"Yeah, well my $10.99 Timex..... "

[Taffi Abernathy]

It's a no-win situation that quite simply boils down to differing values and/or financial status. Amen.

[PHPuser]

well I've had $10.00 timex's and then I have my father's Rolex. Guess which one I know where it is?

[GradyPhilpott]

There are many good reasons to own both expensive and inexpensive watches.

The bottom line is that it is inexcusably rude to ridicule the belongings of others.

Twenty years ago or so, Mike Royko wrote an article along these lines.

If you can find it, it's a hilarious read.

[Widows Son]

It's all relative to your income. For me a Rolex will probably be as high end as I will ever get. I'll never own a PP, AG, or VC. Hopefully these people aren't looking down at me with my Rolexes, and I'm not looking down at the people wearing a Casio or Timex. No matter what you have, or what you drive, someone will always have something nicer or faster.

[DARK_KNIGHT]

Where are $10.00 Timex(s) sold? I have yet to find one at that price (new) at a department store.

[Shaman]

Originally Posted by DARK_KNIGHT

Where are $10.00 Timex(s) sold? I have yet to find one at that price (new) at a department store.

Last December I was in Wal-Mart and they had a Timex with cream antique style dial with retrograde date function that caught my eye. I had no intention of course of buying such a thing but noticed that it had been marked down to $9.99 from $99.99. I asked to see it and asked the salesperson why it was marked down 90%. She said they had lost the instruction book and no-one could figure out how to set the date on such a complicated watch. I gave them the $10 for a nice looking watch I do actially wear once in a while when I want something differant.

[DARK_KNIGHT]

Originally Posted by Shaman

Last December I was in Wal-Mart and they had a Timex with cream antique style dial with retrograde date function that caught my eye. I had no intention of course of buying such a thing but noticed that it had been marked down to $9.99 from $99.99. I asked to see it and asked the salesperson why it was marked down 90%. She said they had lost the instruction book and no-one could figure out how to set the date on such a complicated watch. I gave them the $10 for a nice looking watch I do actially wear once in a while when I want something differant.

Bob:

An exception, not the rule. Congrats on the Timex purchase, but the original asking price was $99.99 (plus tax?). Helluva buy thou.

[Boopie]

Originally Posted by Widows Son

It's all relative to your income. For me a Rolex will probably be as high end as I will ever get. I'll never own a PP, AG, or VC. Hopefully these people aren't looking down at me with my Rolexes, and I'm not looking down at the people wearing a Casio or Timex. No matter what you have, or what you drive, someone will always have something nicer or faster.

I agree...but the issue is when someone with a Timex insults our Rolex. I don't go around insulting less- or more-expensive watches. I know many people who wear a Timex, Casio, etc. That's fine. I don't insult their choices.

I love cars. I do, however, strive to be financially responsible, so I'm not driving the Maserati I so richly deserve.

I drive an Acura. I love my car. I used to drive a Mercedes. Again, another great car. I don't have the least expensive car on the road, or the most expensive. I just met someone at lunch last week who could afford an Acura, but instead bought a Hyundai. He spent quite a bit of time at lunch saying how his car is just as good as an Acura, or a Lexus. Now, maybe it is, and maybe I'm a snobbish idiot for paying an extra $20K for my luxury automobile's badge, but I didn't feel the need to respond to him. I'm glad he's perfectly happy driving his Hyundai.

But, unlike the Timex-wearers who prompted this post, or the Hyundai-drivers, I don't go around insulting people who wear a more expensive watch, or drive a more expensive car, than I have, either. I just don't understand that. If someone wants to drive a brand-new BMW 7-series, or S-Class MBZ, and can afford it (e.g. they aren't depriving their kid of needed medical treatment, or scamming their bank), then good for them. If someone can afford a Patek, VC, Lange, etc. and wears it, good for them. They will hear only admiring comments, and not snide comments, from my corner.

[Gagebuilder]

Hello all, new guy here. I have never had a woman criticize my watch purchases, only men. Women think my watches are great and ask and comment about them. I've found that a man who asks about an expensive watch, and then criticizes, is trying to convince himself he is your intellectual superior. Just as a Hyundai buyer will try to convince himself how smart he is for his purchase, by telling everyone else how wise he is, a cheap watch owner might do the same.

