Watch mechanism came in many forms. Movements are as cheap as 43.50. Is the value in watch faces, bands($0.50) or overall design? A little of everything.

It is always better to start the collection on working windup watches. The only thing that can go wrong is oil dried up, or movement magnetized. Oil used is from whale good for up to 50 years. May just need a alcohol rinse. Magnetic erase is always trial and error.

Then you have self-winding watches of great value. Rolex is the brand. Thousands of dollars always in value.

LED and LCD watches came and gone. Collection is often spoiled by battery corrosion. Function are only up to 6. Materials may determine value if it is made of metal rather than plastic.

Then you have accurate quartz analog watches of many designs. Good looking watches are the rage. It is jewelry rather then time piece. Many batteries can be changed by a small knife to pry the back cover open. New batteries do not corrode much.

Name brands are still expensive to collect. Most watches are $100 in stores. Cheap Timex has the advantage of having service available. But why not learn to fix watches with Lupe(enlarger) and small screw drivers available everywhere?