Nice watch, but how do you say that to a stranger?

[Lol-x]

I went out for a breakfast at an outside local cafe this morning.
I didn't have a watch on as I had been for a bike ride.
To my right was a guy in the company of his wife with a brand new Day-Date (118238).
I thought to say "nice watch" but I feared that everyone including him may have felt I was a little strange. You can't just say that to someone out of the blue.
So I forgot about it and resigned myself to keeping my feelings to myself.
Then just as he was leaving, for some reason I was talking about a completely different subject to a friend about how something was not a good deal or how something was expensive, like the price of seafood at the moment.
I said in a loud voice, "Yeah, just like buying a Rolex, what a rip-off!".
At that point I had sparked the interest of the stranger, maybe in the wrong way, but when he saw the smile on my face and my further explanation that I was an enthusiast, he poudly stated that he had only had his Day-Date for 4 months and was really enjoying it.
Anyway, I told him about my interest and suggested that I could go on but his wife was probably already starting to get bored.
It was a nice impromptu chat, and a great way to start the day.

[montecristo]

Unless its on a women, I'd usually refrain from commenting on someone's watch until I get to know the person.

[C.J.]

Sounds like it went off well

[mikey]

Glad it went ok

[Gedanken]

Personally, I don't experience that sort of reservation. I find that mentioning the model, rather than just saying "Nice watch", sends out a clear signal that the watch really is the point of interest.

[TNRonin]

I just comment that it is a nice watch. More times than not though, sadly, it is a fakex. I hate that too. Like the time I saw a pepsi sub, and the guy told me it was real. W/O thinking I called him on it, he fessed up then. I should have just kept my mouth shut.

So far all the Rolexes w/ the exception of that pepsi sub they have all been real. And only one SD has been seen in the wild.

ETA: the ones I've seen at the gun shows that is.
Mitch

[Scooby]

With people I know, I have become more interersted in their watches as I go about my quest for another one. I was admiring a co-worker's watch recently, as it was a Patek-Phillipe, one of the models with the moon phases on it. He saw the impressed look on my face and decided to inform me, in an oddly proud manner, that it was a fake. Now, I wouldn't have known the difference anyway, so it struck me as odd that he did this. And, to top it all off, we both work in a place which is tasked with protecting intellectual property rights!

As to stangers, I tend to just try and sneak peeks. Then again, I'm not much for social interaction with unkowns.

[mikey]

Honestly, I would never approach anyone about the Rolex on there wrist. I would feel strange and develop a phobia if people walked up to me to look at my watch an examine it while on my wrist. I would probably put it on my winder and go about telling time with my A900 everyday. Its like a violation of intellectual space in my opinion.

[Gedanken]

Originally Posted by mikey

Honestly, I would never approach anyone about the Rolex on there wrist. I would feel strange and develop a phobia if people walked up to me to look at my watch an examine it while on my wrist. I would probably put it on my winder and go about telling time with my A900 everyday. Its like a violation of intellectual space in my opinion.

That lifestyle cannot possibly be good for your blood pressure, mikey.

[mikey]

Sorry, I been waiting for my Bond Nato since the 21st and no show. I bet my Nato on my DJ would get some looks and stares LOL

[Lol-x]

I approached it by making a controversial statement about Rolex to my friend, but with sufficient loudness so that the guy with the Day-Date could hear, basically by making a statement to my friend I engaged the third party, and in a light hearted way.
P.S. I told the guy with the Day-Date about this site and he said he would have a look at it, so it would be really funny if he came up to say hello. :)

[ezmoney46]

I have no problem on complimenting someone on thier watch. I've done it many times and most all have had a positive response. But then again I live in the south U.S. and most all people are friendly or open to any stranger with even a "Good Morning" or just a "Hello" when passing another on a sidewalk or in the grocery store. I guess it just comes easy to me as I'm in professional sales.

Steve

[Dylan1471]

I've noticed that people who know watches and especially the Rolex brand tend to stare at your wrist a lot longer than someone who is not an aficonado. I personally take it as a compliment if someone makes a comment about my S/S Sub as long as he or she is not pointing a handgun at me and asking me to take it off

[mikey]

Cool, it would be cool to see some more Day Date owners on this site

[leopardprey]

On flying back to Qatar, I had a hot looking female flight attendant ask me if my watch was an expensive Omega. I replied " No, Roolex".

LOL

[Flyjet601]

I have complimented people on their choice of watches. They know what they are wearing, and I think they appreciate the fact that someone else knows also......

[Blue Bull]

The DD...what an amazing watch in gold ... I dont care what anybody says but a DD,in YG with diamonds ,is a beauty ... !! Not that fond of the sport watches in YG with diamonds,though ...

I compliment everybody and everybody I see with a Rolex.Very simple .... "Hey,nice watch ... !! with a big smile The response is nearly always, possitive .If its not,well,so be it ...

Luckily,I have never encountered someone with a fake ,or one that was willing to admit it.Perhaps,they could see "Death" in my eyes .. I hate anything fake with a passion !! Just tells me too much about their character ..

[JJ Irani]

Hey Steve,

Great story!! You know something? That DD (except for the Day bit) looks absolutely identical to Zemina's ex TT DJ....here's a pic!! Uncanny, uh?

[roadcarver]

I was at chucky cheese with my wife and son celebrating a friend's kid bday. As I was chasing my son all over the place, I noticed this gentleman wearing oddly similar to a Panerai.

I wanted to find out what he was wearing but did thought it may be odd out of the blue so we chatted about our kids first ie. how old is your son.. blah blah, then found the opportunity to ask about his watch.

[Uncle-AJ]

Do like they do in the westerns.

