Do Happy Timex Owners Desire a Rolex?

[Onikage]

I grew out of wearing my Rolex on full display within a week of purchase, as in these times people are struggling to pay bills etc. I didn't want to appear to be getting one up on anyone.
One day last week I was outside a pub smoking a cigarette (courtesy of the smoking ban) and a bloke noticed a small amount of bezel just poking from my sleeve. He asked "Is that a Rolex?" Yes it is, I replied and I slid my sleeve back so he could see properly. I then got the clichéd "You see my Timex? (or whatever it was) It does just the same job as your Rolex. And it cost me £60." He went on to say that he'd rather have the money instead of spending thousands on a watch. And proceeded to talk to me strangely from that point.I just shrugged and smiled rather than tell him that his children would throw his Timex away if he left it to them. Or mention the fixed resale value, like having a wrist bank account. etc.
It is my theory that anyone who wears a watch these days (rather than using the free clock on a phone) secretly desires a better one. This person had spent £60 on a watch that he must have decided was nice. Or else he would have bought a plain, functional £10 digital. For him to have been able to pick out a portion of bezel and identify it as being from a Rolex shows, to me, he has a reasonable interest in this particular brand. The black bezel GMT's relative obscurity to most non-watch folk (not the well known pepsi colour) is also indicative of this.
If I think of something I have genuinely no interest in whatsoever, ie; mountain bikes. I do not educate myself on expensive luxury varieties. Nor would I approach someone and ask if their mountain bike is a particular luxury brand then proceed to tell them my mountain bike does exactly the same job and cost £100, therefor they are a complete idiot for spending thousands on one.
I'm sorry if this rant is long winded. I now feel like cutting the toe out of a sock and sleeving my poor Rolex off from public view when I go out. My fear of mugging at an all time high. I guess 90% of people here are familiar with this "My Timex..." phenomenon. Do all Timex/Other watch owners, who apparently don't understand Rolex owners, secretly desire a Rolex? Hmmmm.

[(213)GMT]

Not sure I desire a watch simply because it's better. I buy what I like and what suits my needs. I own many low budget Timex's. They come in handy while doing certain things that I'd be wary of wearing a Rolex but I never look at them and wish for something better.

[Onikage]

Yeah I feel ya there. My other watch is an Omega. The Timex phenomenon wasn't as strong when I wore that. This happened in a pub that I frequent and I would like to think I shouldn't have to leave my Rolex at home in a box when I go there. I'd use the free clock on my mobile if say, I went out down town here ;)

[The GMT Master]

Ugh, anti-snobs. Don't take it too personally, there are people who will never understand watch collecting - if they're too crass to discuss it rationally, then that's their problem. I'm sure they wouldn't be complaining if they did have a Rolex on their wrist

[Rolex Junky]

Yes.

[snowbird]

I agree that if he really doesn't care about watches, how did he notice your Rolex so readily?

By the way I have several Timexes and think they're great watches - not to be confused with Rolex as far as style, luxury, history etc. but tough, reliable watches that are a great value. And with some capabilities you can't get in a Rolex, such as alarm, heart rate monitor, guaranteed night visibility with the Indiglo light, etc.

[yankeeromeo]

I have had the "I'd rather have the money" comment.
I smile and reply, "but i've have so much already I thought I should spend some"

[onryo]

Apparently he's really polished his pitch by having the same conversation with himself that he had with you. People will always find ways to justify things they believe. Enjoy your Rolex, let him enjoy his Timex.

[Dr. Robert]

Originally Posted by yankeeromeo

I have had the "I'd rather have the money" comment.
I smile and reply, "but i've have so much already I thought I should spend
some"

[GradyPhilpott]

I own six or seven Timex watches. I gave one away recently and I haven't counted lately.

Timex has quite a cachet in their own right and an owner of Timex has nothing to be ashamed of.

There are watches aplenty for everyone to have one that suits their styles and activities.

I remember when I was a student working in a high-rise in New Orleans as a security guard. On weekends people were always asking me the time when they signed into the building and so, I took the only watch I had at the time, a Casio digital diver with no strap, and put it next to the sign-in book.

This building housed several law firms (one of which was huge, employing over a hundred associates), architectural firms, MD offices and many, many more.

One weekend a young lawyer was signing in and he saw my watch sitting next to the sign-in book.

He asked, "What's that?"

I replied, "It's my watch. I put it out for those who need the time."

He picked it up, turned it around a few times, put it down and then pulled up his sleeve and showed me his Rolex Sub and said something snide about my watch and then his friends and he laughed and went upstairs.

I must say that my opinion of Rolex owners dived at that moment.

There's scum at every rung of society. Some wear Rolex, some wear Timex, and some wear something in between.

No man has a right to ridicule another for his belongings or his station in life. There is often no way to know where that man has been or where he might be going in life. Honorable men know this and conduct themselves accordingly.

[Onikage]

It could have been any watch with hands and a face. I just chose timex because it also ends in 'EX'. I wasn't intentionally slating Timex.

[threemonkeys]

I've become comfortable with the notion that a lot of people don't 'get it' when I try and explain the way I feel wearing a Rolex. And I typically like to keep my watch out of view and actually find it appealing that I'm the only one aware of the quality and history that's secreted away on my wrist.

