Another Timex moment

[Ed Rooney]

I was conversing with an older couple this weekend. The long and short of it was that he told me had a Timex and it kept better time than his sons Rolex. When it breaks, he just gets another.

I hate getting sucked into these conversations. I wasn't even wearing my Rolex. I didn't tell him I own a Rolex.

The funny part is that this guy has a bass boat and a pickup truck he bought just to tow it.

This is why I try not to talk to people.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Ed Rooney

I was conversing with an older couple this weekend. The long and short of it was that he told me had a Timex and it kept better time than his sons Rolex. When it breaks, he just gets another.

I hate getting sucked into these conversations. I wasn't even wearing my Rolex. I didn't tell him I own a Rolex.

The funny part is that this guy has a bass boat and a pickup truck he bought just to tow it.

This is why I try not to talk to people.

Most probably he was correct if the Timex was a quartz.

[Ed Rooney]

Originally Posted by padi56

Most probably he was correct if the Timex was a quartz.

Sure, but he was exceedingly smug about it.

It wouldn't even cross my mind to say "well, my 12 foot aluminum skiff gets to the fish and holds my cooler of beer just as well as a bass boat".

[biggums]

Most of my friends are very proud and vocal to brag about the fact that their watch cost $10 and when it breaks after 5 years or so they just buy another.

This conversation usually begins when they see my Rolex and ask me how much I paid for it.

Lets face it some people could care less about a nice quality lifetime watch. To them its a waste of money. To each his own!

For me I have enjoyed all my Rolex's over the years and they are one quality thing you can carry, use and enjoy every day.

I am surprised at the number of people that never notice a fine watch. I have worn mostly Subs over the years and I could count the number of comments from folks about my wonderful watch on one hand. I think the general public is clueless over a Timez vs a Rolex.

Do I care? Nope I wear them and enjoy them for meee!

[cdnwatchguy]

Originally Posted by Ed Rooney

Sure, but he was exceedingly smug about it.

It wouldn't even cross my mind to say "well, my 12 foot aluminum skiff gets to the fish and holds my cooler of beer just as well as a bass boat".

Different people have different priorities in life. What might be right for you doesn't necessarily fit for someone else.

[smallcandle]

Originally Posted by Ed Rooney

This is why I try not to talk to people.

Words to live by.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Ed Rooney

Sure, but he was exceedingly smug about it.

It wouldn't even cross my mind to say "well, my 12 foot aluminum skiff gets to the fish and holds my cooler of beer just as well as a bass boat".

Well there are most certainly more Rolex watches in this world today than Timex.

[GoldenBear]

Who is it that said "Hell is other people"?...Anyway...It seems like there are two kinds of people...those that shop for items (baseball or concert tickets, wine list, watches, etc.) and start with the highest priced item and work their way down the list...and those that look for the cheapest possible price and work their way up. Two very different ways of thinking. I am the kind that starts with the highest price as it usually means the highest quality.

[Sgt. Henry]

Originally Posted by Ed Rooney

This is why I try not to talk to people.

Me too, (present company excluded of course)

[Ed Rooney]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well there are most certainly more Rolex watches in this world today than Timex.

You think?

I would bet the opposite. Rolex is cranking out a million a year. I think Timex probably makes that many of each of their models. Sure, their 1985 collection is mostly sitting in landfills, but they still have a bunch of working watches out there.

I don't have anything against Timex. I prefer Casio in that price range, but you can't argue with a $29 Ironman.

Truthfully, the conversation went in a few different directions that made me certain I didn't like them.

[kingblackbolt]

I guess some people never rank their watches above "disposable"

[mtrunner]

We all have different priorities and prioritize what is important to us. To him a Rolex is not one of them. I just ignore these type of comments. To me I think it is dumb he spent all that money on a bass boat but I am not a fishermen. Different strokes for different folks.

[Ed Rooney]

Originally Posted by kingblackbolt

I guess some people never rank their watches above "disposable"

I'm totally fine with that. The ones who let you know they are smarter or whatever because of it bug me.

[vintage69]

I was once told that only the rich can afford cheap. A Rolex is a watch that will last generations while a Timex lasts a few years. By the time a Rolex is expired, you would have bought enough Timexes to have bought several Rolexes.

[BMAN8]

You either have a passion for watches or you don't. If you don't, you buy a Timex or whatever and don't think about it for a second.

Agreed, I don't care for people asking how much my watches or other possessions cost. Not to mention any rude commentary regarding "over-spending".

I never tell anyone who asks how much my belongings cost.

[Goodwatch]

If all you want is to know the time then any more or less reliable watch will do the job. Trying to convince people of your own point of view is pointless but that isn't restricted to watches.

We all have our own preferences. A month ago I bought a pocket knife, a 'boyscout' model. It is a handmade replica of the knife German soldiers were issued in the beginning of the 20th century. I use it like you would use a 99 cent knife. But it was $155 and if my colleagues knew that, they would think I'm crazy. Yes, that 99 cent knife will cut a rope too. And at least in the beginning equally well.

The same goes for a fountain pen vs. a cheap gel pen. But to me it is not just about the primary function, anything can be reasoned away. Besides being practical I believe personal items must be able to bestow a feeling of happiness on the the owner. A Rolex can do that. That pocketknife can do that and a fountain pen can do that too.

