Got Scolded For Wearing 16610LV Last Weekend

[steveclocks]

Originally Posted by s14roller

I'm sure you feel bad about it, but like others have said, you didn't mean anything by it but I'd agree that in the future, the watch needs to match the environment in terms of what people would perceive as having good or poor taste. Part of it may also have been the color, as I have worn a black Sub to charity events before and no one has noticed.

I can relate though...by the first year out of the school I had saved enough for my first "nice" car which was a 911. I drove it to work on occasion and thought nothing of it until my boss one day told me some of the other departments had come up to him jokingly asking him how much our guys made.

It never crossed my mind until then that perception is important regardless of the merits. I keep that stuff under the radar now, except with my Sub...I wear that everyday not bc it's a Rolex, but it's the cheapest watch I own and it was a present from my wife.

[Puffy]

Who cares what is on your wrist - the moral of the story is never ever do charity work

[RolexDivers]

Hardly anyone would notice a SUB ...Even if you went to Sudan's war torn refugee camps, there no one would really notice a sub....so in the USA, I hardly doubt someone would notice it...

Unless you went in flashy clothing, driving a flashy car, to this event, I can understand but I think if you had an INVICTA on, you would certainly attract more attention than a sub..

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Puffy

Who cares what is on your wrist - the moral of the story is never ever do charity work

Yup, BUY, BUY BUY! As they scream in the square mile.

[cokecoke]

I think this director has some serious insecurity issues.

[Bulliondesk]

Originally Posted by tom2517

That's why I stopped wearing my platinum DDII and bought a 5970P, don't want to offend people.

Isn't it amazing that a 5k Sub will get so much attention.. but a 175k Grand Comp from Patek will completely fly under the radar and go unnoticed.

[doubleinfive]

If you wear a Rolex, you can take the heat that comes with it...

[Bruin Watch]

That's great that you are offering your time to help others. Kudos.

Sounds to me like the Director may have had a case of watch envy, eh?

[Widows Son]

You did nothing wrong, and made no "mistake." I wore a vintage 6424 on a strap yesterday and nobody gave it a second glance. Today I'm wearing a 14000 Airking and will get the same response (none!!!). I would have told the director that you'll finish out the day, and then she's seen the last of you. Find yourself another charity that will appreciate you.

[Passionata]

^never mind what other guys said,
You are okay and your watch is very very okay:-)

[Z-Sub]

I would not worry about a watch, especially it was a SS watch. It has nothing to do with who you are and what you were there for. Sounds like this was not a good place for you to do charity work and there must be other places you will be appreciated for who you are and not what you wear.

[Nathan_Barnes]

Wearing your Rolex is not meant for the purpose of demeaning others who may not have the opportunity to own one, nor is it meant to express your potential status and/or net worth.

The director should have considered the many years it took you to earn it; perhaps it could have been passed to you by a family member, etc.

I am a tireless volunteer myself and have had my 116710LN on my wrist while doing community work, and I honestly have considered whether or not it was appropriate. That said, it was a gift given to me by my parents when I earned my university degree and got my first post-university job in banking. The way I look at it is this: we are our own individual. We all have different interests, tastes, desires, and needs. You, sir, should not feel ashamed. You could have been spending your money on yourself, traveling the world, buying even more things, dedicating your time to yourself. Instead, you volunteered; you did something for the benefit of others because it is right. My hat is off to you. Nothing is better than doing good for the sake of doing good.

[LA_LEC]

The director sounds like a real douche actually.

[doubleroll]

So you volunteer your own time to assist the less fortunate and the Director has a problem with what watch you are wearing...looks to me has the issue not you! Keep up the great work you are doing and wear whatever you want!


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[Howie]

The Director has issues.

[Grey.Coupe]

One would have hoped that your volunteerism would have silenced nitpickers.

[Cc1966]

I put myself in your shoes, and frankly I would not have believed the audacity of that director...I would have reprimanded him and finished out the day. If no apology was forthcoming that would have been my last with that charity.

[GradyPhilpott]

It is what is in your heart that is more important than what is on your wrist. Was it your vanity that made you wear the Rolex? If so, you're heart wasn't in the right place.

Did you wear the Rolex, because it's a watch, not thinking how others might feel? Then your thoughts were most likely centered on doing good deeds for the less fortunate and not on your timepiece.

As you can see, it is a very complex matter and one that even the director of some social service is not capable of discerning. Those who "rumbled" are probably the ones whose hearts were in the wrong place, because rather than being focused on the population they came to serve, they were preoccupied with your watch.

I will admit that in such situations, it is best not to be ostentatious, but a phony humility is not better than ostentation.

