I should stop asking strangers about their watch.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Bronte

Ha. I hear you. But whenever a topic about talking to people comes up, the responses skew heavily toward asocial views. Similar when the “would you let someone wear your watch” threads pop up.

i think its the opposite. We are social people largely and when the opportunity to talk watches comes up in real life, which is almost never, we have no idea how to react. Deer in headlights. I think there is paranoid tendencies for sure, its a watch, not your first born.

[Maiden]

I was at a black tie event one time and a fellow at our table appeared to have a nice JLC or IWC dress watch on. At some point curiosity got the best of me and I asked him what his watch was. It was a Daniel Wellington. Nothing wrong with that but then he asked me to show what I was wearing, which was my datejust. It made me look like a douche, like I was trying to show off my watch. I am much more careful now and usually don't talk to strangers about watches unless they initiate the conversation.

[Bronte]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

i think its the opposite. We are social people largely and when the opportunity to talk watches comes up in real life, which is almost never, we have no idea how to react. Deer in headlights. I think there is paranoid tendencies for sure, its a watch, not your first born.

Maybe so. I’m reacting to the people saying you shouldn’t talk to strangers about their watches or they only raise watches with people if they are wearing certain models.

[~Haze~]

Originally Posted by DahMan

Nice watch, wow nice wallet, like the jacket, and that’s what I heard from a TSA guy. I walked away, feeling like I “was the man”, then it hit me”, I am “DahMan”...
Livin/Loven

I’m wondering....”why do you use quotation marks to identify your thoughts?” but don’t use quotation marks around the actual, supposed dialogue of the TSA agent.

[Overwound]

Originally Posted by Fat_ninja

I dont like people coming up to me unless its in a watch store.

Look out for the employees as they're habitual pickpockets. :)

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by ~Haze~

I’m wondering....”why do you use quotation marks to identify your thoughts?” but don’t use quotation marks around the actual, supposed dialogue of the TSA agent.

because its fun picturing him telling the story in real life and using "air quotes"

[TripleB Boston]

It's certainly a chance worth taking. In the office, I have met some of the coolest people just chatting about their watch. Some people are just as huge a WIS as I am.
But if they are cold or answer something like, "yeah thanks...." I just say "Have a pleasant day." and go on my merry way.
Definitely worth striking up the conversation imho.

[~Haze~]

Originally Posted by LuminousMaximus

Funny thing like you, I learned the hard way that most people that I comment on their Rolex have no idea about what they are wearing other than it’s a Rolex.

Generally, I would 100% agree but if someone is wearing a 126710blro, they have to know more than just “Rolex”.

[~Haze~]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

because its fun picturing him telling the story in real life and using "air quotes"

That would be funny, especially if you could hear the inner dialogue. Knowing he’s thinking *I'm the man* and using air quotes for “the man” part. Lol

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

We are WIS, we don't have Asperger's. Im pretty sure most of us can handle social interactions just fine.

Not all of us.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by Krash

I definitely agree with that. That's why I think it's so funny when people post about how concerned they are about wearing a Rolex to work.

It usually goes like this: "Should I wear my Submariner to work? I'm concerned about what people might think. Boo Hoo. There are lot of people that don't make as much money as I do. They might not like me anymore or say bad things behind my back."


Trust me. They don't give a shit. They don't notice, and when they do notice, they have no idea it's an $8000 watch.

People act as if everyone on the planet subscribes to TRF.

It's laughable.

I actually had the opposite experience, and it wasn't even with a Rolex. I was clerking in my third year of law school. I had a major case of the hots for the 116610LN, which had recently come out, but which I couldn't afford. Instead, I wore a quartz TAG Link, which, given my Rolex lust at the time, I genuinely thought of as nothing special.

One day, one of the legal assistants spotted my watch and said, "Look at you, all fancy with your TAG Heuer." (She pronounced it "Hyoo-er.") In all sincerity, and without a trace of irony, I replied, "What, this?" She said, "Don't play modest. I wanted a TAG but couldn't afford it. I got a Victorinox instead."

