PM watch vs career.

[Kingcobb]

Yeah. 3 days on and 4 days off. Landscaping, home building, handyman, welding, security, etc.

[Mccall86]

I wouldn’t judge someone based off their watch or career. You don’t know people’s financial situation. A firefighter could easily have a higher net worth than a doctor or lawyer fresh out of school with hundreds of thousands in student loans

[Blansky]

I don’t think it has a huge thing to do with income, necessarily.

Just allocation of resources. Maybe I care about a watch more than a Porsche

Remember a few years ago you could walk into a store and buy a Rolex. You could buy used for maybe 2/3 of the cost. You can also put it on your credit card, pay with a tax refund, bonus etc. etc


I bought my Seadweller in 2007 used, for something like $3700. Not precious metal, but if I had a hankering for precious metal, I’d have done it.

Like all of us here, just tell the wife to get a second job.

[TK-710]

Originally Posted by Quaress

Do You think it is strange, when a person with an average profession such as a firefighter, teacher, policeman, salesman, etc. carries a precious metal watch?

Compared to doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, managers, pilots, etc?

Originally Posted by Quaress

I thought that these professions are on average wages, others on other money.

I recently sold the company and in my time I devote myself to cryptocurrencies, at home I did not enjoy so I started for 24 hours shifts to firefighters, I am at work 7 times a month so I was interested.

Your two posts together bring a little more clarity to your question and at the same time answer your question. If I understand correctly you sold a company, invest in crypto, and are a volunteer firefighter. You’re exactly the reason someone shouldn’t judge anyone’s possessions based exclusively on their knowledge of their profession.

But based on your question it also suggests you may feel uncomfortable wearing your PM while preforming you firefighter duties. That’s a personal choice. If you can afford to replace it if it’s damaged in the course of your duties then I say wear what you enjoy. Life is too short to worry about what people who don’t have the full story think. They’re the fool for making assumptions based on their own ignorance and in some cases superiority complex.

[geoach]

I did both police and fire termed public safety. It's cost friendly to the city not to have firemen sitting around when there is no fire. Hard to be trained for both 16 weeks police academy then ten weeks fire academy. Point is I wore my late father's DD didn't wear on the job but off duty hell yes. Wearing it on duty would look ridiculous

[1William]

Not strange at all without understanding the persons financial situation. Some people choose to spend their money differently but if you choose a nice watch, so be it.

[AK797]

When I wasn't into watches spending £500 on a watch was madness, same with many friends now who are on very nice salaries, but once I got into watches then you plan and save and you can soon get a normal Rolex and then another and then trade for a PM so it can be done on a normal salary, just have to have the dedication and a willingness to spend car money on a watch.

[RTG]

Originally Posted by GolfJunkie

No, I think "good for them"

And some of the "average professions" you listed are arguably much more difficult than the latter.

Nailed it.

[superdog]

Why all the backlash to the OP?

It’s not unreasonable to do ”the math”.

Of course, no one should judge a book by its cover. And there are many explanations to a lot of things.

But it would be odd, imho, for a person wearing a watch worth 50% of their yearly income. And irresponsible no matter how much they like watches.

And hey, I get it. Different folks have different priorities. Of course. Abd everyone should do what suits their life life best.

That all said, nothing wrong with asking questions. Finding those answers help us broaden our minds.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by GolfJunkie

No, I think "good for them"

And some of the "average professions" you listed are arguably much more difficult than the latter.

With respect, it’s not about the difficulty of the job. It’s about the income and what luxuries in life that income affords.

[Krash]

I don’t think the OP is talking about teachers, fireman, and police officers that became crypto millionaires or won the lottery. I could be wrong, but I think he’s talking about the average teacher, fireman or police officer. There’s a big difference.

Anyway, I think the house, the car and the watch you wear should be proportional to your net income and net worth. My 2 cents…


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[brandrea]

We travel frequently to Italy. I routinely see wait staff (just as one example) wearing Rolex.

I guess I’ve never really thought much about job/as it relates to watches.

The first thought that comes to my mind is, nice watch. Second thought is, “more vino per piacere”

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by superdog

Why all the backlash to the OP?

It’s not unreasonable to do ”the math”.

Of course, no one should judge a book by its cover. And there are many explanations to a lot of things.

But it would be odd, imho, for a person wearing a watch worth 50% of their yearly income. And irresponsible no matter how much they like watches.

And hey, I get it. Different folks have different priorities. Of course. Abd everyone should do what suits their life life best.

That all said, nothing wrong with asking questions. Finding those answers help us broaden our minds.

