Story of feeling out of place....possible change needed

[WatchnRoll]

Hi everyone,

I've been a member here for a few years and don't post often but I do think this place is great.

I'm hoping to get some good replies to my perceived situation.

I've been at my company about 10 years and I am one of the top client consultants/sales people they have. I do okay and like nice things and one of them is my Rolex Deep Sea.

I've been to company meetings before wearing it but this last meeting was with all of the most senior people in my company worldwide.

As a watch guy I do tend to look at other men's wrists to see what they are wearing. I'm in the healthcare consulting business by the way as some may ask.

In these meetings....over several days...NOT one person in all of the management had on a nice watch (Rolex, Breitling, Hublot, whatever). It was mainly cheap watches or no watch at all.

I had several of the managers look at my watch and I have to say I felt very out of place and a bit over the top.

I've owned the watch now for 5 years and have thought about getting something new and selling this one...

But this past week really made me feel self concious. I want to be able to make more money at my company and I don't want these people to think I already have too much. :banged:

I know some can say...well just don't wear that watch near them....but I like wearing a decent watch.

I was thinking of scaling down to a basic Breitling Navitimer on a leather strap....something less showy....

What do you guys think? Don't rip me apart.

[Knappo 1307]

Navitimer, is quite the opposite. IMHO. It's rather large, and definitely not under the radar. If this really bothers you, look at JLC. Excellent watches, and rather refined.

[locutus49]

I doubt if anyone noticed or cared. We tend to be self-conscious

[texex91]

A - They don't care
B - If they really do, find another job

[SemperFi]

I doubt that anyone cares or even recognizes what you're wearing. If they're all company reps then they also probably know what you're earning. How you spend your money is your business only.

Wear your watch and enjoy it.

[GerardoG]

I also think that you should wear it. You have to keep in mind that the DSSD is in fact a watch that is noticed. Take it easy and enjoy it!!!!

[antbkny]

Originally Posted by WatchnRoll

Hi everyone,

I've been a member here for a few years and don't post often but I do think this place is great.

I'm hoping to get some good replies to my perceived situation.

I've been at my company about 10 years and I am one of the top client consultants/sales people they have. I do okay and like nice things and one of them is my Rolex Deep Sea.

I've been to company meetings before wearing it but this last meeting was with all of the most senior people in my company worldwide.

As a watch guy I do tend to look at other men's wrists to see what they are wearing. I'm in the healthcare consulting business by the way as some may ask.

In these meetings....over several days...NOT one person in all of the management had on a nice watch (Rolex, Breitling, Hublot, whatever). It was mainly cheap watches or no watch at all.

I had several of the managers look at my watch and I have to say I felt very out of place and a bit over the top.

I've owned the watch now for 5 years and have thought about getting something new and selling this one...

But this past week really made me feel self concious. I want to be able to make more money at my company and I don't want these people to think I already have too much. :banged:

I know some can say...well just don't wear that watch near them....but I like wearing a decent watch.

I was thinking of scaling down to a basic Breitling Navitimer on a leather strap....something less showy....

What do you guys think? Don't rip me apart.

get mad!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4PE2hSqVnk

[Tools]

You say that all the rest had on ho-hum watches..

That means that watches are of little importance to them and it's unlikely that anybody paid the least bit of attention to the watch you are wearing..

[rr-nyc]

The healthcare industry is pretty conservative in general. There isn't a lot of flashy spending going on nowadays because of the negative backlash medical device and pharmaceutical companies have received in the past. Lavish spending means more expensive healthcare costs.

With that said, I really don't care that my boss or any other execs don't spend a lot of money of clothes or accessories so I've never had a problem wearing whatever I want and as others stated, they really don't care about what you're wearing either. Just because they don't buy expensive watches doesn't mean they don't make a lot of money and put it somewhere else.