"Hello stranger you're not from around these parts, are you. Nice looking Rolex on your wrist."

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Uncle-AJ

Do like they do in the westerns.

"Hello stranger you're not from around these parts, are you. Nice looking Rolex on your wrist."

[Orangeman]

You guys think too much.

Everyone enjoys a compliment.

Saying 'Hey, nice watch' is not a bad thing. Why would you even think twice about saying it to someone?

[betrezra]

"You guys think too much.">>>>>>>> Agreed.

But since this is an International forum, it might have more to do with different approaches in different cultures.

Ezmoney hit home with me as I spent much of my early years in the Gulf-coast USA...... where you're encouraged to converse with fellow humans :)

As a recent watch nut...... I notice them more and more.... and I talk to everybody (except gangsters & thugs :) who where rollies....

I find people with Vintage pcs to be the most receptive as they either have worn the watch since 1960's, OR (even better) have had the watch handed down over the years from a relative..... and the watch is somewhat of a keepsake to remember a very special person in their life.

Then of course you've got your crazy vintage rollie collectors..... and they're fun too.... as they'll talk your ear off about that "red sub" they saw for sale at an undisclosed location.....etc..... by that point my wife is tugging at my arm making laser eyes at me..... ARGH.

Regarding people approaching me.... usually women who have a keen eye for shiny objects ask me about my rollies........ and men usually just take the casual glance...... but hey I don't live in the Gulf-Coast anymore :)

[watchdawg]

The only comments I ever get with my old GMT are, " if the bezel is supposed to fade like that? or too bad the bezel faded." Surprising enough those comments don't come from knowlegeable people or friends who know how long the watch has been with me.

If the person is wearing a Rolex I won't likely comment, as most Rolex buyers are not really "watch people" per se, but just buy it because it's a Rolex. So the chances that someone who wears one is a WIS is quite small. For other brands, I might say something but it would have to be in the right setting.

I don't see many nice watches in my area, so the opportunity is quite rare.

[mikey]

If I am at a restaurant with my date, and its summertime then I am sure it gets noticed with the brilliant shine from the SS. Otherwise, I am wearing longsleeves a winter coat and noone sees my watch because of the winter season. I just think owning a Rolex is private. I don't want to get bashed by what others negative thoughts may be, so I never bring it up. I open up to you guys because I am in the right place.

Originally Posted by Avalon

If the person is wearing a Rolex I won't likely comment, as most Rolex buyers are not really "watch people" per se, but just buy it because it's a Rolex. So the chances that someone who wears one is a WIS is quite small. For other brands, I might say something but it would have to be in the right setting.

I don't see many nice watches in my area, so the opportunity is quite rare.

Well, interestingly enough since making this post I had the exact situation today at a jewelery auction. While perusing the items for sale, I saw another person there wearing a Panerai chronograph. My wife actually commented saying "Nice Panerai" and the guy looked at her like she was from Mars (she's not, she's just from Australia ). Anyway, based on that look I noted to him that we were "watch people" to ease his fears, but he seemed very uncomfortable with our comments.

That could be for 2 legitimate reasons:

1/ His watch may have been a fake - I am not that familiar with Panerai's but it's not shown in my 2006 catalogue so it's either a fake, some special edition, or dicontinued.

2/ He saw us as compteition for the watches that were up for bids - this guy bought a ton of watches so it was clear he was there to buy and likely did not like the fact we were there either.

Anyway, not exactly the reaction one would hope for.

[Blue Bull]

Originally Posted by Avalon

Well, interestingly enough since making this post I had the exact situation today at a jewelery auction. While perusing the items for sale, I saw another person there wearing a Panerai chronograph. My wife actually commented saying "Nice Panerai" and the guy looked at her like she was from Mars (she's not, she's just from Australia ). Anyway, based on that look I noted to him that we were "watch people" to ease his fears, but he seemed very uncomfortable with our comments.

That could be for 2 legitimate reasons:

1/ His watch may have been a fake - I am not that familiar with Panerai's but it's not shown in my 2006 catalogue so it's either a fake, some special edition, or dicontinued.

2/ He saw us as compteition for the watches that were up for bids - this guy bought a ton of watches so it was clear he was there to buy and likely did not like the fact we were there either.

Anyway, not exactly the reaction one would hope for.

If he bought a ton of watches,the Panerai was no fake .Not many even know what a Panerai is,he obviously saw you as competition .. Therefore, the 'less than friendly' response ... A good question at that stage would have been .. "So,Mister,is that a fake ... ??

I would have loved to been there,would have told him,in great detail,under which circumstances,Johann Rupert,bought the company.Just completed reading his fathers biography(Anton Rupert)

[amanda]

I was at lunch with former coleagues, at Taco Bills just before Christmas (classy restaurant NOT but fun nevertheless) my friend has a no-date Sub a hand me down from his late Father. The guy that served us (owns TB actually) was wearing a Sub Date.... it's not often that I see two Subs at the same time in Melbourne (maybe its the company I keep ) I thought about mentioning it but knew instantly that my dinner table of guests would have growned loudly in despair so I decided to not put them through it and just sneak occasional peeks at the Sub Date

[Blue Bull]

Originally Posted by amanda

I was at lunch with former coleagues, at Taco Bills just before Christmas (classy restaurant NOT but fun nevertheless) my friend has a no-date Sub a hand me down from his late Father. The guy that served us (owns TB actually) was wearing a Sub Date.... it's not often that I see two Subs at the same time in Melbourne (maybe its the company I keep ) I thought about mentioning it but knew instantly that my dinner table of guests would have growned loudly in despair so I decided to not put them through it and just sneak occasional peeks at the Sub Date

"Dinner table of guests would have growned in despair" Why ... ??