Wearing a Rolex to work - Small business owner

[GB-man]

Most definitely wear it.

[CabbageHead]

I see you're in Toronto. It seems as though is newly American sentiment of being made to feel ashamed of your hard work and success has trickled upwards. I'm assuming you worked hard to get where you're at. You made sacrifices, and probably still make them, to be a self employed seemingly successful business owner. Yet now you are worried about not wanting to seem "too successful" to the people who are under your employ.

Our own P.O... err President has even kindly point out, "If you've got a business—you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen."

In my journey, I have taken great pride in working under successful people that I knew I could take something away from. I tried to seek out self-made, driven individuals who have something more to offer me than just a paycheck.
Hire people who want to learn and succeed. Not people who get their feelings hurt by their Boss's nice things. I believe that you would be doing your employees and yourself a disservice by downplaying your ability to reward yourself with the fruits of your hard work and good decision making.

[breitlings]

I mean it's a rolex not a private 747sp. 100% agree it seems like the motif of the government is that it's our money and we will tax as much of it as we want then pass out a bit of it so if you don't want to pay it you don't like helping the poor.

[elcompa]

I say wear the piss out of it. You built the place. F'em if they can't deal with it. They can create their own company and get their own watch, if they want one so badly. It gives them something to shoot for.

I had a couple of bosses when I was younger who had a Rolex. Made me want one. Made me want to have my own business. And for the past decade I have. Both, that is. My own business and a rolex on my wrist.

It's ok to be better, to have improved. Why should anyone feel shy, guilty or self conscious about that?

[Koala]

if you were just a dishwasher, I can see how that would piss off your coworkers. However you own the place, so it's totally appropriate!

[boogiebot]

Originally Posted by Tush17

Do you think wearing a Rolex as a small business owner who primarily has general labour type employees (8-10 employees) would negatively effect me?

I am finally in the position to be able to own a Rolex and it sucks that I may not be able to wear it to work (where I spend most of my time) out of fear of pissing off my employees.

Thoughts?

Honestly......i doubt your employees will pay much attention.

[RMC12]

Definitely wear it! There is absolutely nothing wrong with wearing something you have worked hard for and earned!!

[regnant]

I have just read the 1st page and before getting into the rest of the messages, this thread sounds like typical "Is It Safe To Wear " threads.
Yes,wear it proudly I see your concern though. You are not an ostentatious person given that you ask a queery about wearing your Rolex in your own workshop or office.
I don't think as long as you don't flaunt nobody will envy you or have bad feelings how vulgar you are.

[RichM]

I see no problem at all.

[beer nuts]

Wear it

[phils]

Originally Posted by king1861

Wear it proudly, you own the place..They have a job due to your efforts

+ eleventy.

[superdog]

I walked into a customer today with a new watch on.

Granted he is also a friend. I spent Friday night Passover with him and his family. We know each other well.

That being that, he noticed in about 7 seconds. He was also quite happy for me.

[jot_]

Perhaps if you're a terrible boss. However, the very fact that you're concerned about it suggests that you are not.

If you and your employees get along and they feel like they're treated well, then I don't see the harm.

I have known other small business owners that were not so kind to their employees and well... outcomes were different in that case.

[Slim_Pickin]

Wear it!

I don't think most people will notice it near as much as you think they might. I wear my GMT when I'm in the oil field with my employees. Frankly, they have too many things to pay attention to when they are working to care what I have on my wrist.

[andrewd]

A yellow gold sub is NOT subtle. I cannot think of any luxury watch less subtle. It will be a loud beacon to the staff that the business is doing well, which is good for employee morale if they are also sharing in the success. With such a small number of employees you must have a good feeling for staff morale. if you put yourself in their shoes would you be happy? If you have penny-pinched on raises, bonuses and working conditions a F-off gold sub is not a good look. I would suggest that a SS Rolex is perhaps a more tasteful option for wearing at work.

[Bigred]

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!

Exactly!

[dhfyh]

Wear it proudly, you own the place..They have a job due to your efforts

[IT Nerd]

Wear it, enjoy it!

[venton]

A decent family holiday costs more than a Rolex but you don't not go for fear of what people think. Ok if you rolled up to work in a Bugatti it might be a bit much, but a Rolex no probs.

[Loevhagen]

If the employees are to focused on the watch - you are doing it wrong as a a manager / owner of the business. The employees should pay attention to your management skills. And that is your responsibility.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Tush17

Do you think wearing a Rolex as a small business owner who primarily has general labour type employees (8-10 employees) would negatively effect me?

