What watch gives what vibes to the SA?

[Rollieo]

I thought this would be a fun thread.

What vibes or first impressions do certain watches give to a SA that you’ve never met? (Also this thread is not whether you should care what the SA thinks, it’s just what they might think based on the watch you’re wearing).

Post the watch, and what first impression the SA will have.

I’ll start - SS Ceramic Daytona.

Hard to tell if someone is into watches if they have this piece on. They either absolutely could be, or they don’t know anything about watches and went with the most hyped piece.

They also either have an incredible relationship with some SA (and not sure why they are even window shopping at another AD), or they bought grey.

[WatchTimes]

I don't worry about what I wear to my AD as they know what I've got.
If I was walking into a random AD to build a relationship I'd wear my YG DD 40

[georgew]

My primary SA of over 12 yrs finally retired, which I knew a few years back. But I also developed a relationship with the AD manager during that time as well. So, in August when I got the "hankering" for 12 series sub, I stopped by the AD to check it out in person. I wore my 116520 white dial daytona as I knew I had to develop a new SA. He noticed it right away as did one of the young lady sales associates ("I like that daytona"). After talking with the new SA for about 40 mins he knew I was a long time customer and not a flipper. I'm on the list since then, so we'll see,

not a great pic, but what I wore that day

[img]

[jamerson80]

I've worn a DSSD, Vacheron 4500v, and AP ROC to different ADs internationally, and the watch that everyone commented on was... my wife's silver dial Breguet Marine .

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[amphr1]

If it's an SA I never met, I'd want to give the impression that I'm into watches but still has a long way to go on the Rolex journey. So an Explorer or Sub no date might convey that.

Or you might be an older well off gentleman and go in with a solid PM piece which will say you are both rich and open to more PM pieces and into watches. In which case the SA should be very interested in doing business with you to sell you even more PM pieces he can't get rid of.

If you go in with an OP and you're young, then the SA is thinking he's looking for the Batman or Pepsi but unless he brings his girlfriend with him he's not likely to spend much there unless he's planning on buying that big ring.

How did I do? Hehe

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[ArtNouveau]

I think it’s more than just the watch but yeah the random SA will notice. As noted in another thread I wore my red OP41 to a variety of Rolex and other dealers in New York over the weekend. Its relative rarity makes them wonder how/where you got it and the color says you’re a little bold in your choices.
If I’m going to a non-Rolex dealer, wearing my SS Daytona tells them I might spend some money.

[BraveBold]

Casio.

[Rollieo]

Haha nice! So what vibes does a BLNR give?

Ps I have a great AD and I don’t visit other ADs. Just fun what vibes people think watches give to people in the know.

[amphr1]

Originally Posted by Rollieo

Haha nice! So what vibes does a BLNR give?



Ps I have a great AD and I don’t visit other ADs. Just fun what vibes people think watches give to people in the know.

This is specific to me due to the sightings that i encountered. But I'd think you might be a car salesman.

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[watch3r]

I’ve worn my Explorer 2 into the AD where I bought it, as well as a couple others. I certainly don’t think that it gives super high end vibes, likely more “he knows what he’s looking for” than anything if I had to guess.

On almost every occasion, however, I’ve noticed that when the SA sees it, they ask some form of “where did you get it?” I assume this is because they want to know if I’d gone grey and/or have a consistent buying history elsewhere.

[Marcjvr]

Calculator watch and a pony tail and the AD knows he’s in for some fun

[TimeAZ]

I think you should just wear what you like without having to psychoanalyze others.

[Kiloxray]

What would a 05 Air King say???

[MSL997]

You walk in with Daytona they dont tell you how hard the market is, you are the market.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by TimeAZ

I think you should just wear what you like without having to psychoanalyze others.

^^^
dP

[learningtofly]

I'd wear my PanoInverse to keep them guessing

[Moondoggy]

I always go in with a really poor replica and keep trying to cover it.

[Michael1968]

Ulysse Nardin Diver or Tudor BB Pro

[tjs1295]

Originally Posted by georgew

My primary SA of over 12 yrs finally retired, which I knew a few years back. But I also developed a relationship with the AD manager during that time as well. So, in August when I got the "hankering" for 12 series sub, I stopped by the AD to check it out in person. I wore my 116520 white dial daytona as I knew I had to develop a new SA. He noticed it right away as did one of the young lady sales associates ("I like that daytona"). After talking with the new SA for about 40 mins he knew I was a long time customer and not a flipper. I'm on the list since then, so we'll see,

not a great pic, but what I wore that day

[img]

I love the steering wheel of your boat. I wish there were more of these.