On the rare occasion this has happened I'll grin and say, "Where did you invest the $X,000 you saved by buying your watch?" It has inspired a blank stare and "What?" every time. Then Samuel L. Jackson pops in my head from Pulp Fiction "Say what again! Say what one more GD time!"

Hey, 2 weeks ago I bought a $60 Fossil o-ring watch. It's SS with an orange leather band. Cheap, crazy watch with an open hole in the center. You can see right through it. People look at, and comment, more on this one than the Tag I usually wear, just because it's so odd.

[cwru32]

you guys must realize that while rolex is a status symbol it is not very smart watch compared to casio or timex! I needed one casio for chorono function. bought a cheap model and I was amazed how much this cheap watch could do. I got one for around 30 cad.
rolex looks good can be used to punch someone, can be pulished and looks new but it does need a quartz engine!

[Ed Rooney]

The best thing to do is not be passive, but confront them.

Ask, "so are you saying I'm stupid for buying a Rolex? You think I'm a jerk? What is the point you are trying to make?"

Most people will backtrack and try to play nice.

Either that or go Rick James and say, "what did the five fingers say to the face? SLAAAAP!!"

[Colnago]

I've posted this before but I thought maybe I would give it an airing because it kind of fits this thread....every man (woman) has his (her) vice.....and that's fine by me...

I was once severely verbally accused of being an idiot with my money for buying a Rolex watch by a (not very well liked) guy who I worked with, it shocked a lot of the folk around the office which was pretty small, only around 12 or 15 of us there. I took the attack on the chin and didn't put up much of a fight, but what I did do was explain essentially what is quoted above. I also proceeded to try and get the guy's confidence and try and find out what his 'vice' was. Unbeknown to him the whole office was listening in on our conversation which had gone pretty quiet and what he assumed was now a one to one. Eventually he admitted that if he came into big money he would buy this very special train set made in Germany which was very rare and very expensive. You can imagine, the office errupted in laughter.....all except me....I just sat with a smug grin on my face happy in the knowledge that this idiot had been tricked by his own tongue.....that happened in November 1990 and I have never forgotten it, neither have some of the guys I worked with back then....it's sometimes brought up when we meet up every once in a while....

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by Colnago

I've posted this before but I thought maybe I would give it an airing because it kind of fits this thread....every man (woman) has his (her) vice.....and that's fine by me...

I was once severely verbally accused of being an idiot with my money for buying a Rolex watch by a (not very well liked) guy who I worked with, it shocked a lot of the folk around the office which was pretty small, only around 12 or 15 of us there. I took the attack on the chin and didn't put up much of a fight, but what I did do was explain essentially what is quoted above. I also proceeded to try and get the guy's confidence and try and find out what his 'vice' was. Unbeknown to him the whole office was listening in on our conversation which had gone pretty quiet and what he assumed was now a one to one. Eventually he admitted that if he came into big money he would buy this very special train set made in Germany which was very rare and very expensive. You can imagine, the office errupted in laughter.....all except me....I just sat with a smug grin on my face happy in the knowledge that this idiot had been tricked by his own tongue.....that happened in November 1990 and I have never forgotten it, neither have some of the guys I worked with back then....it's sometimes brought up when we meet up every once in a while....

Your colleague was indeed a dweeb, Bill. You remain a man of taste.

[AWATCH]

Last time someone made a comment about spending to much on an expensive watch to me i told him that everybody has different taste, thats why ice cream comes in so many flavors

[RedBaronF2001]

I catch a little flack here and there for wearing a nice wristwatch. Most of my friends, family, and co-workers wear less expensive timepieces and they can't seem to fathom spending so much on a single item. I'm then regaled with their latest audio equipment, automobile, or household purchase that often costs more than a Rolex.

I'm only ever uncomfortable when they ask me how much I spent on it. I've started asking them the same for their purchases. That seems to keep them quiet.

[rsg]

I've never been questioned about my watches, but if someone ever asked why I spend what I do on them I'd just smile and say "because I like them".

[DWdrummer]

Well this is like everything else in life. Some people do not feel and never WILL feel that certain things are worth the prices that they command.

You can't and never will be able to win an argument with them about anything pertaining to it either.

"My $10 Timex... is just that a $10 Timex. Nothing more and nothing less.

