Do you let your teenager borrow your Rolex?

[repoman]

There have been several threads on TRF regarding teenagers, but most are variants of "how young is too young to buy a Rolex?", or, "what's the best age to buy your first Rolex?". My question is a bit different: is it ever appropriate to allow your teenage son/daughter to wear your Rolex?

In my case, my youngest son is 16, very responsible, and totally gets the watch addiction. He enjoys talking watches, and visiting watch stores with me. He asks me questions about the watches I'm wearing, and in general appreciates the pieces the same way we all do. On special occasions, I have asked him "would you like to wear the <insert nice watch> today?". He always beams a big smile and enthusiastically says "oh yeah!", usually after asking "are you serious?". I think I get more enjoyment sharing my interest in horology and on occasion my time pieces, than he does wearing them. He doesn't use it to brag or show off (we've talked about that at length), its more a father/son thing and he gets the same tingly feelings from wearing a fine time piece as we do.

I'm aware of the downsides - it's a lot of responsibility. what happens if the watch is damaged or lost? Using it as a status symbol or to "show-off" is obnoxious. It can foster cavalier attitudes toward valuable objects or money. etc.

Ultimately, I think it boils down to the young person involved. What say you?

[Rock]

I think smart parents try to develop 'common interests' with their teenage offspring, fostering rapport & empathy that pays dividends when 'threats' arise, as they often do in the teenage years. It's about keeping the communication channels open.
I'm not a fan of the "best mate with my kid" philosophy as I believe kids need a 'parent' not a 'best mate', and being their 'best mate' gets in the way of fulfilling the parent-role.
As to the watch - it ultimately comes down to whether you can grin and say "Don't worry about it" (and mean it) if it comes home damaged.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Rock

I think smart parents try to develop 'common interests' with their teenage offspring, fostering rapport & empathy that pays dividends when 'threats' arise, as they often do in the teenage years. It's about keeping the communication channels open.
I'm not a fan of the "best mate with my kid" philosophy as I believe kids need a 'parent' not a 'best mate', and being their 'best mate' gets in the way of fulfilling the parent-role.
As to the watch - it ultimately comes down to whether you can grin and say "Don't worry about it" (and mean it) if it comes home damaged.

I'm not a parent yet, but very well said IMHO!

I think you are doing fine OP. You know your son and his level of maturity. If sharing is what makes you happy then by all means share. I feel the same way about my car. I try to get everyone to drive it lol

[Alford]

My kids are now adults, but when they were at home I did not allow them to wear my watch. I can see a lot of bad things happening to a kid wearing an expensive watch.

[GradyPhilpott]

Depending on where you live, he's old enough to drive the family automobile. The typical Rolex is somewhat less expensive.

[77T]

If he's driving a Pontiac Aztek, then he can wear a Casio

[AK797]

Originally Posted by repoman

On special occasions, I have asked him "would you like to wear the <insert nice watch> today?

Oh go on, let him wear the whole watch.

[Headshrinker]

I have two girls. I hope they grow up to be models or movie stars so they can wear them loose, like the pictures we all see in magazines.

[ocabj]

Originally Posted by 77T

If he's driving a Pontiac Aztek, then he can wear a Casio

LOL. I can't believe you just cited the Aztek.

[subtona]

if he can pay for it, he can borrow it.

[gmh1013]

Why not...I had a Sub that I bought in early 74 in high school.....only kid in my school with a Rolex.....or knew what one was probably (or cared). I think I paid about 450.00 for it.....about 2k in today's dollars

[raky]

Well my son is only 2 months old but when he is a teenager, I will have no problem with him borrowing one of my watches. The GMT I currently own, I actually bought for him a week before he was born so when he is mature enough to know the value of a dollar and handle it, I will give it to him. I know not a Rolex but I spent $2k of my own money on a Tag Heuer when I was 16. For one reason or another it was getting serviced and my dad let me borrow one of his watches - a Cartier Santos. I didn't show it off and honestly most people that I went to school with probably wouldn't even know what it was. I really think it depends on the kid.

[VICI]

I absolutely would.

I remember wearing, as a teen, a longines that my father had and was very proud of it.

I've said this before - a parent's job is to be the guide for their kids - I'm happy to share and hope that my kids will enjoy some of the things that I do.

Set the bar and they should want take it higher.

[ColRam425]

As a young person, whose father owns 5 Rolexes, I can say that I've only every been allowed to borrow a Rolex (his SS sub) one time and only after obnoxiously begging him non-stop. That and he let me wear his SS Daytona when he took it along with his WG DDII (which he wore) when he purchased both from the AD (had to take it off when we went to eat lunch)

[Andad]

Well as a father of 8 and 12 grand children so far I would say you are correct - nagging me to do something just doesn't count.

[kilyung]

I've let my son borrow my steel models when he's with me but never a precious metal one until he's much older. They're all insured so less concerned about the watch and more about his safety.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Rock

I think smart parents try to develop 'common interests' with their teenage offspring, fostering rapport & empathy that pays dividends when 'threats' arise, as they often do in the teenage years. It's about keeping the communication channels open.
I'm not a fan of the "best mate with my kid" philosophy as I believe kids need a 'parent' not a 'best mate', and being their 'best mate' gets in the way of fulfilling the parent-role.
As to the watch - it ultimately comes down to whether you can grin and say "Don't worry about it" (and mean it) if it comes home damaged.

I agree with this, and I would add ... Lots of parents end up becoming best mates with their children as well.

[shnxx]

My dad let me take his Rolex in high school.

One day, I discovered that I had "lost" the Rolex.
I couldn't remember where I put it and I was really distraught.

It turned out that my mother hid it from me.

I guess my folks were worried about a teenager wearing the Rolex after all.

[Daytona4130]

He should be fine. I'm only 17, and I have had everything from omega to Rolex to AP and PP. I've never broken anything. If he has a great intrest in watches, he will be extra careful to not break it. At least I was when I wore my dads watches. My dad let me start borrowing watches in about kindergarten, not any rolexes unfortunately. My watch addiction surpassed my dads a long time ago, so expect that to happen too if he really likes them

[joli160]

Share your pleasure and borrow it to your son. No harm in it at all.

[mr.elite]

That's why there's GShok

[T. Ferguson]

Depends on the teenager. In my case, no.

But when he graduated college I gave him one.

[GermanyMatt]

No, never. But my daughter is only 5 yrs old, so I don't have to worry for a while yet.

[JohnAndrew]

NOPE