Is the era of stealth wealth over?

[messikens]

Stealth wealth only exists in your tiny bubble. If you truly look at it - 50% of folks can barely make ends meet.

The next 40% of folks are having a hard enough time to put kids through college, pay for their house, save for a semi-confortable retirement.

The next 5% are the ones that need a Rolex / maybe an AP to show theyve "made it" and splurge on vacays to Europe etc

Then the next 3% are concerned to drive a Porsche / Ferrari / McMansion / beach house and need to flaubt as much as possible to keep up with the Joneses

Then maybe you have 1.5% concerned about stealth wealth

The last 0.5% are so far removed from the lower ranks, they just don't care

[so nice]

Originally Posted by amphr1

It does not imply that at all. Stealth wealth is about not flaunting your wealth. It's so you are not a target of theft. Not create jealousy for the less well off. It's being sensitive about the real world you live in that is full of people from all walks of life. It's for people who are not living in a bubble where everyone you hang out with drives a Ferrari. (Disclaimer: my opinion only)

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Says the guy with a SS Daytona as his avatar

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by amphr1

I'm thinking the principle of my child's elementary school is not underachieving, but he drives a Prius and can't afford a Rolex but he has way more respect from me than some stock market investor who drives a Ferrari.

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I don’t have a problem with either. Why judge.


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[RolexAwaytheDew]

For multiple reasons, owning a Rolex (of any kind) is the antithesis of stealth wealth, IMO. You can parse the various models and various levels of affluence all you want.

Stealth wealth, at the extreme, would be the billionaire sporting the Casio or Timex, not eschewing the Day-Date for the stainless steel Datejust or Explorer.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by amphr1

I'm thinking the principle of my child's elementary school is not underachieving, but he drives a Prius and can't afford a Rolex but he has way more respect from me than some stock market investor who drives a Ferrari.

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It’s better to go through life without judging people like this. The guy in the Ferrari could be a great husband, father, and a great guy to be around. Plus, I’m not even sure why someone draw such a conclusion anyway. It just sounds nonsensical.


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[t65tampa]

I’ve simplified things by decreasing the total number of watches in my collection and buying precious metal Rolex models instead. I’m happy with this move. I don’t care if they attract attention or not from others. I just want to like what I see and feel when wearing my watch.

[amphr1]

Originally Posted by so nice

Says the guy with a SS Daytona as his avatar

I didn't say I'm into stealth wealth. I'm just saying what it is about. Also this is a Rolex forum, what is my avatar supposed to be, a Casio?



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[amphr1]

Originally Posted by Krash

It’s better to go through life without judging people like this. The guy in the Ferrari could be a great husband, father, and a great guy to be around. Plus, I’m not even sure why someone draw such a conclusion anyway. It just sounds nonsensical.


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I agree.

But also, it seems like the full context of this is lost. My comment was in response to a previous comment that reads:

"...would imply you should be embarrassed and hide your financial achievements which I find nauseating. ... letting any social pressure change who you really want to be to make underachievers feel better about themselves is sad and a waist."

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[Cambo]

Hell no

[alphadweller]

Stealth wealth when it comes to Rolex is a myth.
Current white gold is non-rhodium plated (the Swiss and French call it grey gold to make the distinction). It does not lose its sheen. I have a WG VC Patrimony, they put platinum in the mix, no rhodium plating, still looks great after 10 years.

[daveeblows]

Originally Posted by amphr1

Congratulations! I wish I can be a 3 watch man. I also wonder if it's a slippery slope to become a 1 watch collection

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Well, as a minimalist on almost of all aspects of life I'd love to be able to get down to one. I can't imagine that, bur I like the idea! As of today , that'd have to be 126619 if it does exist on Oysterflex :)

[StylinProfilin]

Life is short. Wear whatever you want.

[YGRLX]

My daily is a platona…

[L_S_SHOE]

That era died years ago with the rise of social media.

People can’t resist showing off their material possessions, even if they can’t afford them.