Again, this is a matter between you and that entity who can see what's in your heart, which I can tell you was neither the director nor the "rumblers."

[Speedbird-1]

Don't worry about it too much, you know you're one of the good guys, so forget the the comments but learn from them.

Bless you, for what you do do.
__________________________________________________ ___

Cliche alert!!
The man who never made a mistake, never made anything.

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

It is what is in your heart that is more important than what is on your wrist. Was it your vanity that made you wear the Rolex? If so, you're heart wasn't in the right place.

Did you wear the Rolex, because it's a watch, not thinking how others might feel? Then your thoughts were most likely centered on doing good deeds for the less fortunate and not on your timepiece.

As you can see, it is a very complex matter and one that even the director of some social service is not capable of discerning. Those who "rumbled" are probably the ones whose hearts were in the wrong place, because rather than being focused on the population they came to serve, they were preoccupied with your watch.

I will admit that in such situations, it is best not to be ostentatious, but a phony humility is not better than ostentation.

Again, this is a matter between you and that entity who can see what's in your heart, which I can tell you was neither the director nor the "rumblers."

In times of moral crisis, I often ask myself, what would Keith Richards do?

[SUPERDOC]

This is a very interesting thread...

I think that the director is demonstrating some egocentric tendencies...

You are doing a charitable act, but he still thinks that it's all about him (and by extension, you).

most people are egocentric, and for many accepting charity, I think that they would feel better getting it from someone with a Rolex than from someone from whom they think has to make a greater sacrifice -

to an individual - if they felt you had extra $$ to spare, they would feel less guilt about accepting your charity -

When I was struggling and searching couch cushions for spare change, I felt much better about taking cash from my rich relative than I did about taking from my parents who were equally struggling...

I can't imagine anyone truly 'Grumbling' -

what is a more realistic attitude ...?

#1. "Yes, he did this stuff for free, but looks like he doesn't need the money - look at the Rolex..."

or
#2. "How dare that guy who is doing the charity work wear a Rolex...the money he spent on that watch could have been given to me!?


Your Director seems to think that all eyes are on him/his team...I think he fail to recognize the true issue.

Some people do charity because they truly want to do good things..

Others do it because of how they think it will make them look..

Your director seems to be the latter

[richard371]

If I'm going to volunteer my time to help people I'll wear any watch I want. I'd be more concerned about the location I am in etc wondering if it's safe to wear a nice watch.

If I start to feel too many people are bothering me about it or I'm in an unsafe area etc I'll just tell them it's a fake and that shuts them up pretty quick and I feel safer. Did that at a bar in Thailand once.

[ndsleep612]

From my personal experience as a Rolex owner, it all comes with the environment you're in. If you're surrounded by wealthy individuals, a Rolex can be perceived as gaudy or a conservative watch. Most of my clients who are extremely well off, they dress normally and wear a digital watch, yet they can easily afford a Patek celestial as chump change.

When you're surrounded by people less fortunate, it's usually a bad connotation. I've never had a good experience wearing a nice watch surrounded by the less fortunate. Many times it's envy and sarcasm that I experience. Something that you can easily afford, might not necessarily be the case for 80% of the population.

With us watch collectors, a $5,000 price tag on a watch might be whatever. But with others, they'll think we're nuts. It can be vice versa when we see others with extravagant hobbies such as stamps or safari hunts.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Nathan_Barnes

Wearing your Rolex is not meant for the purpose of demeaning others who may not have the opportunity to own one, nor is it meant to express your potential status and/or net worth.

The director should have considered the many years it took you to earn it; perhaps it could have been passed to you by a family member, etc.

I am a tireless volunteer myself and have had my 116710LN on my wrist while doing community work, and I honestly have considered whether or not it was appropriate. That said, it was a gift given to me by my parents when I earned my university degree and got my first post-university job in banking. The way I look at it is this: we are our own individual. We all have different interests, tastes, desires, and needs. You, sir, should not feel ashamed. You could have been spending your money on yourself, traveling the world, buying even more things, dedicating your time to yourself. Instead, you volunteered; you did something for the benefit of others because it is right. My hat is off to you. Nothing is better than doing good for the sake of doing good.

I'm impressed with your post Nathan.

[hchj]

People choose to wear a Rolex for different reasons. It is just sad that most of the time, Rolex wearers are seen ostentatious.

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[waQstar]

There is probably another rolex coming your way in the near future for all the charity work you are doing, ignore the dum dums and keep pleasing god, that's all that matters.......

[1William]

Good job on volunteering. The watch is not what is important it is that you gave your time and energy to others who need your help. As for the, don't wear a Rolex, the issues are with those that notice. Be your own person and don't let other bring you down.
Just my thoughts.