[Wesley Crusher]

I'd do the exact opposite of what you're thinking and go for a full YG Sub with diamond dial. :)

[antbkny]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

I'd do the exact opposite of what you're thinking and go for a full YG Sub with diamond dial. :)

[cdmorenot]

I am in the business of saving people money and I am very aware of my audience. I normally begin my meetings with an understated watch on a leather strap such as one of my Seikos. The way I conduct business there is usually a follow up. The first meeting is an opportunity for me to get an idea of who I am dealing with and if I have to bring out the big guns I will and bust out a Rolex.

The majority of the time no one cares.

[Old Geezer]

You may be a bit self conscious because you notice watches and assume others have the same predisposition to notice what you were wearing. The DSSD is large and indeed someone may have noticed it simply for this reason but not recognized it for what it is - a Rolex, especially if they are not into watches. These same people might look at an Invicta and see $$$$.
IMO, wear your DSSD and forget about it.

[Lordofrolex]

You're telling me you felt out of place wearing SS Deep see. Its not like it was a DD or gold sub. Not sure what to tell you. I don't think you can go any lower in this range of quality. I guess you can always get a speedy pro. It has history and still a respectable.

I wouldn't feel out of place wearing a SS sub type watch in any situation.

[antbkny]

most people have no idea what a DSSD is. Your car on the other hand, people notice.

[AK797]

I don't think the others are into watches or care, but even so I do believe that a man's wrist is his own private kingdom and you should wear any watch you choose and esp if, as it is only an SS watch and not gold or with diamonds, it is already a bit of an accommodation.

[mannyv11]

A lot of the people that were in your meeting that you think were noticing your watch probably make much more money than you do (especially if they are higher level than you), with that being said they probably do not care what you spend your money on. Most people might notice that you are wearing a watch and take a quick look at your wrist but in all actuality they have no clue what kind of watch you are wearing and or how much money it actually costs.

At my previous company one of the higher ups (real ass) noticed my watch and grabbed my wrist and scoped out that I was wearing a Rolex (explorer 2 216570). Pretty low profile watch IMO, he then shouted about how they were paying me too much etc, I calmly explained I have no kids (yet) and it's a hobby of mine to buy and sell watches. I also asked him if he had any hobbies to which he replied boating. I looked at him told him his money would probably last longer if he lit it on fire and walked away.

My direct boss applauded me for standing up to the guy and said he completely understood why I was into watches.

[srvrf]

I'm in healthcare too and have had similar feelings. Rolexes are just so well known that everyone recognizes the brand. Plus the Oyster case of your Deep Sea is about as iconic as it gets. I have had multiple patients tell me that they cannot afford a bottle of eyedrops for $50-100 when I have had a Daytona on my wrist. It just makes you think from a slightly different perspective (others around you who may not have as much money OR who chose to spend their money on other things - cars, boats, etc.). I don't think there is anything wrong with that and, in fact, I think if more people truly tried to see things from other's perspectives, we'd be a lot better off. That being said, I can think of a few things you can consider.

1. Do nothing and just wear the watch. As long as you're not constantly staring at it, most people won't recognize or care what's on your wrist, especially with long sleeves (although in Florida that may not be too often).

2. If you want to go a little less expensive and under the radar, I'd consider a lesser known brand than Breitling because most will still equate a Breitling as an expensive watch and many have that "bling" factor. Alpina, Sinn, Nomos, are some less expensive brands that are great mechanical watches.

3. But in your shoes, I'd seriously consider going under the radar but parallel or up the scale. This is what I did when I traded one Daytona for a Royal Oak Chronograph and the other for an IWC GST Perpetual Calendar Chronograph. Only a true WIS would recognize a brand like Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, or Blancpain. To me, this gave me the best of both worlds and I fly under the radar all of the time. And I think you should give serious consideration to a Grand Seiko, which may be the single best under the radar watch out there.

Keep us posted and good luck with your decision.

[Andrés G]

Think outside of the box. These is a clear signal that you need to add a nice dress watch and wear that to the office. The DSSD could be your weekend watch.