[esm]

Meh... Who really cares. All of my G Shocks does the same thing as my other watches (including Rolex)......

Wear whatever makes you smile and drink some more beer....

(my mum has always told me not to speak to strangers... Especially at a pub... )

[HKtoter]

My brother thinks it's crazy spending over a few hundred dollars on a watch. I tell him that I don't have kids or a wife to feed.
His eyes light up when I let him wear my GMT.

[renfield33]

if he's happy, he probably doesn't want a rolex.

[phelix_da_kat]

It's horses for courses mate..

Everyone has something they rather spend their money on.. ie we all have our own priorities.. And these change over time...

Unfortunately, some people are just rude at all levels of society.

[chicfarmer1]

Originally Posted by Onikage

He asked "Is that a Rolex?" [snip]

My fear of mugging at an all time high.

These two sentences should give anyone guidance: A stranger who inquires about whether you're wearing a luxury item of great value doesn't need to be rewarded with confirmation that it is the real thing, let alone a spirited defense of its worthiness. You don't know if his partner is a half block down around the corner waiting for just this intel.

Discretion is best, even when others lack it.

[Onikage]

"Discretion is best, even when others lack it."

Yeah lesson learned. The thought has crossed my mind since that when walking to and from places, after a few beers that strangers shouldn't be provided with this info. "No it's an Invicta, but it looks like one." Might be a more prudent answer.

[Medtech]

Sounds like that guy set you up. He was eyeing your watch and planning his response, I'd say.

Next time just tell him it's a Timex.

[Lagunatic]

i sold my Deepsea.

this is what i wear for now, got it free for testing a Honda car.


my next watch will be a Casio model GW7900B-1, G-Rescue Series.

[DimeRazorback]

Some good points made in the OP.

Personally, I don't care what people think. I do/buy what makes me happy. If others don't approve or have a different opinion, good on them!

The same people who make similar comments as in the OP would have something I would consider a "waste" of money I am sure. I am also sure they would disagree!

I used to work in the club industry, and used to see people spend a months wage (which wasn't much in the first place, complaining they couldn't pay bills a lot of the time... priorities I guess ) on pokie machines within a couple of hours. (not to mention the copious amounts of alcohol that went along with it)

Then they would have the hide to state how I "wasted" my money on a good mountain bike I rode everyday to keep my cardio in check...

My bike is worth less then they would sometimes spend in an hour... I was also a lot more healthy because of it

[watchf]

Originally Posted by Onikage

One day last week I was outside a pub smoking a cigarette (courtesy of the smoking ban) and a bloke noticed a small amount of bezel just poking from my sleeve. He asked "Is that a Rolex?" Yes it is, I replied and I slid my sleeve back so he could see properly.

As I was reading that I was imagining you getting mugged! Outside a pub and a stranger asking about your watch when its barely visible under your sleeve!

TBH I would have just shrugged it off, who knows that bloke might have a high powered vehicle, sound system, fishing gears the latest big screen TV or what not that he spent a large proportion of his money on. Different stroke for different folks. Even is he is someone who don't spend much on anything and always go for bargain bulk buy...what cares, you are not spending his money. Enjoy your watch, you earned it through your own means don't worry about what others think. Its not as if you were wearing around specifically bringing attention to your watch and telling every man and his goat you have a Rolex.

[watchf]

Originally Posted by HKtoter

My brother thinks it's crazy spending over a few hundred dollars on a watch.

Would he faint if you told him its actually a few thousands or more than that

[Wiley]

I stopped caring what people think a long time ago.
I drive a 1999 Mercedes ML430, looks like it just came from the factory because I take care of it.
My redneck neighbors think I am wealthy driving such a "fancy" car and they drive "only" a new Silverado or Tundra. Their cars are worth over 4 to 5 times more then my car is selling right now... I always smile inside listen to them...

[Chipmunk]

Don't worry about it......he was just jealous of you.

[Lion]

Everyone has different priorities when it comes to making choices on what they buy and own. But one thing I believe that everyone has in common is we always find a way to buy what we want.....no matter the cost!!!

[Onikage]

[QUOTE=Wiley;2373284]I stopped caring what people think a long time ago.
I drive a 1999 Mercedes ML430, looks like it just came from the factory because I take care of it.QUOTE]

I also believe in taking care of my things. Everything of mine stays new too. So that's cool. I've got like 8 year old trainers and 10 year old clothes that I'm attached to!

[Onikage]

"one thing I believe that everyone has in common is we always find a way to buy what we want.....no matter the cost!!!"
That's right. No justification required. I just brought this up as I'm sure everyone has experienced this scenario at least once. My father has a very shiny Breitling, REALLY noticable. It'shappened to him a few times too. I was wondering if there is a reason for it other than jealousy, as Chipmunk stated there. It seems to happen so uniformly. Comparing it directly to otherthings that people spend money on doesn't seem to add up. Like the mountian bike example there. Doesn't happen does it?

[Onikage]

I'm inclined to think there is a more or less universal secret Rolex desire among these people. And I can't blame them! Whether they'd struggle to justify such a purchase of "just a watch" to a particularly dominant or violent female might possibly be the case. We'd just find a way though, wouldn't we?

[Frogman4me]

Good points by the OP. I could careless about what average Joe thinks at the bar, I much more value my friends opinions on TRF.