!!
Very good and wise advices Marc. In line with last advice : if you get the urge to buy it, don't, and sleep on it. While owning a watch is an act of passion, it's not mandatory to exclude reason from the buying process. Also, I guarantee you there's a watch you're neglecting, that will wear much better ar this time of the year than last time you wore it, or with a different strap ! Give it a chance.
This man personifies the "right way" of doing business. There's a right way and a wrong way of making money. I love parting with my money, when I know I'm getting a fair shake and feel like I've bartered rather than hoping I didn't overpay.
Heck yeah! You should be envious of the '90% off' deal they got. But seriously, it's good to keep perspective - anything over the most basic watch is jewelry. No reason to not let others fully enjoy what they've chosen as their wrist decoration.
Yes! Whether it's a Grand Seiko or a Vostok Amphibia, a good watch is about the history of the design and engineering that went into it. It's not about the price. I will literally get as excited listening to someone talk about how much they love their Bambino as I will listening to someone tell me about their new Marathon. A real car enthusiast for example will have as much respect for a Miata as they will for the new C8. The same should be true of a real watch enthusiast.
Great advice -- all of it. You are a mensch. Thanks, Marc! My biggest "Don't": "Don't buy watches to impress other people. In fact, don't do ANYTHING in life to impress other people."
Great list! I always wanted a nice watch so when I was finally able to afford one, I bought one. My tip would be to learn everything you can about a watch before buying it. Thanks Marc! 👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸
Awesome tips... again. That is a businessman who is into forming relationships on comeback, which last long. You are one of the best, Mark. My "Don't" will be: Don't buy on impulse. If the watch you really want at that moment, wait, sleep over it and if it is still the one: Do it! When I was in Japan in 2019 I fell in love with the Orient Kano on our 2nd day of vacation. I could have bought it then and there (Yodobashi Kamera Kyoto), but it may have been unwise at the beginning of our family vacation. 2.5 weeks later in Tokyo, I saw the watch again in the Yodobashi Kamera Ueno Store and still liked it. We only had two days left and enough money so I went for it (after having bought the newly released Seiko 5 SBSA001, which mas planned). Mark: I bought the Kano and did not do any research on it. The first video I saw was your video presenting the new Orient models. Keep up the good work, you are... awesome.
Really like dont#3 and don't #5. Thanks Marc. I would add don't impulse buy after watching a youtube video. I find alot of times I don't really like the watch as much as I did at that moment.
I started buying from Long Island Watch in the mid 2000's I remember I bought an Orient World timer (I don't remember the full name) I loved it an wore it till the arms fell off literally. I can back again recently after a long stent wearing an apple watch. I have bought 2 Islanders in the last 2 months and all I can say is wow what a great value and great watch. Thank you Mark.
Good advice from these last two videos I recommend shop around and don't impulse buy. Watches frequently end up in sales, the watch that costs 800 today could be selling for 600 next month.
Thanks for your business ethics with appears to be honest. I have been looking at a few watches recently actually some on your site. Just window browsing. I'm a watch nut since I was 6 or 7 and now I'm 65. During my lifetime I had my share of mid tier pieces, in Omega , Breitling, Seiko, etc etc. I usually shop for specific pieces, like now I'm thinking of soon buying a German made Flieger Type B. The issue that a few of us face or maybe just me , is if I wait to "Afford a watch " with risk to my old man budget , I miss sale specials,that I never see again or the piece goes out of stock or discontinued. Yes there may be similar pieces, but I usually know what I "Exactly" want. So I wish there were layaway options sometimes that where tailored to remove the risk from you the seller and set up on a time frame so you can flip your inventory still at a reasonable rate. This is all assuming a credit card purchase is not an option. Thanks for your sound advise !
I really appreciate that you mentioned watches are not investments. I guess some swatch models are. But they’re not guaranteed to and could take too long.
Marc....LOVE the "live within your means" advice..... Been trying to instill this in my two boys their entire life... Fortunately, them both being mechanical engineers has let them both acquire nicer watches than dad ever would have.
Excellent advice. I wear some expensive watches. I would not dare to open any watch I have. When my watches need maintenance, I sent them to the authorized service center for them. The only think I have done myself was change the watch band for a NATO one. Metal watch bands cause me to have a skin acid issue. I have to wear a cloth, or silicon band.
Really refreshing to hear that Mark. You have integrity and are comfortable with who you are, well said ! Definitely someone to do business with. Regards from South Africa.
These tips might seem obvious, but they are absolutely the truth. In my last 25 years of being a hobbyist, I’ve made ALL of these mistakes. Good vid Marc!
Thank you for the winding, or maybe don't wind, tip. As I was watching the video I was winding my ISL-19. I stopped and put it on. Keep them coming Marc.
Do what YOU want to do. If you like it, buy it. Great advice. So, my Citizen Titanium Promaster Tough Eco-Drive available only in the UK is on the way. Looking forward to it.