A BMW is a surely a much better and nicer car than a Hyundai is, but to some people they wouldn't buy a BMW if they had a billion dollars, its "just a car", and a Rolex is "just a watch" etc. I actually pity such people in life.

It is not even so much a question of financial status or worth. I know people who would buy ten of any Rolex model they chose. BUT they simply would never buy ONE Rolex let alone ten of them. The simply do not appreciate the fine things in life. The quality, inherent value and sustained worth of such products. Be it a Rolex, a BMW, a set of speakers, a fine suit, nice shoes, a good cigar etc. The list is never ending really.

I do not yet own a Rolex, but should anyone ever approach me with such nonsense, I would just ignore them. You won't win the argument with them and to try is only lowering yourself to their level.

Im saving for my grail watch a Day Date in yellow gold, with a gold dial and stick markers, the "classic" "President" if you will. I am nearly there. Pre-owned of course.

My sister in law flipped out last week over this after dinner. She said, in front of my wife no less. "You would spend $7K or MORE on a damn WATCH?"
To which I replied. "It is not just a watch it is in fact a Rolex Day Date, also known as the "President" model. It is a timeless classic and it transcends time and fashion. It opens doors. It is solid gold, and I can leave it to my son someday."

She still did not get it. To her its a watch, solid gold or not, nothing more. She would rather put her $7K in the bank and pull 1.5% on it. To me it is only money and I would get much more pleasure with the Rolex around my wrist each day.

Some people .....

[Ed Rooney]

Originally Posted by DWdrummer

Well this is like everything else in life. Some people do not feel and never WILL feel that certain things are worth the prices that they command.

You can't and never will be able to win an argument with them about anything pertaining to it either.

"My $10 Timex... is just that a $10 Timex. Nothing more and nothing less.

A BMW is a surely a much better and nicer car than a Hyundai is, but to some people they wouldn't buy a BMW if they had a billion dollars, its "just a car", and a Rolex is "just a watch" etc. I actually pity such people in life.

It is not even so much a question of financial status or worth. I know people who would buy ten of any Rolex model they chose. BUT they simply would never buy ONE Rolex let alone ten of them. The simply do not appreciate the fine things in life. The quality, inherent value and sustained worth of such products. Be it a Rolex, a BMW, a set of speakers, a fine suit, nice shoes, a good cigar etc. The list is never ending really.

I do not yet own a Rolex, but should anyone ever approach me with such nonsense, I would just ignore them. You won't win the argument with them and to try is only lowering yourself to their level.

Im saving for my grail watch a Day Date in yellow gold, with a gold dial and stick markers, the "classic" "President" if you will. I am nearly there. Pre-owned of course.

My sister in law flipped out last week over this after dinner. She said, in front of my wife no less. "You would spend $7K or MORE on a damn WATCH?"
To which I replied. "It is not just a watch it is in fact a Rolex Day Date, also known as the "President" model. It is a timeless classic and it transcends time and fashion. It opens doors. It is solid gold, and I can leave it to my son someday."

She still did not get it. To her its a watch, solid gold or not, nothing more. She would rather put her $7K in the bank and pull 1.5% on it. To me it is only money and I would get much more pleasure with the Rolex around my wrist each day.

Some people .....

Funny....by owning that Rolex you still essentially have the $7K in the bank. The problem is that people look upon a fine watch purchase as *poof*, the money is gone. A Rolex is essentially a free watch. If I need the cash someday, it will be among the first things to go.

[greekbum]

Originally Posted by Ed Rooney

Funny....by owning that Rolex you still essentially have the $7K in the bank. The problem is that people look upon a fine watch purchase as *poof*, the money is gone. A Rolex is essentially a free watch. If I need the cash someday, it will be among the first things to go.

This has been my experience with Rolex.As long as you bought it RIGHT.They are very liquid and can be sold in a day in most cases.As long as you have the money to spare whats better going online and checking the 0000's in the bank or looking at your wrist all day?You be the judge on that 1.

[Wooddog44]

Originally Posted by Ed Rooney

Funny....by owning that Rolex you still essentially have the $7K in the bank. The problem is that people look upon a fine watch purchase as *poof*, the money is gone. A Rolex is essentially a free watch. If I need the cash someday, it will be among the first things to go.

