Wearing a Rolex to work - Small business owner

[drakulie]

wear it.

[theprocess]

Originally Posted by Tush17

Thanks for the responses. I'm going for a Solid Gold 116618 if this changes anything. Glad to see the responses though and has excited me even more for my purchase.

The ultimate F off wristwatch. Wear it with pride. Imho, if you're worried that your employees will think you're getting rich off the sweat of their backs then consider bumping their pay and/or benefits.

[Chadridv]

At the end of the day, you're their boss so if they don't like something about the work place they can quit.

With that said, the way your employees will or may possibly react depends on the type of boss and person you are. If you've been turning down raise requests for the past three years and crying poverty to the people around you, it will look bad if you show up with a new $20k watch on your wrist.

If you're a fair and honest boss and one who keeps his personal life personal and is honest with his crew than they should have nothing but respect and admiration for your decisions.

[Ranger1202]

I understand the question completely. Anyone who doesn't is disconnected with the real world. I do not have any ownership in our company but have been blessed with great bosses who have made it possible for me to afford nice cars, watches, and clothes. With that being said, we employee minimum wage workers and my bosses and I discuss how the image of driving a Range Rover or wearing a rolex may come across to a guy who is having a hard time feeding his family. I believe you are paid and have opportunities based on your skill set and if you have minimum skills you should get minimum pay. I wear my watch daily but keep in mind how tough some people have it. We're all very fortunate to be able to appreciate Rolex watches.

[Jack T]

Originally Posted by zonk01

I say wear it at will mate, it all depends on how you do it. In my opinion the best way to wear a Rolex is as if it were nothing but a tool for telling time, though there are those who will wear it with unnecessary pomp and circumstance. Try to avoid that, remember your timepiece is a noble instrument for watching your life wither away and not a element that puts you above anyone else. If you can walk with crowds and keep your virtue, or talk with kings nor lose the common touch.... You'll be fine, haha

Be sure to credit Kipling

[Tush17]

Originally Posted by Ranger1202

I understand the question completely. Anyone who doesn't is disconnected with the real world. I do not have any ownership in our company but have been blessed with great bosses who have made it possible for me to afford nice cars, watches, and clothes. With that being said, we employee minimum wage workers and my bosses and I discuss how the image of driving a Range Rover or wearing a rolex may come across to a guy who is having a hard time feeding his family. I believe you are paid and have opportunities based on your skill set and if you have minimum skills you should get minimum pay. I wear my watch daily but keep in mind how tough some people have it. We're all very fortunate to be able to appreciate Rolex watches.

Exactly. We pay fair wages and benefits around here but we do employ minimum wage workers who are getting paid what their skills demand, (slightly more than minimum due to their loyalty) ontop of that we are giving benefits which most other companies do not. I'm not about to give my minimum wage guys a dollar raise because I decided to buy a watch. At the same time we do we'll because we are good to our guys and have hard workers. We take care of them but there is only a certain amount you can pay a guy before it's not a smart business decision.

[SemperFi]

You earned it...so wear it.

[sco]

Originally Posted by Dittox

I think that a Rolex would only be a problem if its the straw that broke the camels back, meaning that if your employees resent their working conditions, then a Rolex on the wrist of their boss might be the last thing they'll want to see. But if everything is well with your business and your relationship with your workers, then wearing one to work shouldn't be a problem at all!

Nicely said, and good point.

Everyone is different, if you don't feel comfortable, then don't wear it. Depending on the above, I would wear it everyday, as I do in my small business!

[Mosbrook]

Originally Posted by Dittox

I think that a Rolex would only be a problem if its the straw that broke the camels back, meaning that if your employees resent their working conditions, then a Rolex on the wrist of their boss might be the last thing they'll want to see. But if everything is well with your business and your relationship with your workers, then wearing one to work shouldn't be a problem at all!

Well said.

[Oyster99]

Congrats for the rolex
And in my opinion as longs as you haven't just laid the half crew off due financial issues you're good.
Wear the watch with pride.

[anothernewphone]

The guy that works behind the counter at the pizza shop I go to wears a two-tone Datejust. I wonder if the pizza makers are angry.

[Scott1907]

I totally understand where your coming from, I have several rolex but only wear my black subc to work as well as my sd4000. One of the reasons I bought the sd4000 was so no one would know I was wearing a watch diffrent than my sub. Employees will notice you wearing a rolex but the ones it will bother will always find something to complain about.

[superdog]

I own/operate a small business and I've had similar thoughts in the past.

People have looked and they have noticed. I've even had people comment. But for the most part it shows a certain measure of success. More often than not, it has been a good thing for me. I've even had a few employees (labor) give compliments.

That said, my wife's boss drives a Maserati and wears a bluesy. He is late with paying employees on a regular basis and he nickles and dimes their hours and pay. He looks like a douche bag.

I think as others have said, it all depends on how you carry yourself.

[warrior]

I think the vast majority of people out there in the real world don't notice what watch you wear.

