I don't think I'm going to comment on anyone else's watch in the wild anymore

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by Investr

All these comments are making me feel like a jerk! Meet me at the coffee shop Thursday at 1:15 (dont be late)! Ill let you stand no closer than 3 feet from me and look at my watch. I’m doing this bc I’m the best, my watch is the best, and i like to give back from time to time to the less fortunate. Address me as THE Man when you see me. You’re welcome!

Is it inappropriate for me to bring a +1? Or maybe more? Gosh, my wife and kids would just love to meet you.

[Soultime]

You also don't know the persons circumstances.

He may have just been told a family member has died / is in hospital / his wife is having an affair / he's had his car stolen / been made redundant / had some medical results etc etc.

Last thing he wants is to talk about watches with some random. And that person then goes onto a forum and slags him off.

I once had some chuggers stop me in the street when I'd had some bad news. They did not accept 'no thankyou I'm not interested' as a good enough reply to leave me alone.
I blew my stack unfortunately and a bad day got worse for everyone.

[Token74]

I’ve always felt a bit awkward when people comment on my watches as I don’t really know how to respond. If they are wearing a nice watch then it’s ok, but if not then I don’t want to appear to be showing off so I find it really tough.

That said, I will comment on someone else’s watch if the moment is right, I probably wouldn’t do it to a random person in a coffee shop though. Nothing wrong with doing it, but just not my thing.

I was on a train going across Canada last year for two days and the guy sat just behind me was wearing an £80k Gold Vacheron. On day two I couldn’t resist any more (thought he must be a WIS to choose that particular watch), so I commented on it. We then got chatting for a couple of hours but not about watches!! Turns out he wasn’t a WIS at all, his mother had passed away and left him some money, but as he didn’t need the money, he decided to spend it on something nice, popped into a watch shop, and picked the Vacheron because he liked the look of it. His only watch and as such his daily wearer. Know nothing about watches at all!!




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[Jsol]

Originally Posted by DTap

Any chance you’re 6’8” 250 lbs and really mean looking?


When I was a kid, “nice sneakers” meant you were about to walk home barefoot if your next move was wrong.

Haha! Where I grew up, the same was true.

[woof]

I hope you would continue complementing wonderful watches in the wild. I made a few new friends myself. I commented on someone that was wearing a Kermit last month. It turned out that we knew the same people and we go to the same AD.

[JDsnewwatch]

This is one of those issues that American’s take issue with when they leave the country. Have you noticed that when you meet a stranger, within 4 questions someone will ask about the others job? This only happens here.

As for the Starbucks incident, I’m with the watch wearer, only I wouldn’t have smiled or made eye contact. I realize that you had no intention of making that guy feel uncomfortable, but you probably accomplished the opposite of what you intended.

IMHO: a “drive by comment” like: “cool watch” as you are walking past him to leave the store is acceptable. And that’s it. Nothing more.


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[Jona]

I comment on someone's watch only in "familiar" surroundings. My Dr had a YG DD so I commented. A guy in a club related to another hobby wore a GMT II to a meeting. I commented.

I don't approach strangers; I don't much like strangers approaching me either.

[iheartrolexx]

no problem

[Wk33outlaw]

Interesting the timing of this thread. Was out Saturday with my wife for dinner and there was somewhat open seating. A couple sat beside us and he was wearing a YMII. I happen to really admire that watch and would have said something but I am not a guy that says hey man Nice Shirt or outfit so I didnt. I dont think you did anything wrong as I have had several folks say something about my Sub and I appreciate the compliments but I am more reserved than some in my own speech. There is always that person out there that has all the glitz and bling on or drives a very nice car and then snubs someone who admires what they have.

[tudorbaja27]

Grab a drink and stop overthinking small, extremely insignificant and unimportant things too much

[Investr]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

NEVER speak to strangers in the general public about their watch.

When I was a young Fleetlord, I used to chat up peeps about their watches, but I learned quickly that they ARE not that into their own watch to discuss it with a stranger and they can't really understand why you would be...

The Rules.

1) If you are member of TRF, then there is no reason to talk to strangers hoping they are WIS...Plenty of those conversations to be had here...as in depth as you could possibly want.

2) 99% of the general public that wear a Rolex know little to nothing about it expect for it's a ROLEX and it's the Best and that subsequently makes them BEST. That attitude will make itself apparent rather quickly.

3) The conversation will more than likely be disappointing and awkward. That will lead to you needing to tell TRF members about, when if you had followed rule #1, then you wouldn't have to cope with the gnarly encounter and debrief.

My only exception to the rule is if I'm at an AD and another shopper has something interesting on, but that really depend on the situation and the vibes that are being off gassed.

words of Wisdom via the Fleetlord….

[billfredericks]

Once, at at AD, I witnessed a young guy getting his first Rolex.

I game him a Redford nod, and said “congratulations.” Absolutely made his day.

Context is everything. Don’t lose hope!

[Investr]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

Is it inappropriate for me to bring a +1? Or maybe more? Gosh, my wife and kids would just love to meet you.

Wife ? YES (if shes hot) she will be in awe of Me and the Platona. Kids? no!! they might try to get close to the Platona and that aint happenin'

[rlx123]

We were at dinner with some friends and our waiter was wearing a Submariner. I did say “ I like your watch”. He was receptive.
We were at a restaurant where they don’t put the prices on the menu. When we got the bill, we understood why the waiter was wearing a Rolex.


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[Nikrnic]

Originally Posted by afjag256

He was probably afraid you might mention aloud that he was wearing a watch worth $60k+.

