Defending the Rolex Brand & the Men Who Wear It

[BristolCavendish]

Over the weekend, I had the misfortune of having to accompany my wife to her company's annual Christmas party. It was held at the local Hyatt and there was an expansive buffet along with an open bar. After about an hour or so, I began to grow weary of the shallow small talk so I stepped outside to take a 'Willie Nelson' break. Upon my return to the festivities and now feeling somewhat lightened (as well as enlightened), I somehow got dragged into a conversation that was taking place amongst four single women who were discussing single men and their sometimes ostentatious displays of success. The topic eventually turned to Rolexes and the men who wear them. Opinions were mixed (though often tending towards the negative). Apparently there are women who are impressed by these watches along with those who are contemptuous of the wearer. Comments such as a visual success symbol coincided with various derogatory remarks pertaining to arrogance and egocentrism. How I somehow got sucked into this conversation still elludes me but as I recall, I pulled up my sleeve, showed them my SS Submariner (on a humble NATO strap) and simply responded that it was just a watch. I also shared the observation that if some women paid closer attention to their weight, overall appearance and personality, it wouldn't matter what watch brand a man was wearing (whether a Timex or Rolex) as he would probably find some of them attractive and maybe even worth pursuing. The result: I almost got a Cosmopolitan tossed at me (but quick reflexes on my part averted the potential dry-cleaning expenditure). Turns out that my wife reports to one of these women (a mid-level VP). Fortunately we do not co-share a married surname so the coast is most likely clear. Judging by the amount of alcohol that was being consumed at the party, forgetfullness will probably be a pervasive factor. In retrospect, it's probably best to avoid angry, jaded, middle-aged career women/divorcees (Rolex or no Rolex).