What a guy!!! A man among men. Honestly and integrity above greed, selfishness. It may sound cheesy that I am saying all this but in this day and age this kind of quality is hard to find. Stay true Marc, hence all the success.
I keep running into advice online saying an automatic should be fully hand wound occasionally. I'm not sure why some say this, but I like your advice about it better.
I think it's important to take these rules to heart. Most impressive of all, it's to your benefit, Mark, if we ignore them, yet you tell us anyway. Definitely, buy the seller. You have a future in this business. Thanks.
I just regulated my King Turtle, so that (don't) resonated. I was scared the whole time but it worked out. It was a brand new watch but I stupidly dropped it and it was running 2 minutes fast, now it is 14 seconds slow and I'm fine with it. No visible damage from the fall thankfully.
This is why I love your videos. Giving good advise even when it pretty much goes against sales at times. The Islander brand has become a staple of my wife's and my collection. Please keep up the great products, advise and all around supply of information. Thank you.
I ordered my first mechanical watch, a Seiko Recraft SNKP23, from you and am eagerly awaiting the delivery. I have a couple of Kinetics that i bought decades ago, and I am excited to try a mechanical watch. Watching your do's and don'ts made me happy I bought from you! Thanks for the helpful and honest information.
I'd add a few things to your points: You can obviously use whatever strap you want, but don't be shocked if your watch is unwearably thick on a NATO or the leather of your strap falls apart because it gets soaked all the time. If you ever regulate a watch yourself, don't stab the balance. And practice it on a 15$ Chinese watch first. Multiple sources are basically required if you buy anything even moderately expensive. The handwinding-capabilities depend on the specific movement. Most modern Seikos and ETAs are autos first and foremost, but some older designs were built with more hand-winding in mind. If you don't literally have the cash on hand, avoid buying vanity items in general.
Such a great video. Thanks, Marc, for summing up the basis for my enthusiasm for watches and my philosophy about collecting and loving a bunch of them. I have a couple of high end pieces: a Rolex Submariner and and Omega Speedmaster. I love them and use them in the ways they were intended to be used, which is for diving and for navigational problems (yes, some of us still do that, GPS notwithstanding). The greatest joy I have had with watches, however, has been amassing a collection of quality watches for everyday wear. Each is slightly different, each is affordable, and each gets regular wear. I have a maximum budget of $500 and only buy a watch or two a year. I love the value of these microbrands and lesser known Swiss brands (Certina is my go-to). I also feel free to experiment after doing my research. This budget is an indulgence for me and by staying in a realistic price range, I feel that I have little to lose and much to gain. Each winter, I spend a few happy nights pawing through the collection, identifying watches that have dropped out of the regular rotation and, as Marc remarks here, changing a few straps, usually transforming the watch and making it new again. As I type this, I can't stop looking at a 15 year old Citizen GMT watch miraculously transformed tonight by a strap that I already had in the drawer. Island Watches is a great resource because of its focus on this price point, its commitment to quality, and because Marc shares and supports my approach to this wonderful obsession.
I agree about having multiple straps. More economical and a better experience to have a good quality watch with several straps than several cheap watches
Regardless of my budget, it needs to be a watch i want to wear and not put them in a safe. Indeed, mine are no investments. Good advice list, especially 4 and 5. Same with buying stock, only buy it with money you don't need I still wear my Lumtec very often i got from here:)
Marc, thanks for the great tips. I will now stop hand winding my automatics not in winders. I made an exception to the rule on sleeping on a purchase when I got the second notice for the Red October Islander. Ordered it as soon as I saw the email and got one of the last numbers. Beautiful watch!
Agreed with #4, however, if you do own a Seiko SNK with a 7S26, please do wind it like crazy or your watch with loose time. ;) Just from a personal experience.
If I have more watches than I can wear, how do I keep them wound without using the winding mechanism? I know that watch winders exist but that seems like an added expense that's not necessary. Should I just be doing the Seiko shuffle with all of them? Pick up my box and dance with it for 5 minutes a day?!
Great tips Marc 👍👍 refreshing to see your honesty and openness 👏👏 I would add don't always look at other people's collections/watches and try to imitate them or wear what they wear. Wear what suits you and your lifestyle, not what suits the people or your favorite watch aficionado.
Plot change ... Marc broke his arm and had to employ a stunt double for his wrist, but forgot to tell the providers that he required a watch to adorn it. 😉
Thank ou Marc this was very helpful and appreciated I'm so glad you posted this I'm sure your a nice fellow and a great business man who cares about his customers thankyou for this it's very helpful it's rare to hear someone be as open an honest as you again thank you
Only watch I have ever tried regulating was a Vostok Komandirskie. From the factory it was running +55spd, so I figured it was worth a shot, given the caseback design, and the fact if I break it...well it is a $40 watch I can just buy another. That said, I did manage to get it down to about +12spd without destroying it.