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[codecow]

Originally Posted by amphr1

I'm thinking the principle of my child's elementary school is not underachieving, but he drives a Prius and can't afford a Rolex but he has way more respect from me than some stock market investor who drives a Ferrari.

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As long as the principal is happy with their work then they’re killing it.

[yessir69]

I don't wear my platinum Day-Date as a social signal of wealth. I wear it because I like the way it looks and feels. Stealth has nothing to do with it. Wealth has nothing to do with it.

[jb335]

Originally Posted by z train

I still believe, generally, only watch people pay any attention to watches.

unless you're wearing a gold day date, no one really notices

Agreed.

It always surprises me when people on TRF think the random lay person on the street knows a SS Daytona from a watch pulled out of a Cracker Jack box.

[inadeje]

I personally couldn’t care less about the stealth aspect I just don’t care to wear yellow gold much, if ever. White gold has a nice heft to it and I personally find that attractive in a watch. As for my remaining white gold watch, the YM II, I bought the white gold version due to my dislike of the blue bezel on the other variants. That was my only reason, aesthetics.

I bought the platinum day date for the same reasons, however, in the case of that variant, I wanted the otherwise unavailable ice blue roman dial and find the brightness of platinum really brings out the contours of the president bracelet and case. Again, that was my only reason, aesthetics.

[Old Geezer]

It’s pretty simple for me. I purchased this Submariner because I like the way it looks and feels on my wrist. If I would have liked it more in YG, I would have gotten YG instead.

[TomWambsgans]

Originally Posted by the dark knight

No, I think if anything we are at peak stealth wealth era, at least in the cultural zeitgeist. It's just that WG Rolex has always probably been a bad example of this. Succession was a good example. I can't recall a single main character on that show wearing a WG or even gold Rolex. Kendall was wearing the "Submariner" of stealth wealth watches, a steel Nautilus. Some dressy VCs here and there, Cartier, etc.

FWIW, I work and live in the SF Bay Area, this place might be the stealth wealth capital of the world. I've met quite a bit of UHNWI types, I don't recall a single WG Rolex or much Rolex at all. The Apple Watch may be the ultimate stealth wealth watch among these types, TBH.

On Succession, IIRC Roman wore a blue IWC to the office in addition to low key Rolex.

And re the Bay Area: Agreed. The literal billionaire where I work wears an Apple Watch. And it ain't fancy.


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[effovex]

Interesting comments in this thread!

I would say the concept of “stealth wealth” will never be over. Heck, I’d say it is definitely on the rise as well.

To me, stealth wealth has been about enjoying an expensive, high quality/luxury item that most of the general public would not recognize as being an expensive luxury item.

As others mentioned, a fully loaded Land Cruiser is just a “Toyota” to the public, but those who know, know what a vehicle the Land Cruiser really is. Similarly about the $1k steel G-Shocks. Also, the Seiko MarineMaster.

Stealth wealth also means enjoying luxury from brands that no one even knows about - there are many conservative watch references from Piaget, VC, ALS, Breguet that are incredibly expensive but are not overtly showy or attention grabbing.



Regarding the Rolex brand, can anyone honestly say the Rolex brand is under the radar? I’d say no since Rolex is known pretty much by everyone. Can most folks identify a Rolex? Now that is an entirely different question and I would argue that most people cannot identify a Rolex unless they read the dial.

Yes, if comparing WG vs YG - one may say that a WG watch is more stealthy way to display wealth than a YG watch since most people may think the WG is actually a simple SS watch.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by effovex

Regarding the Rolex brand, can anyone honestly say the Rolex brand is under the radar? I’d say no since Rolex is known pretty much by everyone. Can most folks identify a Rolex? Now that is an entirely different question and I would argue that most people cannot identify a Rolex unless they read the dial.

My wife and I were at a neighborhood party this evening. We just got home. We both wore a Rolex. Nobody noticed. Nobody cared.

And if anyone did notice, does it really matter?


