(awkward) encounters with Rolex wearers

[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.

[garyk]

Over many years I’ve exchanged a few thumbs up with fellow Rolex wearers. After all, I would say most are very proud of these watches and are fellow WIS...

[Alfa2109]

Originally Posted by garyk

Over many years I’ve exchanged a few thumbs up with fellow Rolex wearers. After all, I would say most are very proud of these watches and are fellow WIS...

That’s been my experience, too — with a few good conversations in planes and trains thrown in.

[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

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by KeobNepo

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

No

[fsprow]

In three decades of wearing these watches, this has never happened - nor would I want it to.

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by fsprow

In three decades of wearing these watches, this has never happened - nor would I want it to.

Me either. I can’t look at their watch and pass judgement on them based on their shoes simultaneously.

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[melhk]

Originally Posted by KeobNepo

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

No, Rolex would probably be the last watch people would be interested in talking about around here. Most people don't even pay attention to it (and for good reason, nobody really cares but you). If they do it's most likely that they got into the hobby fairly recently to be tickled by 'boring' watches like the most popular Rolex.

[Hollie_Rollie]

Most rolex owners just care about value. Outside of the hyped models I’m not sure they know much about their watches. Other then “this is the panda Daytona” “this is the Pepsi” or “this is the hulk”. I’m surprised that newer owners wear their watches and take them out of the safe


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[Brny11]

Originally Posted by KeobNepo

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

Nah. Maybe when I started collecting, I looked for watches. Even when I caught some in wild, it was nothing like you described. These days, I don’t pay all that much attention to others.

Curious if this post will get in my head the next time I catch a nice watch in the wild!

[BroncoOne]

99.9% of people don’t even notice that you are wearing a watch and couldn’t tell you what kind it was if they did.

I have had a few conversations about what I or another was wearing, mostly people that I already know and know that they are into watches.some conversations with people sitting next to me on a plane or random at a business conference or resort. All positive and enjoyable conversations that end up being wide ranging after a couple minutes on watches.

[padi56]

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.

In the real world I would doubt if many notice or care to whatever watch is worn by anyone today except for perhaps a WIS type. Myself been wearing Rolex watch for over 50 years and travelled to many countries. Yet you could count of one hand the number of people that have made any comment on whatever watch I was wearing. But today Rolex watches are now little more than £££$$$€€€€ objects to brag and talk about by many.

[Jake E]

Unless I see something interesting (Panda, Pepsi, Hulk etc.) I pretty much mind my own business when I see a Rolex 'in the wild'.

I work in an industry where Subs are a dime a dozen, and I quickly learned that most wearers don't share my passion for watches.

I think my favorite encounter was with a guy wearing a 16600 'Dweller. I commented "Hey, that's a really nice Sea-Dweller" He responded, "A what?" I said, "you watch, it's a nice Sea-Dweller" I will never forget the look on his face. It was both confused and repulsed. He responded quite smugly, "My watch is a Rolex" to which I said, "yup, a Rolex Sea-Dweller... it's actually written on the dial". =) that's about when I stopped striking up conversations with other Rolex wearers!

[ibzk]

Boy this was cringe

[JParm]

I wouldn't think that much about it...

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?

[JSolution]

Honestly never put so much thought into it if I want to say something I do lol.

[904VT]

Must be more local, here in the US from my experience always glad to talk watches. The first time owners may be a little more shy and not yet comfy in their skin.

[cts]

Originally Posted by zengineer

Me either. I can’t look at their watch and pass judgement on them based on their shoes simultaneously.

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Hahaaaaa!!! Great!!

[vh2k]

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.

My win-loss record is 76-5-3.

[HogwldFLTR]

Simply say, "nice watch; I wear Rolex too" and go from there!!!

[chinguel]

Originally Posted by Jake E

Unless I see something interesting (Panda, Pepsi, Hulk etc.) I pretty much mind my own business when I see a Rolex 'in the wild'.

I work in an industry where Subs are a dime a dozen, and I quickly learned that most wearers don't share my passion for watches.

I think my favorite encounter was with a guy wearing a 16600 'Dweller. I commented "Hey, that's a really nice Sea-Dweller" He responded, "A what?" I said, "you watch, it's a nice Sea-Dweller" I will never forget the look on his face. It was both confused and repulsed. He responded quite smugly, "My watch is a Rolex" to which I said, "yup, a Rolex Sea-Dweller... it's actually written on the dial". =) that's about when I stopped striking up conversations with other Rolex wearers!

So sad. What a jerk.

[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.

[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.

[envuks]

The best experience I had was on a plane back when I wore a 116710 daily. The guy across the isle had the same watch on and I have time a “nice watch” while gesturing to show mine. We talked watches for a bit.

Generally, other interactions are less positive. A couple years ago I had a younger guy come up to me in a coffee shop and ask “is that the new Daytona?” I said yes. He just said “that’s really hard to get” and I shrugged.

Comments on my 116718 are more about it being beautiful than WIS related.

I tend to engage when someone seems interested, but withdraw if they seem interested in cost, rarity, etc.


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[prnceofpersia23]

I waive my watch in the other guys face to make sure he notices. Sometimes I'll bop him on the nose with it.

People don't take these things as seriously as us WIS do, so even if I see a Rolex or nice watch in the wild, it's rare to have an interaction. I'm fine with that. I can do all of that here on TRF.

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[S’portEye]

Sometimes I’ll start a conversation about watches when I see someone wearing a nice piece, it’s about 50/50 that the person wants to talk about it, so I stopped trying.

[kieselguhr]

Everybody wears a Rolex these days. I typically keep to myself and appreciate from afar. If someone mentions something to me, then I reciprocate conversation.

[Watch2019]

This sounds like something 2 shy teenagers attracted to each another would be doing. A bit strange to hear it being applied to watches, Rolex or not.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Watch2019

This sounds like something 2 shy teenagers attracted to each another would be doing. A bit strange to hear it being applied to watches, Rolex or not.

Sadly this is the state of where watches are today

[Chewbacca]

Jeebus.