This is great! I recently bought a Tissot Le Locle nd have been hand winding it. I'll stop doing that. More importantly, I love the advice you're giving that encourages people to discern what they can truly afford. Honest business professionals who care about their customers are a rare breed. I salute your integrity! (Aside: I'm loving your watch brand. I keep eying the white dress watch with the blue hands. Your other models are impressive as well!)
I always buy what I can afford. Of course. But, man, it hurts when you miss a great deal and you know the chances for that deal to come up again are slim to none. I can still remember most of the great deals I missed and they never showed up again. And I am in the same situation right now (it seems I am always in similar situation). The watch I like is being sold by only one seller on the Internet for the price I have reasonable chances to afford it and if that one sells I know it will hurt.
Wow! I was totally unaware that regularly hand-winding an automatic was a no-no. And it was less than two weeks ago that I started doing that to my very best watch ... the $1000 Seiko SARX057 that I bought from you in October. So glad I watched this. PS - Could/Would you please consider "stocking" a few aftermarket 21mm watch straps for the 21mm watches that you sell? The Orient dress watches and my new Flightmaster immediately "spring to mind" ... :) Thanks!
@@islandwatch I knew about the mesh bracelet (because of the Flightmaster video) ... but I guess I didn't look through your strap selections carefully enough. Heading over there now ... :) Thank you!
I have a 50+ watch collection. I have been collecting for 25 years. My oldest is a 1952 Omega Geneva gold in really nice shape it has 3 interchangeable bands. I inherited it from my grandfather. It’s a solid gold watch worth a good bit I still assume about 10 years ago I had it appraised for insurance purposes and it appraised for $6,975 10 years ago so surely it has gone up but it’s not for sale it is an heirloom.
Hi Marc, lots of good advice on does and don’t , however a lot of it is just common sense . But your videos are always a pleasure to watch. I’m still saving for my trip to the USA so I can get my islander,and see family in Atlanta.
Hi Mark, that was a brilliant video showing an amazing amount of honesty and integrity for a watch seller! Well done my friend you are a credit to the watch sales industry!
As usual, I enjoyed your vid 👍 Glad you called out doing self mod's. I'd seen a number of videos for regulating movements and they all said it wasn't difficult. I was thinking about adjusting one of mine but now that's out the door 😅. My advice for repairing or self-modding would be to buy a few non-working similar watches & practice with them first to see if it's something you can do. It's better to spend $20-$30 to experiment than to lose $300+++ on a good piece 🥺 that should have been done by a professional in the first place.
I can attest to the not doing mods yourself on my watches. I puta nice scratch in a Tag Aquaracer messing around with the metal bracelet and put a nice slippage scratch on the inside and that's the last time i've ever attempted to do things myself unless its putting a nato strap on a watch with proper pin bars installed. I also just purchased a Squale 1521 ocean and i will be buying the Sapphire Crystal on your site for 65$ and i will not be installing it myself. LOL i just purchased the watch today should have it tomorrow can't wait.And like you said i had saved up for this watch and waited for one to pop up on second hand market so i got a 2021 Squale 1521 Ocean on Mesh bracelet for 1000$ Canadian shipped and it was bought from Squale in Switzerland 5 months ago and i get it basically 400$ cheaper then buying new. That's another trick to save on watches and shop the second hand market if you know what you're doing cause their are deals that come along and it's just a matter of being at the right place right time and you can buy watches at 40% off and they're less than a year old with case cards.
Good points of view, watches might not be an investment but another way to wealth transfer. If you buy used and well you can buy a watch for X and get X back in a year if you getting the watch close to the bottom value because many watches dont go to $0
good one. I wonder tho about the investment part, rather if it should be ‘watches are a poor _finantial_ investment.’ Much like cast iron pans, leather boots and knives, watches are the kind of items that could very well last a lifetime so in a way a good watch could be an investment in not having to buy another watch, or an investment in something you use or handle on a regular basis.
awesome advice! Not trying to make a sale in a watch! But to be honest a man should buy a nice watch for himself the cost is affordable for a lifetime of enjoyment . Anytime anywhere looks good on or off the shine of the time piece and tells the time too!
I think the best advice is just buy what you like . A watch doesn't change you .You could buy the most expensive trowell there is but that doesn't make you a good bricklayer ?Good video.
I am definitely buying an islander after this. Once I work out which one I want, of course. Such integrity and common sense the watches must be fantastic 😁
re: hand winding the automatic watches, so I have 9 watches, 1 G-shock 1 manual wind and the others automatic. during these covid days I'm wearing my Casio G-shock pretty much all the time- so should I let the automatics go to a stand still? I have one watch winder, should I rotate them through the automatic winder? So basically the question is how to manage a collection of automatics and for whatever reason, they're not getting much wrist time? Thanks.
What to do with many automatics and only wearing a few per week? I love to pick up something quickly and wear it, but I guess now I will stop that and just wind each as needed. Thanks.
It does affect you as a watch dealer. If someone gets into financial distress and they bought a watch they may not have the stomach to buy another watch anytime soon. So it does affect you long term
Don't listen to case width when considering a watch. It goes like this, 75% lug to lug, 20% case width and 5% thickness.
