I recently got into watch collecting and purchased a seiko 5. It set me back about 150 usd. I know that it is considered entry level in the watch world, but to me even this seems quite expensive. Its not that I can’t afford to spend more on a watch, its just that I think that spending 1000s of dollars on tour wrist isn’t worth it. This hobby can get absurdly expensive as you guys know. How much do you think people should spend on watches?
As much or as little as you are comfortable with.
As you noted, to some spending £200 on a Seiko is an expensive watch compared to the £20 Casio they wore before, to others that same £200 watch doesn’t even rank as good enough to be a beater watch.
Neither answer is wrong, they just suit different people, different lifestyles and different budgets.
So spend as much or as little as you are willing and able to afford. I know I will never be able to justify Rolex money, but that hasn’t stopped me finding my ideal watches that do fit my budget and I enjoy wearing just the same.