“Priorities” answers the question. I know several people with blue collar careers who own bass boats costing platona money. It’s not uncommon to see luxury cars in the factory employee parking lots either. People prioritize their spending differently than when I was working age. It’s now a consumption driven economy after all, and gold watches are no less extravagant in the eyes of many than a Dodge Hellcat.

That said, the implied question in the OP is what people are replying to. It seems the OP is relating PM watches to the acquisition of higher status, and thus questioning how people in “inferior” careers could be sporting them. Maybe that wasn’t the OP’s intention, but it is the perception for me.

[hambone1983]

I assume by "average" you mean an average income.

Where I grew up in the suburbs of NYC the average teacher makes north of $100K. And if they've been there for 20 years, they are making around $140K. A guy I grew up with is now the chief of police in that town (small town, maybe 15,000 people). He makes $279K. The guy who runs the town golf course makes $80K. All public employees in the state of NY have their salaries published online, if one was so inclined to check my figures.

My son is a salesman, he made $180K last year (he's 29). Maybe these professions aren't as average as many might think.

[syed087]

I don't think it's strange, they could have acquired the PM watch by saving up, inheritance, side hustles, etc. I'd probably strike up a conversation with them

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Maleg

“Priorities” answers the question. I know several people with blue collar careers who own bass boats costing platona money. It’s not uncommon to see luxury cars in the factory employee parking lots either. People prioritize their spending differently than when I was working age. It’s now a consumption driven economy after all, and gold watches are no less extravagant in the eyes of many than a Dodge Hellcat.

That said, the implied question in the OP is what people are replying to. It seems the OP is relating PM watches to the acquisition of higher status, and thus questioning how people in “inferior” careers could be sporting them. Maybe that wasn’t the OP’s intention, but it is the perception for me.

I get what you are saying.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by hambone1983

I assume by "average" you mean an average income.

Where I grew up in the suburbs of NYC the average teacher makes north of $100K. And if they've been there for 20 years, they are making around $140K. A guy I grew up with is now the chief of police in that town (small town, maybe 15,000 people). He makes $279K. The guy who runs the town golf course makes $80K. All public employees in the state of NY have their salaries published online, if one was so inclined to check my figures.

My son is a salesman, he made $180K last year (he's 29). Maybe these professions aren't as average as many might think.

Yeah, but NY is an aberration, and not a standard that is easily comparable to anywhere else. And I agree with you about sales people. If you’re selling IBM mainframes, for example, then you’re in a different category. That’s for sure.


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[HHIslander]

Originally Posted by syed087

I don't think it's strange, they could have acquired the PM watch by saving up, inheritance, side hustles, etc. I'd probably strike up a conversation with them

Was at airport and the bartender has a YG DD. I complemented him on it and he ecstatically pulled a pic from his wallet of him and Jack Nicklaus both showing their wrists off for the camera. Excellent conversation. Have had many similar ones.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by HHIslander

Was at airport and the bartender has a YG DD. I complemented him on it and he ecstatically pulled a pic from his wallet of him and Jack Nicklaus both showing their wrists off for the camera. Excellent conversation. Have had many similar ones.

So again, I am not judging anyone. And I am living my life as I see fit. I would not ask anyone else to do anything else.

But I do wonder if putting that money to different use might be lead to a better/easier life in the future.

compounding interest is truly magical.

We have become a consumption culture. And I am no different. But I never ever buy something that I cannot afford. I have in the past and nearly got myself in big trouble. It was a good lesson for me.

I think I am going off on a left turn here. I am not sure what the OP intended exactly, but I do think this topic is a good one for understanding that makes people tick. pun intended.

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by superdog

So again, I am not judging anyone. And I am living my life as I see fit. I would not ask anyone else to do anything else.

But I do wonder if putting that money to different use might be lead to a better/easier life in the future.

compounding interest is truly magical.

We have become a consumption culture. And I am no different. But I never ever buy something that I cannot afford. I have in the past and nearly got myself in big trouble. It was a good lesson for me.

I think I am going off on a left turn here. I am not sure what the OP intended exactly, but I do think this topic is a good one for understanding that makes people tick. pun intended.

You are an OG life planner. And I mean that in the best way.

In my youth all my extra cash went into family and my business. I was the son of a farmer and was educated from early on to be prepared for the drought years, when we’d be living on last years income. Luxury items were for the very rich in those times. When my wife thought we should retire, and I sold my business, I bought my first luxury item, a 5513.

