(awkward) encounters with Rolex wearers

[RKTINC1]

A true WIS always appreciates being noticed in a tactful way. In 30 years of Rolex ownership I have only had 3 or 4 instances of people complimenting me on my watches. Most of the time zero people notice, the rest that do notice do not comment as they are not knowledgable about Rolex/Watches in general to discuss the topic. It is the one item as expensive as a car but virtually unknown to the general public.

It is really based on knowledge. Most anyone can tell an expensive or interesting vehicle and our culture allows for comments and discussions about them in public. With high end watches, there is very little general knowledge about them so they are not called out like say a vintage hot rod at a gas station or a new 911 would be.

[gerry100]

Only a "watch guy" will notice anything besides a Sub Date, at least around here

[RJG]

Jesus Christ there is a LOT of isolated, anti-social, icy dragons here...w/ cold demeanors and poor social skills. I hope I never sit across from you on a bus or train. Wow.

If I see a cool looking watch on a guys wrist I'll very likely say" hey cool watch !" because well... I'm friendly and sociable.

[Malum]

Stranger Danger

[samson66]

I'm typically more likely to strike up a conversation with an Omega owner. They tend to be more "watch people" and less people trying to show off wealth. Back when I had my 16710 I noticed a guy at the rental car counter with a vintage Sub and said something to him. He was absolutely thrilled to talk about it. Said it was a gift from his son. You can usually look at the person before you talk to them and tell if it's a watch person or just someone who wants to be seen wearing a Rolex.

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[CanPam]

Never happened to me in 20 years of watch collecting (living in Europe).
But I have to say also that I'm really not interested to talk with strangers about the watches we are wearing anymore, I had some occasional conversations in the past but I prefer not to have them in the future... ;)

[copperjohn]

I’ve had the occasional conversation about watches with unsubs.

It’s been my experience that if they are not WIS, length of ownership determines their interest in talking about it. If it’s a new watch, they are happy to talk about the watch. If it is not new, not so much. This isn’t 100%, but just what I have noticed.

[Giangos]

Yesterday I was at a bicycle show. A young guy, mid 20s came up me to and said, “cool Vacheron! Overseas, cool watch bro”

I was taken aback, barely half of the watch would been visible under my sleeve.

I told him that I was impressed that he could name the watch, definitely a young WIS.


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[David001]

Originally Posted by samson66

You can usually look at the person before you talk to them and tell if it's a watch person or just someone who wants to be seen wearing a Rolex.

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That's a good comment.
If it's someone in designer clothes with the name splattered all over them then beware.

I mean what's going on with that? People wear stuff with a massive logo across it, I'd feel stupid.

Originally Posted by betterwatchit

I live in a neighbouring county and see Rolex on other people pretty much daily, lockdowns notwithstanding! They seem to be standard-issue at the gym and when my kids were still at school, Rolex seemed part of the parents’ uniform!

If it's a hot and affluent country then they're everywhere, pretty much every second bloke in Dubai has a Rolex on and in HK everyone has one on

If anyone wears one in a gym then they should be taken out and beaten. One for showing off and two for not working up a sweat where a watch would be uncomfortable.

[Gwai]

Originally Posted by David001

If anyone wears one in a gym then they should be taken out and beaten. One for showing off and two for not working up a sweat where a watch would be uncomfortable.

Radical viewpoint. I rather like it.

Cheers
Marc

[t3mmaurer]

The guy running the Jimmy John's drive through handed me my sandwich and what did he have on his wrist? A ceramic sub-date!

I said to him almost instantly, without thinking, "Hey, nice sub!"

He replied, "got it from jimmy John's as an award"

to Jimmy Johns

[TRS1]

Originally Posted by t3mmaurer

The guy running the Jimmy John's drive through handed me my sandwich and what did he have on his wrist? A ceramic sub-date!

I said to him almost instantly, without thinking, "Hey, nice sub!"

He replied, "got it from jimmy John's as an award"

to Jimmy Johns

That is awesome!

[samson66]

Originally Posted by t3mmaurer

The guy running the Jimmy John's drive through handed me my sandwich and what did he have on his wrist? A ceramic sub-date!

I said to him almost instantly, without thinking, "Hey, nice sub!"

He replied, "got it from jimmy John's as an award"

to Jimmy Johns

That's very cool actually. Thanks for posting

[gerry100]

Originally Posted by t3mmaurer

The guy running the Jimmy John's drive through handed me my sandwich and what did he have on his wrist? A ceramic sub-date!

I said to him almost instantly, without thinking, "Hey, nice sub!"

He replied, "got it from jimmy John's as an award"

to Jimmy Johns

Thats' a lot of sandwiches

[alweisenberger]

I have honestly never seen another person wearing a Rolex other than my AD ppl. Maybe it's just where I live.

[garyk]

We are visiting friends in Dublin Ohio, they have a really nice entertainment and restaurant area with a beautiful suspension pedestrian bridge over the river between the two areas. Last night we were strolling across and a couple passed us, the man spied my 116500 white dial and said to me “Nice Panda”! A real dilemma since I don’t like that some call it that but I just had to smile and say thanks lol

[Jimmy66]

This hobby is mentally unwell lol

[fsprow]

Originally Posted by Jimmy66

This hobby is mentally unwell lol

And getting more so.

[Spartacus]

Originally Posted by KeobNepo

Especially during meetings, when the encounter is for a longer period of time, this becomes a 'thing'. You try to catch the other guy glance at your watch, while the other guy tries to catch you.
It's like you are winning if you catch the other guy looking at yours, and you lose when you are caught.

This sounds more like flirting. Good Luck!

[jets]

On vacay once at the beach bar I turn to the older dude next to me and tell him "That's a nice sub." He looks a bit perplexed and responds...

"It's a Rolex."

Last time I ever bothered.

[baymax]

The SA offered to clean my watch, and a couple came in right after. I was looking at a display, so the SA placed my newly cleaned watch on the watch tray. I overheard the couple saying to the SA that if I didn’t buy the watch, they would take it. The SA just let them know it wasnt theirs it was just being cleaned.

[RUSH2689]

I don't know about you guys but this is the last type of "experience" I would want to have. Have no time, interest or desire in playing peekabo with another man's watch.

[michaelodonnell123]

On my planet everybody is texting and doesn't notice anything except their phone. Not sure why your planet is any different.

[szabo_martin]

Usually urinals are a great place to compliment someone's watch

[Polarexplorerii]

Originally Posted by szabo_martin

Usually urinals are a great place to compliment someone's watch

At a urinal your eyes should be on the wall, not on the guy next to you!

[Jackie Daytona]

Originally Posted by szabo_martin

Usually urinals are a great place to compliment someone's watch

I thought I was the only one...class rings as well. They’ll always respond.

[chris242]

Originally Posted by Dontknow

I thought I was the only one...class rings as well. They’ll always respond.

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[eightball76]

Originally Posted by Dontknow

I thought I was the only one...class rings as well. They’ll always respond.

If you ever come to the UK, I'd stay away from using the term 'Class Ring' whilst in the public toilet.

[BigTasty]

Originally Posted by eightball76

If you ever come to the UK, I'd stay away from using the term 'Class Ring' whilst in the public toilet.

[szabo_martin]

Originally Posted by Dontknow

I thought I was the only one...class rings as well. They’ll always respond.

LOL finally someone who got the joke