Gold Rolex in a work environment

[speedmaster73]

Originally Posted by psv

First of all, the 18k GMT with green dial is a stunning watch (I had the same but the black dial) but I would never wear it in a work setting. Ever. Too much baggage, you are asking people to form an opinion about you that you have no control over. Sales is always about 1st impressions. A $37K watch, and a flashy one at that, on a 21 yrs old just sets off too many questions.

correct.....a watch like that on a 21 yr old should never under any circumstances be worn UNLESS you ARE the company and wipe your arse with $$$ and the clients know you wipe your arse with $$$.

[s14roller]

Originally Posted by Big_Fan

To be single w money is the greatest gift to a young man.

Get on my level or hate somewhere else ✌


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Agreed, but single w/money works better on weekends.

Reality is, the world doesn't work on "F it, get on my level." I can't imagine him telling this to his boss...

[haven_seeker]

First of all, kudos to Big_Fan for that great post.

Second, let me share my own experience. When I was a junior sales guy, I had just gotten a small raise and decided to go reward myself with a gold plated Movado here:


Well, I walked in (with a sweater, it was barely showing) and just about everyone in the office had a fit. Nobody who goes in a five-mile radius of our business wears a watch that nice. The boss doesn't wear a watch that nice. And that thing set me back $600 back then...far out from Rolex territory.

Gold has a way of playing with people's minds. It really is all about perception. Mine wasn't even solid gold (could you imagine if it was??) and people were losing their sh!t over it.

I remember when I bought a truck a couple years ago, the sales guy was busy as snot with ten customers lined up for him on a Saturday morning and he was wearing a 16610. I noticed it and thought, "cool, this dude's wearing a Rolex," and it was a talking point between me and my wife afterwards. But for every person like me who walks in his office and notices, he probably has two that are saying "hell, he's got enough money, I'm going to squeeze him for all I've got!" Whether they actually come out and say that or just think it, regardless, it's bad for business. (and the other five that may not notice, let's face it, are just not relevant to this conversation)

Although I bravely defied the whole office with my mighty Movado I would not dare ever walk in with a Rolex. Even if I was the manager, or above that. And if you want to test the waters, go ahead and buy a cheap gold watch and give it a test run... you are bound to get results, possibly the same as with a solid gold GMT.

[speedmaster73]

single w money is subjective....

if you dont own a house or your car but own a $30000 watch you dont have $$.....you have 'bling'

'owning' your house means minimal or no mortgage...owning your car means zero car payments.....

not suggesting this is the case in this instance.

and if your 21 and own a house and own your car and own a $30000 watch than you ARE the company

[abovedeck]

People buy for two reasons: They like the product, or they like you.

If you can do your job and sell them on one of the above, their opinion of your watch will not matter.

[tjjma]

Wear it with pride I say! If a client notices, don't cover it up if with your sleeve. I say just act like it's normal business.

[watchwatcher]

Yeah...that one will get noticed.

[silverbullet818]

Originally Posted by tjjma

Wear it with pride I say! If a client notices, don't cover it up if with your sleeve. I say just act like it's normal business.

This is KEY. You flinch and cover it up, that makes for an AWKWARD moment.

Keep going ignore their glances. Heck even give them the 'pay attention' look.

[Dubarzy]

I do not work in sales, but I interact with multiple sales people from different companies and product lines all day long. Honestly, I don't care what they wear on their wrist, what they drive, or how much commission they make on the sale. I care about the product/service they are selling, the price, their reputation, their attitude, and their professionalism. The day I tell my boss I'm buying from company X over company Y because of a wristwatch is the day I get fired. What an absurd concept.

Awesome watch, by the way!

[Gnomon]

I'm firmly on the wear it and damn the torpedoes side of this debate.

However, I think this is coloured by the facts that I don't have to deal with clients and I'm in a place career-wise where my audience/constituency consists of a close-knit group who know me well and wouldn't judge me based on what's on my wrist. In any case, you should see *their* wrists! :D

So, perhaps the the most sensible way to view the problem is really, really simple: Ask your boss/business owner. Presumably this person would be older and have more experience and have a good finger on the mentality of clients. If you're the boss, then can ask yourself. But until then, if you're taking someone else's money, they call the tunes. At work.

All other arguments not based on business utility will collide with the obvious truth that there are multifarious human natures and attitudes - especially where displays of wealth and reactions to it are involved.

[Andad]

I have been in sales management for more than 40 years.

When you meet someone for the first time they will judge you on a hundred things.

The watch you wear might not even be one of them .....but might confirm their initial evaluation......so wear a watch you are comfortable with.

[lig]

Personally I think it is more the Nixon sized monogrammed initials that garnered the disapproving looks.

99.9% of the populace could not tell the difference between a Michael Kors from that beautiful GMT.

Wear the watch. Tone down the monogram. :)

[superdog]

"Get on your level"? That's actually kind of funny.

Those are bold words on a site like this. Lots of very impressive levels around here.

[chadstone30]

Originally Posted by photodork

im pretty sure it was the monogrammed cuff

+1

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[chadstone30]

Originally Posted by dera

A lot of people consider owning a YG Rolex a substantial achievement in one's life. The problem at 21 is, that very very few people can think of merits you can have at that age...

This is the best reasoning I've come across in the thread so far. Well put dera. I concur.