I'm 6.25" wrist and I have found recently that I can wear a 44mm Citizen Promaster Diver and not a 39mm Visitor, no telling how many watches I've missed out on because of that.
Truest statement ever!
I agree lug to lug is biggest dimension to look at . I have a 6.75 wrist and 47 lug to lug is my sweet spot and although I prefer 39/40 diameter I have worn watches that are 43/44 no issue BUT they had a short lug to lug! For example a Turtle .
It’s always amazed me how people discount lug to lug and wrist shape. A lot of difference between a flat wrist and a round one.
@@chasfoster9895 yup, all the hype is 38mm this or 36mm that. I can tell you a 38mm Hamilton field and a 38.5mm Sinn 556 would look completely different on wrist. And the Sinn would wear smaller. I have a 36mm marathon gsar that is quite small but tall enough to have presence and it works on my 7 1/4 inch wrist. And when I swap to a DS30 which is quite larger at 39mm case 47.7mm lug to lug that too fits right at home.
Some people just need to wear what that like and if you want to get into smaller watches then get one and wear it, eventually like a few days it will become natural and look completely normal. Same goes for larger watches. I personally enjoy smaller watches
Awesome, thank you. Pinned!
I think the single most salient point here is "don't buy what you can't afford". We all love watches, but there are many, many other things that are way more important.
Thanks Chris.
100% correct. I'd love to drop four or five grand on an Omega or a Tudor but honestly, with bills and things going on in everyday life it just wouldn't be right. Instead, I'll prioritise those things life throws at you and will save towards one of those grail watches I'm after, It might take a little longer but it will be worth it. ,
I'm told this all the time at car dealerships. Oh wait, I meant they never say that.
Marc, it’s reaffirming to see a businessman with integrity. It is everything.
Trying
I bought bezels from him because of his video on how easy it is to remove on your own with grip tape solvent. I applaud your integrity as well Marc.
Exactly what I wanted to write. Marc inspires trust and confidence. That's why I've been a customer and will be again.
seems rare in large business but smaller mom and pops i have found they rely on their integrity to stay afloat.
His tune is changing
Good advice, Marc. As an adjunct to number 5, don’t buy a watch late at night; sleep on it, if you still want it after coffee in the morning, go for it! Thanks
Indeed. I actually sleep on it for a week..
Do I want a Grand Seiko or Omega Speedmaster? Sleep for 5 seconds then coffee, ahh yeah I still do!!! LOL
Exactly!!!
late at night... halfway through a bottle... HA HA
I have gotten many drunk buyers!
To add: Don't get swept away by the hype of limited editions. There will always be something new or limited that will come all the time.
True!
Seiko and Sinn are the kings of limited editions. There's so many it makes it so normal.
Yea, disagree . Just ask Grande Seiko
@@chulkcha not sure where you are getting you info on sinn. This is flat out false info
@@calebrolin262 when everyone is a sup, no one is (Pixar, The incredible). When every watch release is a limited edition, there's nothing special about it.
Sound and honest advice from a watch enthusiast and salesperson. It's appreciated sir!
I appreciate that!
Don't put down Microbrands. Some are exceptionally good (not just good value, but simply Good!).
Yup. Like the Islander! LOL
and for the nh35, thank you seiko
Formex 👍👍👍
Or my sweet Steinhart :)
I prefer smaller brands to be honest
I had no idea that, frequent manual winding of automatic watches is not a good idea! Thanks for this important information.
:)
Me too. I'm kind of OCD about all my watches running and being set to the right time at all times. So Ill often wind up my windable automatics (more than I should apparently) just to ensure they'll keep running when I'm not wearing them. Effective immediately, I'm just going to let them run out of power when I'm not wearing them. Fortunately my only two windable automatics are an Amphibia and a Bambino. All my nicer Watches are purely automatic or purely manual as luck would have it.
Automatics won't let you over-wind. Rewatch what he said.
one of the reasons they the s726 is superior to the nh35. hacking and hand-winding introduces additional levers, spring, friction points and most importantly, human error.
@@okihaveaname technically the mainspring and mainspring barrels differ between manual and automatic movements . The bridal(end) of the manual mainspring is typically fixed bc the amount wound is a know quantity, so to speak. An automatic mainspring can slide along the outer barrel wall if it has exceeded its maximum wind bc we re now dealing with an unknown amount of wind. This is why you apply breaking grease to the inside of an automatic barrel and not a manual winder bc you want to control the slip. haha TMI 😆 and TLTR
Here is a funny one. Don’t let your spouse or significant other get a watch for you without knowing exactly what you want. That is actually not from my experience.
Imagine your naïve new girlfriend gives you a MVMT watch after noticing you're into watches...
@@Simplifier123 the relationship would end there
A wife or spouse or a woman, in general, buy you anything at all? What is this madness you speak of ?
Good point.