Your financial planning advice is exactly what worked for those in my generation who living on easy street in retirement today. The guys that had all the cool toys back then are still living paycheck to paycheck.

[DougUSMC]

The times they are a changin'...

I'm in tech, and I'll make a few observations:
- I have a longtime friend that's Boston Fire (he works 8 days a month: 48 on, 72 off,etc). He works as an electrician another 12 days a month. He makes more than our friend that's a lawyer
- I'm in Tech, and I have friends that are pre & post sales reps for big IT vendors. One of them makes more than his wife that's a Dr
- My College had a huge aviation program, and several of my fraternity brothers are major airline pilots with 30+ years of flying. I make more than all of them.

I'm squarely in the middle of Gen X and in my opinion Drs, Lawyers, Pilots are last century's "top tier professions". Now it's finance, engineering, and STEM careers if you want to make the big bucks. Of course there are outliers (International M&A Lawyers, Brain Surgeons, etc) but things are definitely shifted from 50 years ago.

[INC]

Originally Posted by Quaress

Do You think it is strange, when a person with an average profession such as a firefighter, teacher, policeman, salesman, etc. carries a precious metal watch?

Not at all. A PM watch is not necessary expensive. For example, a TT Daytona is cheaper than an SS model. However, if we do not talk about Rolexes, the PM watches are not expensive at all. However a Platinum Rolex Cellini is less then $10k. Based on these, I would be more surprised if they wore original SS Daytonas.

[HHIslander]

Originally Posted by superdog

So again, I am not judging anyone. And I am living my life as I see fit. I would not ask anyone else to do anything else.

But I do wonder if putting that money to different use might be lead to a better/easier life in the future.

compounding interest is truly magical.

We have become a consumption culture. And I am no different. But I never ever buy something that I cannot afford. I have in the past and nearly got myself in big trouble. It was a good lesson for me.

I think I am going off on a left turn here. I am not sure what the OP intended exactly, but I do think this topic is a good one for understanding that makes people tick. pun intended.

I’m same way. I’m an unapologetic tightwad for most things, I grew up in a lower middle class/poor home and fought tooth and nail to change that for me. I have no sympathy for those who spend beyond their means and end up in trouble.

I should have added that the bartender was a former caddy on the pro golf circuit and appeared to be bartending for fun.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by HHIslander

Was at airport and the bartender has a YG DD. I complemented him on it and he ecstatically pulled a pic from his wallet of him and Jack Nicklaus both showing their wrists off for the camera. Excellent conversation. Have had many similar ones.

So I’m in the second category that the OP listed (see his last sentence). Maybe it’s because I’m cheap, but I’m not buying or wearing a solid YG DD. It’s not as if I can’t easily afford it either.

So from my perspective, I think these people could make better life decisions. If they inherited it, then that’s different.


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[alex.cicollo]

Originally Posted by Quaress

Do You think it is strange, when a person with an average profession such as a firefighter, teacher, policeman, salesman, etc. carries a precious metal watch?

Compared to doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, managers, pilots, etc?

No judgement here. Not strange at all. I normally would be happy for them. For anyone in fact….

How people spend their money or acquire shiny trinkets is up to them. Besides, what do I care about someone else’s financial means?

[piratfisk]

No, anyone with the means is allowed to purchase anything. That's generally how capitalism works. Would I pre-judge someone who's wearing a PM watch & I know they can't afford it? Maybe. But, that's their choice & their credit score/D:I. But saying that, what you're describing are "blue collar" workers cannot or should not wear a PM watch is absurd & I think you should look inward.

[East Bay Rider]

I drove past the local fire station today. Every pickup truck in the lot was worth $60K or more. I think OP might be underestimating the income level of the professions listed.
No judgement on what people wear. When I was working I wore a Rolex. The president of the company wore a fake. The engineer next to me lived in an apartment and drove an AMG GTC. Folks spend and save money in all different ways. It's more fun to be a casual observer of these spending habits.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Tools

LOL.... no

I think it more ostentatious when they show up in a BMW

KEN!!

[subtona]

It would be strange to carry such a watch.

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by subtona

It would be strange to carry such a watch.

That was funny...

To me, this just an ego exposition from OP

How dare the plebeians have something as luxurious as a PM watch! Something that only I and my ilk can effortlessly afford...surely they can't or shouldn't be able to have such things!!!

Luxury brands recognize this, hence exclusivity marketing reigns supreme.

Money is pretty easy these days, so being "expensive" simply isn't enough of a barrier of entry to separate the prestigious from the masses. Limiting access is the great ego booster for the pursuer of such things.