Reaction to Rolexes

[Bstewart]

I am new to the hobby, but currently own 2 watches, a 116610LN and a Breitling Navitimer 01. Not that I care or am even concerned with the perceptions or opinions of others, but I find it funny that 90% of people won’t comment or notice the Rolex, but a good portion notice the Breitling and comment on it being a “nice watch” and if I tell them what it is, they typically have never heard of Breitling. On the other hand, the watch no one notices, they typically only notice when they see the Rolex at the top. Just an observation I found amusing somewhat.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Bstewart

I find it funny that 90% of people won’t comment or notice the Rolex

100% in my case.

[SubMarine]

The fact that you took the time to post this shows that you indeed "care" about people's perceptions.

[Indy11]

Maybe it’s Indiana..., I’ve had the a same experiences but with my Tag Heuer.

[Bstewart]

Originally Posted by SubMarine

The fact that you took the time to post this shows that you indeed "care" about people's perceptions.

Not really. More like it’s 3:30 Friday and I have a few mins to kill before I take off for the weekend and thought I’d share some observations with people that can relate.

[Bstewart]

Originally Posted by Indy11

Maybe it’s Indiana..., I’ve had the a same experiences but with my Tag Heuer.

Yeah. Sounds about right. I see you’re from Indianapolis, I am in Carmel. There’s a cool annual “Men’s Night” at Moyer Jewelers next week. They have a great selection of watches, steak dinner from Prime 47, cocktails, cigar tent, gambling, and Indy car simulators. Just an FYI.

[Loevhagen]

Phase 1) Don't own a watch and couldn't care less about watches
Phase 2) Don't own a watch - but is preoccupied what other people think about a certain watch
Phase 3) Buy a watch and want other people to comment on the watch
Phase 4) Enjoy the watch and couldn't care less about what other people think about the watch

99,97% of all people on this planet is in phase 1...

[shoprlx]

Rolex always on top of the list

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by SubMarine

The fact that you took the time to post this shows that you indeed "care" about people's perceptions.

I think we all care to some extent whether we realize or not.

Regardless, I Find the OPs Post to be an honest attempt at sharing an interesting observation and nothing more. Not sure why you feel the need to try to call him out

[SevenWays]

The man is killing a little time before taking off for the weekend to go water skiing!

For all its iconic status, a Rolex is, in my opinion, not nearly as flashy as a Breitling, especially the dials, unless you get into the REALLY expensive Rolexes.

Lots of chrono models, models with a lot of writing, wing logos - Breitlings are kinda busy and a bit showier, I think.

[douglasf13]

I think it may be because the trend of larger and flashier mall watches over the last decade or so has skewed the general public's perception of a nice watch.

I mean, who's gonna notice a subtle Rolex when this is normal?

[tifosi]

The Breitling is more "in your face" and louder than the regular ole Sub date. Will not attract as much attention as the Navitimer for sure.

Like I said in another thread...in 10 years of owning various Subs, I've only gotten one comment on my watch. People really just don't care.

[joli160]

Your Navitimer 01 is a beautiful watch and it's hard not to notice.
Especially on a bracelet.

[69ways]

Originally Posted by Bstewart

I am new to the hobby, but currently own 2 watches, a 116610LN and a Breitling Navitimer 01. Not that I care or am even concerned with the perceptions or opinions of others, but I find it funny that 90% of people won’t comment or notice the Rolex, but a good portion notice the Breitling and comment on it being a “nice watch” and if I tell them what it is, they typically have never heard of Breitling. On the other hand, the watch no one notices, they typically only notice when they see the Rolex at the top. Just an observation I found amusing somewhat.

There are many companies that copy Rolex and especially the SS
To the common eye is just another Festina or Swatch
Breitling is more thick and pronounced , drawing more attention
Not elegant but still draws attention the same way a traktor would in a busy city center

[Bstewart]

Originally Posted by 69ways

There are many companies that copy Rolex and especially the SS
To the common eye is just another Festina or Swatch
Breitling is more thick and pronounced , drawing more attention
Not elegant but still draws attention the same way a traktor would in a busy city center

That is quite a snide thing to say about Breitlings. Some are quite elegant.