@@islandwatch As you can tell I have a history of picking nothing but winners, Lol.
#6: don't buy from brands that severely overcharge (especially fashion brands).
true
I would just go with “Never buy a fashion watch.” Easily the worst watch I have ever owned was a fashion watch given to me as a gift. It broke five times in three years and I finally threw it away.
Mvmt, barf
Honesty is really rare nowadays in watch related youtubers, so thank you Mark for your YT channel!
Thank you Marc! You really a treasure to watch collectors all over the world. I am still relatively new to watch collecting and you give the best advice on the internet. You probably saved me several times from doing something horribly wrong. And you're a great and trusted watch dealer to boot!
My pleasure!
Number 1, Do not watch Marc's channel or TVGs or you will have way too many watches all the time! great points Marc 👍
Lol
LOVE the idea about a segment on changing out straps/bands!
Okay, thanks!
This is why whenever I can I tell people to buy from you, and your brand. It's why I have 5 Islanders and have bought so many other watches from you. Because you are a man with integrity and values. I appreciate it that. You have a life long Customer in me.
#3 is a really important one for people who are new to the hobby. It's so easy to get brainwashed (for lack of a better word) into buying what the hivemind says you should. But often the watches that are the most satisfying to own are the ones that speak to you personally without any preconceived notions fed to you by someone else.
Thanks!
Great advice. You're a true class act. The world needs more people like you.
Seeing this vdo...one word that popped in my head..."Respect".
Thank you for the tip about not going crazy with winding your automatic watches! I'm less than a year into getting into watches and had no idea about this as it's generally not talked about from what I can tell. I'm for sure done hand-winding the watch I'm wearing in the morning.
You honestly are a straight up dude! You telling the truth to your customers and viewers put your business at risk but also makes us want to support you and your business more!! Props to you marc and much respect!!! bravo sir!!!
Thank you
Thanks Marc. This video was like "watch therapy" for me.
Haha, thanks.
That Daytona is gorgeous! 😍
Thanks.
Thank you for the honesty! Great company and better person!
Any time!
Very good and wise advices Marc.
In line with last advice : if you get the urge to buy it, don't, and sleep on it.
While owning a watch is an act of passion, it's not mandatory to exclude reason from the buying process.
Also, I guarantee you there's a watch you're neglecting, that will wear much better ar this time of the year than last time you wore it, or with a different strap ! Give it a chance.
True, thank you!
Mark you are truly a decent chap! You deserve the success you enjoy..
This man personifies the "right way" of doing business. There's a right way and a wrong way of making money. I love parting with my money, when I know I'm getting a fair shake and feel like I've bartered rather than hoping I didn't overpay.
Don't belittle people with cheaper watches. A really bad look.
Yes!!! No to snobbery
Heck yeah! You should be envious of the '90% off' deal they got. But seriously, it's good to keep perspective - anything over the most basic watch is jewelry. No reason to not let others fully enjoy what they've chosen as their wrist decoration.
Yes! Whether it's a Grand Seiko or a Vostok Amphibia, a good watch is about the history of the design and engineering that went into it. It's not about the price. I will literally get as excited listening to someone talk about how much they love their Bambino as I will listening to someone tell me about their new Marathon. A real car enthusiast for example will have as much respect for a Miata as they will for the new C8. The same should be true of a real watch enthusiast.
Rule 6
That is good advice for all material processions.
Great advice -- all of it. You are a mensch. Thanks, Marc!
My biggest "Don't": "Don't buy watches to impress other people. In fact, don't do ANYTHING in life to impress other people."
Well said!
Wise words 👍
Great list! I always wanted a nice watch so when I was finally able to afford one, I bought one. My tip would be to learn everything you can about a watch before buying it. Thanks Marc! 👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸
Great tip!
I'm notorious for buying a watch then learning all about it. Bad habit for sure.
Awesome tips... again. That is a businessman who is into forming relationships on comeback, which last long. You are one of the best, Mark.
My "Don't" will be: Don't buy on impulse. If the watch you really want at that moment, wait, sleep over it and if it is still the one: Do it!
When I was in Japan in 2019 I fell in love with the Orient Kano on our 2nd day of vacation. I could have bought it then and there (Yodobashi Kamera Kyoto), but it may have been unwise at the beginning of our family vacation. 2.5 weeks later in Tokyo, I saw the watch again in the Yodobashi Kamera Ueno Store and still liked it. We only had two days left and enough money so I went for it (after having bought the newly released Seiko 5 SBSA001, which mas planned).
Mark: I bought the Kano and did not do any research on it. The first video I saw was your video presenting the new Orient models.
Keep up the good work, you are... awesome.
Well said; sleep on it is sound advice
@@islandwatch ...and after having slept on it, not having done any research, having bought it: Check Long Island Watch if Mark has a video about it.
Really like dont#3 and don't #5. Thanks Marc. I would add don't impulse buy after watching a youtube video. I find alot of times I don't really like the watch as much as I did at that moment.
