It's all about the math...

[DJ_Ambrose]

Whenever someone compliments one of my watches and then asks about it, inevitably when they learn it is a Rolex a lot of them ask how much it cost (rude, I know, but I have no problem telling them) And almost every time, they will immediately have a look of disgust on their face and say something like, "How can you spend that much money on a watch", "that's obscene", "what a waste of money", etc. as though I were some kind of clueless idiot. And last week when it happened again, I pointed out (as I always do) that the watch I sold to buy the one I was wearing sold for 9000 dollars (a stainless Daytona with black dial) and that I paid 6500 dollars to purchase it five years earlier. So, I told her, it was like I got paid 2500 dollars to wear a 9000 dollar watch every day for five years, adding, if she replaced the battery in her watch once during those five years, probably for about 14 dollars, she spent more money on watches than I did. Yet, as is always the case when this happens, it didn't even come close to causing her to change her mind, and she still insisted it was obscene to spend that much on a watch.

I'd be interested to hear any similar stories from other members. As for me, from now on whenever someone asks about one of my watches I'm just going to say, "it's a Daytona" or "it's a Submariner" and skip the Rolex part.

[Steerpike999]

Yeah, I am usually low key with any questions about my watch unless I know that person well AND I know they are genuinely interested in watches.

Otherwise, like you, I will simply say it's a sea-dweller or a GMT or just go back with "yeah, it is a nice watch, Thank You"

[lenfried29]

at work if some one noticed one of my watches I just reply that this is the fake Rolex for $100 bucks. This makes people not being jealous which is dangerous feeling especially at workplace.

[Brew]

It's not something I discuss. Prices are available on line. What I paid is my (and the AD's) business.

[milwins]

Originally Posted by DJA

they will immediately have a look of disgust on their face and say something like, "How can you spend that much money on a watch", "that's obscene", "what a waste of money", etc.

As they sip on their daily $8 20oz iced vanilla latte, no doubt.

[|404|]

Yeah I think drop the Rolex.

I don't say much really. I just always reply, "Thanks" and engage no more.
If they ask me how much it is, I always ask "How much do you earn?"

And when they look disgusted, I point out that what they just asked was of similar tact.
But then again, I am a dick.

Sometimes... I even tell a story about the Sultan of Brunai for shits n giggles.

[Chiboy]

WTF asks how much something costs and then scoffs at it or makes fun of it? Someone who is so jealous that they lose their sense of propriety. I don't have any friends like that.

[GMT Fan]

My reply to "how much?" is / would be to ask another question in return? That is - "what kind of a question is that?" I feel no need to be ashamed of anything or hide anything or be intentionally elusive. Bottom line is the people asking "how much" are being rude.

[Sal_UKSheffield]

Lol its always funny how people react. Someone at work noticed i was wearing a new watch today and I could see that look in their face- no comments were made though

Sometimes it’s like what? Rolex? You spent thousands on a watch

Like who cares man - like you have robbed a bank to pay for your watch

Half of people that make comments like that are people who spend £££ a month on crap

[ian.thomas]

I just tell people that I've had my Sub for 13 years and I can sell it for more than I paid.

When an ex-coworker (turbo crazy-bitch BTW) called me out for wearing a Rolex, I told her that her $300 fake gold Michael Kors watch, which wasn't even working because it needed a new battery, actually cost more than my Sub because her watch is worthless used (and not working) and that mine has gained value and I'll have it for many, many more years to come.

[superlativechrono]

404, I'm interested to hear the story...Can you share?

"Sometimes... I even tell a story about the Sultan of Brunei for shits n giggles."

[JacksonStone]

I thought it was all about the bass. I can't keep up with today's kids.

[|404|]

Originally Posted by superlativechrono

404, I'm interested to hear the story...Can you share?

"Sometimes... I even tell a story about the Sultan of Brunei for shits n giggles."

Well I use to do a very different job to the job I do now...
I'm a man of the world but not through luxury travel lets say.

Now I'm a corporate banker for CitiBank or if I want to be pretentious I'm a "Chartered Wealth Management Executive". So different worlds... but similarly vicious people!

Archie chesterfield the third gave me this story but I adapt it to my own...

Essentially I tell them I saved the life of a very rich Sultan. And then proceed to tell them a lavish story of how he rewarded me for that act!

I quite like lying to people that are that ignorant as to ask me rude questions. So I just feed them entire manure filled stories and see how long I can keep going for really. Probably says a lot about me... but I can't say I care that much.
Plus I've always thought the people that ask me how much my watch costs are usually not the people I wish to associate with anyway. If you're too stupid to google the price of a watch and instead insist on asking a direct question like that, you have shown me your colours and I'm not interested in you as a person.

However if a client asks me "What watch is that? Is that a Rolex?". I normally reply "It was a gift". I mainly wear my Pateks at work though, no-one even bats an eyelid at them. Never gets mentioned really... I think a client has picked up on it twice...

[vladamir15]

If they ask how much i spent on it i usually say “a bit”

My favorite response is how my Mother practically responds to any question she does not feel like answering

“No thank you”

You should try it. People get too confused to even press for an answer

[Hodog16]

One of the heart surgeons I used to work with had a nice two-tone pre-ceramic Sub. Found out he did an open heart surgery for one of the shieks and they ended up gifting him the Rolex to show their thanks. This was probably 15-20 years ago before medical systems really cracked down on patient gifting.

