Is it really worth it?

[doramas]

...

[doramas]

Sometimes I wonder if it was worth spending large amounts of money to buy Rolex watches.
I think about it when I see people having a hard time financially, and I wonder if I am a good person, and that has led me to reduce my watches to two Rolexes and despite that I am still not satisfied.
However, I don't want to give up this hobby that I love so much. I'm in a mess.

[James Lee]

I think most people would love to have two Rolexes. In many ways you are blessed. If you worked hard to earn these watches, I don't think you should feel guilty for your success.

[bp1000]

There is a lot of inequality in the world and you can’t be a 1 man army to fix it. You can just be a good person a long the way and enjoy your hobby.

I think this a lot too. But you can get polarised by overthinking it.

[GradyPhilpott]

I don't think you deserve to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.

You may own as many Rolex watches as you can afford or divest yourself completely and still not affect the global economy or the distribution of resources.

If Rolex watches cause you concern about your place in the universe, there are plenty of watches that cost considerably less that are just as satisfying--to me anyway.

Follow your conscience.

[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by doramas

Sometimes I wonder if it was worth spending large amounts of money to buy Rolex watches.
I think about it when I see people having a hard time financially, and I wonder if I am a good person, and that has led me to reduce my watches to two Rolexes and despite that I am still not satisfied.
However, I don't want to give up this hobby that I love so much. I'm in a mess.

I think a lot of collectors go through these moments, sometimes it’s nice to sit back and enjoy what you have. Or dive into seiko divers for a bit, mix it up.


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[Robf52]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I don't think you deserve to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.

You may own as many Rolex watches as you can afford or divest yourself completely and still not affect the global economy or the distribution of resources.

If Rolex watches cause you concern about your place in the universe, there are plenty of watches that cost considerably less that are just satisfying to me, anyway.

Follow your conscience.

Well said.

[biscotti]

You sound like a good person to even think of this. Be the best person you can be and continue to enjoy your hobby. You deserve to be happy.

[Lithographica]

Definitely maybe

[Shadow Play]

Some might say.

[envuks]

Awareness of this is a good step. so long as you are being reasonably charitable to causes that are important to you each year, my take is that you can enjoy such luxuries without guilt.

You cannot save the world yourself. charity can sometimes feel like throwing sand into the ocean. it works best when everyone is doing their part. There will always be people with great needs. Helping where we can is the key


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[Shadow Play]

Originally Posted by doramas

Sometimes I wonder if it was worth spending large amounts of money to buy Rolex watches.
I think about it when I see people having a hard time financially, and I wonder if I am a good person, and that has led me to reduce my watches to two Rolexes and despite that I am still not satisfied.
However, I don't want to give up this hobby that I love so much. I'm in a mess.

All good and well reducing your collection to two Rolexes but (unless you have given your money away) does that not just mean you have more money now?

[JSolution]

Are you going to give away the money you receive from selling them? If you more just going to put the money in your bank really don’t see what difference it makes.

[Boothroyd]

I was talking to an AD in CA while traveling about 6 years ago, back when you could still see and handle an array of Rolex models. Something he said stuck with me.

To paraphrase: If you have a single Rolex entry-level model, you still own all the craftsmanship and technology of the brand. Basically the ownership enjoyment of having one is very large and additional acquisitions don't add as much value to the Rolex experience. Great if you want more and can swing it.

I know I would have more watches now if I hadn't had that conversation then.

[DJ39]

I too have reflected hard during the pandemic and reduced my watch collection from 20 watches of all price points and I am currently at 5 watches. It was just a personal choice, I am not recommending it for anyone. I felt less was more gratifying.

[BNA/LION]

Yes it is worth it.

Compassion for others and passion for hobbies can co-exist much like a lot of things in life. Balance is the key IMHO.

[Rashid.bk]

There's something inside of a wis that draws you to watches, you can't escape it. The money issue is either you have it or you don't. Have could mean you're wealthy and buy however many you want or it could mean you saved years to finally buy one, if you don't have, you simply do not for whatever reason.
I realized long ago from my colleagues or friends who don't understand how I could spend "x" amount on watch, that everybody or most people have an affinity toward something.
It may be silly or unreasonable to comprehend so much for a watch or watches but these same people have no issues spending thousands on gold clubs, motorcycles, boats, jet skis, hunting/fishing gear/ knives, things that go bang, cars, etc...things that I inversely don't understand spending money on.

So is it worth it, that can only be answered by the individual and understood by likeminded people who have similar affinities. The other is it worth it point of view is basically from an investing perspective. If the item can be monetized for profit then it's basic math, it is "worth" it, but the discussion of watches as investments is not something that particularly interests me as way back in the late eighties when I caught the watch bug and bought my first watch, I never in my wildest imaginations considered it as an investment, and I bet not one who person who bought a Double Red Sea-Dweller back in the 60-70s purchased it as an investment.
Today I still don't, I think watches touch a very personal pleasure center in the brain for us and I respect that that pleasure may transfer into being happy with the watch returning more money in time. However, that bears no interest to me.

It's definitely worth it to me.

[doramas]

Originally Posted by JSolution

Are you going to give away the money you receive from selling them? If you more just going to put the money in your bank really don’t see what difference it makes.

I have donated a large part of it to associations that help immigrant people.
I think the question is not very pertinent.

[doramas]

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

I was talking to an AD in CA while traveling about 6 years ago, back when you could still see and handle an array of Rolex models. Something he said stuck with me.

To paraphrase: If you have a single Rolex entry-level model, you still own all the craftsmanship and technology of the brand. Basically the ownership enjoyment of having one is very large and additional acquisitions don't add as much value to the Rolex experience. Great if you can want more and can swing it.

I know I would have more watches now if I hadn't had that conversation then.