True. Sleep on it
I started buying from Long Island Watch in the mid 2000's I remember I bought an Orient World timer (I don't remember the full name) I loved it an wore it till the arms fell off literally. I can back again recently after a long stent wearing an apple watch. I have bought 2 Islanders in the last 2 months and all I can say is wow what a great value and great watch. Thank you Mark.
Good advice from these last two videos
I recommend shop around and don't impulse buy. Watches frequently end up in sales, the watch that costs 800 today could be selling for 600 next month.
thanks!
Thanks for your business ethics with appears to be honest. I have been looking at a few watches recently actually some on your site. Just window browsing. I'm a watch nut since I was 6 or 7 and now I'm 65. During my lifetime I had my share of mid tier pieces, in Omega , Breitling, Seiko, etc etc. I usually shop for specific pieces, like now I'm thinking of soon buying a German made Flieger Type B. The issue that a few of us face or maybe just me , is if I wait to "Afford a watch " with risk to my old man budget , I miss sale specials,that I never see again or the piece goes out of stock or discontinued. Yes there may be similar pieces, but I usually know what I "Exactly" want. So I wish there were layaway options sometimes that where tailored to remove the risk from you the seller and set up on a time frame so you can flip your inventory still at a reasonable rate. This is all assuming a credit card purchase is not an option. Thanks for your sound advise !
I really appreciate that you mentioned watches are not investments. I guess some swatch models are. But they’re not guaranteed to and could take too long.
Marc....LOVE the "live within your means" advice..... Been trying to instill this in my two boys their entire life... Fortunately, them both being mechanical engineers has let them both acquire nicer watches than dad ever would have.
:) Good career!
Excellent advice. I wear some expensive watches. I would not dare to open any watch I have. When my watches need maintenance, I sent them to the authorized service center for them. The only think I have done myself was change the watch band for a NATO one. Metal watch bands cause me to have a skin acid issue. I have to wear a cloth, or silicon band.
Really refreshing to hear that Mark. You have integrity and are comfortable with who you are, well said ! Definitely someone to do business with. Regards from South Africa.
Thanks Anthony!
These tips might seem obvious, but they are absolutely the truth. In my last 25 years of being a hobbyist, I’ve made ALL of these mistakes. Good vid Marc!
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for the winding, or maybe don't wind, tip. As I was watching the video I was winding my ISL-19. I stopped and put it on. Keep them coming Marc.
Glad it helped
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for your number one! I keep having this discussion but some people insist.
I know it!
Do what YOU want to do. If you like it, buy it. Great advice. So, my Citizen Titanium Promaster Tough Eco-Drive available only in the UK is on the way. Looking forward to it.
What a guy!!! A man among men. Honestly and integrity above greed, selfishness. It may sound cheesy that I am saying all this but in this day and age this kind of quality is hard to find. Stay true Marc, hence all the success.
Thanks!
100% for being honest, plus extra points for being an honest New Yorker.....
Thanks for the tip of not winding. I'll stop now thanks to this video.
Ye, excellent advice
Great advice Marc. I am loving my Squale 50 atmos I can see why TGV and you love it so much it is so comfortable.. 😁
Totally agree!
Loving mine also, picked up from Island Watch. Thanks Marc.
Your 007 vs islander video showed me you're an honest salesman. That's good for business. Kudos.
I keep running into advice online saying an automatic should be fully hand wound occasionally. I'm not sure why some say this, but I like your advice about it better.
I think it's important to take these rules to heart. Most impressive of all, it's to your benefit, Mark, if we ignore them, yet you tell us anyway. Definitely, buy the seller. You have a future in this business. Thanks.
Thanks for that
I just regulated my King Turtle, so that (don't) resonated. I was scared the whole time but it worked out. It was a brand new watch but I stupidly dropped it and it was running 2 minutes fast, now it is 14 seconds slow and I'm fine with it. No visible damage from the fall thankfully.
I had no idea about the winding! Thx! 👍
Now you know
This is why I love your videos. Giving good advise even when it pretty much goes against sales at times. The Islander brand has become a staple of my wife's and my collection. Please keep up the great products, advise and all around supply of information. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing!
Good advice! Ive modded quite a number of my Vostok watches successfully but to be honest i would not dare to try it on more expensive watches.
Good idea
thank you for your blunt honesty.
Your technical expertise is why I watch this channel. This advice is spot on too. Thanks.
I ordered my first mechanical watch, a Seiko Recraft SNKP23, from you and am eagerly awaiting the delivery. I have a couple of Kinetics that i bought decades ago, and I am excited to try a mechanical watch.
Watching your do's and don'ts made me happy I bought from you! Thanks for the helpful and honest information.
Excellent, honest video Mark. Exactly what we've come to expect from you. Great advice.
Some great advice here. Taking the time to do this kind of thing is very much appreciated. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Man ur honesty is amazing
Trying!
I'd add a few things to your points:
You can obviously use whatever strap you want, but don't be shocked if your watch is unwearably thick on a NATO or the leather of your strap falls apart because it gets soaked all the time.