I seek no explanation nor do I give it. Be happy, life is short

[InVision]

Originally Posted by Ed Rooney

This is why I try not to talk to people.

AMEN !!

[Ed Rooney]

Originally Posted by vintage69

I was once told that only the rich can afford cheap. A Rolex is a watch that will last generations while a Timex lasts a few years. By the time a Rolex is expired, you would have bought enough Timexes to have bought several Rolexes.

One thing I learned from my father is to research a purchase thoroughly and spend the money for good quality. He's also incredibly skeptical. If the average person thinks they are getting a good deal, they are almost certainly getting ripped off. Regular schlubs will line up around the block to get ripped off if the marketing is slick enough, if you know what iMean.

[Bullyterrier]

Originally Posted by vintage69

I was once told that only the rich can afford cheap. A Rolex is a watch that will last generations while a Timex lasts a few years. By the time a Rolex is expired, you would have bought enough Timexes to have bought several Rolexes.

Do you think so?

If you paid £10 for a watch that lasted 5 years, in 40 years you would only have spent £80, so even if you pay a little more or throw them out before 5 years you are still a long way from a Rolex price.

I have just bought a G-shock which will be more accurate than my LV, it will tell the time in 29 time zones, has multiple alarms, and even tells the tide times, non of which my LV can do.
And at a fraction of the price of my LV, I could probably get nearly 100 of them for the price of the Rolex!

[36475koz]

The best response is a shoulder shrug and an about-face.

You could also consider pulling the plug on his bass boat...just for laughs.

[andypandy]

It's confession time. I buy most of my clothes at Thrift-shops , I love to shop at Tk-max and always look for the reduced price stickers in supermarkets. That way
I can own a 1675 , a 6422, a Tudor Sub., an Omega DeVille and a vintage IWC.....
I almost forgot.....the !950 Tudor Oyster. I realise that I have different priorities
from other people.....but I really LIKES my watches.I am also the proud owner of a
1960 Seiko automatic , bought in Kobe Japan in 1969 for $20 approx. Keeps not bad.....20-25 seconds lost per diem.....Never been cleaned or serviced !

[utc66]

In 14 million years, none of this is going to matter.

[landroverking]

My watches are by far the only things I splurge on. I don't spend a lot of money on clothes, don't wear any other jewerly own only one car and NO boats. Now I do wear custom made boots (have bad feet) and a big gun collection, but nothing really outward. Besides everyone in Texas has a Texas timex!(Rolex)

[kingblackbolt]

Originally Posted by Ed Rooney

I'm totally fine with that. The ones who let you know they are smarter or whatever because of it bug me.

Exactly... your hobby can be boats, faberge eggs or whatever the hell you want but don't look down your nose because you think that anyone who spends more than $20 on a watch is crazy!

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by utc66

In 14 million years, none of this is going to matter.

lol how true !

Every time someone notices my watch (it's VERY rare when they actually do anyway, which is a good thing IMO) they ALWAYS ask me "how much did you pay for it". I NEVER tell ANYONE (well, except everyone here lol) how much I pay for any of my watches becuase:
1. It's none of thier business
2. If they have to ask, when/if I do tell them they will say "WOW" with a "HOW CAN YOU AFFORD THAT" all while thier jaw dropping to the ground
and
3. the whole "why didn't you just buy a Timex for $20" argument would come up.
So, I just say it was handed down, or my parents bought it for me lol

[snowbird]

I'm a big fan of the Timex Ironman as well as Rolex, clearly a Rolex is a luxury purchase and a Timex will tell the time as well or better at a much lower price . . . that said I still just like wearing Rolex and that's a good enough reason to buy one to me . . .

A Rolex is also much better at holding its value than most other luxury items (cars, boats, etc.) so it's pretty good, as far as bad investments go!

[Ed Rooney]

Originally Posted by utc66

In 14 million years, none of this is going to matter.

It will matter greatly. Future visitors to earth will rebuild our culture using the DNA of every fossil they find wearing a Rolex.

Except for the Pro-Hunter ones.

[Eric89]

To me this has always been a silly arguement from ignorant people. A Kia and an Aston Martin will both get you to the same place, but which would you rather get there in? People have different tastes and different hobbies and can spend their money on whatever try see fit and I will continue to so the same.

[TheBluePrince]

I wear my $10 Casio terrorist special just as easily and enjoyably as any "high end" or "luxury" brand i've owned. It matters not.

[biggums]

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

If all you want is to know the time then any more or less reliable watch will do the job. Trying to convince people of your own point of view is pointless but that isn't restricted to watches.

We all have our own preferences. A month ago I bought a pocket knife, a 'boyscout' model. It is a handmade replica of the knife German soldiers were issued in the beginning of the 20th century. I use it like you would use a 99 cent knife. But it was $155 and if my colleagues knew that, they would think I'm crazy. Yes, that 99 cent knife will cut a rope too. And at least in the beginning equally well.

The same goes for a fountain pen vs. a cheap gel pen. But to me it is not just about the primary function, anything can be reasoned away. Besides being practical I believe personal items must be able to bestow a feeling of happiness on the the owner. A Rolex can do that. That pocketknife can do that and a fountain pen can do that too.

I seek no explanation nor do I give it. Be happy, life is short

Well said!