Ever been embarrassed about the Rolex name?

[DiamondJack]

A friend of my wife's, who we had not seen for some time and who has been struggling a little financially, was staying over last weekend for a break and I happened to be in watch rotation mode so had a Cartier on in the morning to play golf, then changed to a Breitling for the afternoon/evening and on the Sunday morning was wearing my TT GMTIIc.

She hadn't really commented before but had clearly noticed the greater bling aspect of the TT GMT and said "Oh thats a nice watch, I prefer that to the others you were wearing yesterday. What is it? "

And I must admit this was the first time in my relatively short Rolex owning history that I have ever been a little embarrassed to actually say the word "Rolex". I knew (or at least thought) that the moment I said "Rolex", it would create some form of barrier or wealth issue, rightly or wrongly.

Had I been wearing one of my lesser known brands (at least to the general public) even though some are more expensive, I don't think I would have had the same thought process. I have only been buying Rolex since Jan 2011 .......But this was the first time that aspect of watch ownership had reared its head.

In the end I just said it was a GMT used for travelling and explained the independently moving hour hand etc and she said what a great looking watch it was .....BUT Rolex was not specifically mentioned. And clearly, I didn't say I had another batch of watches tucked away back at home

Now don't get me wrong, I am more than happy to strut around like a peacock and do enjoy some aspects of visible wealth but when answering a question from an old friend who was also having some financial difficulties, it suddenly made saying the name Rolex that much more difficult. Cartier, Breitling, Chopard, Blancpain, Omega no problem.... as they (to me) don't have that well known and publicly perceived "expensive" brand name attached to them.

Anyone else had this issue? ......Does Rolex come with a lot more social baggage????

It would also be nice to see some of your most visibly ostentatious Rolex too

And the watch that caused all of this.....

[kcmo]

Yes, I feel the same way. Really prefer not to mention the brand if I can help it. I'm sure others will chime in and say we're being silly, but I just don't like the attention or the stigma, despite the fact that I adore my pieces.

[skyedog]

Originally Posted by kcmo

Yes, I feel the same way. Really prefer not to mention the brand if I can help it. I'm sure others will chime in and say we're being silly, but I just don't like the attention or the stigma, despite the fact that I adore my pieces.

+1 Totally

[hennabav]

It does carry that recognition with owning a Rolex, but I think you handled it quite well!! It may end on an odd note if you had mentioned the brand instead of the model. It would be a different story if you knew they were WIS's!!

[ManUtd]

I can understand your situation, you were simply sensitive to your friend's feelings especially talking about luxury items to somebody struggling financially. I can't say there's anything wrong with that, I would've felt the same way.

[TheVTCGuy]

Agreed, I think you handled that particular situation extremely well, considering her financial difficulties, but under normal circumstances, if someone directly asks me what brand name my watch is, I have never been embarrased or ashamed to say the name Rolex, on the contrary, quite proud! We all have our special "things" in life that mean a lot to us. We have worked hard and earned this special item and although I don't agree with gloating, if someone asks me, I'm glad to tell them.

[Newrolexbuyer]

Money talks, wealth whispers....personally i dont think of rolex as being that outrageous or flashy when bird man is buying million dollar chopard watches ;-). I think you handled that with much class.

[Foxglove]

Originally Posted by newrolexbuyer

money talks, wealth whispers....personally i dont think of rolex as being that outrageous or flashy when bird man is buying million dollar chopard watches ;-). I think you handled that with much class.

+1

[WyoWatch]

Normally it wouldn't embarrass me unless I was in a similar situation where someone could either never afford such an item or was currently in a position of struggling financially. You did the right thing there. I would have done the same thing with my watch and said "It's a Submariner" and then mention how it can be used at great depths while diving and try to gracefully switch subjects.

[landroverking]

Yes name is known more than other lux brands.

[GPdan]

My opinion let them think what they want. My watches are a personal pleasure in this world. However I will admit some people respond in the most bias way to any display of perceived wealth or well being.

[Newportkrieger]

This question from a guy with the user name "Diamond Jack"????

I suggest you relax about it or maybe you can send all your current watches to me (I heard you have a nice red 1680 ) and I will buy you a couple Timex, Casio and Swiss Army watches and we can solve your dilema

I think that the rotation is what got her attention more than just wearing "one watch" the entire time. Non WIS's just dont see and experience watches the way we do. Clearly she was aware of the things you spend your money on.

If you let other people's casual opinions dicate your life's activities...

[Paulie 50]

I think i probably would have told her it was fake, and bought on holiday from the " Lucky Lucky " men on the beach in Sardinia, or wherever you holiday.

[Punjabusa]

the name is well known, status symbol !!

[jdc]

No, but its not a thing I go out of my way to broadcast or have ever ventured to anyone. In fact less than a handful of people (non WIS) have ever noticed or commented.

[esm]

i would feel "uncomfortable" too.... but if it were me and i had someone (like your friend) staying with us, i dont think i'd be changing my watches 3 times a day.

[mrbill2mrbill2]

Originally Posted by esm

i would feel "uncomfortable" too.... but if it were me and i had someone (like your friend) staying with us, i dont think i'd be changing my watches 3 times a day.

X2

If I had an old friend in a similar financial situation stay at my place I would limit myself to one watch. 3 watches in 2 days is only flaunting.

[DiamondJack]

Originally Posted by mrbill2mrbill2

X2

If I had an old friend in a similar financial situation stay at my place I would limit myself to one watch. 3 watches in 2 days is only flaunting.

In hindsight, you're absolutely right and I would not normally change my watches so frequently or for that matter so blatantly.

