Ever been embarrassed about the Rolex name?

[britincali]

I gotta admit im like that too, on a couple of occasions when asked about my EXP II I just say "its an explorer" and leave it at that, only one took a closer look and noticed rolex.

[DiamondJack]

Very interesting and enlightening posts everyone. Thanks for contributing.

In an attempt to summarise, it seems to be pretty clear that we all recognise that the Rolex brand does come with a lot more social baggage than pretty much any other watch brands. This is quite evidently due to the long history of the brand and the absolutely fantastic marketing job Rolex have done over the years. They also make some incredible timepieces.

Some of us appear to be far more acutely aware of this aspect than others and will tone down conversational topics to avoid the brand name being at the forefront of discussions..... particularly with friends and/or family, some of whom may be less able to afford luxury goods than others.

Others are quite proud and, indeed, openly so, of the fact that they have been able to acquire a Rolex through their own hard work and endeavours and have absolutely no issues in terms of who knows about it.

I dont think there is a right or wrong and, whilst I fall into the first camp when conversing with family and friends, I also enjoy the bragging rights that come with Rolex ownership when in the company or work colleagues or business associates.

I suppose, ultimately, we all enjoy owning a brand that is so widely recognised and desired. Long may this continue

[Puffy]

You did the right thing, Steve, no need to rub it in your wife's friend's face seeing she's going through a hard time financially...

[padi56]

Originally Posted by threemonkeys

No shame here. I'm not the slightest bit interested in anyone noticing my Rolex and prefer to stay in stealth mode. But if someone asks, I just mention what it is the same as I would were I wearing a Timex.

Exactly a Rolex is just a watch that tells the time and cost more than some but less than many others but still only a wristwatch.

[Palakiko]

This is a touchy subject in itself. And I guess it all depends on the situation and the person receiving the message.

For example, In one hand if you are see'n wearing a rolex you may be stigmatized as wealthy and stuckup but on the other you could be seen by a fellow collector as someone who appreciates a fine timepiece. I know I have seen various people wearing Rolex's who just buy the brand.

So...at the end of the day wear it proudly but beware of the stigma that comes with wearing it.

[East Bay Rider]

I have an acquaintance who, before we knew each other well, declared that nobody needs a watch anymore and people who wear them are just showing off.
I can only imagine his opinion of Rolex watches.

[watchf]

I have thought about what I should say if asked what watch I am wearing when its not the best environment to mention the brand. The best answer like what others have mentioned would be to just mention the model name and the brand only if tat person really wanted to know. Most people would just acknowledge the model name and that will be the end of that unless they wanted to see the watch up close.

[sttevo]

I'm exactly the same. I've only ever had a couple of comments that are like "hey I love that watch you're wearing", and I just said "yeah I love it too it's just a Sub". That usually kills the convo pretty quick when they look blankly back like "what is a Sub?" hehe

Same with cars. When I've been asked what I drive in general conversation I just say the model, not the make and if they know what that is they are a car fanatic, otherwise blank looks :) I've found in life it's better to enjoy things for yourself - otherwise sometimes some people get snotty.

[Harrya]

Nothing better than a Rolex on one arm and a young trophy wife on the other....I'm never embarrassed about either.

[cferrel]

Originally Posted by Harrya

Nothing better than a Rolex on one arm and a young trophy wife on the other....I'm never embarrassed about either.

I am still looking for the trophy wife lol. Luckily I have plenty to pick from at Baylor.

[buke45]

I've been there it's a horrible feeling

[Le Chef]

The brand is high profile and people who know it have an opinion. If you don't like that wear something that's more under the radar.

[tandrup]

Thanks for sharing your story. I have been in similar situations - both in private and work-related settings and have sometimes handled the situation by telling people that I bought the watch in Bangkok or Hong Kong and that "it looks almost like the real thing".

That actually represents a 180 degree turn from my very young days where I walked around with a fake Rolex from HK and tried to convince everyone that it was real.

