How to talk watches when you're wearing a Rolex

[Vernal]

My sister has advised that I am no longer able to ask people about their watches, as I always have in the past, now that I am wearing my new 14060M. I've always been interested in watches from an esthetic/technical standpoint, and if I saw somebody wearing a cool watch I would say so, and usually strike up a discussion about them.

However, my previous watch was a Citizen, so I was generally wearing a lower-priced watch than the people whose time pieces I found interesting. Her point was that, now that I have a nice watch, asking people about what they are wearing will just come out as me being a jerk who is trying to call attention to the fact that I've got a Rolex.

Any thoughts on this?

[Andad]

You sister is a very astute lady.

You could just put it in your pocket.

[paddy_crow]

If you're fishing for compliments on your watch, she's right.

If you're genuinely interested in the other person's watch, she's wrong.

[meckert]

Originally Posted by paddy_crow

If you're fishing for compliments on your watch, she's right.

If you're genuinely interested in the other person's watch, she's wrong.

Correct.

[Vernal]

I am definitely interested in their watches, and I am vaguely embarrassed that my grail cost so much. I was also the guy who would be excited to see someone wearing a Rolex, and I would initiate discussions on them when I saw them in an effort to get a closer look, or even a wear. With the shoe on the other foot, I would definitely swap watches even if they had a POS watch like an Omega

[Vernal]

Originally Posted by directioneng

You sister is a very astute lady.

You could just put it in your pocket.

I agree, which is why I've been thinking about what she said. I thought about hiding it, but that just rubs me the wrong way. Her suggestion is simply to wait until I know the person much better, but I used to just walk right up to strangers and start yapping; the only ones it often didn't go well with was with those wearing 24k mondo-blings (no offense intended, that's just my experience.)

[drdenn]

Hate to say it brotha, but she's got a point. That said, if they are wearing an equal or similar high end watch, your good to go. As well, if they bring up yours, you should quickly feed love back over how good theirs looks, even if it's a swatch watch.

One of my friends and fellow WIS favorite stories was how we were at the local bar and this guy started showing off his $100 dollar Fossil watch to me and how excited he was over having purchased it earlier that day. After about 5 minutes or so, he decided that he was being rude and said: "That's a pretty cool watch you've got on too, who makes that?" at which point he kinda' grabs my wrist and said looks for second...and then his eyes got real big and he was like "Oh my god dude, I feel like such a clown!"

I explained to him that just because I was wearing a Rolex, that didn't make his watch any less cool! My friend however thought it was hilarious!

[Bobble]

I had a conversation tonight with two other chaps about watches, I really felt funny talking about them whilst wearing my GMT, somehow it felt as though I was 'above' them as I had a Rolex, of which, of course, we know is true

[brownbear]

yes, she has a good point.
I am hesitant on commenting on someone's watch for the same reason.

[meckert]

Originally Posted by drdenn

Hate to say it brotha, but she's got a point. That said, if they are wearing an equal or similar high end watch, your good to go. As well, if they bring up yours, you should quickly feed love back over how good theirs looks, even if it's a swatch watch.

One of my friends and fellow WIS favorite stories was how we were at the local bar and this guy started showing off his $100 dollar Fossil watch to me and how excited he was over having purchased it earlier that day. After about 5 minutes or so, he decided that he was being rude and said: "That's a pretty cool watch you've got on too, who makes that?" at which point he kinda' grabs my wrist and said looks for second...and then his eyes got real big and he was like "Oh my god dude, I feel like such a clown!"

I explained to him that just because I was wearing a Rolex, that didn't make his watch any less cool! My friend however thought it was hilarious!

THAT is a cool story. Bottom line, if you like your watch, who cares what others are wearing?

[Incurable]

I discuss my watch(es) as little as possible... especially with strangers. Despite good intentions, once you put it out there, it's subject to interpretation.

[Vernal]

Originally Posted by meckert

THAT is a cool story. Bottom line, if you like your watch, who cares what others are wearing?

Well, I just really like watches. I remember well the first time I saw a digital watch, a watch with a calculator in it, the first one with a compass, etc. Perhaps too much Dick Tracy when I was a kid, but I will probably have to buy the first wrist TV communicator to make it to market too. I have yet to see a Panerai in person, and i love the variety in colors, sizes, features, etc. I consider them works-of-art, a lovely melding of form and function.

So I never felt bad when someone was wearing a better timepiece than mine, and the only thing I can think of is to imply that mine is fake or something to avoid coming off like a jerk, but then I'll probably have the same exact problem if/when they find out I mislead them about that.

[meckert]

Originally Posted by Vernal

Well, I just really like watches. I remember well the first time I saw a digital watch, a watch with a calculator in it, the first one with a compass, etc. Perhaps too much Dick Tracy when I was a kid, but I will probably have to buy the first wrist TV communicator to make it to market too. I have yet to see a Panerai in person, and i love the variety in colors, sizes, features, etc. I consider them works-of-art, a lovely melding of form and function.