But in my defence, I was staying at my holiday home and, with quite different activities undertaken during the day and evening, I always tend to change my watch. I prefer my lighter Cartier TT Galbee for golf as it is less noticeable on my wrist. I often wear my Breitling TT Navitimer in the evening since the leather strap is less heavy and the watch is quite dressy. I wear one of my subs for swimming and the GMT for a change or when travelling. The other one was a vintage Speedmaster on this occasion.

But the fact is I have a lot of watches, I am going to buy more and, whilst I don't mind being sensitive in terms of what I say or talk to people about them, I am most definitely not going to curtail my own personal enjoyment when it comes to wearing them.....

[mrbill2mrbill2]

Originally Posted by DiamondJack

In hindsight, you're absolutely right and I would not normally change my watches so frequently or for that matter so blatantly.

But in my defence, I was staying at my holiday home and, with quite different activities undertaken during the day and evening, I always tend to change my watch. I prefer my lighter Cartier TT Galbee for golf as it is less noticeable on my wrist. I often wear my Breitling TT Navitimer in the evening since the leather strap is less heavy and the watch is quite dressy. I wear one of my subs for swimming and the GMT for a change or when travelling. The other one was a vintage Speedmaster on this occasion.

But the fact is I have a lot of watches, I am going to buy more and, whilst I don't mind being sensitive in terms of what I say or talk to people about them, I am most definitely not going to curtail my own personal enjoyment when it comes to wearing them.....

It is just part of being a WIS!! Our brains are wired a little different.

[The Floridian]

I totally understand. I don't want to bring up my new Rolex when talking with a friend who can't cover their rent and doesn't have health insurance.

[Dan2010]

I understand trying to be sensitive to others who are struggling financially but I disagree that I should have to pussy foot around things I have worked hard to earn. However, I wouldn't strut around either. I would have simply answered the question of what it was. People's perceptions will be people's perceptions no matter what you do. She may be thinking bad of you because you have THREE or more watches so it really doesn't matter. My side of the family has ALOT of class envy and when they perceived "that I made it", I noticed a definte change in the way they interacted towards me even though I didn't act any different. It bothered me for awhile but then I realized it was not MY problem, it was theirs.

My advice, enjoy the gifts given to you and be humble but don't feel guilty about being blessed.

[MCLady]

Originally Posted by Dan2010

I understand trying to be sensitive to others who are struggling financially but I disagree that I should have to pussy foot around things I have worked hard to earn. However, I wouldn't strut around either. I would have simply answered the question of what it was. People's perceptions will be people's perceptions no matter what you do. She may be thinking bad of you because you have THREE or more watches so it really doesn't matter. My side of the family has ALOT of class envy and when they perceived "that I made it", I noticed a definte change in the way they interacted towards me even though I didn't act any different. It bothered me for awhile but then I realized it was not MY problem, it was theirs.

My advice, enjoy the gifts God has given to you and be humble but don't feel guilty about being blessed.

Ditto! You are right on! Love what you said.

[gto395]

I agree with dan2010.

Truthfully, don't ever be ashamed, but by the same token, dont be obnoxious either.

My friend recently attended harvard, and whenever we would go out and meet girls, they would ask him where he went to college, and he would try to avoid the question, or respond in an extremely quiet tone because he was ashamed. How silly?

ps. People dont who dont love watches (like most of us here), dont get it. They just dont. Ive heard "its like having a house on your wrist", "i'd never waste money on a watch", "whats that do that a $10 watch doesnt do?". what THEY dont get is that my life changes rapidly everyday, and one of the most stable and consistent companions (a better one I could not ask for) is my watch. It has seen my 'peaks' and 'pits' of my life... and still runs great!

Ps. I actually could ask for a better companion... I'm thinking a YG daytona, white face. If i ever adopt one, I will still show equal love to my ss dj.

[gto395]

'unlike' * ... most of us here

[Oldwilsonian]

I feel it is something that just wrestles with one's self-conscious from time to time - depending on the situation. In your recent experience you felt it was just not appropriate to mention Rolex - I feel that is testamount to your good character and FWIW I think you did the right thing.

I had a similar experience recently with a good friend of mine. He is not struggling financially, but with his committments there is no extra funds for a fine swiss timepiece. He would love to own a Rolex(and is always looking/talking about them) but it is just not feasable at present. He knows I have several nice pieces and I know he is happy for me. Recently I acquired a SS Daytona and as much as I wanted to tell him - I could not. The fact that I just dropped $12k on a watch made me uncomfortable to let him know.

IMO - I am sure most of us have worked hard to obtain the possessions we have and do not need to feel apologetic or embarassed for owning them, just that sometimes, certain situations dictate discretion being the better part of valour.

[dnagwhogas]

I don't know about you guys, but what I would do is, I'd go like "I didn't bring my glasses, could you please tell me what time it is on my ROLEX DAYTONA?" ...showing the watch to her face.

I'm kidding, but I really think you handled the situation remarkably well.

[cbusjer]

I respect your sensitivity to her situation, but I wouldn't have been to shy about what it is. I have watches outside of Rolex that are more valuable than my two Rolexes owned that I feel no one would ever judge me for, namely, b/c they've never heard of them (JLC). You work hard, and as long as you're not rubbing it in people's faces, it's hard to avoid what's on your wrist ;-)

[DCgator]

You did a good job by not mentioning the brand. It shows class.

[Chipmunk]

Originally Posted by DCgator

You did a good job by not mentioning the brand. It shows class.

I agree.

[A.J.R.]

Never been embarrassed to say that I own a Rolex.