Yes, you scared the guy.

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[kevlar]

I was at a wedding and a guy had a date sub on i spotted across our table I did'nt mention it I have been asked about my Speedmaster once and I felt a bit awkward about it - as said above really depends on the situation and who's mentioning it to you ie am i about to get robbed!

A guy at the local bakery has a sub and I often get served by him I was very close to saying nice sub, but last minute I thought it may make him feel uncomfortable so I just admire from a far.

[ras47]

I’ve never had an awkward encounter when complimenting a stranger’s watch. It helps that I’m usually wearing my BLRO so they know right away I’m just a fan. Worst case has been indifference to his own watch, as if he knows nothing about it. Maybe a gift from a wife, to which he thought, “whatever” when he received it.

[LndLord]

not everyone is as friendly like your "forums members"
Everyone is different and not a enthusiast

[DTap]

I think it’s all about the context and surroundings:

Dude in a dark Alley: No

Young guy getting his first watch: yes

Someone who may have their boss or coworkers within earshot: no

Player at craps table in Vegas: yes

Attractive woman at the bar: yes

If the Starbucks guy was by himself and it was mid day in a safe area: yes

[Overwound]

Originally Posted by Investr

All these comments are making me feel like a jerk! Meet me at the coffee shop Thursday at 1:15 (dont be late)! Ill let you stand no closer than 3 feet from me and look at my watch. I’m doing this bc I’m the best, my watch is the best, and i like to give back from time to time to the less fortunate. Address me as THE Man when you see me. You’re welcome!

Perfect! I have an old Nikon 180m 2.8D with a minimum focus distance of five feet which allows even more distance between us.

This won't be weird at all.

[mactruck]

"Hey Man, Nice Watch" sounds like the last thing you hear before being knocked out and waking up with no watch.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by mactruck

"Hey Man, Nice Watch" sounds like the last thing you hear before being knocked out and waking up with no watch.

Well, at least you have a warning.

[Cooper33]

I, on the other hand, had a nice encounter last weekend.

Having lunch and the maitre stopped by our table to ask if all good and whether we wanted to order. We said we would, but that we could wait for our waiter. He then showed me his Sub and said he got it for his 40th birthday, but that he was split between that and a DSSD JC (that I was wearing), but wanted to stop by to take a look at mine. We then chat a bit about how sometimes it sucks not having wrist size to pull something off etc. It's the second time I have a nice interaction while wearing the DSSD.

[Montremoi]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

2) 99% of the general public that wear a Rolex know little to nothing about it expect for it's a ROLEX and it's the Best and that subsequently makes them BEST. That attitude will make itself apparent rather quickly.

Indeed but there are clues to pick up. For example if the guy is wearing his Rolex on anything other than a metal bracelet, chances are it's someone who's into watches enough that he likes to (slightly) mod them.

[richard371]

Interesting hobby. Takes no skill or talent just money. Can’t really talk about it comfortably outside of the forums. For most this is not a hobby but just a way to show off wealth. They probably know very little about the history etc like we do.

[R G]

Originally Posted by pickettt

He acknowledged you, but didn't want to draw attention to it maybe? Or just doesn't like talking to strangers about it? No big deal, different strokes. Maybe the next guy will wanna chat watches.

Couldn’t of said it any better.

Go ahead, make conversation if that’s you.

Just don’t be disappointed if you don’t get the hopes for, or anticipated reaction.

Everyone is different.

[Toony]

At Orlando airport last week a guy got on the elevator with me and said "Nice Daytona" (I was wearing my 116519LN) I said thank you. He was wearing a Pelagos. Later on my wife asked did that guy say nice Daytona. I said he did. She said that was kind of cool. I didn't find it awkward or weird.

Whats interesting my wife has a bunch of handbags and women always come up to her and say they love her bag. Basically the same thing but seems to happen more often than a nice watch comment to me.

[Lucky Guy]

Originally Posted by Toe_Fuz

Need secret code, should open with "Nice ______, TRF?" if they go "What?" you say "Huh?" and stand there and bask in your awkward. But if "Yeah" then you nerdgasm over watches together, practically speaking a foreign language to those around you.

I like your thinking



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[song2010]

Not rolex but had a couple of good interactions both on receiving end and giving.

Wedding in TX and the catering waiter noticed my 5711, he ended up talking about his collection and his older vintage watches. He had a lot of passion for the hobby - ended up helping me get more food and drinks faster =) PS bbq at a wedding such a great idea.

Watch event at SCP, was window shopping for my wife and was wearing the 5711 again, older gentlemen and his wife walking around. He was wearing his as well - he smiled and laughed since we were at a women's jewelry store looking at watches for our wives that would not be WIS material.

Dinner with a friend and some new people, guy next to me had a 5711, I was wearing my world time. Ended up he had just gotten his recently and had a mutual watch friend!

Very sophisticated older collector complimented me on my world time and said that was his first patek but an older model, ended up showing me some really cool older watches that he had, hes probably been collecting longer than I've been alive...!

And the not so great:
Arrogant guy wearing a rose gold 15407 joined a conversation with me and a hodinkee writer/photographer, he saw my 5711 and said oh its just a nautilus and walked away. Guess he thought he was too good to talk to us?

[dibarch]

Two weeks ago I was on a cruise and noted someone with a BLRO in the casino with me. I wanted to start a chat but then decided against it. I was wearing my hulk, I think chatting about watches with fellow enthusiast is awesome. Don't stop being you next time you might find someone who engages or maybe not but all people are different. I wish I would have started the conversation last week I had never seen one in person before.