What is your budget? That will have a strong effect on what brands people should recommend.

I’d watch videos, read articles, and search on a site like Chrono24 by price, whatever price range you’re in. See what catches your eye.

As someone else mentioned, start by watching some YouTube videos on the subject. Along with Teddy Baldassarre, other channels I recommend are Just The Watch, The Time Teller and Long Island Watch.

Start with a Seiko 5 (37mm).

First, collect watches that you like. Very few watches with price tags under 5 figures or high 4-figures are likely to ever appreciate in value, so don’t collect with the idea that the value of your collection will increase unless you’re prepared to part with some serious cash.

Second, take your time. I’m about 4 years into it and my taste has definitely evolved (and probably will evolve further) as I’ve learned more about it and been exposed to more of what’s out there. The variety is nearly endless and you’re almost certainly not aware of most of the choices out there right now. The watches that I bought when I first started I don’t like nearly as much now, and some of the ones I was lusting after when I first started but didn’t actually buy, no longer hold much appeal for me.

Watches are NOT an investment. Get that thru your head right now. If you look at the value of your watch after buying it, you’re going to be disappointed.

There are deals out there. They likely won’t exist on eBay or Etsy. Lots of Mumbai Specials on eBay and Etsy.

What’s your budget?
Look at your finances on a yearly basis. How much disposable income are you comfortable spending? How willing are you to save for a watch you really want?

Set a goal. And don’t spend any money until you’ve looked at a watch, looked at competitors to that watch, and become comfortable/confident with your research.

I see many, many people that just go crazy, buying stupid sh|t, wearing it for a month, sometimes less, and then trying to sell watches “because they really, really want ____”.

Don’t do that. They’re often frustrated at spending $300 and getting $200 back. Or $500, and trying to get $325. Or $1000 and getting $750 back.

Have some patience. It is not a race. It’s a journey.

“But I really want ____ from this microbrand, they look cool!”
Again, they wear it for a few months and want to get rid of it.
Worse, some of them get modded, many of them horribly. Purple and green bezel inserts. “Where is the original bezel insert?” “I sold it on eBay”. Dumb.

After years of this, they have a collection of crap, they’ve wasted a ton of money and time. “Dude, I have some cool watches though!” Nope. You have an impulsive collection of crap.

I started with a Seiko SKX quite awhile back. Wore it for a long time. Then got a used Orient diver from eBay.

Soon after, I started looking at entry level Swiss watches. Hamilton, Tissot, etc.

I went on vacation, knew that I could get a discount overseas on a Hamilton. And I did. $1000 watch for around $600. I wore that for a number of years. I still have it, it needs a service.

At some point, my finances improved, I started looking at a luxury watch.
Rolex GMT was on my bucket list.
I put my name on the list at my AD. After about 2 years, I became tired of the Rolex waitlist.

I finally saw a Tudor GMT. Tried it, liked it. I waited for the bracelet version of the Tudor, and bought it.

Since then, I’ve added a few more luxury watches. And a few non-luxury watches. A few Seiko Cocktail Times. A Studio Underd0g.

I’m careful. I buy what I like. I buy watches that I know I won’t want to part with.

I wear almost all of my watches. I have a few I wear more than others. I have no urge to shrink my collection.
I have my eye on a couple watches in the future. They’re harder to get, and I’m not in a hurry.

My advice, go to a department store or an AD that has Seiko.
Try on a Seiko 5 diver. SRPD53 (or another color). $225 to $250. You might catch a Seiko sale this weekend.
You don’t have to buy. But try it on. They might have Citizen, look at those. I don’t know Citizen very well.
You should understand the differences between a quartz and an automatic.

Most people start with a diver. The Seiko SRPD divers are good, they’re available everywhere.