If you ever regulate a watch yourself, don't stab the balance. And practice it on a 15$ Chinese watch first.
Multiple sources are basically required if you buy anything even moderately expensive.
The handwinding-capabilities depend on the specific movement. Most modern Seikos and ETAs are autos first and foremost, but some older designs were built with more hand-winding in mind.
If you don't literally have the cash on hand, avoid buying vanity items in general.
True, thank you.
Great stuff as always. Love your help and honesty
A video on common counterfeits and how to spot some of them would be interesting .
Thanks
Such a great video. Thanks, Marc, for summing up the basis for my enthusiasm for watches and my philosophy about collecting and loving a bunch of them.
I have a couple of high end pieces: a Rolex Submariner and and Omega Speedmaster. I love them and use them in the ways they were intended to be used, which is for diving and for navigational problems (yes, some of us still do that, GPS notwithstanding).
The greatest joy I have had with watches, however, has been amassing a collection of quality watches for everyday wear. Each is slightly different, each is affordable, and each gets regular wear. I have a maximum budget of $500 and only buy a watch or two a year. I love the value of these microbrands and lesser known Swiss brands (Certina is my go-to). I also feel free to experiment after doing my research. This budget is an indulgence for me and by staying in a realistic price range, I feel that I have little to lose and much to gain.
Each winter, I spend a few happy nights pawing through the collection, identifying watches that have dropped out of the regular rotation and, as Marc remarks here, changing a few straps, usually transforming the watch and making it new again. As I type this, I can't stop looking at a 15 year old Citizen GMT watch miraculously transformed tonight by a strap that I already had in the drawer.
Island Watches is a great resource because of its focus on this price point, its commitment to quality, and because Marc shares and supports my approach to this wonderful obsession.
I agree about having multiple straps. More economical and a better experience to have a good quality watch with several straps than several cheap watches
Great points. Glad to see you, as a merchant, being responsible and actually looking out for the best interests of your customers!
Regardless of my budget, it needs to be a watch i want to wear and not put them in a safe. Indeed, mine are no investments. Good advice list, especially 4 and 5. Same with buying stock, only buy it with money you don't need
I still wear my Lumtec very often i got from here:)
Marc, thanks for the great tips. I will now stop hand winding my automatics not in winders. I made an exception to the rule on sleeping on a purchase when I got the second notice for the Red October Islander. Ordered it as soon as I saw the email and got one of the last numbers. Beautiful watch!
Agreed with #4, however, if you do own a Seiko SNK with a 7S26, please do wind it like crazy or your watch with loose time. ;) Just from a personal experience.
If I have more watches than I can wear, how do I keep them wound without using the winding mechanism? I know that watch winders exist but that seems like an added expense that's not necessary. Should I just be doing the Seiko shuffle with all of them? Pick up my box and dance with it for 5 minutes a day?!
Great tips Marc 👍👍 refreshing to see your honesty and openness 👏👏
I would add don't always look at other people's collections/watches and try to imitate them or wear what they wear.
Wear what suits you and your lifestyle, not what suits the people or your favorite watch aficionado.
The naked wrist caught me by surprise.
Great tips, thanks for all your knowledge and videos.
Plot change ... Marc broke his arm and had to employ a stunt double for his wrist, but forgot to tell the providers that he required a watch to adorn it. 😉
LOL
Thanks for your honest opinion
Always!
Thank ou Marc this was very helpful and appreciated I'm so glad you posted this I'm sure your a nice fellow and a great business man who cares about his customers thankyou for this it's very helpful it's rare to hear someone be as open an honest as you again thank you
Only watch I have ever tried regulating was a Vostok Komandirskie. From the factory it was running +55spd, so I figured it was worth a shot, given the caseback design, and the fact if I break it...well it is a $40 watch I can just buy another. That said, I did manage to get it down to about +12spd without destroying it.
This is great! I recently bought a Tissot Le Locle nd have been hand winding it. I'll stop doing that. More importantly, I love the advice you're giving that encourages people to discern what they can truly afford. Honest business professionals who care about their customers are a rare breed. I salute your integrity! (Aside: I'm loving your watch brand. I keep eying the white dress watch with the blue hands. Your other models are impressive as well!)
Thanks so much.
I always buy what I can afford. Of course. But, man, it hurts when you miss a great deal and you know the chances for that deal to come up again are slim to none.
I can still remember most of the great deals I missed and they never showed up again. And I am in the same situation right now (it seems I am always in similar situation).
The watch I like is being sold by only one seller on the Internet for the price I have reasonable chances to afford it and if that one sells I know it will hurt.
Thanks for checking it out
Wow! I was totally unaware that regularly hand-winding an automatic was a no-no. And it was less than two weeks ago that I started doing that to my very best watch ... the $1000 Seiko SARX057 that I bought from you in October. So glad I watched this.
