(awkward) encounters with Rolex wearers

[Fleetlord]

Never speak to strangers about their watches.

[Seddyspaghetti]

If i do see someone with a rolex or any other brand and i feel like commenting i just say “nice watch”.
I keep it simple.

From my side, the only watches ive gotten random comments/awknowledment are the hulk and blro. And it was because of the colors. Not because it was a rolex.

I’ve worn out both black and white 116500s and got nothing but crickets. (Which i prefer tbh)

But here in NYC noone really talks to anyone randomly to begin with

[Viking]

The only time I have ever said anything to someone about their watch was a few years ago when I met a guy at a conference that had a completely diamond-covered Day Date. He told me that it was a special gift from his parents, and it made for a nice conversation.

I used to own a Speedmaster, and that received many comments over the years. I have never had anyone say anything to me about any of my Rolex watches, I and am good with that.

[VonSomething]

To be fair to OP, it's quite a typical European phenomenon when it comes to watches.

Last time this happened to me was just a few weeks ago and the lawyer I briefly met gave me 20% eye contact and 80% looking at my watch. It was a period of roughly 20 seconds of us chatting - it was very noticeable, even if he tried to kind of play it off. Guess he was interest in Rolex.

It's no different than people judging you by the car you drive, the address you live or the clothes you wear.

We all do that (or have done) in one way or another. It's just normal human nature, I don't think there's any reason to ridicule the OP.

[KeobNepo]

I think, after reading some of the posts, that this maybe is something of the last few years and also with guys who are recently joining the owners club.

[brucethemanlee]

Originally Posted by KeobNepo

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.

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.


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

that's WEIRD

I couldn't care less and i'm certainly not playing the "catch a glance" game.

so simple answer is NO

[PBJ1925]

Originally Posted by Flintstone

Compliments should be given on what the item is -- not the brand. If the conversation continues after the compliment and you talk brand -- so be it.

Examples: That's a nice watch. I like your new glasses.

+1, I generally take/appreciate this approach.

Had a fellow at a retail counter tell me Nice Tissot the other day. I simply stated thanks for noticing. Wasn't a Tissot I had on, but took the compliment for what is was and framed it in my head he just meant watch.

[Gekota]

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

[slus]

I've had some good watch conversations, but never passing by on the street. That can be awkward. Always when one or both of us were a captive audience.

We get a lot of VA patients through my work, I usually drop a "nice watch, how long have you had it?" when I see an older guy wearing a vintage Rolex come in and hope they tell me a story about buying it for a couple hundred bucks an a PX somewhere 40 years ago. They don't usually say it's been through a battle in a jungle, did 30 years of hard time working and raising a family after that, and never left their wrist except for service once every couple decades...that's all implied, but those kinds of stories are why I like Rolex watches.

[Mystro]

I had two different people comment on my new BLNR at Disney property 1.5 years ago. One guy just came up and asked me “Who did you have to know to get a new Batman”. Very cool friendly experience. That said, I have found Rolex owners to be the farthest from a enthusiast in the wild. I have found that Panerai owners are the number 1 demographic that will strike up a watch conversation. Absolutely no contest with a better and more interesting group of owner than any other watch brand. I also am surprised how many people actually do notice your watch either obviously or unintentionally. Many may not say anything but it’s obvious if someone is focusing on your wrist. Environment and location has a lot to do with if someone is actually is going to notice a wrist watch. Luxury vacation resorts seem to have a better environment with people less guarded and more willing to strike up a friendly conversation. This has been my past experience.

As a professional wrist watcher, I would never directly comment on another wrist watch in the wild unless the owner noticed mine as well and then a friendly nod is all that is exchanged. That will usually be all but you can tell if the other person at that point is a fellow WIS. I have had a additional thumbs up acknowledgment or a friendly exchange after that. This is almost the same protocol as with guys and their nice cars. Walking up cold and commenting is a terrible idea and can be viewed too aggressive.

[ChronoSloth]

I never comment on someone else’s watch because I don’t want anyone striking up a conversation with me about mine.

To me, the whole stolen glances bit is just too f’ing weird. Don’t want to be next to you at a urinal!

[RyanJ]

Some people have truly fallen for Rolex marketing...

I am actually more surprised when I see see something other than a Rolex. Rolex watches are a dime a dozen these days (in my area).

[Aquinas]

I started a conversation about a watch once - it was at a closing dinner where the lawyer for the other side had a gold QP I couldn't identify on his wrist, so I asked him about it, and we had a nice conversation (turned out to be an old-ish JLC).

A Rolex is not a conversation starter. It's an industrial product that's no indicator for an interest in watches. Also, there's a good chance it's fake, which can be quite awkward.

[Computantis]

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.

Honestly, I couldn’t have a more different experience than yours.

Last weekend I was at a bakery and the owner had a RG Skydweller and I said “nice Skydweller, man” and he looked at my wrist and said “oh thanks, that Steel sub of yours is going to be the same price as mine the way the market is looking” and laughed.

Never had a bad interaction when pointing out someone’s watch. They usually love talking about it.

