Brad,

I can only offer advice on the path I took.
  • Before going on a buying spree take your time to research the watches you like. The Eye Candy session is a good start to help you select.
  • Once you select the one(s) you like, use the search function to see what others have to say about that rep/movement/etc.. Make sure to notice the little details like version (the Rolex folks are really good on coming up with a new version of the same watch every few months ), dealer, factory, etc.
  • Depending on the brand you will see a lot of comments (e.g. Panerai and Rolex) and some with very few (e.g. Patek, Breguet)
  • Most reps are made with the same component/materials. When looking at the rep you want to buy research the parts. A 7750 with seconds that are not at 3 or 9 are usually problematic for instance.
  • Quality and dealer vary from brand and rep. There's never a single answer for those.
  • Take your time. No new member tutorial will be good enough for you. I've spent 1 year browsing thru a number of different forums before I bought my first rep. It pays to be patient. I know looking at the eye candy section doesn't really help with patience but trust me you will be happier this way.