PS - Could/Would you please consider "stocking" a few aftermarket 21mm watch straps for the 21mm watches that you sell? The Orient dress watches and my new Flightmaster immediately "spring to mind" ... :)
Thanks!
I've got 4 and a bracelet!
@@islandwatch I knew about the mesh bracelet (because of the Flightmaster video) ... but I guess I didn't look through your strap selections carefully enough. Heading over there now ... :)
Thank you!
Marc your a top bloke !! Gunine honest don'ts from a bloke that makes his bread from selling watches !! Respect from the UK.
Great advice Mark you are such a genuine man. I enjoy listening to all your advice.
I have a 50+ watch collection. I have been collecting for 25 years. My oldest is a 1952 Omega Geneva gold in really nice shape it has 3 interchangeable bands. I inherited it from my grandfather. It’s a solid gold watch worth a good bit I still assume about 10 years ago I had it appraised for insurance purposes and it appraised for $6,975 10 years ago so surely it has gone up but it’s not for sale it is an heirloom.
Second that on working on a watch, yourself. Most are much better off leaving that to a pro.
True.
Hi Marc, lots of good advice on does and don’t , however a lot of it is just common sense . But your videos are always a pleasure to watch. I’m still saving for my trip to the USA so I can get my islander,and see family in Atlanta.
Thanks for sharing
Hi Mark, that was a brilliant video showing an amazing amount of honesty and integrity for a watch seller! Well done my friend you are a credit to the watch sales industry!
I'd love a video on changing straps and the look of a watch!
OK
As usual, I enjoyed your vid 👍
Glad you called out doing self mod's. I'd seen a number of videos for regulating movements and they all said it wasn't difficult. I was thinking about adjusting one of mine but now that's out the door 😅. My advice for repairing or self-modding would be to buy a few non-working similar watches & practice with them first to see if it's something you can do. It's better to spend $20-$30 to experiment than to lose $300+++ on a good piece 🥺 that should have been done by a professional in the first place.
I can attest to the not doing mods yourself on my watches. I puta nice scratch in a Tag Aquaracer messing around with the metal bracelet and put a nice slippage scratch on the inside and that's the last time i've ever attempted to do things myself unless its putting a nato strap on a watch with proper pin bars installed. I also just purchased a Squale 1521 ocean and i will be buying the Sapphire Crystal on your site for 65$ and i will not be installing it myself. LOL i just purchased the watch today should have it tomorrow can't wait.And like you said i had saved up for this watch and waited for one to pop up on second hand market so i got a 2021 Squale 1521 Ocean on Mesh bracelet for 1000$ Canadian shipped and it was bought from Squale in Switzerland 5 months ago and i get it basically 400$ cheaper then buying new. That's another trick to save on watches and shop the second hand market if you know what you're doing cause their are deals that come along and it's just a matter of being at the right place right time and you can buy watches at 40% off and they're less than a year old with case cards.
Thanks for strait advice.. I am saving up for an islander diver, love them.
Good points of view, watches might not be an investment but another way to wealth transfer. If you buy used and well you can buy a watch for X and get X back in a year if you getting the watch close to the bottom value because many watches dont go to $0
good one. I wonder tho about the investment part, rather if it should be ‘watches are a poor _finantial_ investment.’ Much like cast iron pans, leather boots and knives, watches are the kind of items that could very well last a lifetime so in a way a good watch could be an investment in not having to buy another watch, or an investment in something you use or handle on a regular basis.
Correct. The only type I meant was financial.
Bravo, Sir! One can always count on the straight dope from Mark at LIW.
Wise words 👍 thanks Marc I love the Rolex
My pleasure!
awesome advice! Not trying to make a sale in a watch! But to be honest a man should buy a nice watch for himself the cost is affordable for a lifetime of enjoyment . Anytime anywhere looks good on or off the shine of the time piece and tells the time too!
Well said!
I've been sitting and winding my Automatic watch while watching this...
LOL
same here, the minute Marc said that I stopped. haha
I think the best advice is just buy what you like . A watch doesn't change you .You could buy the most expensive trowell there is but that doesn't make you a good bricklayer ?Good video.
Thanks for sharing!
Best advice ever ... BUY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD!
Integrity.
Respect.
Thank you
I am definitely buying an islander after this. Once I work out which one I want, of course. Such integrity and common sense the watches must be fantastic 😁
re: hand winding the automatic watches, so I have 9 watches, 1 G-shock 1 manual wind and the others automatic. during these covid days I'm wearing my Casio G-shock pretty much all the time- so should I let the automatics go to a stand still? I have one watch winder, should I rotate them through the automatic winder? So basically the question is how to manage a collection of automatics and for whatever reason, they're not getting much wrist time? Thanks.
What to do with many automatics and only wearing a few per week? I love to pick up something quickly and wear it, but I guess now I will stop that and just wind each as needed. Thanks.
It does affect you as a watch dealer. If someone gets into financial distress and they bought a watch they may not have the stomach to buy another watch anytime soon. So it does affect you long term