I don't think I'm going to comment on anyone else's watch in the wild anymore

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by rolexryan329

What do you do when you see a grail watch in the wild?

I think to myself, "nice watch" and move on with my life without bothering a total stranger.

[crazymcmichael]

All i had yet is many guys trying to identify silent sneaky if my steel sub isn't a replica

[latchford9]

don't let a miserable arse ruin your day. Keep being you.....

[Johnnymiz]

i guess it depends on the situation, but generally, i agree with @descartes.
last summer i was riding the 2 subway to brooklyn on a blisteringly hot day and had my sleeves rolled up and had a very nice old guy basically yell across the car, 'excuse me, but that is a beautiful watch... what kind is it?'.
EVERYONE turned to stare.
i told him it was a rolex sea dweller. and then he yells into he apparently deaf wife's ear, 'honey, it's a ROLEX! they're really expensive!'
he had no idea he pretty much put a target on my back.
i was mortified

[axljack]

I've had many good conversations with people wearing watches from me complementing them. (None grail though)

However I think when you say something like that you shouldn't have an expectation back. For some reason or the other I've done it as I'm passing by and mention it so by the time they smile back and say thanks I'm a bit further on. I might come back for a conversation but in essence it's just me passing comment without the expectation of a reply back.

I think some people here have mentioned it might be a no no around Europe....all my interactions have been in either western Europe or the UK.

I've even many a times tapped people gently to get their attention and complemented them as I pass away!


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[Brew]

Originally Posted by axljack

I've even many a times tapped people gently to get their attention and complemented them as I pass away!


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Very thoughtful, under the circumstances. My condolences.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by latchford9

don't let a miserable arse ruin your day. Keep being you.....

Person minding their own business and they are a "miserable arse"

Wow

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by DocHorton

NY and Texas...different worlds, Lol.

I don’t travel much, so I’m not even going to argue that haha

You might be completely right!

[crazymcmichael]

Originally Posted by brew

very thoughtful, under the circumstances. My condolences.

lmfao

[crazymcmichael]

Originally Posted by Brew

Very thoughtful, under the circumstances. My condolences.

[herts9]

I tend not to say anything, but that's just how I am. But I wouldn't care if someone struck up a conversation with me, in the right location.

Recently, I was on a tram in the Las Vegas airport and I saw a guy in his early 30's reach up and hold onto the bar and he was wearing a RG Royal Oak with white dial and a dark brown leather strap (15400OR I believe) and I was blown away. I happened to be wearing my 116613LB at the time, but considering the setting, even a "hey man, that's gorgeous" would have felt rushed.

Sometimes it's one of those scenes where we both silently nod and part ways, and that's good enough.

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by maxymax

May be that was a fake for all you know.

Very good point! This reminds me...

I saw a guy wearing a yellow gold Daytona on oyster flex. I commented on his watch and he was all awkward about it. I asked “how long have you been into watches?”

(Because to me, a heavy hitter like that is a rare sight)

He said “I’m not into watches, it was a gift”

That kinda got me thinking that it might be fake, because who would buy this guy such an expensive watch if he’s not even into watches?

Unless he inherited it perhaps ?

Or maybe he just lied to be because I was being nosy

I will never know

[rlx123]

Originally Posted by Johnnymiz

i guess it depends on the situation, but generally, i agree with @descartes.
last summer i was riding the 2 subway to brooklyn on a blisteringly hot day and had my sleeves rolled up and had a very nice old guy basically yell across the car, 'excuse me, but that is a beautiful watch... what kind is it?'.
EVERYONE turned to stare.
i told him it was a rolex sea dweller. and then he yells into he apparently deaf wife's ear, 'honey, it's a ROLEX! they're really expensive!'
he had no idea he pretty much put a target on my back.
i was mortified

You should have said it’s a fake rolex.


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[Watchflair]

I've given up on it - almost never a reasonable reaction.

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I can’t believe nobody has said that’s a completely acceptable response. He smiled. That’s a subtle thanks.



You can’t expect him to check your wrist and then engage in a conversation. Odds are you aren’t wearing a Rolex and he looks like an idiot.



I would have said thanks but he might not be so social.

Very good point to be honest.

[gttime]

Yeah at least he acknowledged you. But “nice watch” doesn’t imply you even knew what it was. In fact I agree with the sneakers comment. If someone commented on my Rolex in public I’d be on high alert.

[gttime]

Originally Posted by Bryantto

You should have said it’s a fake rolex.


