Anyone else cringe a little when people post a social media watch "Flex"

[Thug]

Humans have always flexed throughout time. I see threads like this on other forums too and I’m not sure if it’s an older generation ranting against younger people but while the medium may change, the flex was always there.

[alphadweller]

How do you show a picture of your watch without "flexing"? You just show your watch, what's the big deal? Why the cringe? Is it because it's a luxury watch? So what, I don't get it. Are you into watches or are you not?

[Blansky]

Yeah we flex so much that years ago Speidel started making twist-o-flex bands for that very reason.

We are a very flexy species.

https://speidel.com/collections/twist-o-flex-bands

[shaunylw]

I dunno, i really don’t consider Rolex a rich guys/gals watch. Maybe RM, some patek, that’s next level. A guy wearing a stainless Daytona or a TT gmt, not so much.


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[polaris72]

Some people are genuine and do not mean to pose, many are just trying to impress (themselves)? Usually those with little..., show the most, but there are some exceptions.

[East Bay Rider]

Someone remind me...
I forget the name of the regular here that pretty much perfected the "point".
He'd snap a wrist shot with a nice background and his hand would be pointing at something interesting.
The old timers should know.
Anyway I don't have a problem with the "flex". It's fun, it's interesting and the people having issues with it are probably not familiar with the start of the practice.
There are lots of things to hate on social media.

[AF_Rob]

On my other social media pages (not watch groups), I don’t post my watches/wallets/bags at all. I don’t think it’s appropriate.

Here, we have a common interest that bleeds over into other nice things. For that, most things I give a pass.

If I think something is flexing here, it’s pretty obvious. With that in mind, I still see it here quite a bit.


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[sgwatchguy]

Almost quit IG as the “wrist roll” assault became too much. A wrist shot is ok, but a wrist roll is nauseating, especially those slow ones.

Maybe I’ll get over it.

[timepieceluvr]

Who cares what other people do? I have other things to do…

You wanna take pictures, post things I don’t like? Be my guest


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[supernova]

I just enjoy looking at pics of nice timepieces, no matter the platform, so flex away.

I just don’t like the hypocrisy,
- posting pic of nice watch on IG = cringe flex
- posting same pic on TRF = appreciation for horology


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[gnuyork]

Originally Posted by supernova

I just enjoy looking at pics of nice timepieces, so flex away.

I just don’t like the hypocrisy,
- posting pic of nice watch on IG = cringe flex
- posting same pic on TRF = appreciation for horology


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Yup, full of it. The hypocrisy.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by BreguetRolex

May have strapped on one of my junkers once last year and not a single time yet this year as I see no point in it when all I need to do is look at my piephone...!

AKA the good ol quartz powered pocket watch jk

[Etschell]

No. People have been flexing since the dark ages.

[iLLGT2]

Here is also another perspective....

Yes while ive done it in the past with my pics, instagram from the early on first started beginning, it gets boring and whats the point?

I guess the point is we all like to share the things we love and are passionate about with others... social media has blurred the lines with flexers in between so that you question yourself and how you appear now

Lastly, ive gotten comments and flack in the past and even on here when merely just posting an in the moment collection shot or whatever it may be... some people dont understand that there are people that live a FLEX every day of their life like its nothing, so while it may look or come across like that its completely normal to some.

For me i felt douchey after a while of sharing on insta and completely stopped all social media posting (is TRF social media?)

[daveathall]

I had to Google "FLEX."

I look at it this way, if no one took photos of their watches and luxury goods, a forum like this would be pretty boring.

I love to see photos of cars/watches/wallets/wine/houses/holidays/pools/boats/HiFi/TV's etc, etc that I could only ever dream of owning. I like to see peoples success and don't begrudge them showing some of their hard earned goods. Keep em coming, I cant afford them, but it costs nothing to look.

[BreguetRolex]

Originally Posted by daveathall

I had to Google "FLEX."

I look at it this way, if no one took photos of their watches and luxury goods, a forum like this would be pretty boring.

I love to see photos of cars/watches/wallets/wine/houses/holidays/pools/boats/HiFi/TV's etc, etc that I could only ever dream of owning. I like to see peoples success and don't begrudge them showing some of their hard earned goods. Keep em coming, I cant afford them, but it costs nothing to look.

ok you hit the nail perfectly on the head.. How boring it would be around here if not for all the super flexing. Anything and everything is "FLEXIBLE" in one way or another.. Really not seen much interesting flexing lately but anytime time..! :)

[~JJ]

Originally Posted by supernova

I just enjoy looking at pics of nice timepieces, no matter the platform, so flex away.

I just don’t like the hypocrisy,
- posting pic of nice watch on IG = cringe flex
- posting same pic on TRF = appreciation for horology


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To me, TRF is a bunch of like minded people on a very specific topic (watch) forum so it’s people sharing items of similar interest vs a general platform with non-enthusiasts that don’t understand (or care about) our hobby… sharing content vs flexing, IMO.

