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Old 20 February 2020, 12:40 AM   #1
VincentM
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Surprising comment

I rarely get comments on my watches. While at work in my office this morning wearing my CHNR, a man told me « you have a nice watch, is it a Rolex? ». I said « yes, do you have one yourself?». He wasn’t wearing it but he told me he owns one. I asked him which Rolex. And then he said « I don’t know! It’s a Rolex!!! »

This comment surprised me... How can someone not know which Rolex model he owns???




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Old 20 February 2020, 12:46 AM   #2
mgsooner
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I think this is far more common than we'd like to admit.
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Old 20 February 2020, 12:47 AM   #3
PhilLynott
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The same way someone could own a guitar and not know which model it is or not know which brand TV they have. They simply don't care to know they just like it.
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Old 20 February 2020, 12:49 AM   #4
1Zach1
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Seems simple enough, walk into an AD, ask for a Rolex, be shown a few until you see one you like, buy it, wear it.

Or he knew enough to know you were wearing a Rolex and got caught up in the moment by saying he also owned one, not expecting you to ask any questions.
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Old 20 February 2020, 12:50 AM   #5
dimag333
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I saw my buddy that I havent seen In probably ten years, owns a huge landscaping company, I complimented him on his “gmt” he corrected me and told me “nah its a Rolex” lol

I had the same thing happen with some drunk tool at a hotel bar when I complimented his date just

steve
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Old 20 February 2020, 12:51 AM   #6
denmanproject
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Reminds me of the story where a guy compliments someone on their sub, he says '...a what? this is a Rolex buddy' lol

Another one, a friend of mine has owned a GMT2 LN for over a year now and just asked me when we were window shopping he saw another GMT from another brand and asked how they can have the same model name as Rolex, is that allowed?
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Old 20 February 2020, 12:51 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mgsooner View Post
I think this is far more common than we'd like to admit.
Agreed.

Many people buy what they perceive to be popular and enjoy having other make decisions for them.
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Old 20 February 2020, 12:55 AM   #8
brandrea
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Nice CHNR Vincent

As to your question, I'm not sure what to think. I suppose its possible, but seems unlikely given the amount of money spent regardless of the reference. You'd think he'd want to know wouldn't you?
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Old 20 February 2020, 01:01 AM   #9
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How can someone NOT know which Rolex model he owns???

FIFY....

Cause he's clearly a Hockey Puck!
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Old 20 February 2020, 01:02 AM   #10
newu5er
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When I hear comments like that, it reminds me of the different levels of things. There are people who are wealthy enough to purchase a CHNR and not think twice about what it is or the price. That same individual may be able to tell you every spec on their boat.

It's the same as someone who wants to learn to play guitar and wants a "nice" one, so they go buy a 1955 strat. If 50k on a guitar in their mind buys a good one, they don't have to know much else.
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Old 20 February 2020, 01:02 AM   #11
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My first Rolex was given to me as a wedding gift from my in laws. For the first few years I didn’t care about watches and I didn’t know what it was called. I saw Datejust on the dial but I didn’t know that this was the name of the model. My brother has a Deep Sea and I always called it a sub.


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Old 20 February 2020, 01:03 AM   #12
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Doesn’t surprise me in the slightest.
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Old 20 February 2020, 01:03 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mgsooner View Post
I think this is far more common than we'd like to admit.
I agree with this
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Old 20 February 2020, 01:04 AM   #14
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I could totally see this. Nobody in the real world knows reference numbers for the Rolex on their wrist. Many people are just walking in and saying “I like that one” and all they know about the watch is it’s got a black, blue, grey, etc. face.”

Crazy to us, but totally see it.
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Old 20 February 2020, 01:14 AM   #15
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I asked someone once, "How do you like your GMT?" and they had absolutely no idea what I was referring to.

I've heard stories of the people saying "It's NOT a Daytona/Submariner/GMT - it's a ROLEX!" for years. Some, I speculate, are wearing fakes - which is far more common than many people realize. Others simply own one for the recognition of simply owning/wearing a Rolex and are more proud of the "status symbol" that they feel it provides, rather than an understanding (and reasoning) behind the different model options.

Very few people have ever commented on my Submariner, but the strangest one I ever received was when a guy shook my hand after a meeting and said:

"I love your watch. You can't go wrong with Invicta."

I did not correct him, as I feel that doing so comes off as a bit pretentious.
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Old 20 February 2020, 01:18 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alettiere View Post
"I love your watch. You can't go wrong with Invicta."
This is incredible. Either the guy was being completely serious or he was trolling you. Either way, what an astounding comment. It kind of impresses me tbh. lol
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Old 20 February 2020, 01:19 AM   #17
Geckobros
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Nobody notices my watches in my neck of the woods but...

