A few months back, I did something that completely shifted how I think about watches. Well, about expensive purchases in general. After way too many nights scrolling through forums and saving every penny I could, I finally bought my first luxury watch: a Tufina Bern Theorema Automatic Co-Axial Tourbillon. Looking back, that one purchase taught me more about what real quality means than any article or YouTube video ever could.
How I Got Sucked Into the Watch World?
Honestly, I never cared much about watches before this whole thing started. I wore a cheap quartz Citizen that kept decent time — that was enough for me. The wake-up call came at a work dinner when the guy across from me kept checking his watch.
Not in a rude way. More like he genuinely enjoyed looking at it. The thing caught the light just right, made a subtle ticking sound. When I asked about it, his whole face lit up.
He started talking about movements, complications, a history I’d never heard of. Normally, I’d zone out during conversations like that. But something about his enthusiasm got to me. The watch itself was mesmerizing too. Through the back, you could see tiny gears and springs working away — like a miniature engine that never stopped.
That night, I went home and started researching. Big mistake… or maybe the best one I ever made. Suddenly, I was learning about escapements, jeweled movements, the differences between European and Asian manufacturing.
The deeper I dug, the more fascinating watches became. But wanting something and buying it are two very different things. The luxury watch world can be intimidating when you’re just starting out.
Prices jump from hundreds to thousands to tens of thousands without warning. Sometimes the community feels like an exclusive club where everyone knows the secret handshake except you.
I needed something that would introduce me to serious watchmaking—without forcing me to live on ramen for a year, setting the stage for choosing my First Luxury Watch.
Why the Tufina Bern Won Me Over?
After weeks of obsessive research (my browser history was filled with watch blogs), the Tufina Bern GM-906-5 kept coming back to the top of my list. The main selling point was the tourbillon — a complication originally invented to make pocket watches more accurate by counteracting gravity.
Now it’s mostly for show, but what a show it is. This little cage with the escapement spins constantly right there on the dial, letting you watch it work. I could stare at that thing for hours.
But the Bern had other tricks too. The 24-hour indicator was actually useful since I travel a lot for work. The sun/moon phase display was a real plus. The power reserve indicator meant I’d know when the watch was about to die if I forgot to wear it for a few days.
What really sold me was the whole package. At 43mm, it felt solid without looking ridiculous on my wrist. The sapphire crystal back reveals the movement with all its intricate finishing — perlage on the rotor, Côtes de Genève stripes, the whole works.
Plus, it was a limited edition. I’m not usually the type who cares about exclusivity, but something about owning a watch that not everyone else would have was appealing. It felt special without being obnoxious. The brand hand-assembled all its watches, which was a huge perk for me since I was trying to move away from the mass-production market.
The Moment of Truth
When the package finally showed up, I understood why luxury brands spend so much on boxes and packaging. Unlike many online purchases, where I expected nothing more than plastic wrap, the timepiece arrived in a solid, sleek black box engraved with the brand’s name—the perfect prelude to my first luxury watch.
Opening it felt like Christmas morning as a kid. The watch sat perfectly in custom foam. Inside were the warranty cards, plus a $50 gift card for future purchases.
Seeing the actual watch for the first time blew away every photo I’d studied online. Pictures can’t capture how light plays across polished surfaces or how the dial shifts color with every movement. The heat-blued screws were tiny details most people might miss at first — proof that someone cared about doing things right.
Then I put it on my wrist. Everything clicked. The weight felt perfect — solid enough to remind you it was there, not so heavy it became annoying. The leather strap with the deployment clasp felt secure and comfortable. Within weeks, the leather molded to the shape of my wrist.
But the best part was hearing it tick. Not the sharp electronic beep of quartz — a soft mechanical rhythm that meant something real was happening inside.
Living with Mechanical Time
The first month taught me things I never expected. A mechanical watch isn’t like your phone or laptop. You can’t ignore it and expect it to work when you need it. If I didn’t wear the Bern for a couple of days, it would wind down and stop. The automatic rotor kept it running while I wore it, though sometimes I had to manually wind it to get things going again.
The tourbillon quickly became a conversation magnet. People would spot the mechanism and immediately ask what it was. I went from being someone who owned a tourbillon to someone who could actually explain what it did — and why it mattered. Teaching others about it helped me understand it better myself.
Daily wear revealed both the good and the annoying sides of owning something this intricate. The 5 ATM water resistance meant I could wear it throughout the day without worry. Still, I became more careful about bumping into things or doing heavy work with it on my wrist. I genuinely started to care about it.
The sapphire crystal lived up to its reputation. Even after consistent use, it still looks flawless.
What I Actually Learned?
This purchase, my first luxury watch, taught me lessons that went far beyond mere watch ownership. Real luxury isn’t about flashing logos or absurd price tags — it’s about quality, authenticity, and forming a genuine connection with what you own.
The Bern delivered on all those fronts at a price that felt significant but not excessive. All those hours of research paid off, too. Understanding movements let me appreciate what I was actually buying instead of judging by looks or brand names. It also helped me steer clear of rookie mistakes — like chasing status or falling for marketing hype over substance.
Most importantly, I realized that spending serious money on something well-made can actually be a smart financial move. The watch needed almost no maintenance. I know I’ll keep wearing it for years.
Where I Am Now?
The Tufina Bern is still my daily driver. I have zero regrets about choosing it as my first luxury watches for men. It taught me to value mechanical complexity and see beyond sticker prices. Some purchases really are investments. When it comes to luxury, aim for craftsmanship. Don’t buy things just to have them.
That first watch changed how I buy everything else. Now I research before I spend. I focus on quality. The same mindset applies to leather goods, audio gear, and even kitchen knives. The “buy once, cry once” rule has saved me both money and frustration. It’s also made me appreciate the satisfaction that comes from owning something built to last.
If you’re thinking about getting your first serious watch, take your time. Learn what features actually matter to you. Don’t get caught up in brand prestige or trends.
The right watch will teach you as much about yourself as it does about horology. That kind of experience is worth more than saving a few bucks on a rushed decision.
When you find the right piece, you’ll know it. Once you feel real craftsmanship on your wrist, there’s no going back to disposable watches.