Another thought is that, one way or another, a "good" watch is going to cost about a grand. One can either buy a watch that costs a thousand dollars or invest 5-6 grand in a SS Rolex with the history being that at some point they could, if desired, get the money "back" minus a grand or so. It's the same "drive for free" argument that is applied to very expensive cars.

In that sense one could flip the argument and say that while the Timex only costs 10 dollars that money is gone once the watch is purchased so, in theory, a Rolex is the more economically sound purchase since it allows for the possibility of wearing the watch for some period of time and holds the value of the money spent on it to be traded or sold in the future.

[djhiram]

Originally Posted by DWdrummer

My sister in law flipped out last week over this after dinner. She said, in front of my wife no less. "You would spend $7K or MORE on a damn WATCH?" To which I replied. "It is not just a watch it is in fact a Rolex Day Date, also known as the "President" model. It is a timeless classic and it transcends time and fashion. It opens doors. It is solid gold, and I can leave it to my son someday."

You handled this the right way I've come to the conclusion that my girlfriend will never understand or be able to justify spending so much money on a watch...but now talk to her about shoes and purses and watch where the conversation goes

[greekbum]

Originally Posted by djhiram

I've come to the conclusion that my girlfriend will never understand or be able to justify spending so much money on a watch...but now talk to her about shoes and purses and watch where the conversation goes

If you were talking about buying her the watch all of a sudden she would understand and start to agree with you..............ROFL...................
My wife has never asked how much they cost or if I made or lost on 1 .She does however have a midsize YM and wears all of mine from vintage to modern.Of all people she spotted a comex sub on a guys hand working on a cruise ship in our hometown and she said isnt that 1 of those that you want I was like uummm ya.

[Kokyuryoku]

I was thinking about this very topic recently myself and I really like this explanation,

'You buy a Casio to make sure you're on time; you wear a Rolex because you don't have to be on time.'

Taken from Gedanken's signiture.

[BTSinAustin]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

We had a discussion about this last year, but I'm thinking some more opinions now would be good. I have to say that I'm stealing Nikos (GreekBum) post from the "In House Movement" thread, (we Helenics need to stick together right Nikos ), hopefully you won't mind.

Nikos was minding his own business when a stranger came up and asked if his watch was a Rolex, and invaribly the next question, was it real. When Nikos responde affirmative to both questions, the guy holds up a Timex he got from Walmart and exhaults the virtues of how his $10.99 Times is such a better watch then Nikos Rolex.

Let me state most strongly, this is NOT a thread to, nor do I EVER, make fun of or look down at a person that chooses to purchase and use a 10 dollar watch. I respect everyone's decision. If someone is proud of their Timex/Casio/Rado (yeah, I threw that last one in for JJ ), and it meets their needs, I support and respect their decision 100%. I ALWAYS compliment someone on their watch, even if it is the ugliest thing I've ever seen, we are all entitled to our own likes and dislikes.

This is not about money either. We all spend what our budgets allow on timepieces; (except in my case, when I go way overboard my budget for a Rolex... but that's a whole other story). And I sincerely respect someone that purchases a timex/casio etc. because that is all they can afford.

What happened to Nikos and what simply INFURIATES me is the Beepety Beep that chastises one of us for making the choice of spending a great deal of money on a fine timepiece when it won't keep as accurate time as a 10 dollar quartz. I respect that person for making the choice to only spend that much on a watch, and compliment him on it, and am glad it meets his needs, WHY do they feel the need to belittle someone that made a totally different decision?

I guess another question I have is: How do you respond? I know what I would have LIKED to do to that moron, a swift head-but delivered concurrently with a kick in the oranges, but Nikos handled it a lot more mature then I would have and simply laughed. Good job Nikos!

Anyway, I'll stop ranting... but I just don't understand, I never make fun of someone that has chosen to purchase and wear an inexpensive watch, why do so many of them feel they must chastize us for making our choices? And how do you react to those Moro- er... people?

There is a saying in skydiving that fits here.

"Those that do can't explain and those that don't wouldn't understand anyway."

Do not waste your breath on them.

[seedgun]

'You buy a Casio to make sure you're on time; you wear a Rolex because you don't have to be on time.'

I seem to need to use this line about once a year. I've refined it a bit and now say " and I have my Audi R8 if my Rolex is slow.
I'm always simply amused when I get these comments.
Andy