Was at the DMV yesterday...

[m j b]

...and as I'm standing in line, I'm just a smidgen self-conscious about my fancy Rolex GMT. No one said anything to me, looked at me weird (well, no weirder than usual) or hit me over the head and stole my watch. But I thought, not for the first time, my freakin' watch probably cost more than most of the cars that these people are in here to register/title/whatever.

I got over it.

But it gives me pause when I contemplate a BLRO, or even when I wear my TT, which is quite a bit more flashy than the BLNR. I'm not afraid of theft, and I really don't give a large crap what other people think, quite frankly. I have a nice house, nice cars, and nice things in general. But not everyone is as fortunate as me.

Anyone have thoughts like this that they'd care to share?

[flyingtiger85]

This is a condescending message to anyone who has to visit or work at the DMV. Owning a Rolex does not make you better than anyone in the DMV, and I personally do not think you are more of a target to be robbed there. Owning a Rolex is all about priorities. If someone made $45k a year they could save and buy a Rolex. You are not any better than non-Rolex wearers.

[m j b]

That was a bit harsh. I guess my humor was misunderstood.

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by m j b

That was a bit harsh. I guess my humor was misunderstood.

Agreed. A bit harsh.


I understand what you were saying Michael.

I am retired from a career. I'm not rich, but in my current after retirement employment that I have, nearly all of my co-workers live paycheck to paycheck. They are mostly younger than me.

I sold my RG Day Date and my Two Tone Ceramic Sub as honestly I felt self conscious. My problem not theirs.

However a good example was yesterday at a huge group meeting one of my co-workers said, "Did you get another Rolex? ( Had on my OP 39.) She said, "I wish I could get a nice watch." "What are those like 500 bucks?"


I didn't have the heart..

[Fleetlord]

Oh my goodness...

[Pix]

I know plenty of people worth 7 figures that drive 10-15yr old cars.. It's always bad when you assume.

[116500LN]

Sometimes, I move around different to parts of my city and end up in bad neighborhoods. I don't always have the opportunity to plan which watch to wear for the day because I do not expect being there. So if I'm in a bad neighborhood and anyone asks, I just say my watch is fake from Chinatown.

[Canefan1]

Originally Posted by m j b

That was a bit harsh. I guess my humor was misunderstood.

X 3'

[123Blueface]

I get it.

I honestly have had similar thoughts in other places.
In the end, I feel blessed, grateful and the need to be generous to help others.

[watchwatcher]

I get it...although I will say most of us WIS types are WAY more conscious of what's on our wrist than the general public.

In the end, it's all about your comfort level.

[anakyn101]

Originally Posted by 123Blueface

I get it.

I honestly have had similar thoughts in other places.
In the end, I feel blessed, grateful and the need to be generous to help others.

This

[mjclark32]

How many $2,500 cars are down in NC?

[Benjamin Choi]

Originally Posted by flyingtiger85

This is a condescending message to anyone who has to visit or work at the DMV. Owning a Rolex does not make you better than anyone in the DMV, and I personally do not think you are more of a target to be robbed there. Owning a Rolex is all about priorities. If someone made $45k a year they could save and buy a Rolex. You are not any better than non-Rolex wearers.

Agreed. The world doesn't revolve around this dude. And it's just a damn watch. Nobody cares.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by Pix

I know plenty of people worth 7 figures that drive 10-15yr old cars.. It's always bad when you assume.

My car is 16 years old (Lexus SC 430, which I love) and I have over 20 nice watches (according to my wife who counted them recently). My net worth is in the 7 figure range and I'm retired. My friends are about in the same situation, although most drive newer cars and don't have as many watches (they're not collectors).

[Karlig]

Condescending post, people of all walks of life are to be found at DMV. I'm sure that there were people in line with larger net worth than yours. Not cool to "look down" on anybody, especially those that don't appear to be doing well. I have some wealthy friends that have let money rule them with over inflated egos, don't hang out with them very much anymore.

[Karlig]

Originally Posted by flyingtiger85

this is a condescending message to anyone who has to visit or work at the dmv. Owning a rolex does not make you better than anyone in the dmv, and i personally do not think you are more of a target to be robbed there. Owning a rolex is all about priorities. If someone made $45k a year they could save and buy a rolex. You are not any better than non-rolex wearers.

x2

[Chewbacca]

guys, chill.

