OT > Watch Spotters @ Work/Outside Work(awkward stories about being noticed or asked

[no03330]

First of all I can spot any make watch in a crowd, and acknowledge the individual and strike up a conversation about the particullar model.

I am Just curious on any awkward stories about being noticed or asked about your watch from a non-watch person.

No one I work with or any family members are into watches (except my loving wife, who shares my passion). I normally wear one of my two Panerai's, a Submariner or my TT Daytona 4130 to work with my cuff rolled up and never once had anyone comment on it. Although one co-worker commented they like the one watch as I can always see the time from across the table (Panerai 232 (1938)).

Thanks to one of the regular TRF sellers, last Friday I landed a mint GMTIIc 18K "Z" serial number to add to my collection. The watch is absolutely Stunning. It stands out probably because of the gold. I have been wearing it at work for the past two days, but tucked under my cuff. I am afraid someone will notice it and ask how much it cost?.

I make no apologies for my taste or my good fortune to afford these time pieces. I am interested in the responses you have received when asked about your watch, by someone that does not understand watches.


This past Sunday I was wearing my GMTIIc 18K, shopping the Tommy Bahama rack and felt my wrist on fire, from the two guys shopping next to me. Funny you always know when someone is starring at your watch.

[padi56]

Well I have been wearing Rolex watches now for over 30 years,and you could count on one hand the number of people that have ever asked about the watch I was wearing.

[TattooedGQ]

OK I was in Mohegan Sun on Saturday sitting at a Texas Hold'em Bonus table having a good old time chatting with the Dealer and some of the pit bosses (one of which was wearing a gold DD) when the female pit boss gets right up next to my Milgauss and asks me if it's real! I'm like WTF, or course it is. I dunno, thought that was a bit rude.

On a side note, I went into their AD and finally put a DJII on my wrist. The oversized bezel isn't as funny looking as it appears in pics....but they wouldn't discount even on a TT model.

[sakuraba]

I don't even bother with non-WISes. Most of my experiences with noticing Rolexes in the wild have been with people who buy them because they're cool and have no idea what they have.

About a year ago, I shared an elevator with this guy wearing a 16610. I casually pointed down to his wrist and said "Nice sub!". He quickly replied, "Yeah, it's Teriyaki Chicken!" while raising his hand holding a Subway sandwhich!

[Subfiend]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well I have been wearing Rolex watches now for over 30 years,and you could count on one hand the number of people that have ever asked about the watch I was wearing.

Ditto. Once in Belize, where I was hit up for a bribe; once in the Las Vegas airport, by somebody who obviously thought he would be going home with one in a few days; and once in Nairobi, by a street hustler. Otherwise, nobody notices or cares (except my ex-wife).

[chebert]

Originally Posted by sakuraba

I don't even bother with non-WISes. Most of my experiences with noticing Rolexes in the wild have been with people who buy them because they're cool and have no idea what they have.

About a year ago, I shared an elevator with this guy wearing a 16610. I casually pointed down to his wrist and said "Nice sub!". He quickly replied, "Yeah, it's Teriyaki Chicken!" while raising his hand holding a Subway sandwhich!

now that is the funniest thing i have heard in a while

[DRAWTOOL]

I live out in the Tulies, consequently it's rare that I encounter actual human people.

[TheBluePrince]

In normal situations it's rare to meet or even bump into other people who actually care (i.e. don't just buy a Rolex because it's a Rolex) about watches.

What i've found is that you can wear any watch that's SS and it won't usually get a second glance unless it's something silly size like Pams. But anything with diamonds or in YG will get way too much attention no matter what the make or value.

[acadianl79]

At a race track last summer...

While casually walking thru the pit area(a laid back vintage event ), a guy in his fifties immediately recognized the Omega Speedmaster i was wearing at the time and introduced himself and his son to me .We talked about cars, watches , proudly presented to me his vintage Omega Seamaster from the sixties.

Enjoyed meeting them, had a great afternoon.

[SSD]

I look for folks wearing cool watches & wrist spot often, but rarely will I make any comment. Usually the timing would be poor, nothing more than that really.

On the other hand, I had a co-worker/ friend exclaim "WOW-Is that a Rolex Submariner? Can I see it?" quite loudly after I got mine. Made me feel extremely self conscious, but I would never tell him because he's a really great guy who meant no offense. He's a WIS, too LOL! The good news was that he ended up with his own later.

I just don't want make anyone feel uncomfortable over what is, after all, a watch.

[meloncap78]

The only person that has ever noticed and mentioned anything about my LV was a relative that I don't know to well while at a family grad party. He was wearing a DJ. A part of me would like to be able to strike up more frequent conversations in the flesh about these great timepieces but on the other hand I guess it is ok flying under the local radar.

[Luxe Time]

Quite rude that the pit boss would insult you like that. I'm sure her counterpart wearing the gold DD was a phony or else I'm not sure why she would jump to a conclusion like that.

The AD at Mohegan Sun (Lux, Bond, and Green) won't give a discount on any of their watches, mainly because all casino patrons are paying with players points.

Originally Posted by TattooedGQ

OK I was in Mohegan Sun on Saturday sitting at a Texas Hold'em Bonus table having a good old time chatting with the Dealer and some of the pit bosses (one of which was wearing a gold DD) when the female pit boss gets right up next to my Milgauss and asks me if it's real! I'm like WTF, or course it is. I dunno, thought that was a bit rude.

On a side note, I went into their AD and finally put a DJII on my wrist. The oversized bezel isn't as funny looking as it appears in pics....but they wouldn't discount even on a TT model.

[TattooedGQ]

Originally Posted by connecticutrolex

The AD at Mohegan Sun (Lux, Bond, and Green) won't give a discount on any of their watches, mainly because all casino patrons are paying with players points.

That's what I figured, so I jokingly asked about a SS Daytona, the saleswoman (who seemed to know a bit about watches) said she never even saw one come through unless it came in special for a comp.

The more I think about it, the more the pit boss thing kinda bothers me....granted I wasn't playing $500 a hand, but still, I wasn't playing table minimums.

[Boopie]

I think that people notice Rolex watches more than we think...it's just not always prudent to comment on it. I consider myself a relatively young-ish looking woman, and I'm not just going to comment on a guy's watch while in line at a grocery store. I've also noticed people wearing Rolex watches at the next table over while at a restaurant and, again, I'm not going to just randomly comment on a stranger's watch in that context. There are many, many contexts in which I notice someone else's Rolex, Patek, Panerai, etc. and it's just not at an appropriate time to comment.

If the context is right, such as at a work setting, at a seminar, etc. I will comment on someone else's watch. On many occasions, the person will reply that they noticed my watch, too.

On one occasion, while waiting to cross a street at an intersection in Los Angeles, I did comment on a man's Daytona. He had an odd look on his face, and it was apparent that he was not in the mood to talk watches.

So, just because we get very few comment on our watch, it doesn't mean that no one notices.