[beer]

like with anything work related you should do what you think is best for your career - maybe you prefer wearing jeans rather than a suit but when working your personal preference is put to one side and you wear the suit ... same with watches

if you feel your success is genuinely at risk regardless of whether this is justified don't let the watch jeopardise or lessen your success, wearing a nice watch is not the priority when at work

[daveathall]

Grand Seiko.

[WatchnRoll]

Thanks everyone. i definitely understand that most feel...people don't notice.

Trust me...they notice. We got on the subject of Apple Watches as another two guys were wearing them...and it lead to my watch on my wrist. My boss mentioned to me that he would be scared to wear my watch because of how much they are. I made a joke about it and said the Apple Watch is almost as expensive....hahaha....not true....

I get that I can keep it and it's not a big deal what others think. Perhaps a Navitimer on a leather strap is also just as noticeable...

Maybe i've grown tired of the Deep Sea and want something new and i'm making excuses....

I appreciate your thoughts guys

[Dan Pierce]

So they notice. How much do they spend on golf, cars, fine dining, etc? You just choose to invest your discretionary $$ on a nice watch[es].

It's not what you wear, it's how you wear it.
dP

[locutus49]

Well said.

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

So they notice. How much do they spend on golf, cars, fine dining, etc? You just choose to invest your discretionary $$ on a nice watch[es].

It's not what you wear, it's how you wear it.
dP

[Bafflingbs]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

So they notice. How much do they spend on golf, cars, fine dining, etc? You just choose to invest your discretionary $$ on a nice watch[es].

It's not what you wear, it's how you wear it.
dP

Exactly my thoughts. Speaking as someone who has only owned a Rolex for a week. They're not looking at you with disdain. They're only admiring your watch.

[TheBluePrince]

It's a big and quite ugly watch so sure people are gonna look at it whatever make it is.

Your biggest problem is that it definitely does not fit with a business suit (presuming you were wearing one) so looked even more conspicuous and out of place in your meeting.

[azguy]

You can listen to all the advice above or actually enter the real world; people are bitter, shallow and resentful. Wear a Rolex and the the guy that controls your fate may just be bitter enough over his mortgage, car payments, kids college fund, high maintenance wife and everything else to hold it against you that you are wearing the watch he always wanted. Maybe he's figuring you are a rich kid and not just a saver who drives a 10 year old car and decided to spend your income on watch and not a BMW. People, in my experience, draw conclusions and ask questions later.

[Hpozzuoli]

Originally Posted by azguy

You can listen to all the advice above or actually enter the real world; people are bitter, shallow and resentful. Wear a Rolex and the the guy that controls your fate may just be bitter enough over his mortgage, car payments, kids college fund, high maintenance wife and everything else to hold it against you that you are wearing the watch he always wanted. Maybe he's figuring you are a rich kid and not just a saver who drives a 10 year old car and decided to spend your income on watch and not a BMW. People, in my experience, draw conclusions and ask questions later.

Pretty well stated.

I think people around here judge you on your car. Lots of 30 something's living in their parents basement so they can make the $1k S550 payment. Doesn't matter they live at home when you have an S550 homie!! I hear and see this a lot at my wife's work. Pretty much everyone ranks each other on their car. Impress me with your house!!

[clock]

If you continue to be an asset to the company, I don't think your superiors care.
It's clear you are not comfortable with wearing that watch and/or want to flip the DSSD for something else.

Time to have fun and go watch shopping.
As others have said, buy what you love.

[TheBluePrince]

Originally Posted by Hpozzuoli

Pretty well stated.

I think people around here judge you on your car. Lots of 30 something's living in their parents basement so they can make the $1k S550 payment. Doesn't matter they live at home when you have an S550 homie!! I hear and see this a lot at my wife's work. Pretty much everyone ranks each other on their car. Impress me with your house!!

I know people like this. A lot are just waiting for the inevitable worldwide financial crash that is coming and then will pick up a house for a bargain. Then those who paid the peak price for the house and now have $100K+ negative equity will be the one's everyone is laughing at. We'll see.