So, are nicknaming watches immature?

[Stellite]

I vote the new black/blue GMT be nicknamed Balboa as in Rocky Balboa and his black and blue face at the end of every movie.

I don't care one way or the other but I know my AD has called them the nick names himself

[springer]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

what definitely was pretty ridiculous with the new GMT was the mad rush to be the one to come up with "the" nickname....

as for nicknames themselves, whatever floats your boat (other than "rollie"...that should be grounds for immediate TRF banning. )

X2

I remember the thread...name it here!!!!

[T. Ferguson]

Seems to me a little more acceptable for models that are out of production. Admittedly maybe that's because I'm not so familiar with the reference numbers for all the vintage GMTs and Subs yet so "Coke", Pepsi", "Red" and "Meters First" sort of help me out. But I'm familiar with LN, LV, and BLNR so no need for nicknames on the current stuff.

[SUBversive]

Who is this guy nick anyway?

[threemonkeys]

Originally Posted by LightOnAHill

Yes

What he said.

[Chezza07]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Once you understand the ref numbers, I just don't see the need for nicknames. It's pretty self-explanatory.

Would you mind explaining this in another thread.. I mean explaining to us meager mortals.. How these numbers work.. Cheers

[Piloto]

I did not know there were nicknames until I started looking at watch forums. About 10 years after I already owned my TT Sub 16613.

As I was salivating over the new blue/black GMT IIc, I started thinking that I liked the name "briuser"... After getting it though, I simply refer to it as the GMT II BLNR. The nicknames out there do not do the watch justice. I actually find "Batman" insulting, to a finite degree.

James Bond-Paul Newman-Steve McQueen, make sense as they are identified with someone famous or famous character that wore one. Even if I had one, I'd still probably refer to it by the Rolex name/identifier.

My 02 cents.

[Sub2012]

Using there reference number is my thing. Call my submariner sub is as far as i go. But every ones different and have there own opinion.

But ROLLIES is funny

[Old Expat Beast]

There's a joke to be made somewhere about the Bruiser being a Daily Beater, but I'm not going to make it.

[samuelhuntington]

Originally Posted by Chezza07

Would you mind explaining this in another thread.. I mean explaining to us meager mortals.. How these numbers work.. Cheers

He has. Search for model numbers and you'll see a nice thread explaining it all for you. I think it was just a month or two ago

[Ravager135]

It is childish. End of story. Name any other brand whose wearers have such an exhaustive list of nicknames of the particular models. It's because Rolex draws all sort of people to the brand, many of which, like it or not, are drawn only because of name recognition and never grow out of that. How many threads do we read on here with people asking ridiculous questions, self validating rather than celebrating a quality watch, those are the kind of people that use nicknames. I don't profess to be a brand embassador or expert on the history of Rolex but sometimes I do almost get in a place where I'd rather not discuss my watch collection in public because of the connotation Rolex has.

I doubt Rolex will ever be underground and as such it will always have followers who give nicknames, buy one for self validation, or ask questions about swimming with their watch on. One of the things I like about this forum is that the majority of people on it have evolved and have that deeper appreciation of the brand. That beyond all the hype, Rolex really is just a quality watch that will last forever, is built like a tank, and is suitable for any occasion. If we can get rid of the nicknames and stick to the facts as it were, I would be happier.

[utaeng96]

Not a fan. Seems tricked up. I read a lot of car forums and other than Godzilla for the GTR, which I don't like either, I don't see many flagship cars being referred to by nicknames. Having said that, to each their own.

[codecow]

I don't like the BLNR nicknames since I think BLNR works fine for it. All the others I have used even at my AD who shrugs them off.

I do hate "Rollie" and the plural version.