[S.Explorer]

Explorer:
Newbie SA - may mistake for a Seiko.
Knowledgeable SA - connoisseur.

GMT:
All SAs are attentive.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by MSL997

You walk in with Daytona they dont tell you how hard the market is, you are the market.

^^^Fact^^^.
My local AD couldn’t gush enough about my white SS Daytona when I stopped in to chat. The owner came over and had to mention I was wearing a “decade long wait +” of a Rolex for them.

[AEV]

BLRO jubilee..., but mainly because it's my go to watch when I travel.
Usually they won't have one as an exhibition piece so it's a good conversation starter.

[Marcjvr]

Originally Posted by Mystro

^^^Fact^^^.
My local AD couldn’t gush enough about my white SS Daytona when I stopped in to chat. The owner came over and had to mention I was wearing a “decade long wait +” of a Rolex for them.

And that’s when you tell the AD that anyone can go online and with a few clicks they can have it in a day or so

[PenDelicate]

What a fun question.

I think you want to show the SA that you're a watch enthusiast, and so you should wear a watch that only an enthusiast would wear. That rules-out the hype watches. Actually, it probably rules out modern watches. It has to be (neo-)vintage, but not hype-vintage; so no four-digit Daytonas (which are worn by not just enthusiasts but rich non-enthusiasts).

Maybe an Air-King from the 60s.

Or a Milgauss from the early 80s.

Oh! No: any Turn-o-graph!

The odder the better.

[Watch-Geek]

Wore my "neo-vintage" explorer 36mm first time i went in.
The SA noticed and commented on it.
Got the Sub date a little over a year later, in the middle of the hype.
No purchase history and no other visits.
We talked about different watches, not just Rolex and she commented on my collection so she knew I was not a flipper

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[Gaussian]

I wear what I enjoy and other people, SA at an AD or otherwise, do not factor into that decision.

The watch I had worn as my daily for over ten years was my 116400GV. I usually have what I'm wearing hidden by a long-sleeve and was a bit surprised when one of the newer SAs at my AD was able to catch a glimpse, and identify it, from across the room.

It might be a part of his job but I could tell that he was genuinely into watches and he seemed to appreciate seeing one of the less popular offerings from the Rolex catalog.

[puma1552]

I suppose if you wear a 36mm DJ, they know you're not a flipper, like classics, don't buy into the hype, and are probably keeping that watch for life.

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by puma1552

I suppose if you wear a 36mm DJ, they know you're not a flipper, like classics, don't buy into the hype, and are probably keeping that watch for life.

The SA can get some statistical approximation but seems foolish for them to alter behavior, unless they are swamped at the moment.

I may wear my Daytona, or my Casio, or my GS, or PP, or my Apple Watch, or no watch at all. Same person. Serious, long-term, zero-flip buyer that is not going to go away during a market downturn.

So if they make any assumptions they best keep them secret and not act on them, or they are being stupid. Again, assuming the store isn’t absolutely filled with customers where they MUST prioritize their moments.

[Stan Cooper]

A pre-ceramic bezel insert GMT (4 or 5 digit reference).

"This guy has good taste in watches."

[Ferrari308]

If I am going to a Rolex AD, I just try to make sure I am wearing a Rolex.

My ADs are 1.5 and 2 hours away from me. They don't see me every week, or every month. So, to keep it interesting I try to wear something that might be a little bit interesting to them - maybe something they haven't seen me wear before.

Yes, I have gone gray market and honestly only one of my watches was purchased from an AD. I would love the chance to buy from them, but I waited a long time for some of my purchases. Others just kind of fell into my lap and I couldn't pass up - like my two 1601s and a 69173 I picked up. I wasn't actively looking, but couldn't pass up the deals. I did get offered a 16710 recently and couldn't pass on it. So, maybe next time I will wear that 17610 or my new to me 1601 - just because they haven't seen those yet.

If they want my money, then I don't think it matters what I wear - it's all about timing, and I haven't had the timing on my side to this point.

I am definitely NOT a flipper and don't intend to become one.


PDG