(awkward) encounters with Rolex wearers

[Daytonaman799]

No not really.

[Joearch]

I find the watch conversation has come up more when i am wearing one of my Panerai as many of those owners are more conscious of the uniqueness of the brand.

[jssans]

Always had a pleasant acknowledgement of watches. Usually a story to go along with them. I guess I’m in the minority.

[JBoone]

Double post

[JBoone]

Originally Posted by kizerman

If I stopped to talk to every guy I see wearing a Submariner around Charlotte, I'd never get anywhere.

I must not get out much! I am in Charlotte as well and worked downtown for a few years. Did not see many mechanical watches but I do notice them. Maybe a recent phenomenon or maybe you are a banker?

I think the bankers like them. Have seen a few of each omegas, panerais, and rolex but all were pretty rare. Apple watches everywhere though.

I did strike up a conversation with 2 panerai owners on two occasions. Both times they assumed correctly that I liked watches and one asked if I collected.

Would not do so with a rolex owner, more likely not to care about watches as others have said.

[seabreeze60]

Originally Posted by garyk

Over many years I’ve exchanged a few thumbs up with fellow Rolex wearers. After all, I would say most are very proud of these watches and are fellow WIS...

Yes I have experienced events where there were multiple Rolex’s. For close friends great fun. On a cruise, resort or convention less relaxed

[lukey77]

To be honest I’ve read a LOT of “nobody cares “ posts whilst simultaneously you’re looking on a forum.....


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[Boaters]

It is a nice watch just like a nice car or nice clothes and it makes for a nice life. I have only seen a few in the wild and don't really look, but the main place is at the airport.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by dtwer

8 out of 10 probably replicas.

Very ignorant comment. As I said to the other guy: Most likely none are fake. Most Hongkongers wouldn't be caught dead wearing a fake Rolex. Those are for tourists only, like fridge magnets and postcards.

[AF_Rob]

A few guys at work are watch guys. One in particular is a WIS and we have similar taste. It’s nice to talk current pieces and plans, as he has a higher turnover than me.

It never feels like a competition.


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[AzHadEnuf]

In near 40 years of wearing Rolex I can remember being asked twice about my watch. First time was my 10 year old goddaughter who gave me up at a holiday party wearing a Santa costume, “that’s not Santa! That’s uncle Ralph, look at the watch!” Second time was in a Omega AD wearing a Daytona, SA asked if I was ready to move up to an Omega. I’ve never asked a stranger about their watch and the whole exchanging of glances would be weird. I did once follow a guy in a Mustang for 2 miles to ask him what offset he was running on his wheels. Had a nice conversation.

[jerryguo]

Rolex is too common, if it were lange or RM, maybe


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[David001]

Originally Posted by lukey77

To be honest I’ve read a LOT of “nobody cares “ posts whilst simultaneously you’re looking on a forum.....

That's what made me smile too, a load of people commenting on a forum about watches, saying that no one cares about watches.

I rarely used to get comments, prior to a couple of years ago I can only recall a couple of times where I got comments, but now it happens often. A man walked over from two tables away in a restaurant to ask me about my Nautilus, that was weird. And I get comments often if I'm wearing a gold or TT Rolex, so much so that I've stopped wearing them for work.

It's very rare if I'm wearing a dress Patek, in fact I can only recall one comment over a business lunch and the guy didn't even properly know what it was, most people don't know what they are, they just recognise some Rolex and if they've taken an interest in watches from Instagram then some sports Patek/AP.

Wearing a popular Rolex these days is a hot fashion statement, if you work in the city or anywhere where people take notice of fashion then it's going to get noticed a lot. Pretending otherwise is being purposely ignorant, they are what they are, wear it and be part of the fashion parade or don't.

[nyc10ken]

Originally Posted by dtwer

8 out of 10 probably replicas.

Sounds like you never left the United States, cowboy!

In Hong Kong there's pretty much an AD every couple of blocks. It's an import low tax hub where they've been wearing Rolexes probably as long as if not longer than in the United States.

[Little machines]

Always nice to appreciate a great watch regardless, AP, Patek ,Rolex etc and I will compliment and see how the conversation continues. Usually always positive and I’ve help one gentleman and directed him to service his 27 year old Submariner at a RSC . On this forum we are passionate about these beautiful time pieces and it’s great to share our experience’s .

[DCheeta]

In 25 years of wearing Rolex that has only happened to me once and it wasn’t awkward at all. At a bar one night the dude next to me was wearing the same white 116520 Daytona that I was wearing. He just said “nice watch!” I laughed and said “Likewise!” and we both walked back to our tables with our beers.

[Number3]

Originally Posted by AzHadEnuf

Second time was in a Omega AD wearing a Daytona, SA asked if I was ready to move up to an Omega.

To be fair, that is a great line.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Most likely none. Most Hongkongers wouldn't be caught dead wearing a fake Rolex. Those are for tourists only, like fridge magnets and postcards.

This is my experience with my in-laws as well.
No way ever they are going to wear anything fake and lose face.

