Hunting Rolex in the wild

[ryan.uk]

Curious to know how often you all spot others sporting Rolex pieces in the wild.

I've worn higher-end watches for the past 10 years or so, and I think I could count on one hand how many times I've spotted anyone wearing similar watches out in the wild, and rarer still had anyone comment on mine.

I only ask because I spied a Project Manager at my work wearing a two-tone Rolex a few weeks ago... I was sat next to him today and marked it as a 1990's era GMT Master II with Champagne diamond and ruby dial.

Not spoken to him about it yet, and I don't think he clocked mine - but it's always a potential interesting talking point... are they going to be genuine watch enthusiasts, inherited, or bought thinking it looked 'G'?!

[watchwatcher]

In my hometown, I could count on one hand and not use all my fingers the ones I've seen in the wild.

Now, when I travel, that's a different story...

[dbluevette]

Don't see many at all. Now smart watches, yes. Everywhere.

[beshannon]

Over a period of years? I have seen alot of watches and other things.

[Bruins7]

Here in LA you see it everywhere

[DCheeta]

You mean today?

It depends where a person lives, I suppose. Living and working in Manhattan, I see many of them every day. I hear that in Hong Kong every man, woman and dog wears one.

[ryan.uk]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Over a period of years? I have seen alot of watches and other things.

I won't ask what other things you've seen

[zoenoadad]

Counted 10 at the beach this past weekend and then stopped counting. But seeing a SS DJ with a blue dial in the wild got me thinking, and looking, and visiting my AD today...


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[Numismatist]

They're all over the place at Disney World...all types.

[ryan.uk]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

You mean today?

It depends where a person lives, I suppose. Living and working in Manhattan, I see many of them every day. I hear that in Hong Kong every man, woman and dog wears one.

I guess over a period of 10 years say... you have a good point though, location is obviously going to make a big difference.

I've worked briefly in Hong Kong but can't say I ever noticed anyone wearing a watch that would attract my attention, I've worked in London for a long time and can only remember spotting one person on my regular train commute wearing a Rolex Sub and no one in my office that I recall.

I've worked in the US and can't remember any one I interacted with or noticed wearing a higher-end watch

[hugs]

Probably 50-100 "Rolexes" since I have been interested in them (a few years). Now not sure how many were actually Rolex. Hard to spot from a distance.

[ryan.uk]

Quite interesting poll results so far... about 20 responses and it's half 'less than 10... hardly seen any' versus half 'more than 30 - fairly ubiquitous'

[Ian Macdermott]

Plenty of them about I spot the most in a well known supermarket. Subs GMTs plenty of DJs and even a single Panerai.

[JP Chestnut]

I see at least a couple every time I fly. I guess somewhere around 500 over the last couple years.

[Goin2drt]

In SoCal they are a dime a dozen. Some folks probably don't even give a crap about watches but someone told them a Rolex is a status symbol.

[toucan]

30 a day in NYC. Most I've ever seen was at the Breakers in Palm Beach. Every make and model.

[Wooddog44]

Originally Posted by ryan.uk

Curious to know how often you all spot others sporting Rolex pieces in the wild.

I've worn higher-end watches for the past 10 years or so, and I think I could count on one hand how many times I've spotted anyone wearing similar watches out in the wild, and rarer still had anyone comment on mine.

I only ask because I spied a Project Manager at my work wearing a two-tone Rolex a few weeks ago... I was sat next to him today and marked it as a 1990's era GMT Master II with Champagne diamond and ruby dial.

Not spoken to him about it yet, and I don't think he clocked mine - but it's always a potential interesting talking point... are they going to be genuine watch enthusiasts, inherited, or bought thinking it looked 'G'?!

I notice constantly Rolex and other premium timepieces "in the wild" but my eye is sensitized to them. It's like "noticing" when someone else is driving the same car as you... it seems you see them "everywhere" but the reality is that you're just more aware of them...

[ryan.uk]

Originally Posted by Wooddog44

I notice constantly Rolex and other premium timepieces "in the wild" but my eye is sensitized to them. It's like "noticing" when someone else is driving the same car as you... it seems you see them "everywhere" but the reality is that you're just more aware of them...

Yes; you're right - it's going to depend on how attuned you are to noticing them... if I've got watches on my mind, I'm generally going to pay more attention when I'm out and about.

Certainly in my day-to-day dealings with people though, other than this project manager, I don't know (personally) a single person who wears a higher-end watch other than a couple of pals who have Omegas and a Breitling.

[mjclark32]

I couldn't even begin to guess how many I've seen... hundreds's if not a thousand or more. There are a ton out there if you're looking (like a good wis should be ).

[904VT]

In the NE US metro areas, I've seen pretty much every Rolex model (as well as many of other high end brands) in the wild. The only pieces I don't remember seeing yet on someone's wrist:

-SS Daytona C
-WG Smurf
-Platinum Daytona
-Limited produced Pave dial models

I guess it really depends where you live, but definitely more than 30 in the last year alone when including my business travel in the US.

[Etschell]

ive seen many the most notable was the platona. i told the wearer nice watch and he stopped, looked at me for a few seconds, said i'd never be able to afford it and walked off.

[rph08]

I've seen many Rolex watches in the wild. Unfortunately, not a whole lot of variety. I usually see steel Submariner Dates, LOTS of Date-Justs, and a few Day-Dates. However, just yesterday in the span of about 20 minutes I encountered a guy with a Sub LVc, another with a TT Sub, and a woman wearing a lady's Date-Just with some kind of diamond bezel.

[VaRobot]

So what percentage of those "In the Wild" that you are seeing are fakes?

[phalen302]

I have seen Stainless steel versions around on daily basis in Washington DC area. Have not seen a single YG version except for mine

[Premiumwatches24]

As long as I'm into luxury watches, I've been spotting high-end pieces rarely, usually it is more common Tissot or Longines or Seiko but during weekends in popular resorts there are many high-end watches.

[encarter13]

In my home town, I have seen maybe 3. However, I visit ATL often and I see a few every night I go out. I was also recently in Augusta for The Masters, and I would wager I saw at least 20 that day alone.

[ryan.uk]

Originally Posted by Etschell

ive seen many the most notable was the platona. i told the wearer nice watch and he stopped, looked at me for a few seconds, said i'd never be able to afford it and walked off.

Wow.. that's a really nasty experience! What a [insert choice swear here].

Some people seriously


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[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Over a period of years? I have seen alot of watches and other things.

yeah exactly. every year, month, day?

haven't seen any today, or this week. in the past year def more than 30.

[Bigsykedaddy]

Originally Posted by Etschell

ive seen many the most notable was the platona. i told the wearer nice watch and he stopped, looked at me for a few seconds, said i'd never be able to afford it and walked off.

Wow, really? What a douche bag! People never cease to amaze me lol...

[kelv_w]

I've seen quite a few on my last business trip to HK. YM, DSSD, TT Subs, Subs, Milgauss ... The only time I've seen a BLNR and a Hulk was worn by the salesperson at ADs.