Well, coworkers finally noticed I have a Rolex..

[Glpstandard]

..After two years or so of owning my Expy II, people I work with finally know I wear a Rolex to work at least twice a week. Up until now, only one person ever noticed I had a fairly pricey watch, and he thought it was a Tag at first, until I told him it was a Rolex, which was awkward, as he looked at it to "check for authenticity". But now, everyone I work with knows I wear a Rolex, and a few fairly uncomfortable comments were made about it lately. Heres how they found out:

I bought my wife a Rolex Datejust for Christmas, and she posted pictures of it on Facebook of course tagging me. So everyone from work saw what I bought her. The topic of cheap gifts were brought up at work, because one of the girls I work with got some cheap earings from her husband as a gift, and she was pretty pissed about the amount of money (or lack of money) he spent. Then the topic of me buying my wife a Rolex for Christmas was brought up, and somehow it turned into me owning a Rolex myself.

Fast forward a few minutes of awkwardness, and how much they cost came up. The girl that got the cheap earings who is apparently clueless made the comment "what do they cost, a few hundred dollars?" My coworker laughed and said they cost thousands, and then the topic of what I paid for mine came up. I didn't feel comfortable saying, but I mentioned that it wasn't that bad, as I bought it used. The earing girl kind of laughed and said "you bought your wife a used watch for Christmas?" I kind of gave her a look, and then our supervisor said that she would have done the same thing, and theres nothing wrong with buying a used watch to save money if I got a good deal on it (essentially sticking up for me).

Fast forward a month or so, and the Rolex thing has been brought up a few times. Talking about tax returns, one guy stated "the IRS wants that money, they found out you own a Rolex". Talking about another watch that the battery had died in that I own, the same guy said "is that your Rolex?" (obviously being sarcastic with the question). The other night at a poker game, same guy sitting next to me says out of nowhere "ohh, thats a nice Rolex" as he looked at my wrist. I don't know if he really just happened to glance at it and notice it and look closer and see it was my Rolex, or was just saying it to incite awkward conversation about it, but that brought on more comments at the table from a girl who wanted to see it and said "ohh, nice" and then another guy who said "why does it say made in China on the back?"

I can only laugh at some of these comments, but at the end of the day they are a little annoying and make for awkward moments with my coworkers. I don't brag that I wear a Rolex, and no one knew until now and I preferred it that way. I don't have a very "Rolex type" job. I am a fairly low ranking enlisted military member, and am probably one of the only people of my rank that have a nice watch (or two) and a nice car. In fact, not many military members wear Rolex. I've only seen two, and they were both worn by Major's or Lt. Col's that were Doctors (Submariners). So my question is, what would you guys do in my situation? The moments of awkwardness have already passed, but did I handle the situation properly? I usually just don't say anything and try to shrug the conversation off when it comes up, but that's hard to do. I keep wondering if people think the watch is fake but just haven't told me so (yet).

[Mr Kram]

who cares? as long as you like the watch, that's all that matters. i've owned a couple dozen rolexes and as much as 10 at a time. beyond a sub, a DJ or maybe a daytona, people don't know or frankly don't care. jealousy may be involved, but i doubt it.

[Jason71]

Don't sweat it. Handle yourself modestly (which I think you did), and wear it with pride. Most anyone with a reasonable job can afford a Rolex if they choose to do so.......it's all about priorities.

[Muzz]

Never an awkward moment around my office. There seems to even be a few RMs popping up, granted not the RM 11 but a few 10s.

Lots of PM in my office and we all love em! The spread between SS/TT/PM seems to all be even.

[Mr Kram]

Originally Posted by Muzz

Never an awkward moment around my office. There seems to even be a few RMs popping up, granted not the RM 11 but a few 10s.

Lots of PM in my office and we all love em! The spread between SS/TT/PM seems to all be even.

seriously, if people know what an RM11 is in your office, then that is a completely different environment. LOL

[Chadridv]

ughhh. that sucks to deal with people like that. As the others have mentioned, just be yourself, stay cool and don't feed into the BS.

They're all peanut butter and jealous!!!!

[sickened1]

Yes, just tell them to stop drinking that Haterade.

[albmich]

I've gone through similar issues at work as well (I got 3 rolexes in the last 2 months and I cycle them frequently ) You either brush it off and continue to carry yourself with confidence and class. Or if it's too intense then you can wear a cheap beat up watch to work like a Casio or Suunto or something along those military lines. Either way, everyone is gonna hate at things they don't understand. You're in good company on the forum and thanks for sharing your experience. I'm sure other members will have some great advice for you. Keep your head up and thank you for your service.

[lak]

All I can say is "you earn it!". If I were you, I will smile and walk away.

[snyde]

Happened to me when I was in a meeting. My colleague goes "Woa what kind of watch is that ?" Took me by surprise as he is the frost person to ever comment on my watch. Sadly I had on my Tag. It's cool having someone to nerd out about watches though. He had on an Apple Watch and made a comment saying that he rather be wearing something automatic.

[ref1655]

your co-workers are either:

a. jealous
b. envious
c. petty
d. ignorant
e. all of the above

their mean-spirited commentaries are more reflective of their own hang-ups & deep-rooted personal issues than your wearing a watch of your choosing to work everyday.