I am finally in the position to be able to own a Rolex and it sucks that I may not be able to wear it to work (where I spend most of my time) out of fear of pissing off my employees.Thoughts?

I specialize in doing that.

[RichHitch]

Gosh, I'm a student and I wear Sub, Daytona...

I avoid full gold watches (for now), but TT is fine !

[2106]

I think it depends on your current relationship with your employees. If they admire and respect you there is no issue with what you wear/drive etc.

If they resent you or have any issues with how they are treated wearing a rolex is only going to exaggerate their negative feelings.

Either way wearing a rolex will only amplify their current feelings towards you. Good or bad.

[badass09]

Originally Posted by Tush17

Do you think wearing a Rolex as a small business owner who primarily has general labour type employees (8-10 employees) would negatively effect me?

I am finally in the position to be able to own a Rolex and it sucks that I may not be able to wear it to work (where I spend most of my time) out of fear of pissing off my employees.

Thoughts?

I own a small business with 10 employees and i work myself too... i wouldn't be bothered about what my employees think about what's on my wrist.. besides i'm the boss and i gifted my longest and most loyal employee a 14060 sub for all the years of hard work he has done for me.. and it also sets an example to other employees to work hard and work smart.. don't worry about what they think of you and just enjoy your rolex...

Originally Posted by tkdgod

I'm in the same boat. I figure I'll wear mine on weekends and special events. As for work days my G shocks will be just fine

I wear my g-shock mudman all through the week and wear my rolex on weekends and special functions and events too..;)

[engin33r]

Originally Posted by Thepoolguy

My concern also has to do with my age though. I'm getting the rolex to celebrate 10 years in business and a milestone revenue achievement we should hit this year, but outside perception is a 32 year old in a blue collar industry must be charging too much for the work. If I was 52 I'm not sure I'd feel the same way because I think the current degree of "success" would be more accepted.

Unless your clients are dumb, they are not going to judge your products/services pricing based on what you wear. They are not going to think your 10k worth of products are more expensive than 10.5k same products / services your competitor is selling, just because he wears casio and you wear rolex.

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by engin33r

Unless your clients are dumb, they are not going to judge your products/services pricing based on what you wear. They are not going to think your 10k worth of products are more expensive than 10.5k same products / services your competitor is selling, just because he wears casio and you wear rolex.

I think there is always "that client" who thinks your services are too expensive. Then there are those who know that there are differences in your profession and they have to pay to get the top talent. I don't compete on cheap, I compete on destroying competition and making money.

[Aeternitas]

Originally Posted by andrewd

A yellow gold sub is NOT subtle. I cannot think of any luxury watch less subtle. It will be a loud beacon to the staff that the business is doing well, which is good for employee morale if they are also sharing in the success. With such a small number of employees you must have a good feeling for staff morale. if you put yourself in their shoes would you be happy? If you have penny-pinched on raises, bonuses and working conditions a F-off gold sub is not a good look. I would suggest that a SS Rolex is perhaps a more tasteful option for wearing at work.

This. The model here is the crux of the issue and changes the response I'd normally give. If you said you were getting a model in SS or two-tone, then I'm sure it wouldn't be much of an issue. But a Yellow-Gold blue sub pretty much screams for attention. It's about as subtle as a chainsaw. So no, I don't really buy the "no one will notice if it's a Rolex or a Timex" or "no one will notice" argument that some are making in this case. If he was buying a Datejust or SS Sub, I could understand, but a full-gold sub is pretty much the flashiest Rolex in the catalog, barring the models with diamonds.

So, basically, I'd give this a lot of thought before wearing it to work. This is a model that is likely to cost more then they make in a year. Unless you happen to run the one business where every single employee is 100% satisfied with their pay, it's going to likely foster resentment with someone, at least. Probably moreso in your case versus someone in a management position, say, at a public company. Employees see you as the final decision-maker on pay (versus it being the "company"), so any hang-ups they have with their pay they will associate directly with you.

[Onikage]

Being the boss, having the highest pay isn't exactly surprising. If they don't like it, their annual salary less than the cost of your watch, they can leave. Someone else will happily do their job without getting upset about their boss earning more. The comments suggesting against wearing it strike me as silly. Should you also drive a POS to work out of concern for low paid employees? Downplaying wealth like this is more patronising and douchbaggy imo. I'm not suggesting that's the situation here and you seem a nice guy but.. you should wear the watch and be your honest self sir. Good employees will respect you for it.

[wrxsti]

be proud and wear it!

[The Joker]

The fact the OP is considering and debating this shows me he is a thoughtful and probably caring boss, which is important.

Personally I would feel awkward, but thats me.