A younger guy also in line at the bakery had a Datejust II and he laughed and said “honestly it’s my Dad’s he’s letting me wear it for prom tonight” and we talked about how he always loved his Dad’s watches.

Few days before these bakery incidents, a barista at Starbucks asked me what my watch was (116610LN), and then said he loves Rolex since his dad just got the Batman and now he’s into watches.

I’m sure there can be weird exchanges but I’ve never had a negative experience bringing up, or having watches brought up to me in public with strangers.

[Brew]

I don't think adults do this.

[Lithographica]

I've stopped complimenting people on their Rolex. I feel like you have a 50/50 chance of encountering someone that has no idea what their wearing and look at you like you're a fool. I was waiting in line at Disney World one time and the guy in front of me was wearing a nice steel bezel Daytona. When I said "I like your Daytona! What year is it?" he looked at me like I had 3 heads. Then I had to stand behind him in line for another 45 minutes feeling like a jackass.

[betterwatchit]

Rolex watches have become embarrassingly common. I see them all the time. I suspect the majority of wearers just bought the first, and only, ‘decent watch’ that came to (their) mind. My only thought is “here we go.. yet another person with limited imagination”!

[arnage]

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.

That's very true, re: HK watch wearing habits.. hope you've been well, Adam!
The GV keeps ticking...

[bp1000]

I avoid talking to strangers about their watches. Very few are WIS like us.

Most probably just have 1 nice watch they wear every day and don't think about it. Trying to talk to them about it is like saying, nice shoes where did you get them from. Some people like to indulge in the attention, most think you are a bit mad.

[WalterE]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

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?

I regret to say that, in todays environment, and as an international traveller to not the safest places on earth, I am not always open to conversations about "wealth signs". My self-preservation instincts make me prone to smile politely but not engage and keep my distance from random by-passers, unless it is from a professional colleague. It's sad, really, but very true...

[bp1000]

Originally Posted by WalterE

I regret to say that, in todays environment, and as an international traveller to not the safest places on earth, I am not always open to conversations about "wealth signs". My self-preservation instincts make me prone to smile politely but not engage and keep my distance from random by-passers, unless it is from a professional colleague. It's sad, really, but very true...

Sad state of reality.

I think most places on earth have some genuinely very nice, kind people.

I wonder why we have this concept of danger everywhere we go.

Currently London is seemingly known as the place you will get your arm chopped off by knife wielding moped gangs.

I admit I have personally worn all sorts of nice watches in every area of London, in the summer, in tee's and using the underground. So has my wife.

But these days, we don't. We wear more modest watches, so I'm guilty of it too.

[kizerman]

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

[Podmornica]

That's a nice GMT!

It's not a GMT, it's a ROLEX!

[watchyoutalkingbout]

Don't see many Rollies in Ohio. Saw a lot in Chicago. Sat behind a young lady on a plane a few weeks ago who had a "Rootbeer." Saw it between the seats lol. Didn't say nothing.

A roofing superintendent showed up to a mtg in Chicago with a 2 tone Rolex. I didn't hear a word the man said. I was scoping that Rolex (hadn't bought mine yet).

[nyc10ken]

Originally Posted by Lithographica

I've stopped complimenting people on their Rolex. I feel like you have a 50/50 chance of encountering someone that has no idea what their wearing and look at you like you're a fool. I was waiting in line at Disney World one time and the guy in front of me was wearing a nice steel bezel Daytona. When I said "I like your Daytona! What year is it?" he looked at me like I had 3 heads. Then I had to stand behind him in line for another 45 minutes feeling like a jackass.

This. I've encountered it as well from folks I know, mainly passive aggressive types. They know exactly what theyre wearing but see you as competition and dont feel like sharing any information with you.

Weird I just like to chat about watches and of course when youre waiting on line at Disney in the sweltering heat yeah striking up a convo with the folks in line also on vacation is understandable. To them its a dog eat dog world, theyre the jackass.

[tpool]

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.

I wonder how many are fake?


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[1995akcoop]

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

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Watchdoyouwant?]

Christ.

If I notice someone with a nice watch, I smile, say, "nice watch" and flash my own if wearing something comparable. I've never been knifed, attacked, sneered at or disparaged for doing so.

More often than not, the person smiles back and says, "thanks." But quite frequently, it'll start a conversation about watches if the other person is so inclined.

Some of ya'll are too tightly wound.

[Seddyspaghetti]

Originally Posted by Podmornica

That's a nice GMT!

It's not a GMT, it's a ROLEX!

[101031-28]

Originally Posted by Lithographica

I've stopped complimenting people on their Rolex. I feel like you have a 50/50 chance of encountering someone that has no idea what their wearing and look at you like you're a fool. I was waiting in line at Disney World one time and the guy in front of me was wearing a nice steel bezel Daytona. When I said "I like your Daytona! What year is it?" he looked at me like I had 3 heads. Then I had to stand behind him in line for another 45 minutes feeling like a jackass.

Word. This scenario happened to more than once and that is when I decided to stop complimenting another person's watch in detail and simply say "nice watch", leaving it up to them to keep the convo going