As for the original post, when I get asked if it's a Rolex and inevitably if it's real, I answer truthfully and as low key as possible. If they ask how much it cost I usually round down but tell them the cost. Haven't had anybody give me grief over it yet.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by DJA

I pointed out (as I always do) that the watch I sold to buy the one I was wearing sold for 9000 dollars (a stainless Daytona with black dial) and that I paid 6500 dollars to purchase it five years earlier. So, I told her, it was like I got paid 2500 dollars to wear a 9000 dollar watch every day for five years, adding, if she replaced the battery in her watch once during those five years, probably for about 14 dollars, she spent more money on watches than I did.

That would be true if you walked with the $9k and didn't sink it into another watch. However, you did just plow it into another watch, so you still spent at least $6500 actual dollars for the watch on your wrist (and that assumes you didn't have to kick in more cash for it). Of course I'm not saying you shouldn't have done that, but I think you're putting too rosy a spin on it to say that appreciation makes it like you're getting paid to wear the watch. There's always an opportunity cost for these trinkets we wear.

[No SUBctitute]

If they ask how much the watch costs, I say:

"My watch depreciated nothing this year. Its really like having cash in the bank, I'm just enjoying look at it on my wrist. How much did your car depreciate this year?"

Buying a $10,000 watch that depreciates $1,000 the first year I own it is a much more financially responsible purchase than a new 3-series BMW that depreciates $5,000 in the first year.

[|404|]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

That would be true if you walked with the $9k and didn't sink it into another watch. However, you did just plow it into another watch, so you still spent at least $6500 actual dollars for the watch on your wrist (and that assumes you didn't have to kick in more cash for it). Of course I'm not saying you shouldn't have done that, but I think you're putting too rosy a spin on it to say that appreciation makes it like you're getting paid to wear the watch. There's always an opportunity cost for these trinkets we wear.

Plus people don't factor in that £9k, could have been invested. My conservative portfolios are aimed at 1% growth per month.

Plus you have to consider inflation too... What £9k was several years ago... is not what £9k is worth today. I tend to put inflation @ 6% a year. Despite the governments RPI claims...

Anyway, with compounding interest at modest yields.

1% growth 1/12
9000
9090
9180.9
9272.709
9365.43609
9459.090451
9553.681355
9649.218169
9745.710351
9843.167454
9941.599129
10041.01512

That's just a year...

Anyway, finance yo.

Watches are terrible investments in short. Sometimes you can have a freak accident, but the same with any commodity trading is true. Gold for example could have been bought years ago for massive increases now... Silver is the next one to have a boom in the future too.
Buy watches because you love them and want to wear them. If you're looking for investments go speak to a professional and find an investment wrapper that suits you and your acceptable risk.

[Chester01]

When I get a similar reaction, I usually ask them how often they have drinks with dinner. After getting a response I say ok let’s take your 2-3 drinks a couple of times each week at a nice resteraunt. Add that up for a few years and I say well, looks like you pissed away about the same I spent on my Rolex, difference is I actually have something to show for it!

[zengineer]

They can ask such things but I feel no obligation to answer, I'm not going to lie and there's no reason to be bothered by a simple question and I definately don't feel obligated to justify my spending by claiming it is an investment. Counting other people's money is never a good thing.

Just say "yes, watches can be expensive but I really enjoy them...what are you passionate about?"

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[frankfrazetta]

My standard answer to the "how much?" Question is ONE BILLION DOLLARS.

[Policylimits]

I get ‘nice watch’ a few times a year, maybe. Never had anyome ask me how much i paid for it. I usually say “thanks, yea...” and then pivot to something else if its someone Im actially talking to.. otherwise I’d give the old ‘thanks man, life treating you good?’

I mean do people ask how much you car costs? At least on my side of the Atlantic, it would go against a lot of social norms to ask what someone paid for anything siginificant... if it was a watch nerd like me, I’d gladly go into details but otherwise... Ughh, I wouldnt say much at all on the subject.

[josephvman]

Why engage them at all? Tell them it was a gift...

[grymg]

Yup, my story is it was a graduation or wedding gift, so I didn't pay squat.

[ryanwatchcollection]

In my experience, you can't change someone's mind after they've already decided that a watch is a terrible investment even if you draw the numbers out for them on paper. Oh well

[HONDABBQ]

I have a full time job M-F. I also have a side business that does pretty well. Plus a hobby job that makes me a few bucks a year.
I have been asked twice about the cost of my watch.
I respond " it cost me a lot of late nights and Saturdays"

In essence, I worked for it while you sat and watched tv, or went to the beach.

[|404|]

Originally Posted by ryanwatchcollection

In my experience, you can't change someone's mind after they've already decided that a watch is a terrible investment even if you draw the numbers out for them on paper. Oh well

Objectively watches are a terrible investment. Please do not make investments into watches for the pure purpose of making money. See my previous post.
However, right now if you could get a sports model watch and instantly flip it, that's acceptable, financially. But it is not without risk due to the clientèle you're selling too. Either Gray or random stranger.

[roosvelt]

My answer to how much? It cost a million bucks ! Stupid rude question gets a stupid reply.