I had no idea I risked being bougie by wearing a TAG. To this day I wonder if she would have ID'd the Rolex, had I had it. I can only imagine the reaction if she had.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

My man.....
Join us, the retro grouch curmudgeons!

I certainly qualify for the curmudgeon part, but I didn't think I was eligible, seeing as how I wear a six-digit model.

[J_1964]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

i was at the Lion King this afternoon with my son in the west end (london). Some guy in the bathroom wearing a 44mm RG ROO tried to talk watches with me at the urinal . Totally weird but i guess its ok since it was only my watch he was checking out. Come to think about it, i have no excuse that i even know what watch he had on. Mine was a BLRO FWIW.

Its the situation, not necessarily the conversation being off limits.

Man, you do NOT engage someone in conversation when they have their "Valuables" (no, not the watch) exposed.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Bronte

Ha. I hear you. But whenever a topic about talking to people comes up, the responses skew heavily toward asocial views. Similar when the “would you let someone wear your watch” threads pop up.

True. The overwhelming majority always appears to be anti social.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

I actually had the opposite experience, and it wasn't even with a Rolex. I was clerking in my third year of law school. I had a major case of the hots for the 116610LN, which had recently come out, but which I couldn't afford. I wore a quartz TAG Link, which, given my Rolex lust at the time, I genuinely thought of as nothing special.

One day, one of the legal assistants spotted my watch and said, "Look at you, all fancy with your TAG Heuer." (She pronounced it "Hyoo-er.") In all sincerity, and without a trace of irony, I replied, "What, this?" She said, "Don't play modest. I wanted a TAG but couldn't afford it. I got a Victorinox instead."

I had no idea I risked being bougie by wearing a TAG. To this day I wonder if she would have ID'd the Rolex, had I had it. I can only imagine the reaction if she had.

When I was in college Tag was THE hot watch.

My buddy got one for HS graduation and I in awe of it. Dreamed of having my own for many years. I still like them

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by superdog

When I was in college Tag was THE hot watch.

My buddy got one for HS graduation and I in awe of it. Dreamed of having my own for many years. I still like them

I still have mine, too, but that's mainly because resale is so lousy, it's not worth selling it. I've offered it in trade to a number of dealers, and none of them want it. It still keeps excellent time, rivaling that of thermo-compensated movements, so it's a good back-up, should I ever need it.

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by NAVY

99.9 % of the planet wouldn't know a Tudor from a Timex, wouldn't know the price and wouldn't care. The thing that gets me is that we think, b/c we wear a Rolex (or any brand), people notice - they don't and they don't care. They have zero interest and I think most of these antidotes are ... fake news.

Must agree....in my own experience few people notice or care. There is any amount of watches out there that agree a glance look fairly similar to Rolexes.....the vast majority of people are not interested!

[AK797]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

We are WIS, we don't have Asperger's. Im pretty sure most of us can handle social interactions just fine.

Reminds me I saw Rain Man last week and Tom Cruise was wearing a YG DD, missed it the last time I saw it over twenty years ago, missed he was wearing a watch at all.

[blacke90]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

this i would welcome... post security and in a safe environment. I might even let them try it on. Assuming they had a nice watch i could try on too, just in case

I would feel the same and might offer to try as well.

To the OP, I would feel uncomfortable and off putting by the “how much you paid for it” question. My response to a random stranger would probably be “I got it as a gift”. Now, if I’m at a watch event, I’ll be more than happy to engage in a conversation.

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by superdog

True. The overwhelming majority always appears to be anti social.

That's why they're on a(this) forum. So you can "say" whatever you like without actually having to deal with people.....duh.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Easy E

That's why they're on a(this) forum. So you can "say" whatever you like without actually having to deal with people.....duh.

Don’t you mean “we”?

And I’m here too. And while I’m mire jaded daily, I talk to nearly everyone.

So some flaws in your theory. But I do get your point. Many people hide behind a screen because they are afraid of real life.

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by superdog

Don’t you mean “we”?