[LVSubmariner]

Who cares, sounds like a bit of jealousy, the job of haters is to hate, and because they're giving you a hard time means that you've done well. The girl who guessed a few hundred is clearly not very smart and she got cheap earrings for a reason

[Rock]

I don't understand why anyone would feel self-conscious about their Rolex when the world is full of people who think nothing of dropping thousands on a wide variety of other non-essential items. Almost everyone you meet will have some special interest that sucks up thousands over the course of a few years - and if they don't you can bet they are working towards it.
Good-natured ribbing gets a good-natured response from me but nasty bitchy remarks get eaten alive.

[Mr Kram]

Originally Posted by rock

i don't understand why anyone would feel self-conscious about their rolex when the world is full of people who think nothing of dropping thousands on a wide variety of other non-essential items. Almost everyone you meet will have some special interest that sucks up thousands over the course of a few years - and if they don't you can bet they are working towards it.
Good-natured ribbing gets a good-natured response from me but nasty bitchy remarks get eaten alive.

qft

[Camel]

Wear it with pride and ignore the comments. You don't need other people's approval to spend your own money on what you want.

[AlexMachine]

Originally Posted by Glpstandard

The moments of awkwardness have already passed, but did I handle the situation properly? I usually just don't say anything and try to shrug the conversation off when it comes up, but that's hard to do. I keep wondering if people think the watch is fake but just haven't told me so (yet).

There is a huge cultural difference if you compere US and Europe (and even within European countries).
I can only assume that generally speaking, showing your wealth or success in US is no big deal. But in some countries like Finland and maybe in Germany there is a huge different. People are some what jealous, authorities has drummed years and years "keep your head down, don´t you dare to be different from the masses, work hard, pay your heavy taxes etc" this mentality is luckily slowly dying away but still. Even if you are a self made man and you are worth several millions and media is spotting that you have a solid gold watch, they print headlines "XXX companys owner is bragging with his solid gold watch worth xxx€" and believe me, a Cabinet minister wearing his 3000€ TAG was enough to get headlines"

[Mr Kram]

Originally Posted by AlexMachine

There is a huge cultural difference if you compere US and Europe (and even within European countries).
I can only assume that generally speaking, showing your wealth or success in US is no big deal. But in some countries like Finland and maybe in Germany there is a huge different. People are some what jealous, authorities has drummed years and years "keep your head down, don´t you dare to be different from the masses, work hard, pay your heavy taxes etc" this mentality is luckily slowly dying away but still. Even if you are a self made man and you are worth several millions and media is spotting that you have a solid gold watch, they print headlines "XXX companys owner is bragging with his solid gold watch worth xxx€" and believe me, a Cabinet minister wearing his 3000€ TAG was enough to get headlines"

good perspective. didn't note that OP is from germany. still, we have financial disparity in the US also. as a former business owner, i never wore overtly fancy (expensive) watches to work nor did i drive what would be deemed a fancy car. didn't want to create unnecessary animosity in the workplace.

[Cru Jones]

Laugh it off and the attention will pass, leaving you alone with your watch, as it should be.

[Stratos]

some people spend their money on clothes, others on cars, some on fancy vacations and then there are people who like watches.

do not care about comments made by people who are jealous.
wear your watch as you do and try to enjoy it as much as you can.
there always gonna be some haters around...

[Flex368]

Originally Posted by AlexMachine

believe me, a Cabinet minister wearing his 3000€ TAG was enough to get headlines"

There are German politicians wearing Skydwellers and PPs.

In general, worrying about what other people might think about you =

[AlexMachine]

Originally Posted by Flex368

There are German politicians wearing Skydwellers and PPs.

In general, worrying about what other people might think about you =

Yes in German, in Finland that one was enough. But like you said, water off the duck´s back is way to go. You start worrying what other people think of you is a endless spiral down. Just go proudly being your self (with a Rolex)

[KarlS]

get a YG YM2

[albmich]

Originally Posted by KarlS

get a YG YM2

[yoast]

Originally Posted by LVSubmariner

Who cares, sounds like a bit of jealousy, the job of haters is to hate, and because they're giving you a hard time means that you've done well. The girl who guessed a few hundred is clearly not very smart and she got cheap earrings for a reason

this

[hoanghung45]

Originally Posted by KarlS

get a YG YM2

go loud or go home

[zion_rasta]

Unfortunately the Rolex I have spotted at my company have been all fake. Talk about instant loss of respect for executives.

No one has commented on any of my 4 Rolex. But I did get a comment from a recent new college grad hire on my Hamilton Team Earth.
He told me he also had a Fossil... :-)

[travisb]

You did the right thing by pretty much not responding.
Stay humble and it will pass over eventually. Enjoy your watch. You earned it!

[RolexAuthority]

The watch is for you not for others by all means share and discuss with others who are passionate about watches otherwise keep it to yourself be discreet.

[lsettle]

I care less about what co-workers think about my watch. I drive a $800.00 motorcycle to work and while must co-works drive a $50,000 truck.... to each their own.

Lawrence

[airchitect]

I know at least 20 people with $50k in atv's, clothes, boats, and other toys......not to mention their overpriced homes...... Let them worry about it...