[envuks]

Originally Posted by gnuyork

So you don't post pictures of your watch here?

I do post pictures of my watch here. It’s a watch forum, where we are here to talk about an appreciate these watches. Specifically. People opt into that by coming to TRF.

Social media, especially when associated with one’s actual identity, isn’t a tasteful place to share such items (said kindly). Share you life and experiences on social media, not your “things.”


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[supernova]

Originally Posted by ~JJ

To me, TRF is a bunch of like minded people on a very specific topic (watch) forum so it’s people sharing items of similar interest vs a general platform with non-enthusiasts that don’t understand (or care about) our hobby… sharing content vs flexing, IMO.

Well IG is a broader platform but there are watch groups, car groups, dogs groups etc. within and with genuine enthusiasts.

And I’ve seen plenty of posts on TRF of folks clearly bragging and “flexing” and have no interest in the history of the brand or horology, only how much the watch will appreciate in future.

But again, doesn’t bother me, folks can enjoy their prized possessions however they want, I just enjoy looking at the pics.


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[warrior]

From one New Englander to another, I think that’s a pretty nuanced perspective and the way I look at it.

Originally Posted by envuks

I do post pictures of my watch here. It’s a watch forum, where we are here to talk about an appreciate these watches. Specifically. People opt into that by coming to TRF.

Social media, especially when associated with one’s actual identity, isn’t a tasteful place to share such items (said kindly). Share you life and experiences on social media, not your “things.”


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[~JJ]

Originally Posted by supernova

Well IG is a broader platform but there are watch groups, car groups, dogs groups etc. within and with genuine enthusiasts.

And I’ve seen plenty of posts on TRF of folks clearly bragging and “flexing” and have no interest in the history of the brand or horology, only how much the watch will appreciate in future.

But again, doesn’t bother me, folks can enjoy their prized possessions however they want, I just enjoy looking at the pics.


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Your reply is fair and I’d agree. Generally speaking, people’s overall tone and focus on this forum has changed drastically since ~2016 (sure the value, flexing, etc. threads existed, but not so dominant).

[Devildog]

It’s not the watches or the cars or anything else that makes it flexing.

It’s the mindset, intent and desired outcome of the person posting the image that determines whether it’s flexing or not.

Sadly we live in a world where the need for affirmation is becoming commonplace. It’s all about the likes as much as the “look at me”.

[supernova]

Originally Posted by ~JJ

Your reply is fair and I’d agree. Generally speaking, people’s overall tone and focus on this forum has changed drastically since ~2016 (sure the value, flexing, etc. threads existed, but not so dominant).

Yes definitely, I missed the days where topics of discussion were about which bezel colour or dial variation people like best or enjoy. Nowadays it’s more about which is worth more in the secondary market regardless if the owner likes it or not


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[GB-man]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

Someone remind me...
I forget the name of the regular here that pretty much perfected the "point".
He'd snap a wrist shot with a nice background and his hand would be pointing at something interesting.
The old timers should know.
Anyway I don't have a problem with the "flex". It's fun, it's interesting and the people having issues with it are probably not familiar with the start of the practice.
There are lots of things to hate on social media.

You’re thinking of Sam (fremstar).

Is flaunting wealth lame. Yes. Then again we are on the Rolex forum. I wouldn’t go on the cookie lovers forum and call out people for being chunky

[Brew]

Originally Posted by GB-man

You’re thinking of Sam (fremstar).

Is flaunting wealth lame. Yes. Then again we are on the Rolex forum. I wouldn’t go on the cookie lovers forum and call out people for being chunky

I bet a pic of a sub in the middle of a plate of warm, chocolate chip cookies would get a different reaction here vs your cookie lovers forum.

[GradyPhilpott]

On TRF, I use every opportunity to show off my watches, but never on any other platform.

[Dyim]

Originally Posted by polaris72

some people are genuine and do not mean to pose, many are just trying to impress (themselves)? Usually those with little..., show the most, but there are some exceptions.

+1

[Blansky]

Any post that shows "look what I got" is technically flexing but so what.

I remember when flexing was Arnold making his pectoral muscles jump up and down.

Watch and car pictures are better to look. Sorry ladies. And others.........I guess.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Brew

I bet a pic of a sub in the middle of a plate of warm, chocolate chip cookies would get a different reaction here vs your cookie lovers forum.

Will have to test it out after I find the cookie lovers forum

[904VT]

Originally Posted by BreguetRolex

ok you hit the nail perfectly on the head.. How boring it would be around here if not for all the super flexing. Anything and everything is "FLEXIBLE" in one way or another.. Really not seen much interesting flexing lately but anytime time..! :)

I'm still hoping someone other than Roger Federer's wife flexes with the Day Date TEM. As an enthusiast, it's something I want to see more of

I mean any watch we own can be considered "flexing" but I still want to see them and discuss with fellow enthusiasts