They'll never understand...

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by scottschoe

What are you going to do when in response, the guy flashes his Patek and says "Hey! Congrats on being so cheap!" (and all the rest of the things on your list)

I never understood posts like this.

Gee, sorry it was too difficult for you to comprehend, I'll try and make it simpler for you next time.

[scottschoe]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Gee, sorry it was too difficult for you to comprehend, I'll try and make it simpler for you next time.

And I'd do this one right about now.

2. Just look at him

And you never did answer my question.

[Porsche]

There are some who have the same attitude about cars... "I just need something to get me from A to B, why waste all that money etc"

We all choose to spend our disposable income on various indulgences, sometimes at the expense of other pursches.

Personally, I don't need to wear a suit to work, I am happy in old jeans and a T-shirt. I have friends who easily spend $10K per annum on new clothes... I'd be lucky to spend $2K.

Others will spend same on annual vacations, or restaurants/bars/clubs, or boats etc etc.

The guy who puts down ANYONE elses discretionary spending is just showing everyone else how ignorant he is. I guarantee you, if he won the lottery, he would buy the fancy watch/car/boat/clothes (pick one) which he secretly covets.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by scottschoe

And I'd do this one right about now.

2. Just look at him

And you never did answer my question.

Since you admittedly (and quite obviously) don't get it, I'll try and explain it to you...

A. It was an attempt to be funny A few people liked it but if you feel the need to criticise my humor by all means go right ahead.. and:

B. I was pointing out that some (a lot of) people don't understand why we spend the money we do on a timepiece, and express this by pointing out their inexpensive watches "work just as well" etc. To try and explain to these people why we feel the way we do... well, they just don't understand; much, (as a lot of people in the thread pointed out) we don't understand why some people spend more on expensive cars, or model trains, or designer sunglasses. etc. It has nothing to do with the display of opulence.

Gee... I'll be more at peace and be able to sleep nights knowing you understand...

[f16570]

The original post was tongue in cheek and nothing short of hilarious, Paul well done for injecting some humour into the forum.

[veefour]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

First, congrats to the staff on 15K.. yeah, I know, wrong thread but I thought I'd say it so There!

We've all been in this situation and I wondered how everyone else handles it.. You're at a social gathering, or business meeting, or on the moon, really doesn't matter but you're in a place with other human beings and wearing your Rolex proudly. Either someone notices it, or you bring it in to the conversation, (heck, since I got my brand new SS Daytona six months ago I've been chasing people down the street.. "Hey! Look what I got!!!!!")

I try not to brag but I am proud of my Rolex, I have been an enthusiast my whole life. There is something about a fine timepiece that... well, I know I don't have to explain it to you guys...

Inevitibly, there is some (insert chosen derogitory noun here) that holds up his wrist which contains a plastic strap attached to a digital Casio/Timex/Invicta etc. and exclaims: "I've had this watch 176 years, all I have to do is replace the battery and it keeps perfect time! Only cost me four dollars and seventy six cents and nine food stamps too!"

What's your reaction? I've put down a couple possibilities here, what's your choice or please feel free to make additional responses.

1. Look at him, shake his hand and reply: "Hey! Congrats on being so cheap!"

2. Just look at him

3. Tell him you admire his frugality... and that it's obvious he carry's that to other parts of his life and stare at his wife/girlfriend.

4. Act impressed, ask to see the watch and when he hands it to you smash it on the ground. Then hand him four dollars, seventy six cents and nine food stamps.

5. Try to explain to him the satisfaction of owning a fine timepiece... this reaction is not reccomended as it's a complete waste of time and energy.


Thoughts?

Think some people here should read the original thread again. The scenario doesn´t include anybody's opinion about your watch or your passion.

[stevenshin]

Originally Posted by scottschoe

What are you going to do when in response, the guy flashes his Patek and says "Hey! Congrats on being so cheap!" (and all the rest of the things on your list)

I never understood posts like this.

You appear to be the only one that clearly missed the point of this thread. Lighten up!

[stevenshin]

Originally Posted by Porsche

There are some who have the same attitude about cars... "I just need something to get me from A to B, why waste all that money etc"

We all choose to spend our disposable income on various indulgences, sometimes at the expense of other pursches.

Personally, I don't need to wear a suit to work, I am happy in old jeans and a T-shirt. I have friends who easily spend $10K per annum on new clothes... I'd be lucky to spend $2K.

