Can an Engine Watch Truly Combine Mechanical Art and Timekeeping?

Last Friday I visited a watch shop with my friend. I saw an engine watch with visible gears. It looked unique and detailed. That moment made me curious about such watches. I visited a local store. They had only a few watches. Some were simple and some expensive. I wanted stylish durable and unique watches. Local stores could not provide many options to compare design size or mechanism. I wanted something that stands out. While scrolling many online marketplaces including alibaba I found many engine watch designs. Some were simple and some detailed. There were different styles materials and prices. I could compare design durability and cost easily. Online stores offered far more variety than local shops and helped me explore better options. Now I am thinking is it better to buy watches online for more variety or visit local stores to check them personally?