He also recently started a watch repair shop specifically catering to cases most watchmakers won't accept, might be worth checking out.
That said, I'll keep it in mind and maybe if I come across a windfall will apply thusly....
I had an automatic that was my "one and done" watch - a cheap Citizen diver - I wore it 24/7 until it started losing minutes per day. While looking into who or where I could fix it, I bought a G-Shock out of curiosity and never wore a mechanical watch again.
I really enjoy cheaper vintage watches that call back to when everyone had one of them on their wrist.
Something about a semi-autonomous machine ticking away on your wrist, whether you're looking at it or not, using no electricity, is just intrinsically satisfying to me.
I got into watch servicing pre-covid, but never got into actual fabrication of parts. I mention pre-covid because it really got popular when everyone was stuck inside and there was a sudden loss of cheap ebay parts watches to pick from.
There is a particular irony about Rolex, as historically they made good quality tool watches, aimed at divers, pilots, scientists etc. These were affordable, akin to a photographer buying a good quality affordable camera. It's bizarre to see these workaday watches with prices jacked up astronomically and sold as luxury goods.
It's also sad to see Omega beginning to play this game, though at the moment they are the only company using the brilliant coaxial escarpment which any watch geek has to appreciate.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaxial_escapement
Whilst you mention decent entry level Swiss watches, don't forget the humble Seiko 5. Models are available for less than £100, use a wonderfully basic entirely in-house movement and (if you are vain enough to care about these things) will get a nod from any self-respecting watch geek.