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I had a guy comment on my Planet Ocean in a sketchy mall in China. I said oh it’s fake I just bought it. He laughed and said no it’s not. I was worried. I know it was just an Omega but I didn’t want it forcibly removed from my wrist.

[gttime]

Originally Posted by Watchflair

I've given up on it - almost never a reasonable reaction.

This is me exactly. It never goes well. Almost every single time they are completely clueless about their watch anyway.

The most I’ll say now is “are you into watches” and if they say not really it’s easy just to say nice watch and move on. I would only say that in a social setting where people are striking up conversations.

I would never say anything to a complete stranger in general public even when they are wearing the exact same watch. Still sounds cheesy.

[yessir69]

Originally Posted by amilch

There are some really uptight people out there. Maybe he was having a rough day.

This.

[JParm]

Nearly every interaction that I've had like this turns out well - and one not so good instance isn't going to stop me from striking up a conversation.

If they don't want to interact, fine - but what kind of conversations could I be missing if I didn't go out there and complement other WIS'? I am an extrovert, though :-)

[playford]

I once commented on an older guys watch on a bus in india, that was a vintage swiss dress watch, Sandoz and fils. The guy took it off and offered to swap for my watch. I ended up trading and the guy was so delighted when I got off the bus, he handed me a bunch of bananas.

It kept horrible time and was badly in need of a service (hence i'm guessing why so delighted), but a lovely watch.

I like watch chats that are about an interest in a watch, rather than how expensive a watch is, which seems a bit vulgar and rude.

[Andrejb]

I was at a local coffee shop the other day and a dude with ripped jean shorts. Vans. A denim shirt and baseball cap (younger than me) was wearing a ceramic GMT black. I said hey dude nice GMT. He said pardon? And I said it again. And he said cheers but didn’t even make eye contact lol. I was wearing my Pepsi.


If some random comments on my watch the first thing I do is look at their wrist. If they’re wearing something cool then I’ll strike up a convo. If not I’ll politely say “thanks man” and be on my way.


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[Syed117]

I usually say:

"Nice watch, but it would look better on my wrist"

Then I give them the death stare.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by amilch

There are some really uptight people out there. Maybe he was having a rough day.

Sad

[m j b]

The only time someone commented on my watch and it really annoyed me was when he called it a Batman.

[Rollie Gent]

Originally Posted by Syed117

I usually say:

"Nice watch, but it would look better on my wrist"

Then I give them the death stare.

[a_plus1234]

I always keep my mouth shut.

When someone compliments me, I just say thanks. That's it. I guess I'm an 'arse'.
Call me uptight - but I don't like attention especially if I have thousands around my wrist.

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by gttime

I had a guy comment on my Planet Ocean in a sketchy mall in China. I said oh it’s fake I just bought it. He laughed and said no it’s not.

Oh s**t. That would’ve scared me too haha

[samson66]

There was a good point made early on this thread. If you want to talk to someone about their watch, and by extension whatever watch you are wearing, it is better to comment on the specific watch they are wearing.

Saying "I really like that Daytona" sounds a lot different than "hey, nice watch!"

Lets them know that YOU are into watches too and not just some gawker who knows nothing other than the R name printed on it.

I remember I bumped into an older guy at the airport wearing a GMT and I had the same watch. So I said "how do you like your GMT?" and then pointed out I was wearing a similar watch. He was thrilled that I noticed it and knew about it and told me his son bought it for him. Nice conversation and like I said, he knew right off the bat that I was also into watches...

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

NEVER speak to strangers in the general public about their watch.

When I was a young Fleetlord, I used to chat up peeps about their watches, but I learned quickly that they ARE not that into their own watch to discuss it with a stranger and they can't really understand why you would be...

The Rules.

1) If you are member of TRF, then there is no reason to talk to strangers hoping they are WIS...Plenty of those conversations to be had here...as in depth as you could possibly want.

2) 99% of the general public that wear a Rolex know little to nothing about it expect for it's a ROLEX and it's the Best and that subsequently makes them BEST. That attitude will make itself apparent rather quickly.

3) The conversation will more than likely be disappointing and awkward. That will lead to you needing to tell TRF members about, when if you had followed rule #1, then you wouldn't have to cope with the gnarly encounter and debrief.

My only exception to the rule is if I'm at an AD and another shopper has something interesting on, but that really depend on the situation and the vibes that are being off gassed.

Not a bad list as a "guideline" but hardly rules IMO. I've had some really nice random experiences with strangers and some terrible ones as well. Not everyone fits into this box.

And while TRF is obviously the best place for conversation, it can't replace the human fulfillment of standing next to someone in person and having a conversation. Of course there are gtg's which are wonderful.