Fantastic reflection.

[FTX I]

Watches are predictable objects that make me happy everyday and deliver exactly what I expect from them in a quiet way. They don't complain that I fell in love with another watch 20 years ago. They don't care if I grab a smoke or have a few more beers than I should on a friday night. They travel with me anywhere I want and don't complain or tell me I need to find different places to go because life is too short and the list goes on. So as long as I pay my taxes, as long as I donate to charity, take care of my family, care about others, treat others with respect, and only spend my own hard earned money it's all good. I don't buy flamboyant jewelry anyways. My watches are all simple black and white in SS and nobody cares what I buy except myself so it's all fine.

[Shadow Play]

Originally Posted by doramas

I have donated a large part of it to associations that help immigrant people.
I think the question is not very pertinent.

I think the reason he asked was the same reason I asked.

If you felt bad about people being in poverty at the same time as owning multiple expensive watches what difference does it make to the people in poverty if you then only own a couple of expensive watches but put the cash raised from their sale into a bank account with your name on it?

Would having money tied up in the bank not helping the poor make you feel better than having money tied up in watches not helping the poor?

Clearly the large part of the funds raised being given to associations helping immigrant people would make a difference.

None of the above is a criticism. I’m simply trying to explain the pertinence of the question, particularly given the reason why you say you felt uneasy about owning multiple watches.

[TimeAZ]

I can relate... although I don't feel guilty about being able to afford these unnecessary luxury items. I've worked extremely hard and feel I've earned the enjoyment. Not in an egotistical way, I recognize I don't have a "right" to anything... it's just, I won't feel guilty wearing an extremely well constructed, beautiful piece of art on my wrist, at the end of day I worked for my salary and this is one of a few things that brings me some joy.

However, I am still disenfranchised. For, me the hobby has become dissatisfying due to various market conditions. I feel the experience of visiting an AD has been pretty poor. I get their business model, but this whole culture of catering to "preferred clients" is an extreme turn-off and it makes me want to abandon the hobby. The little VIP events that the AD hosts is an example of the differential treatment an AD has for its clientele. It also aptly illustrates what Rolex has become as a brand: elitist, pretentious, and exclusive, all in ways that I find negative.

As a result, I don't feel any enjoyment whatsoever in pursuing (or even obtaining) a piece. For me, "pursuing" a piece means reading about it on the forums or watching a Youtube video; forget about even "trying" at the AD. Then, "obtaining" a piece means buying from the secondary market, making an online payment for something I don't even know what it will feel like or look like in person, and then signing for a package a couple days later. Rather sterile, anticlimactic, and forgettable experience.

I do get some enjoyment from seeing others achieve their grails, hence this forum is nice.

[doramas]

Originally Posted by Shadow Play

I think the reason he asked was the same reason I asked.

If you felt bad about people being in poverty at the same time as owning multiple expensive watches what difference does it make to the people in poverty if you then only own a couple of expensive watches but put the cash raised from their sale into a bank account with your name on it?

Would having money tied up in the bank not helping the poor make you feel better than having money tied up in watches not helping the poor?

Clearly the large part of the funds raised being given to associations helping immigrant people would make a difference.

None of the above is a criticism. I’m simply trying to explain the pertinence of the question, particularly given the reason why you say you felt uneasy about owning multiple watches.

Of course, if I had not given part of the money to an association, there would be no point in parting with the watches, but I didn't want to say it because I am ashamed to talk about these things. I prefer to keep them to myself.
Don't worry about it. It's all cleared up.

[Shadow Play]

Originally Posted by doramas

Of course, if I had not given part of the money to an association, there would be no point in parting with the watches, but I didn't want to say it because I am ashamed to talk about these things. I prefer to keep them to myself.
Don't worry about it. It's all cleared up.

[BDII]

Makes sense! Its good to live generously as well as to enjoy life.

If you can find a cause you believe in, you could donate a % of income every year, or even just have a monthly budget for generosity.

Someone once said, “those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” I believe this.

Can’t change the world alone, but we can align ourselves with a good organizations that are making a difference.

[DJ2020]

Originally Posted by FTX I

Watches are predictable objects that make me happy everyday and deliver exactly what I expect from them in a quiet way. They don't complain that I fell in love with another watch 20 years ago. They don't care if I grab a smoke or have a few more beers than I should on a friday night. They travel with me anywhere I want and don't complain or tell me I need to find different places to go because life is too short and the list goes on. So as long as I pay my taxes, as long as I donate to charity, take care of my family, care about others, treat others with respect, and only spend my own hard earned money it's all good. I don't buy flamboyant jewelry anyways. My watches are all simple black and white in SS and nobody cares what I buy except myself so it's all fine.

That's what I was thinking. Perfectly said!

[SS Oyster]

Thank you for sharing your feelings on this imbalance. Same goes for homes, cars, jewelry, etc. We are too flawed to be completely selfless, but reflecting is a good start and then finding ways to help and share in your bounty continues that effort. You are a better person for having thought this through. From here, I am no one to give advise, but try not to carry this huge weight as it will just drag you down where you might not be able to help those in need. Smile as you are blessed.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I don't think you deserve to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.

You may own as many Rolex watches as you can afford or divest yourself completely and still not affect the global economy or the distribution of resources.

If Rolex watches cause you concern about your place in the universe, there are plenty of watches that cost considerably less that are just as satisfying--to me anyway.

Follow your conscience.

This !


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[foxytimes]

Originally Posted by doramas

Fantastic reflection.

It's like submitting to the crown and once you wear the coronet it's noblesse oblige. Be self-respectful and respectful towards others, to anyone. You will wear your watch without twinge of remorse.

[turkeysub93]

Wearing a Rolex makes you no better or worse of a person...it is a material object.