[Mr Daytona]

I wear my expensive watches and don't have a problem billing my clients a lot of money while wearing it. What I do with my money is no one else's business. I don't want employees OR clients who are going to be concerned about what I do with my money. They also don't see the money I give away and that's none of their business either.

Just wear the damn watch..........LOL

[SoonerTA]

It's funny that 99.9% of people will never notice it's a Rolex!

Wear it proud.

[Swaggy P]

I definitely would NOT do it as a small business owner. Not smart. Clients figure: "He's got enough money... He can come down further." Do what you want, but it's not a smart move. Put it this way: It can only hurt you; it'll do nothing to help you.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by superdog

I own/operate a small business and I've had similar thoughts in the past.

People have looked and they have noticed. I've even had people comment. But for the most part it shows a certain measure of success. More often than not, it has been a good thing for me. I've even had a few employees (labor) give compliments.

That said, my wife's boss drives a Maserati and wears a bluesy. He is late with paying employees on a regular basis and he nickles and dimes their hours and pay. He looks like a douche bag.

I think as others have said, it all depends on how you carry yourself.

haha I had a similar scenario, but not with a client not a boss.

this small company (husband/wife team) hired me to do a project for them. It was about a $10k project. After 90 Days of non payment, I contact them saying I would put them in collections. They offered to pay me half. I declined, so they offered to pay me $250 monthly payments until the debt was paid, I declined. Finally they offered to pay me $1000 monthly payments and I accept the terms.

Within the initial 90 day period, both husband and wife bought new cars (brand new 6 series bmw and a porsche 911 turbo). They also threw a $250k sweet 16 for their daughter.

Well, I'm glad the kid got monogrammed toilet paper at her party, but I couldn't get paid.

Anyway, as said before, it's really no ones business how you spend your money. Unless it's stolen you have the right to do whatever you want, but if you're stiffing people, or treating your people unfairly it will look bad to show up with a new $25k gold Rolex. I'm assuming that's not the case with the OP just making the point.

[kamek]

Originally Posted by Swaggy P

I definitely would NOT do it as a small business owner. Not smart. Clients figure: "He's got enough money... He can come down further." Do what you want, but it's not a smart move. Put it this way: It can only hurt you; it'll do nothing to help you.

Or how about, "He's got his things in order and must do good work. This is our guy."

Smart move indeed.

[AWS]

I know that employees in my current or previous business have no idea what watch is on my wrist and I like it that way.

It may depend on the business you are in but I say wear whatever makes you happy.

[Swaggy P]

Originally Posted by kamek

Or how about, "He's got his things in order and must do good work. This is our guy."

Smart move indeed.

Never. I see: "He charges too much." Don't delude yourself into thinking people don't notice these things either. They do. Most just don't say anything.

I'm not saying the OP hasn't earned it. It's just bad business. It can't help, at least. I would NEVER say, "Oh, he has a Rolex, so I'll buy from him." That's ridiculous. I'd do the opposite and buy from the guy without the Rolex.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Tush17

Thanks for the responses. I'm going for a Solid Gold 116618 if this changes anything. Glad to see the responses though and has excited me even more for my purchase.

Great choice, a boss watch for a boss... but a good boss with happy employees who will hopefully look to your wrist as inspiration.

[Swaggy P]

Forget about employees. I'm taking about clients. Clients notice everything. Most employees are just collecting paychecks.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by Swaggy P

Forget about employees. I'm taking about clients. Clients notice everything. Most employees are just collecting paychecks.

The OP is clearly talking about employees.

[Vaxe]

There's no right/wrong approach, it depends.

If you treat your employees fairly and pay on time + offer incentives, how you spend your part of the pie would likely not be scrutinized.
Every company has employees who think they deserve more, and seeing the owner with a nice timepiece may propel the notion, but you shouldn't compromise your lifestyle to accommodate everyone.

If you nickle and dime and show up in a PM, then I can see the disdain.

[DarthSimon]

I do daily!!

[bswanson]

Everyone will say "wear it" and "you earned it" and while both of those are probably correct, it may not be the best course of action as a small business owner.

Many times, perception can depart from reality. Usually a 'team' environment is the most productive for small businesses, and showing a divide between "you" and "them", even on an economic level can create tension. I've seen it first hand.

Definitely not telling you not to wear it, but think about the potential ramifications before you do. How will you be perceived? How important is it to you that you show your employees that you're "one of them"? Would any of them even know if you did wear your watch?

A relatively small decision like this can have long lasting implications when it comes to your company.

[JapRs]

Wear it

[KrismanX]

I was almost afraid to buy my first Rolex because I thought it would bring a bad taste to the mouths of friends, colleagues or family. In the end, the only people who actually noticed it would be watch enthusiasts. Even then, it's mostly a non-verbal "You, too huh?" kind-of-look. Which I love!

So wear it with pride, not pomp, and you will enjoy every tick of time a little more when you've got a GORGEOUS timepiece on your wrist! Buy away and post some wrist shots for us!!

[Doug T]

Enjoy it and wear it. That's why you're the boss!