Buying Watches: Do You Always Try Them on First? (and other question)

[djmm]

Reason I am asking is now I am thinking maybe it is not really a good idea to buy (especially expensive watch) without looking at the actual watch in person and trying it on first.

So far I've been lucky that the ones I bought actually nice and suit me, but then they are not that expensive ones.

The thing is, if you after more 'exotic' brands eg. German ones or Japan-only watches, you won't be able to look at the watch before hand.

And also for more expensive watches (eg. more than 3-5 grand) how much 'tolerance' do you put up for that watch? (eg. a bit small than what you prefer but it's okay, or font on the dial isn't that nice, but it's okay)

Or does it have to be really the one that you can't find a single thing you don't like about it? I know there's no such thing as perfect watch, but when buying expensive ones, does it have to be close to perfect?

The reason I am asking is, I still haven't found the one that I absolutely certain that I will love the watch. I wonder if I should just wait til I found the one, or maybe I am too picky?

[vegasvince]

I have never bought a watch before trying it on first. There have been so many times where I am impressed how it looks in a picture but then when I try it on, it just doesn't make me smile when I see it on my wrist. I don't believe a watch has to be perfect, but it does have to make you smile and give you that "oh, I gotta have this!" feeling!

[nhoJ]

I have never tried on a watch prior to buying. But then I have never spent over $350 on a single watch.

[djmm]

But the thing is, I don't know whether it will make me smile or not because there is no dealer here for me to try the watch first.

[Tragic]

I've bought lots of watches without trying one on first since trips to Germany cost more than said watches.
I'd not buy a 3-5k watch without loving every nook and cranny of it.

[smalls]

I hadn't tried on any of my watches before buying except my Seamaster. If it's not that expensive I say go for it, and if it costs a good bit, I say try it on. Some watches are hard to find unless you know someone with one such as the Boschett Reef Ranger and the Bernhardt Sea Shark that I had. A good thing to do with watches like that is to buy pre-owned and if you find that you don't like the watch, then you won't take a hit when you sell it. Some watches that I thought I wouldn't really like that much when I first got them, I ended up really enjoying and have stayed in the collection. I would have passed them up had I just seen them in the store.

[KWIATEK]

I don't try most of mine on before buying because most of them I don't find locally. If I get one I drool over after seeing but am not ecstatic about it upon receiving it, I will usually make myself wear it for a few days and let it grow on me. I try not to take it off, so I shower and sleep with it on, too. Works every time.

[scm64]

The first time I tried on any of my watches, was when I was opening them up for the first time.

Been careful and perhaps lucky, but all have met or exceeded expectations prior to purchase. Many are just not to be found locally, so you have to take a bit of a chance.

[newmedia]

I just buy it on price and reputation.

sell it if I do not like it.

[Gianna's Dad]

I bought two Hamiltons without ever trying them on. Love them both. But I'd never buy a watch over $1,500 without trying it on first.