Wore it to work? What happened?

[redshirt1957]

Most pople either notice the wet sopts on the front of my pants or the three foot long piece of toilet paper trailing behind. After that not much eye contact, so I don't think they notice my watch. What a pain it is getting old.

[mgm]

People who care about such things do notice. In what way they notice, positively or negatively, is impossible to say; but that they (or I) notice is inescapable. Timber made me laugh because he is right about the way some people size up your wallet. Or as an elderly friend of mine used to say, "They are not smiling because of our shiny faces."

[Wooddog44]

As a “new” Rolex owner I have thought/wondered about this a bit myself.

My wife and I both work as college administrators and make good, but not exorbitant, salaries. While it is the first marriage for both we met and married somewhat “late” in age – early 30’s for her, late 30’s for me - and for a number of reasons have decided not to have children. This puts us squarely in the DINK demographic (Double Income No Kids) and we enjoy a lifestyle a bit different from many of our co-workers/peers who make similar salaries but have children. We are former college athletes who have channeled our “competitiveness” into playing a lot of golf and belong to a private country club. We take a week each winter to go on a warm weather golf trip together and I also take a week in January for a Florida golf trip with “the guys”.

Of the two of us I am definitely the more “conspicuous” consumer and, while everything is a matter of perspective, we live in most ways what I believe is a moderate to “nice” manner - don’t make a lot of ostentatious purchases but generally if we (I) want something get it, drive newer but not overly remarkable vehicles, eat out a couple of times a week but not every night, etc...

We recently celebrated our fifth anniversary and for that decided to exchange fairly significant gifts, for her a pair of diamond earrings and for me a SS Submariner. While the money involved was certainly a factor it was not a question of affordability as much as the implications of /possible “reactions” we might get when wearing “luxury” items like these to work.

What we have found initially is that women, both those she works with and in general, are more apt to notice and compliment her on the earrings (and tend to “know” what they cost) while almost no one, except other Rolex owners, notices or comments on my watch (as I am apt to notice and comment on theirs) and in doing so they not only (of course) know the brand but the model and specs etc... In a given day I get the occasional, “Hey that’s a nice looking watch”, like from my barber during my last haircut, but it is noticed and commented on/discussed more by my golf buddies, many of whom are also owners, than anyone else. It (the watch) seems much more likely to elicit notice in passing (restaurants, airports, stores etc...) from other owners or those who know watches than anyone else with one interesting side note - I had begun to visit dealerships in preparation for choosing my next vehicle and always heard that two things car salesmen look at when sizing up customers are their shoes and watches. Since I got the Sub there is definitely a bit “quicker” step in the way they approach me than there seemed to be before...

[NG1208]

I don't care what anybody here thinks, your watch gets noticed more than you're aware! Granted, I'm reading this board, so I'm obviously prone to "watch watching." I notice everybody's watches, but I seldom comment. Some people notice that I'm looking and they're eager to talk with me. Others hide their watches, either because the watches aren't genuine or I suppose that they think I may be up to no good. I'll bet a lot more people notice than you think! They just keep quiet.

Incidentally, I don't own a Rolex. My best watch is worth less than $400, but several people have asked me about it in public.

[vjb.knife]

Originally Posted by stockjock1975

In the end we all have discretionary income (just to varying degrees). It's what we individually chose to spend it on that is a matter of personal prefrence. I have had clients question how I can spend so much money on a watch, but then tell me how his $100,000 collection of porcelain figurines makes all the sense in the world!

Brian

This is too funny Brian. It reminds me of my Father. He collected literally millions of stamps and coins, but never once went back to look at them. He wore a $15 Casio and thought I was nuts for having a Rolex most of my life.

[Dalton]

I work with watches so everyone notices something new. But out in public only girls, if it's shiny.

[FrankinCA]

I only have two: a Sub and a GMT. For the most part, no one notices what's on my wrist.

Most of the people I work with are non WIS's.

Cars, Shoes, purses, electrical gadgets [I Pods] and new hairstyles get noticed.

Frank

[arhant]

I wear mine everyday. My impression is that no one notices, maybe they don't say anything. I did have a watch enthusiast spot my Sinn 103, which was quite surprising. I have noticed that I try to see what others are wearing though.

[sfrolex]

It's interesting how so many think people don't notice. When I started wearing my Sub one month ago (I'm a Rolex newbie), I noticed an unbelievable number of people who started to look at my wrist. When I'm walking down the street, in a room, shopping, etc.

I suspect more people are looking at wrists, but perhaps long-term Rolex wearers are so used to it, it seems the opposite.

[ai812]

Never shy away from displying your affection for a watch. So, wearing a Rolex is just another form of showing your affection (not wealth or anything else).

I never leave home without mine. I only have one life to live, so why wonder what others would think when all I have to do is Enjoy the little pleasure of wearing a Rolex.

Enjoy.