If ever came a day and someone said something like, “I like your GMT.” I would respond, “It’s and Invicta, you can’t go wrong with an Invicta.”
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Old 20 February 2020, 01:21 AM   #18
alettiere
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Quote:
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This is incredible. Either the guy was being completely serious or he was trolling you. Either way, what an astounding comment. It kind of impresses me tbh. lol
Haha. Hey, those Invictas have their fans. I saw someone in a restaurant wearing one and from a distance, I thought it was a Submariner until I looked a little closer.
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Old 20 February 2020, 01:24 AM   #19
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I think this is far more common than we'd like to admit.
Agreed! My dad has a datejust which he has had for 30 years. He always wanted a Rolex and to him, the datejust with fluted bezel on a jubilee bracelet is the classic Rolex. He refers to it as a "Rolex Oyster" and has little knowledge of the brand and other models as a whole. I would imagine there are also many more people who have just one "Rolex" than a collection of them. It's almost a generic term for a luxury watch. If you asked 100 people to name a luxury watch brand I would imagine the majority would say "Rolex"!
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Old 20 February 2020, 01:29 AM   #20
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For a long time, especially before the internet, people purchased Rolex watches because it was the ultimate starter luxury item. It almost served as a sign of initial success to be able to afford one. Sometimes these individuals became super successful and would move on to yachts, planes, etc but their first luxury item was still their Rolex that they probably still wear. Sometimes the Rolex is the end all luxury item for them, either way both types typically covet their piece. A lot of Wall Street guys would use their first bonus to buy their first Rolex. The particular model would be whatever they fancied when they walked into the shop. Today, there is a lot more social pressure to have to be an expert on something to have the audacity to own it. Rolex is a great brand in such that it touches both normal people and enthusiasts alike.


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Old 20 February 2020, 01:29 AM   #21
VincentM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DonRickles View Post
How can someone NOT know which Rolex model he owns???



FIFY....



Cause he's clearly a Hockey Puck!


Thank you! English is not my first language... I appreciate to learn more vocabulary et grammatical rules


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Old 20 February 2020, 01:33 AM   #22
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Not surprised by his comment.
I think if you're not a "watch guy" most just know what brand they have and that's it.
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Old 20 February 2020, 01:35 AM   #23
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Quote:
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For a long time, especially before the internet, people purchased Rolex watches because it was the ultimate starter luxury item. It almost served as a sign of initial success to be able to afford one. Sometimes these individuals became super successful and would move on to yachts, planes, etc but their first luxury item was still their Rolex that they probably still wear. Sometimes the Rolex is the end all luxury item for them, either way both types typically covet their piece. A lot of Wall Street guys would use their first bonus to buy their first Rolex. The particular model would be whatever they fancied when they walked into the shop. Today, there is a lot more social pressure to have to be an expert on something to have the audacity to own it. Rolex is a great brand in such that it touches both normal people and enthusiasts alike.


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True and I feel that's accurate when it comes to a lot of recognizable "high-end" brands. There's the individual who owns a Porsche just because it's a Porsche and refers to it as such. And then you the true enthusiasts, who love discussing their appreciation for, say the 911, and its rich history and transformations over the years.
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Old 20 February 2020, 01:39 AM   #24
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I couldn't tell you what model washing machine, fridge, television or dishwasher I own. Although I do know the makes.

Other things I know by Brand, model name, model number, nickname and specification.

It just depends on what interests and engages the individual.
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Old 20 February 2020, 01:42 AM   #25
t65tampa
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Originally Posted by mgsooner View Post
I think this is far more common than we'd like to admit.
I think you're right! My wife loves her car and knows it's a Mercedes. If you asked her which model, she'd probably say it's a silver one.

Our perspective on watch awareness is very skewed from the general population and even typical Rolex watch buyer.
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Old 20 February 2020, 01:45 AM   #26
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It does not surprises me at all. Those are many, we are the minority.

Quote:
Originally Posted by VincentM View Post
I rarely get comments on my watches. While at work in my office this morning wearing my CHNR, a man told me « you have a nice watch, is it a Rolex? ». I said « yes, do you have one yourself?». He wasn’t wearing it but he told me he owns one. I asked him which Rolex. And then he said « I don’t know! It’s a Rolex!!! »

This comment surprised me... How can someone not know which Rolex model he owns???




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Old 20 February 2020, 01:50 AM   #27
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I know a guy who has a 16710 and keeps calling it “his sub.” I just politely smile. I don’t have the heart nor is it my place to correct him.
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Old 20 February 2020, 01:53 AM   #28
JebM
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Probably passed down or a gift. I’ve got a few things like that I know nothing about.


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Old 20 February 2020, 01:55 AM   #29
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There are some around here that only speak in reference numbers. "How can anyone not know the reference numbers of their watches?" they ask.
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Old 20 February 2020, 02:01 AM   #30
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Happens all the time - most of the population who have a Rolex have only one. Went into an AD, liked what they saw and walked out with it, thinking it's a Rolex. No research, no deep knowledge of the model, no debating between oyster or jubilee, etc.

Or got it as a gift.
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