[ltmgeller]

I like the nicknames. I think it personalizes the watch building a stronger affection to yes, a watch. I have quite a few nicknames for my wife. Some nicer than others. Does that cheapen or detract from our relationship? As far as worrying about what people think of me when I use them, who cares. I am secure enough with myself I don't need the validation of others. I don't mind it, but I don't need it. We all enjoy our watches differently and if that includes calling the BLNR batman because it kicks a$$ like batman, so be it. Life is too short to take things too seriously. I don't think any more or less of those of you that don't like nicknames. I like the wide array of opinions on this forum. It makes for an entertaining read. Don't worry, be happy.

[michel33]

+1. Live and let live.

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by Glidelock

Haha...Yes, incase you haven't read some of the threads on the "Rolex" suggested way to break the seal on loctite treated bracelet screws, it "is" ok to expose your Rolex to an open flame....Literally!

Excellent!

[joe100]

I don't like them much. Mostly because some are childish, is superheroes, and some overlap, ie tiger eye and rootbeer.

Reference numbers keep everything simple. The Pepsi/coke thing is fine because it gets the point across and we've been doing it for so long. I thought it was goofy that folks were trying so hard to nickname the BLNR when it came out. The actual name of the watch is sorter than the silly nicknames! I wish folks would use the letter codes fortune bezels but that'll never happen.

[rolio]

but the sanctions may have ever so slowing had a small effect in promoting cautious discussions with Iran over a range of topics. This is nothing new, just sound bites pumped throughout every news media circuit. Let's see what happens. Nicknames....? I don't know

[Nycturbovr6]

You guys are so immature!!

[submariner123]

Yes. 'Hulk?' Seriously?

[bradiowausa]

What is the batman?

Don't mind nicknames like hulk and bluesy

[landroverking]

Sounds like it time to "back away from yourself"

[adsusanto]

Seriously guys.......let's face it....it YOUR MONEY....YOUR RIGHT...YOUR WATCH....SO F*&K CARE what you want to name it EVEN when I go to AD....it's their problem if they like or NOT what I want to call it....ONE THING FOR SURE...I bet you they LOVE what you have in your wallet...SO let them suck up to you before you give it to them....PERIOD!

[T. Ferguson]

While I don't normally use them, to each his own really. Sometimes they come in handy to refer to watches that are best identified by a nickname because maybe the reference number alone doesn't identify it. Isn't this the case with the "meters first" or "red" Sub?

[SLS]

Never could stand it myself, but to each their own.

[azguy]

It's silly, use the model number...

Once while talking with the owner of the AD near me he says "when I have a bad day I go on to TRF and laugh my ___ off over some of the posts"

[DiamondJack]

Ultimately, the written and spoken word is all about communication.....simple as that......and for me whatever gets your message across to the widest audience in the simplest and most easily understood manner is my preferred method of communication.....end of story.

On this forum, there are readers of all levels of experience and horological knowledge and as soon as a particular watch is recognised by a certain name whether nickname or not, then in my opinion, it's fine to use. Some watches don't require this simplification but when there are many models of the Submariner for example, it's much easier to refer to them by whatever name is most widely recognised and easily understood.

Whether you like it or not is a separate matter but communicating quickly and simply by using terms such as a PN Daytona to signify an Exotic Dial vintage Daytona or Smurf for a White Gold Submariner is just a more inclusive method of communicating and should therefore be acceptable...... Particularly on a forum where most people would immediately understand the term Smurf whereas many may not immediately know what is being referred to by a 116619LB.......

The same goes for Root Beer, Pepsi, Coke, Hulk, BLNR etc. etc. I have friends who are serious watch collectors and whilst in certain circles they will slip back into reference numbers, they appreciate that this can be seen to be rather elitist when communicating with a wider audience or with less knowledgeable friends and will refer to them as they are widely known in forum circles......often by nicknames.......

[advocatia]

Guys in my high school would nickname their watches all the time. It was no big deal.

[DCgator]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Sub is a abbreviation of Submariner, not a nickname.

Negative. SM is the abbreviation for Submariner.

I'm fine with with watch nicknames, prefer them over Ref numbers.