[69ways]

Originally Posted by Bstewart

That is quite a snide thing to say about Breitlings. Some are quite elegant.

Well you know what they say
Opinions are like a.......
Everyone has one
Never liked Breitling
Feel they are stuck in a time warp from WW2

[TickTockChuck]

Brietling's have flashy dials, not to my tastes, but appealing to the general public. Rolex on the other hand have iconic designs copied by many designer and lower cost makers, so people will not notice them so much as they seem abundant. I consider Rolex more of a personal pleasure, so don't expect the gates of heaven to open if you wear one. My Omega Seamaster 300M with it's wavey sea blue dial gets more comments. Just enjoy your Rolex and be happy. Cheers!

[69ways]

Originally Posted by TickTockChuck

Brietling's have flashy dials, not to my tastes, but appealing to the general public. Rolex on the other hand have iconic designs copied by many designer and lower cost makers, so people will not notice them so much as they seem abundant. I consider Rolex more of a personal pleasure, so don't expect the gates of heaven to open if you wear one. My Omega Seamaster 300M with it's wavey sea blue dial gets more comments. Just enjoy your Rolex and be happy. Cheers!

I rest my case......

[The Libertine]

I would rather that others keep their comments to themselves.

[bradyb]

Nobody cares about watches anymore except for folks like us for a few different but generally related reasons. And I rather like that because nobody except a true watch nut says much of anything to me. Fantastic!

Even the wife says I look like a cheeseball for wearing a watch (which these days is always an understated BLRO). Now that's just downright mean....

[Iloreyix]

You are right in that no-one comments on a rolex. But they notice it.
Perhaps to comment on a Rolex would be uncomfortable?
It's easier to comment on a Breitling, perhaps as it's less referred to in pop-culture?

[locutus49]

I've worn Rolexes for close to 50 years. The Cartiers I owned (Pasha and Roadster) got many more compliments.

Maybe 3 compliments over the years on my Rolexes, which included Datejust, Hulk, Platona, WG Daytona.

People either don't care or don't notice. Hard to know which. Which is fine with me. They made me happy over the years. Very happy. Better than valium.

[tomallen]

I purchased my first Rolex back in 1979 and 38 years the few times strangers have commented they were also wearing a Rolex. Back then Subs and GMTs were just tool watches.

[OgSnowflake]

Only time anybody ever noticed my watch was at the Wynn Las Vegas in an elevator and a guy looks at me and goes:

“ I got a real weird question for u...is the bezel on your Daytona black and if so can I see it”

I was like sure buddy have a look and his wife or gf looked at him like did u just ask that man to see his wristwatch? I was dying laughing inside at the awkwardness.

[schoolboy]

I see what you mean OP.

In my case, I receive more compliments on my Seiko skx007 than on my 116613lb.

While wearing my skx, I've had several people comment, "nice watch! Is that a Rolex?"

While wearing my sub, the only comment I received was, "New watch?"

I replied "Yeah" with a smile and we both moved along with our duties.

[douglasf13]

There's a reason that Rolex watches have become bigger and flashier over the last decade or so, although they're still relatively subdued compared to other watches out there.

[aquatimerfla]

Till this day the watch that got the most comments that I ever owned was a Breitling Seawolf Avenger. I sold it a few years ago.

Beast of a watch. Beast.

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by Bstewart

they typically only notice when they see the Rolex at the top.

Somewhat difficult to see from more than a few feet away. One should exercise discretion dear boy.

[JUSTIFIED]

Hmm.... believe people do notice. However, many believe that a Rolex is end all be all of luxury watches. Thus, they're so in awe of it that they're left speechless. Well, that's what I tell myself. ;-)

[The_Watch_Clocker]

Originally Posted by SubMarine

The fact that you took the time to post this shows that you indeed "care" about people's perceptions.

Hmmmm the therapist jumps in to diagnose the OP it seems?
nah.
Op is just mentioning people compliment him on the B while the R flies under the radar.

That has NOTHING to do with caring what people think.

So what's your point here to the OP? To be a jerk?

Don't post if you can't be cool.