[krzspeedstr]

Its interasting that for a forum made up of world wide members we seem to be getting a lot of input from US residents. I know that in Latin America there are other brands that carry as much panache as a Rolex, such as Cartier.

[Ski Dweller]

I've never been embarrassed by Rolex. However, here in the US, I don't use my title "Doctor" outside professional circles, because it tends attract negative stereotypes. We've become a nation of slackers where 10% of high school graduates have 4.0's and the top ten students are all valedictorians. Everyone's a winner! But, if you go too far, that's a problem.

[gwozhog]

Rolex prices have increased so much in the last 10 years that he probably thinks you only paid about 4-6k for the watch. If he had known you had 12k worth of wrist treasure on your puny wrist he might be hittn you up for a loan so I would not sweat it. I once had a bum call me cheap for not giving him a dollar.He said man you got a rolex and I aintz got shit. Now that is embarassing.

[HongNinja]

Normally I come on here and rant about people being "afraid" to wear their Rolex, or worried about what others think about it, but I can really align with this post.

I truly think you should always wear your prized possessions with pride, joy, and forget about what others think. However, in this case I'd feel the same way. I love the finer things in life. I like the best, but I don't want to come across as cocky, arrogant, or ostentatious about my luxury items as well. It's a fine balance. We all worked hard for our "toys", but its still important to be humble and sensitive to other people. Especially if they are going through hard times.

I recently had a boss who, before interviewing me for a BIG promotion, grabbed my wrist and said "Wow, is that real?". Made me feel uncomfortable especially before I was about to interview. A part of me wanted to point at her (obviously real) Gucci bag and say, "Nice Gucci bag, is that real?!". It also made me feel weird because I didn't want the thought "Well, he doesnt need the promotion if he's wearing a Rolex." running trough their minds either.

[43builder]

the way i see it, if you buy the watch, wear it and be proud of it!

I am a design student in college, and when the professors, or other students compliment on my green bezel sub, they always ask what it is. when i say rolex, they do go crazy, but then again, thats what comes with the ownership.

any luxury item in public, such as my watch, and my Vertu phone, there will always be people who approve and disapprove. However, you are paying for a high quality brand, wear it with pride!

[DiamondJack]

Originally Posted by HongNinja

I truly think you should always wear your prized possessions with pride, joy, and forget about what others think. However, in this case I'd feel the same way. I love the finer things in life. I like the best, but I don't want to come across as cocky, arrogant, or ostentatious about my luxury items as well. It's a fine balance. We all worked hard for our "toys", but its still important to be humble and sensitive to other people. Especially if they are going through hard times.

My thoughts exactly... well said

Although, I also understand what Dan (Dan2010) has said, in that even though you may not change yourself, people's attitude to you can sometimes change when you are perceived to being doing well for yourself. There is very little you can do about that change of perception and I suppose the concern we all need to be aware of is the risk that we start to change our own approach to the way we behave to accomodate other people's changing attitudes..... a slippery slope

But great responses everyone......it's amazing how complicated life can get just because you like and can afford a few "toys"

[RolexPete32]

I have the same problem. Everyone around me including most family has no money and I mean no money really I mean no money like out on the street kind of money in one case. I have learned to wear long sleave shirts and often try to hind my watch from sight. I should post a video of how this works. My wife said I look like I need to take a when I act this way. I am just so uneasy being around people who can't afford the rent and I have 2 rolex watches. I do agree that if you say for example Patek watch to most people they would look at you blankly.