Others will spend same on annual vacations, or restaurants/bars/clubs, or boats etc etc.

The guy who puts down ANYONE elses discretionary spending is just showing everyone else how ignorant he is. I guarantee you, if he won the lottery, he would buy the fancy watch/car/boat/clothes (pick one) which he secretly covets.

Totally agree with everything you said. Except, I think I spend about $500 on clothes per year and I spend it all in two shopping trips: once in the spring for summer clothes and once in the fall for winter clothes!

[stevenshin]

Originally Posted by CPTL

I think the appropriate response would be a reference to the engineering marvel required to produce a mechanical device that generates its own power, beats with absolute precision 28,800 times per hour, and can travel deeper than a nuclear submarine...all using basically the same design for over 60 years. It's really the specs and history--not the cost and prestige--that turns me on about Rolex.

I tried to memorize this GREAT response and tried it on my wife last night, but I wasn't nearly as eloquent, so she gave me strange look and walked away.

[newrolexman]

I was at Sams recently and looked at the Invicta daytona look alike and the clerk was hesitant to give me two watches at a time,, hey, they are $110 each,, cant blame her???

She looked at my GMT and said what is that and I said OH, its a replica I couldnt afford a real one.. if I could would I be here at SAMS looking at an Invicta? And she agreed.


Point is:

Most people cant fathom someone spending $1000s on a watch when $100 will do an adequate job, ie ,, Invicta.

When I am not in a Rollie crowd my watch is a fake which makes that particular crowd more at ease. Hard to explain but I dont need the ribbing abt WHY I am wearing such an expensive watch when the economy sucks.

Each set of circumstances presents its own problems.


D

[dotcomakazee]

Originally Posted by Irish Dan

The kid at the service station told me he could buy a nice Harley for what I paid for my Rolex.
I looked him right in the eye and told him, "I already have a nice Harley".
It left him a little speachless.

My reaction would have been, "I could buy a nice Rolex for what you paid for that Harley."

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by newrolexman

She looked at my GMT and said what is that and I said OH, its a replica I couldnt afford a real one.. if I could would I be here at SAMS looking at an Invicta? And she agreed.
When I am not in a Rollie crowd my watch is a fake which makes that particular crowd more at ease. Hard to explain but I dont need the ribbing abt WHY I am wearing such an expensive watch when the economy sucks.

D

I'd sell them all before I asserted one has a fake when it wasn't.

[Chris B]

Its like a joke, if you have to explain they'll never get it

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by f16570

The original post was tongue in cheek and nothing short of hilarious, Paul well done for injecting some humour into the forum.

Thank you 6570, that's all it was

[Wooddog44]

Something I have thought a lot about, more in a general "life experience" way than the specific idea of how much a Rolex watch costs...

At the end of the "big" game I believe the only thing we take with us is the experiences and sensations we have had in life. Pick and insert whatever metaphor you like here;

“Can’t take it with you”
“Never seen a Brink’s truck in a funeral procession.”
“Never heard someone wish for more money on their deathbed”
etc, etc...

No one gets a performance review or exit interview at the end though so I believe in doing what you enjoy while you can.

A few years ago my father was shot and paralyzed from the neck down when he stepped in and attempted to break up an attempted robbery and spent the rest of his life in a hospital bed. I kept the clothes he was wearing that day as a reminder that anything he had been putting off until “later” was never going to happen. As he got dressed to leave the house that morning the thought of never returning to his own home never entered his mind - why would it – but that in fact is what happened.

There were stories about people who days after 9/11 quit their jobs and became teachers or joined the Peace Corps, while others went out and bought Porsches. Neither of those actions is right or wrong, better or worse, in my opinion either way it was something they had always wanted to do and when presented with the reality that you may not get “tomorrow” went and did what for them was going to make their lives fuller.

In my opinion if, for whatever reason, owning a Rolex makes one’s life better and gives them happiness that’s all need be said. If having a ten dollar watch and giving $5000 to charity, or their grandchildren or a stranger on the street makes another person happy then that’s all need be said. It’s not about justification or right and wrong but personal choice.

That’s my $.02 anyway.

[DSJ]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

First, congrats to the staff on 15K.. yeah, I know, wrong thread but I thought I'd say it so There!

We've all been in this situation and I wondered how everyone else handles it.. You're at a social gathering, or business meeting, or on the moon, really doesn't matter but you're in a place with other human beings and wearing your Rolex proudly. Either someone notices it, or you bring it in to the conversation, (heck, since I got my brand new SS Daytona six months ago I've been chasing people down the street.. "Hey! Look what I got!!!!!")