And I’m here too. And while I’m mire jaded daily, I talk to nearly everyone.

So some flaws in your theory. But I do get your point. Many people hide behind a screen because they are afraid of real life.

I'm not really here.........

In all seriousness, I have talked to many(ok, maybe a few) strangers about their watches. Ive had some really great interactions. Iv'e had a couple of duds too. I profess no great greatness in this skill, but it is mostly, to me anyway, the ability to read people. There have been way more times where I just kept to myself. It's not really all that different from any other hobby or interest. Some car people will talk your ear off about their car, just needed to be asked. Some will issue a world class D-Bag reply.

[littleolemoi]

I was at Starbucks a few days ago and was sitting besides two men chit chatting amongst themselves.

I noticed one had a Submariner and the other an awesome Black dial Daytona.

I excused myself and started a conversation with them about their watches. Both were pleasantly surprised that I knew each respective watches and knowledge of them.

I was in awe of both but more so with the Black faced Daytona which looked gorgeoooous. I think he noticed me drooling so he was kind enough to let me try the daaam Daytona on!!!

I'm currently looking for a Rolex for myself and only had my sights on something like 34mm or smaller. After seeing the Daytona on my wrist it looks like I'll be so so okay with this size and will need to just have to save a lot more!!

I had wanted to take a photo of it but felt that would be pushing it since I was already afterall wearing his Daytona haaaa!!!

We chit chatted for about a half hour about their watches and really enjoyed the conversation. I appreciated their openness and how kind they were with moi

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[MinMay]

I wouldn't like a stranger on the street looking at my watch. My first instinct is that you might rob me... I would be worried....probably turn on my "beast guard" mode lol

There's a huge difference between coworkers/friends vs strangers :)

Haven't ya seen those videos where people get robbed on the street after the first "hi, nice watch". :)

The guy with the Pepsi was lucky that day....

[Harry_S]

I think the above link of the guy having his watch stolen confirms why most/some here conclude they would not engage in watch convo with strangers. If I had on an expensive or sentimental timepiece too would think twice about engaging with a stranger but then again it all depends on the context as you never know he/she may turn out to be a fellow WIS !
It all depends upon human interaction and nature of the situation at the time.

Harry

[Lester206]

Context is critical.

I was at a charity golf tournament on Friday. I was getting out of my golf cart at the clubhouse when I noticed the watch on the person getting out of the cart next to me. I said "is that a Deepsea?" "Yeah" "Nice Watch" "Thanks." There is no way that I made him concerned that I was after his watch.

But I can see why someone on Las Ramblas would be apprehensive when asked about their expensive watch.

So I try to keep that in mind.

[Senorx]

Originally Posted by superdog

When I was in college Tag was THE hot watch.

My buddy got one for HS graduation and I in awe of it. Dreamed of having my own for many years. I still like them

When I graduated High School in the early 90s, I worked all summer to buy a Formula 1 Tag Heuer. I still own a more modern Formula 1 that I bought over 12 years ago. Still looks great and functions perfectly.

[T-Bag]

Originally Posted by Banks

If someone stopped and asked me about one of my watches I’d be happy to chat to them about it.

Me too

[T-Bag]

Originally Posted by AK797

Reminds me I saw Rain Man last week and Tom Cruise was wearing a YG DD, missed it the last time I saw it over twenty years ago, missed he was wearing a watch at all.

That movie was one of the first inspirations for me getting into watches. I loved the scene where he sold it to a pawn shop

[Muxi]

Originally Posted by MinMay

I wouldn't like a stranger on the street looking at my watch. My first instinct is that you might rob me... I would be worried....probably turn on my "beast guard" mode lol

There's a huge difference between coworkers/friends vs strangers :)

Haven't ya seen those videos where people get robbed on the street after the first "hi, nice watch". :)

The guy with the Pepsi was lucky that day....

Me too. I'd prefer to be left alone unless I was socializing during a watch event, or at least in an appropriate environment to socialize. Bit of an introvert myself. I don't even relish unexpectedly seeing people I know. Haha