[dysondiver]

a man i know once told me , only ever own what others envy ,,, it was interesting advice , ive turned it into only ever own what brings you pleasure , and on that note dont be ashamed of it . as to flaunting it in someones face , its no different than a pool or a bmw , its just where you choose to spend your disposable. it would have been more tactfull if your house guest hadnt mentioned it at all , and avoided you having to be tactfull in your reply.
just my 2p worth

[Postnikov]

What do you want to proof to this person by changing 3 times a day your watches?
I think she detected your ego-problem at once by asking you what watch is that - just to let you know that she had recogniced your strange behavior. That you could not mention the name "Rolex" was all she needed to prove her first impression! Do you still think that it was you who mastered the situation????
By the way: many, many people are really not interested in watches - but spend much more money into their education, travels or other hobbys - without letting it know to others with this penetrance! A Rolex make you not a better human!
Do not understand me wrong: I like/posess a lot of very nice things - but I do not expect that the whole world will drown me with compliments and be disappointed if it do not happen.
Grow up!

[rolexsweep]

yep totally agree, theres a time and place for everything

[93 Turbo]

What's wrong with changing your watch during the day? Nothing. I do and don't give a flying fig what others think. We've all worked hard and smart for a few small luxuries.

Situation well handled.

[DiamondJack]

Originally Posted by 93 Turbo

What's wrong with changing your watch during the day? Nothing. I do and don't give a flying fig what others think. We've all worked hard and smart for a few small luxuries.

Situation well handled.

Thanks.... I think we are on the same page

As for Postnikov above, I think you have missed the point of the thread.

Whether I changed my watch every hour on the hour does not really matter..... other than making me an even bigger WIS than I already am.

The point of this thread was more the fact that the Rolex brand comes with a lot more social baggage due to its perceived high status and perceived high value from the general public's point of view compared to other "often more expensive" watches which fly completely under the radar. I would have happily said Cartier or Patek or A. Lange & Sohne because they wouldn't have meant a thing to her.

Understand now

[Postnikov]

Originally Posted by DiamondJack

Thanks.... I think we are on the same page

As for Postnikov above, I think you have missed the point of the thread.

Whether I changed my watch every hour on the hour does not really matter..... other than making me an even bigger WIS than I already am.

The point of this thread was more the fact that the Rolex brand comes with a lot more social baggage due to its perceived high status and perceived high value from the general public's point of view compared to other "often more expensive" watches which fly completely under the radar. I would have happily said Cartier or Patek or A. Lange & Sohne because they wouldn't have meant a thing to her.

Understand now

I think as an European I really miss the point of the thread. For us watches from Rolex etc. are absolutely normal - no status symbol, more of a quality symbol. So we do not understand all this: "Do you wear your Rolex at your job?" or "Can I take my Rolex to the beach?" Here a Rolex is never a thema for a conversation - only if you collect them and meet your collector´s friends. It´s just a watch...

[BeekerMuppet]

Originally Posted by Postnikov

I think as an European I really miss the point of the thread. For us watches from Rolex etc. are absolutely normal - no status symbol, more of a quality symbol. So we do not understand all this: "Do you wear your Rolex at your job?" or "Can I take my Rolex to the beach?" Here a Rolex is never a thema for a conversation - only if you collect them and meet your collector´s friends. It´s just a watch...

True, there is a difference in culture. It works both ways, though. In USA wealth, is more respected as an achievement. The other side of the medal is the story you read above.

In EU, people generally think something is wrong with you when you buy a $3000 watch. On the other hand, nobody gives a horses ass if you do, wealth is not seen as an achievement.

That said, I usually skip the Rolex part and start rambling about it being a very well made mechanical watch that runs at 28,800 BPH, etc, etc. People get bored about that really fast and forget about the Rolex part and continue on with their lives.

Now y'all know it, these are my tactics

[cwilson13]

It is a challenging situation and one that I can relate too. I own several Rolex watches and wear one of them everyday to work...just as I have done for many years. Its a habit. However, I also own a small company and just like many companies in these economic times, we have had some layoffs over the last year. I wear nice watches do to passion, not ego. I could careless if anyone noticed them at all. However, I happened to look down at my wrist one day as I was laying off a great employee. There it was, staring at me screaming, 'how inappropriate', 'how insensitive'? The employee probably didn't notice it at all...but I certainly did. I still wear a nice watch everyday but I don't roll up my sleeves as much either.