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[Kevin of Larchmont]

I like black divers. I have a bunch. Nobody notices. It’s not a strategy, it’s just what I like.

[4reRlxGuy]

This is just my experience. Once you wear a full PM piece and like the heft wearing a steel piece isn't the same.

Even before all the recent crime related to watches my yellow gold pieces would get noticed by a passerby with a comment.

With all the crime these days wearing a yellow or rose gold piece is just asking for trouble

[daveeblows]

Originally Posted by t65tampa

i’ve simplified things by decreasing the total number of watches in my collection and buying precious metal rolex models instead. I’m happy with this move. I don’t care if they attract attention or not from others. I just want to like what i see and feel when wearing my watch.

+1

[John Doyle]

Wear what you like and makes you comfortable - who cares about what others think?

[Daytona king]

Originally Posted by Joearch

Not sure I would agree with OP. Retail on this was basically $30k. I don’t see this watch within $5k of that number. Has nothing to do with wealth. Simple appreciate of design and technology for me. I will say I also enjoy a number of SS pieces. Never a either/or. Always a both/and for me.

I was about to say that I think the true stealth wealth watch from Rolex is any watch on OF. You can only get OF on precious metals. A gold watch with a rubber bracelet to me is stealth wealth.


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[daveeblows]

Originally Posted by Daytona king

I was about to say that I think the true stealth wealth watch from Rolex is any watch on OF. You can only get OF on precious metals. A gold watch with a rubber bracelet to me is stealth wealth.


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That is really Great Point!! I had have that thought in back of my head too! Oysterflex wouldn't ever draw any attention from the general public, and that's Stealth Wealth in it's purest form ( when we still considering Rolex at least!)

[1st amg]

Originally Posted by Krash

It’s better to go through life without judging people like this. The guy in the Ferrari could be a great husband, father, and a great guy to be around. Plus, I’m not even sure why someone draw such a conclusion anyway. It just sounds nonsensical.


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Hey! Apparently I am a good husband, great father and a blast to be around! You are correct!!



I just like the WG look. Yes it resembles steel. Until you own a WG, then you really see the difference. In fact, you can’t unsee the difference after that. It is noticeable. I buy the WG because I love the look and feel. I didn’t buy it because I am trying to hide. I posted the pics of the Ferrari’s because, I work for these, it’s my passion and don’t give two $hits what others think. I didn’t steal these cars. Do I flaunt them? Never. In fact, anyone who works for me, subs etc have no clue I have had Ferraris at home for the last 8 years. They only ever see me in trucks. So….i buy what I like and admire, I will not pass on a passion because I am worried about what others thinks. Life’s to short


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[piratfisk]

Originally Posted by messikens

Stealth wealth only exists in your tiny bubble. If you truly look at it - 50% of folks can barely make ends meet.

The next 40% of folks are having a hard enough time to put kids through college, pay for their house, save for a semi-confortable retirement.

The next 5% are the ones that need a Rolex / maybe an AP to show theyve "made it" and splurge on vacays to Europe etc

Then the next 3% are concerned to drive a Porsche / Ferrari / McMansion / beach house and need to flaubt as much as possible to keep up with the Joneses

Then maybe you have 1.5% concerned about stealth wealth

The last 0.5% are so far removed from the lower ranks, they just don't care

This is very well said. GJ on having this kind of 30,000ft view.

Originally Posted by RolexAwaytheDew

For multiple reasons, owning a Rolex (of any kind) is the antithesis of stealth wealth, IMO. You can parse the various models and various levels of affluence all you want.

Stealth wealth, at the extreme, would be the billionaire sporting the Casio or Timex, not eschewing the Day-Date for the stainless steel Datejust or Explorer.

Great observation!

Originally Posted by t65tampa

I’ve simplified things by decreasing the total number of watches in my collection and buying precious metal Rolex models instead. I’m happy with this move. I don’t care if they attract attention or not from others. I just want to like what I see and feel when wearing my watch.

Hear, hear!