[Verdulken]

I am in Cannes for business right now and while waiting for a Pizza two days ago I noticed one of the guys hanging around the place (seemingly just hanging around chatting with other guys just hanging too lol) was wearing a two tone sub so I complimented him on it then I pointed to my 14270 and what does he say?...."not the same" with a smirk and a very condescending tone . I don't want to judge (but I was lol), but he was all Gucci'ed up, shoes, track pants and t-shirt they all said Gucci in big bold letters so to me he came up as a total jerk and probably all fake, including maybe the sub too

[yoast]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Everyone and their dog wears a Rolex in Hong Kong...cab drivers, baristas, students, shop girls, the guy who drives my building's shuttle bus...never crosses my mind to talk watches with any of them, nor apparently them with me, I'm glad to say.

So true.

[Innocenti]

Originally Posted by KeobNepo

There is this phenomenon almost each time I encounter a fellow Rolex wearer. The measure of the awkwardness that is caused depends on the duration of the encounter.
The most of us here notice another guy wearing a Rolex quite easily. Sometimes you have to look a little harder to determine the type/model of the watch. The thing is that for some reason you try to look without the other guy noticing it. The funny thing is that most of the time the other is doing exactly the same.

Especially during meetings, when the encounter is for a longer period of time, this becomes a 'thing'. You try to catch the other guy glance at your watch, while the other guy tries to catch you.
It's like you are winning if you catch the other guy looking at yours, and you lose when you are caught.

Also, when you establish the type/model of the other guy, there is this kind of silent competition going on about whose watch is more rare or expensive than the other's.

It's really exceptional, at least from my experience, that you just mention the watch and talk about it. It almost never happens.

I was just wondering if you guys have the same experience and if you deal with it differently.

You’re a psychopath huh ?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_bSiyvnPF2Y

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

I wouldn't think that much about it...

I tend to be on the friendlier side, so if I see someone wearing a nice watch, I compliment them on it. If it strikes up a conversation - great! Otherwise, I just leave it at that - a nice thing said about something that the owner owns...who wouldn't appreciate that?

Same here Jess. as long as the person is “approachable” I do this as well.

Could be shoes, a jacket, a watch, a tattoo ... what have you. If the compliment is genuine, it’s usually met with favour.

[Jpccarguy]

I'm always up for a conversation with a potential WIS, though I don't accost strangers on the street about it. I was a co-presenter at a meeting several weeks ago. The second speaker followed after me, and I noticed the cyclops, but too far away to ID the reference. After we wrapped, I walked over and asked to see his Rolex. He shows me his Exp II black and I show him my BLRO. We had a nice conversation about how his wife gave it to him for their anniversary.
Just the kind of exchange I look forward to.

[RJM25R]

Originally Posted by whited3

Interesting. I wasn't aware of these rules. Seems I need to start hiding a 2nd surprise rolex under my cuff for that decisive win

Apmsl


Time to consolidate my 114060/16613/116610lv/16610/116334/16013/16014 into a platinum Daytona. Not because I want one, but just so I can win this “Game” that I’m never ever likely to enter.....

[zak98]

it's happened a few times over the years. Always seems to happen when wearing the GMTII.

[RJM25R]

Originally Posted by Verdulken

I am in Cannes for business right now and while waiting for a Pizza two days ago I noticed one of the guys hanging around the place (seemingly just hanging around chatting with other guys just hanging too lol) was wearing a two tone sub so I complimented him on it then I pointed to my 14270 and what does he say?...."not the same" with a smirk and a very condescending tone . I don't want to judge (but I was lol), but he was all Gucci'ed up, shoes, track pants and t-shirt they all said Gucci in big bold letters so to me he came up as a total jerk and probably all fake, including maybe the sub too

Fake/jerk because he’s ostentatious?

[RJM25R]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

In 25 years of wearing Rolex that has only happened to me once and it wasn’t awkward at all. At a bar one night the dude next to me was wearing the same white 116520 Daytona that I was wearing. He just said “nice watch!” I laughed and said “Likewise!” and we both walked back to our tables with our beers.

“We’ve been together ever since.....!”

[RKTINC1]

A true WIS always appreciates being noticed in a tactful way. In 30 years of Rolex ownership I have only had 3 or 4 instances of people complimenting me on my watches. Most of the time zero people notice, the rest that do notice do not comment as they are not knowledgable about Rolex/Watches in general to discuss the topic. It is the one item as expensive as a car but virtually unknown to the general public.

It is really based on knowledge. Most anyone can tell an expensive or interesting vehicle and our culture allows for comments and discussions about them in public. With high end watches, there is very little general knowledge about them so they are not called out like say a vintage hot rod at a gas station or a new 911 would be.

[gerry100]

Only a "watch guy" will notice anything besides a Sub Date, at least around here

[RJG]

Jesus Christ there is a LOT of isolated, anti-social, icy dragons here...w/ cold demeanors and poor social skills. I hope I never sit across from you on a bus or train. Wow.

If I see a cool looking watch on a guys wrist I'll very likely say" hey cool watch !" because well... I'm friendly and sociable.