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[Cinquecento]

Originally Posted by speedmaster73

single w money is subjective....

if you dont own a house or your car but own a $30000 watch you dont have $$.....you have 'bling'

'owning' your house means minimal or no mortgage...owning your car means zero car payments.....

not suggesting this is the case in this instance.

and if your 21 and own a house and own your car and own a $30000 watch than you ARE the company

This.

[DeeTee]

You keep worrying about wearing yours, while I wear mine!

[Makau]

I like wearing steel Pateks around clients. They have NO idea what I'm pack'n. 😆😆😆




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[DCheeta]

It's a great watch. Personally I prefer the version with the black dial.

[jmrxtr]

A guy I know (life insurance sales) follows up on a lead in Las Vegas. He wears a PAM 104 or something in that league to the appt. The house is in a shabby area of town, not looking promising. The potential client invites him in and it turns out this guy is a master woodworker and he's sporting an A. Lange! After some conversation my friend says "nice Lange" Then the guy says, "Yeah, I like your Panerai. I'll buy a policy. Whata you got?"

Like someone else said- know your audience. My buddy lucked out.

[jmrxtr]

Originally Posted by Makau

I like wearing steel Pateks around clients. They have NO idea what I'm pack'n. 😆😆😆




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So true. A godawful Invicta gets way more attention.

[jmrxtr]

My office products salesman sold his Mercedes and started driving a Fusion. Just to keep clients from thinking he's overcharging. Owns two homes in very nice Zip codes.

[Fleetlord]

Vendor relations with the major home center chain in the US changed forever over a Rolex Daytona.

The owner of a large product rep agency wore one to a buyer meeting. It didn't go unnoticed. That raised some suspicions about how much this guys company was earning from vendors to provide sales and merchandising support for their products.

The chain saw the numbers, thought it was outlandish, and immediately formulated a plan to get the money for themselves.

Less than a year later, the manufacturers and vendors were directly paying the chain a percentage of sales for "in house" merchandising support and the dude with the Daytona was out...and shortly out of business...along with every other rep agency and vendor supplied sales force.

To think your customers aren't counting your money is naïve...and it could cost you dearly...

[Highland Ranger]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Vendor relations with the major home center chain in the US changed forever over a Rolex Daytona.

The owner of a large product rep agency wore one to a buyer meeting. It didn't go unnoticed. That raised some suspicions about how much this guys company was earning from vendors to provide sales and merchandising support for their products.

The chain saw the numbers, thought it was outlandish, and immediately formulated a plan to get the money for themselves.

Less than a year later, the manufacturers and vendors were directly paying the chain a percentage of sales for "in house" merchandising support and the dude with the Daytona was out...and shortly out of business...along with every other rep agency and vendor supplied sales force.

To think your customers aren't counting your money is naïve...and it could cost you dearly...

Especially if you are a thief or think you'll make money forever with a bad business model.

What I mean by that is, your story isn't about a watch, its about correcting mis-management.

[AJC719]

I wouldn't give this a second thought. Wear your watch! Everyone spends their money I something. We choose watches. I was questioned on my watches once by a co worker. I quickly pointed out the 2 motorcycles, vintage charger, and boat he has, that I don't. I then brought up how much less it cost to maintain my hobby once you buy in. Conversation over


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[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by Highland Ranger

Especially if you are a thief or think you'll make money forever with a bad business model.

What I mean by that is, your story isn't about a watch, its about correcting mis-management.

This "bad business model" generated $83B in sales last year....they have been doing this type of strong arm stuff for decades, so it kinda works.

[montty]

Originally Posted by Big_Fan

Lol get better margins so they can pay you better.

Guy made how much on the deal? 500k+, right?

Or???

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Note I am not recommending anything here. I just observe the fact. Though, I accept, it might be different in your environment.
You might call me biased, but i will never take seriously any 21 yr old wearing gold rolex... Justin Biber... may be. Young Tyson... well may be. But junior sales assistant? Come on, give me a break.

[Highland Ranger]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

This "bad business model" generated $83B in sales last year....they have been doing this type of strong arm stuff for decades, so it kinda works.

Seems like they let one get by though eh? Management issue on part of home center. Not watch issue.

And bad business model is on part of vendor. May work some places, but didn't work in this case.

[Aeternitas]

Originally Posted by Highland Ranger

Especially if you are a thief or think you'll make money forever with a bad business model.

What I mean by that is, your story isn't about a watch, its about correcting mis-management.

Right, but the watch was basically what triggered them to dig deeper in this scenario. Would they have dug into it eventually? Maybe. Maybe not. But the watch was what set off the chain of events in this scenario. Guy doesn't wear the watch to the meeting, he may indeed have been able to "make money forever with a bad business model". And the OP even mentions that he got funny looks from a customer. I would think that it's pretty safe to say that wearing a flashy gold watch that pretty much screams "look at me, I'm expensive" will probably have more net negatives than positives. I would triple those negatives for someone who is 21.

[Left wrist]

It really depends on the type of sales job. Salespeople who work at my company take their watches off when seeing clients or have a "work watch". Personally, I believe in wearing a watch you love. That said, I wear a stainless Pam, AP ROO, or Rolex as my everyday pieces. They're all very nice but i don't like to "flash" around most clients.


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