Why do some get triggered by Nicknames?

[Farsh14]

How are new Rolex admirers to be expected to memorize 5+ digit number combinations? Who has time for that (please reply if you have time for that) and is that time really necessary? In the end of the day if a nickname sticks, wouldn’t it make sense to just go with it?

Do these same people hate it when William is referred to as Will, or Bill?

batman is a nickname that the world seems to accept and it’s easy to remember. Now I can spend that extra time I would have spent remembering that BLNR is some French Swiss something or another with this series of numbers and use that time to stare at my Batman watch that much longer! Just seems to me like a big waste time.

Also the smug responses “ummm well rolex does not make superheroes” seems overplayed. In a perfect world maybe uncover the underlying issues on why your be frustrated with that because to be frank with you all, or should I say Franklin, the nicknames aren’t going away and they’re much easier to remember

Also I noticed the Rolex website acknowledged the Batman nickname for what it’s worth

[brandrea]

I’m not as triggered as some, but I prefer to use the reference numbers and descriptor if necessary (eg: BLNR 126710 jubilee/oyster).

Once you catch on to using them, it’s really not much to remember, and a company like Rolex tends to use numbers that make sense from previous model years (16710, 116710, 126710).

To each their own I guess

[PA Zu]

People definitely do seem to get bent out of shape about it - in fact, I'm sure you are going to hear from some in this thread! But like you, I don't care to memorize a list of 5 digit codes to know if someone is talking about their Daytona or grandma's lady date just.

[Aplover5]

As long as you’re not buying your Rolie as an investment.��

[Snerks]

[Oxfordian]

Difficult to remember the model number of a watch you're interested in?

Then how about calling your GMT a BLRO or BLNR or LN or CHNR, how about Daytona or Submariner?

Nicknames are just silly but if you want to have a silly name for your watch then just carry on. Just don't expect everyone to join you.

And as for calling Rolex a Rolie well thats is just plain daft.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Farsh14

How are new Rolex admirers to be expected to memorize 5+ digit number combinations?

What other information are you unable to learn or remember?

[HHIslander]

I'm not a nickname person, but it doesn't bother me if someone else uses any of those terms. It is kind of entertaining to watch some folks get their skivvies in a twist over it. It's human nature I guess.

I will concede that whenever I hear someone use the term "rollie" I tend to assume they are a moron.

[WatchesNBlondes]

I’m not going to remember reference numbers, but I’m not fully in favor of the nicknames either.

[Randy9999]

Originally Posted by WatchesNBlondes

I’m not going to remember reference numbers, but I’m not fully in favor of the nicknames either.

Ok, that leaves us with given names then. So the 123400 might become "the Floyd" when speaking generally, but if, perhaps, you're referencing a specific color dial you can place that before the given name. Example: Pink Floyd.

[sj24k]

People can call them whatever they want. Doesn’t bother me a bit.

I tend to use the real names that Rolex gives them, but refer to them by their nicknames on occasion.

Some of the nicknames are better than others, so I just avoid the ones that sound silly to me, or cheapen what I feel are otherwise lovely watches.

But can we all agree that “Starbucks” is the worst?

:)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[enjoythemusic]

Might be that the older generation has become enamored with the prestige of memorizing numbers? In the old days, decades ago, you may have seemed more cultured if you knew reference numbers, whereas nicknames were 'for the kids'?

[SocialMediaUser]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Might be that the older generation has become enamored with the prestige of memorizing numbers? In the old days, decades ago, you may have seemed more cultured if you knew reference numbers, whereas nicknames were 'for the kids'?

Pretty much spot on.

Since the ancient greeks (or was it the romans?) the older generation has always been horrified over what the young ones say or do.

But what some old half-senil stooges think about what is appropriate or not will soon be forgotten.
And in 50yrs todays kids will be discussing the same issues we do,and yet again talk about the horrible way the young speak dress think and act

[jcapulet786]

Originally Posted by Farsh14

How are new Rolex admirers to be expected to memorize 5+ digit number combinations? Who has time for that (please reply if you have time for that) and is that time really necessary? In the end of the day if a nickname sticks, wouldn’t it make sense to just go with it?

Do these same people hate it when William is referred to as Will, or Bill?

batman is a nickname that the world seems to accept and it’s easy to remember. Now I can spend that extra time I would have spent remembering that BLNR is some French Swiss something or another with this series of numbers and use that time to stare at my Batman watch that much longer! Just seems to me like a big waste time.

Also the smug responses “ummm well rolex does not make superheroes” seems overplayed. In a perfect world maybe uncover the underlying issues on why your be frustrated with that because to be frank with you all, or should I say Franklin, the nicknames aren’t going away and they’re much easier to remember

Also I noticed the Rolex website acknowledged the Batman nickname for what it’s worth

because people that memorize the 5 digits like wasting their time.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by sj24k

People can call them whatever they want. Doesn’t bother me a bit.

I tend to use the real names that Rolex gives them, but refer to them by their nicknames on occasion.

Some of the nicknames are better than others, so I just avoid the ones that sound silly to me, or cheapen what I feel are otherwise lovely watches.

But can we all agree that “Starbucks” is the worst?

:)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’ll agree but only because I don’t want to mistake a watch for my favorite cappuccino in the afternoon

[Goin2drt]

Because they are childish.