So I never felt bad when someone was wearing a better timepiece than mine, and the only thing I can think of is to imply that mine is fake or something to avoid coming off like a jerk, but then I'll probably have the same exact problem if/when they find out I mislead them about that.

Let me clarify. I am on your side. What I was referring to above was drdenn's story about the guy who felt great talking so much about his new Fossil and then felt stupid simply because the guy he was telling about his new Fossil had a Rolex. My point is that if you like your watch, then don't feel bad if someone has a "nicer" timepiece than yours. Just enjoy all nice watches!

Analogy would be having a beer with a guy after you just bought a new car. You tell him about how great your new car is...ultimately to find out he has a "nicer" car. Who cares? Does it make your car "less cool"? Nope. Celebrate the nice cars, all around, and buy another round of beers!

[ManUtd]

It depends. If you're referring to your friends it should be okay. Now if you meant asking strangers then I suggest you exercise caution.

[Oyster1982]

I talk watches with friends all the time, especially the ones who have a Rolex. The cigar lounge that I frequent has a lot of Rolex wearers hanging out. On a normal night there are 5 Rollies in the room. One night me and the regular were comparing the weight diffrence between a DJ 16013 and a 16233, yes we are a technical group. I love to have a great watch conversation, thats why I am on TRF.

[Speed]

Unfortunately, I've found bringing up watches in non WIS circles is often awkward or otherwise disappointing.

[dddrees]

It's best only if they have a luxury watch of some kind.

[S52]

one of my most awkward moments happened with one of the supervisors at my work... I had just gotten my 16710 pepsi and saw he had what appeared to be a GMT-C on his wrist. I complimented his watch and asked for a closer look he showed me and said it was a fake and explained how he had just gone to a jewelry store and saw how expensive the real GMT-C is and that he cant understand how someone could waste money like that on a watch!

He then asked what watch I had and I sheepishly showed him my pepsi... I had to shake it off and told him it was a graduation gift and quickly tried to change the topic of conversation... It pretty much guarantees I will probably never approach someone about their watch again... it was way too awkward... especially since it was someone I work with daily!

[SUBversive]

I think your sister doesn't like you and is using the watch thing as an excuse.

[MortgageGuy]

Originally Posted by dddrees

It's best only if they have a luxury watch of some kind.

X2

[handsfull]

Originally Posted by Speed

Unfortunately, I've found bringing up watches in non WIS circles is often awkward or otherwise disappointing.

Sad....but very true.

[johnbeth]

I suggest to use caution when talking to strangers about watches. If you start a conversation about watches while wearing a Rolex and they are wearing a Citizen, your sister is right. If they comment first about your watch, then it would not be an issue to talk about watches. Discretion is required.

[lortap]

Originally Posted by MortgageGuy

X2

X3

Even though you may have the best of intentions, many would look at it as showboating when they return the question after explaining how they got their Casio, Fossil, etc. on a blue light special

[tomallen]

Your sister is right. I sounds like you are sticking your watch in your friends face and looking for a compliment. Check out my new watch it's a Rolex and I am better than you. I bet you didn't do that with your Citizen when it was new.

[mjrennie]

Originally Posted by brownbear

yes, she has a good point.
I am hesitant on commenting on someone's watch for the same reason.

I agree totally. I'd feel like I was shoving my TT down their throat. I will always talk watches if someone brings it up, which rarely happens. I think watch fanatics are plentiful here, but we are a very small group when considered against the total population.

[rolexsweep]

I believe the key is how you approach it, I'll only ever approach some who is wearing similar value or even In line with the luxury range.... I wouldn't bother Starting a conversation if I was wearing a rolex and someone else a Seiko, as I'm only 20 aswell, a big factor

[Dan Pierce]

Whenever I've approached a stranger about their watch they've rarely if ever asked what I was wearing. If your intensions are good, don't worry what your sister says.
dP

[watchf]

I don't 'watch talk' or comment on watches on wrists of random people outside of TRF. I do like looking though seeing that I like watches but I don't comment on anything at all. I watch talk and comment about the other party or my watch only with people I know better than an acquaintance level, so far I have only watch talked and showcased each other's watches with one person.

[Caraptor]

I don't see the problem. In fact, I've had an experience like this before. I was wearing my Seiko diver once, and a Rolex wearing guy asked me about it. We had a great conversation about watches. I didn't feel that he was trying to one-up me.
OP, I think as long as you come across as sincerely interested in the other person's watch you'll be fine.

[Vernal]

How ironic that i'm finally able to reciprocate in my life-long game of show-and-tell, but now i'm not allowed to play! You can usually tell when a timepiece is considered merely functional by its owner, and when an element of style is being considered, a la an orange monster. I will talk about swatches or a Timex as long as I can guess that the owner cares about more than the ability to determine the time.

Oh well, I guess I'll have to live with it, since I love my watch so much. I guess its just another price to pay.