I try not to brag but I am proud of my Rolex, I have been an enthusiast my whole life. There is something about a fine timepiece that... well, I know I don't have to explain it to you guys...

Inevitibly, there is some (insert chosen derogitory noun here) that holds up his wrist which contains a plastic strap attached to a digital Casio/Timex/Invicta etc. and exclaims: "I've had this watch 176 years, all I have to do is replace the battery and it keeps perfect time! Only cost me four dollars and seventy six cents and nine food stamps too!"

What's your reaction? I've put down a couple possibilities here, what's your choice or please feel free to make additional responses.

1. Look at him, shake his hand and reply: "Hey! Congrats on being so cheap!"

2. Just look at him

3. Tell him you admire his frugality... and that it's obvious he carry's that to other parts of his life and stare at his wife/girlfriend.

4. Act impressed, ask to see the watch and when he hands it to you smash it on the ground. Then hand him four dollars, seventy six cents and nine food stamps.

5. Try to explain to him the satisfaction of owning a fine timepiece... this reaction is not reccomended as it's a complete waste of time and energy.


Thoughts?

"Oh my gosh, are you kidding? I can't believe I wasted so much money on an incredible piece of jewelry with a rich history, sophisticated mechanical movement and solid financial asset that can be passed to my heirs, when a watch like yours will tell time just as well. I shall sell it immediately along with my wife's engagement band. When she asks, I will tell her that the SS replacement with CZ stone will look just as nice and no one will be able to tell it's not a diamond set in WG or Plat!"

Originally Posted by Porsche

There are some who have the same attitude about cars... "I just need something to get me from A to B, why waste all that money etc"

We all choose to spend our disposable income on various indulgences, sometimes at the expense of other pursches.

Personally, I don't need to wear a suit to work, I am happy in old jeans and a T-shirt. I have friends who easily spend $10K per annum on new clothes... I'd be lucky to spend $2K.

Others will spend same on annual vacations, or restaurants/bars/clubs, or boats etc etc.

The guy who puts down ANYONE elses discretionary spending is just showing everyone else how ignorant he is. I guarantee you, if he won the lottery, he would buy the fancy watch/car/boat/clothes (pick one) which he secretly covets.

There are people who look at point A and point B as two destinations that need a vehicle to use as transport. To folks like us, many times the space between points A and B IS the destination, meant to be as enjoyable and fulfilling as possible.

For non WIS and non SCIS (Sports Car Idiot Savants) you can't explain things like this and have them understand.

[veefour]

Originally Posted by stevenshin

You appear to be the only one that clearly missed the point of this thread. Lighten up!

Not the only one...
If you read the original thread again you'll understand.

[stevenshin]

Originally Posted by veefour

Not the only one...
If you read the original thread again you'll understand.

When you posted earlier that people should read the original thread again (did you mean post?), my reaction was "huh?" And with this post, again, my reaction is "huh?"

[veefour]

Sorry, should have said post. English is not my languaje. I try my best. Hope you'll understand this.

[stevenshin]

Originally Posted by veefour

Sorry, should have said post. English is not my languaje. I try my best. Hope you'll understand this.

I just wasn't sure if I was missing something. Your english is VERY good considering it is not your first language!

[veefour]

I was just tryin to point that originally this was presented as a group of people that ends up talking about watches. In this scenario somebody talks proudly about his Rolex, and somebody else does the same about his plastic-cheap watch. In any case this second guy is suggesting (as things were exposed) any offensive atitude against the first one, but somehow, many TRF members here seem to feel like if they have to justify themselves owning a Rolex.
I just don't think that was the point of the original supossed situation, and I'll repeat what I've said before: I just can see two guys speakin proudly about their watches, and feel happy for both of them!!

[Goodwatch]

When someone says he only paid $4.67 for his watch he isn't proud of the watch but proud of his own cleverness. But I've given up on this, I don't feel I need to justify myself for my choices. If he's happy with his plastic watch, fine for him.

If you dissect the whole matter, there's little rationale in wearing a $5500 steel watch that not even comes close in accuracy to a $550 quartz watch. But that is the beauty of it all; we live in countries where WE make those choices and when it comes to objects like Rolexes, hand made leather flight jackets and one of a kind fountain pens, then that has nothing to do with being sensible but all with being emotional.