[garyk]

Some nicknames are cool, in Top Gun, Iceman and Maverick! Awesome handles!!

[joli160]

Childish

[padi56]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I’m not as triggered as some, but I prefer to use the reference numbers and descriptor if necessary (eg: BLNR 126710 jubilee/oyster).

Once you catch on to using them, it’s really not much to remember, and a company like Rolex tends to use numbers that make sense from previous model years (16710, 116710, 126710).

To each their own I guess

Exactly that Brian but many of todays age are to lazy to learn about the watch reference numbers or the history of the Rolex brand.

[enjoythemusic]

I'm waiting on the Willy Wonka to arrive.

[Tools]

Nicknames are fine if they mean something or are "earned": Paul Newman, Pussy Galore, etc.

The desire to immediately jump into the Comic Book world or a bad-coffee shop for a "name" based on little but a cape or cup color, or rename it once again because it's shinier or another minor reason is likely more confusing for new enthusiasts. Plus, it's childish, as somebody else noted.

[Booth9999]

Originally Posted by Snerks

This pretty much sums up the people who care what other people call a watch, the names have stuck and aren’t going away like it or not. Mostly seem to be longtime collectors who are unnerved by the nicknames.

[thekman]

Only a childish person would get mad. If you don't like calling your green sub Hulk that is completely fine. But getting mad that someone called it that when it's now a mainstream name for it makes you look childish.

[Mendota]

I know all of the reference numbers for all of the iterations of the watches that I like and am interested in throughout the years. I use these when researching or speaking with other watch people, either here or out in the wild. I don't even bother with the ones I'm not interested in. I couldn't even guess. For example, I have no idea what a Daytona reference number is for any generation or iteration of it. I have zero interest in that particular watch.

With non-watch people, however, the reference numbers are no different than if you were rattling off binary code. In those cases I just simply describe the model in broad strokes. 1959 Submariner with big crown, or 1970s Submariner or GMT Master. I don't bother rattling off further details unless the conversation warrants it. A quick Google search on the phone to find a photo can fill in any blanks if they don't know what it looks like.

It's like any other hobby or interest. Corvette guys or Porsche and BMW guys can very easily and quickly dive down the rabbit hole of reference numbers for specific vehicles from specific iterations that the average Joe Public only knows as Porsche 911 or BMW M3. The average Joe doesn't know about 996 or 997.1 or 997.2 or 992 all referring to the 911! Or that E30, E46, E36 means 3 series BMW!

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[vh2k]

I have to admit...

I'm a "triggie" -- one who is triggered by the use of nicknames and posts about nicknames.

[Furrygoat]

I think it’s because it’s a sign of the changing of the times.

For a lot of people, Rolex collecting and enthusiasm was more niche. Separate from social media, slightly more detached from status (maybe?). Either way, maybe it seemed more “authentic”.

The nicknames kind of coincided with the rise in popularity through social media, and the adoption of Rolex enthusiasm by a whole new group of people. Can that be good? Of course.

But it has also caused problems as we all know. People who want to buy a Rolex because it makes you money, or because it’s cool to have a “Batman” is possibly less authentic. Frustrating for those who are into Rolex and watches for more personal reasons.

If you want to collect because the references are personally interesting, or because you have always wanted a Sub or GMT, or whatever; It is a pain that you have to jump through hoops or pay much more than you otherwise would’ve, just because the demand is so high. And possibly, all because of a new demographic in the space that can only understand nicknames.

[Scott_]

When I was inquiring about the TT GMT at a local AD earlier this week, the SA responded "Oh, you mean the Root Beer?"

[VegasBaby]

What bothers me is the unwillingness of some "Newbies" to spend the time to learn the history of these models and the differences.........only concerned with nicknames and values.

As far as ADs or SAs referring to them by their nicknames, many of them know less about Rolex and watches in general than even some of the "Newbies"

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by Mendota

I know all of the reference numbers for all of the iterations of the watches that I like and am interested in throughout the years. I use these when researching or speaking with other watch people, either here or out in the wild. I don't even bother with the ones I'm not interested in. I couldn't even guess. For example, I have no idea what a Daytona reference number is for any generation or iteration of it. I have zero interest in that particular watch.

With non-watch people, however, the reference numbers are no different than if you were rattling off binary code. In those cases I just simply describe the model in broad strokes. 1959 Submariner with big crown, or 1970s Submariner or GMT Master. I don't bother rattling off further details unless the conversation warrants it. A quick Google search on the phone to find a photo can fill in any blanks if they don't know what it looks like.

It's like any other hobby or interest. Corvette guys or Porsche and BMW guys can very easily and quickly dive down the rabbit hole of reference numbers for specific vehicles from specific iterations that the average Joe Public only knows as Porsche 911 or BMW M3. The average Joe doesn't know about 996 or 997.1 or 997.2 or 992 all referring to the 911! Or that E30, E46, E36 means 3 series BMW!

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

I like you. Very well said.


Sent from my Apple privacy invasion product

[Pinchy]

Originally Posted by VegasBaby

What bothers me is the unwillingness of some "Newbies" to spend the time to learn the history of these models and the differences.........only concerned with nicknames and values.

As far as ADs or SAs referring to them by their nicknames, many of them know less about Rolex and watches in general than even some of the "Newbies"

Someone's allowed to like that same thing as you for different reasons. If you want to look down on them, there is a word for that, elitist.