Mike was making a point; based on his experience. Sure, a bit shallow but he's a bit of a nut, and the reg's know that.

Tiger85 saw it and pounced on it like a fat kid on a M&M.

no harm or foul on either -- move on.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by 123Blueface

I get it.

I honestly have had similar thoughts in other places.
In the end, I feel blessed, grateful and the need to be generous to help others.

yep. I have had that feeling too. Anytime you see someone who may be struggling you can't help but feel a bit guilty.

And yes OP, i understand what you were saying. The average new car price in the US is less than many PM watches not to mention most cars are not new. So yes on average at the DMV your watch if you go in there with a PM Rolex will be worth more than most of the cars people are registering.

I read it as wearing a watch worth more than most cars made you stop and think about others. There is nothing wrong with that. If you wore a watch that expensive and you never gave a second thought about how lucky you are to be able to have one, then i would say there is something wrong.

[Widows Son]

People spend their disposable income on different things. Some have a $500.00 a month car lease or payment, some gamble, go out to eat every night, lavish vacations etc. I have some very nice toys but in no way allow them to define who I am. Just got back from vacation, brought only one watch, my Airking. Had absolutely nobody notice it, just the way I like it.

[DeeTee]

There are certain places where a GMT is front pocket change for people.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kilyung]

It's just a watch and most everyone sees as such.

[mkmk]

Definitely not condescending. I have also had these thoughts at times. It sounds to me more compassionate than condescending. It never hurts to be thankful and to realize just how lucky we are.

[Bfd70]

Keep in mind that a Rolex GMT is a paupers watch to some people. Heck, there have been threads here about giving them as gifts to 16 year olds. In this life you'll have more $ than some and less $ than others. OP is a useless thread.

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by Pix

I know plenty of people worth 7 figures that drive 10-15yr old cars.. It's always bad when you assume.

very true my old boss easily made 7 figures a year and drove a 10 year old bmw and a Jeep Wrangler. My grandfather made the aforementioned amount for decades and drove a Lexus and my Nana an Audi, and kept them until they broke or someone else needed them. I used to do some work for the Crowned Prince of Iran, Reza, and he also drove a four door wrangler.

[TheRolexKingofLV]

I sat next to Wayne Newton at the DMV here in Las Vegas a couple years back. Ended up talking to him for about an hour as we waited for our number to be called.

Super cool guy...btw he was wearing a 18k DayDate.

[Karlig]

How about Warren Buffet? Lives in the same old conservative house and drives a Lincoln, epitome of class. Wonder what he would be thinking when in line at DMV with his YG President? Don't think he would be looking down at you.

[dubins930]

No one at the DMV cares about anything but getting out of the DMV...

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by TheRolexKingofLV

I sat next to Wayne Newton at the DMV here in Las Vegas a couple years back. Ended up talking to him for about an hour as we waited for our number to be called.

Super cool guy...btw he was wearing a 18k DayDate.

That is crazy! what a story Trace!

[Likestheshiny]

But not everyone is as fortunate as me.

This is the main point of the Op's post, and it's not condescending.

I often feel the same way when I wear a Rolex. There's something inherently ridiculous about wearing expensive jewelry, after all, and I sometimes feel a little bit self-conscious about it. I use that self-consciousness as a reminder to be a bit more generous and aware. Seriously, no one wearing an $8k watch should ever leave a stingy tip. Donate to charities. Be mindful of the needs of the people around you. Simply put, if you can afford the watch then you can afford to do a little extra for people.

[cop414]

Originally Posted by Likestheshiny

This is the main point of the Op's post, and it's not condescending.

I often feel the same way when I wear a Rolex. There's something inherently ridiculous about wearing expensive jewelry, after all, and I sometimes feel a little bit self-conscious about it. I use that self-consciousness as a reminder to be a bit more generous and aware. Seriously, no one wearing an $8k watch should ever leave a stingy tip. Donate to charities. Be mindful of the needs of the people around you. Simply put, if you can afford the watch then you can afford to do a little extra for people.

Best post in this thread.