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Old 11 January 2018, 09:35 AM   #1
amh
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Wife likes cheap watches. How to get her to upgrade?

So I finally talked my wife into getting a Rolex, about a year ago. It's a good thing and really I shouldn't complain

But she's still hanging on to several really, really bad watches - for sentimental reasons I guess:
- Random gold plated dept store watch, given by her mom (~$20 new)
- Little Pulsar from her HS graduation (~$20 new)
- A couple Mickey Mouse watches
- Something with a plastic band

I also got her some others that are a little better, but still just quartz:
- Michael Kors
- Seiko
- Invicta

I'd get her a whole box of Rolexes if she'd wear them but I think it would be a waste of $$ to get more at this point. I did get her a Longines and she likes it.

What's the best strategy to help her see the light? I can't bear the thought of wearing anything with a pleather band or a movement that costs less than the battery - and I don't want her to either!

Approaches:
1) Buy her something new every birthday/anniversary
2) Drag her out on shopping trips
3) Try to 'educate' her (eg. "Take a look at this plastic movement in your watch, it probably cost a dollar to make!")

So far I've had moderate success with [1] but it's difficult to find the time for [2]. I'm afraid I'll tick her off if I'm too pushy.

Any ideas? I'd at least like to get her into some 'mid grade' fashion watches (eg. Cartier, Michele) rather than some of the very old pieces she has. The ultimate would be to make a real Rolex fan out of her but she hasn't take the bait
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Old 11 January 2018, 10:02 AM   #2
F308gt4
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You can't change them.

I've tried for a long time to get my wife a Rolex. She has no interest, and frankly thinks its a waste of money. In the end, her old watch broke (she had been wearing it for almost 20 years, with battery changes), and I had to get her something new.

I made many suggestions (Rolex, Omega, etc), but she finally picked out a Citizen Eco-drive that she liked. She likes the idea that it's solar powered and that she doesn't have to worry about changing the battery. It only cost about $300. It's water resistant to 100m, and has a sapphire crystal at least.

Funny thing, it doesn't look that different from the datejust that I really wanted to get her.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Old 11 January 2018, 10:03 AM   #3
Baco Noir
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Don't try too hard. My wife is the same way. She has some fashion watches, Hamilton, Breitling, and Omega and sees them all the same - unless we are going out to a nice dinner, then she'll usually go with one of the last 3.

She appreciates the nicer ones, but could care less about the movement, history, etc. Heck most times she doesn't adjust the date and some days she's come home and laughed when she realized she never even set the time correctly. They are primarily jewelry to her, timekeeping is a secondary benefit.
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Old 11 January 2018, 11:41 AM   #4
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Sounds like you’re trying to create a problem where there isn’t one. Let her by what she likes

It that doesn’t work, buy her a rose gold Daytona.
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Old 11 January 2018, 11:43 AM   #5
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My wife the same!! Here you go


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Old 11 January 2018, 01:21 PM   #6
themast
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Quite frankly I see nothing wrong with it.
Obviously you can talk her into watches, explain the strengths of certain brands etc. But ultimately she may not be interested and I think that is perfectly fine.

For instance, if my wife liked an old, cheap, car I would try my best to convince her to get a newer vehicle for safety reasons. But an inexpensive watch is not dangerous, except to us WIS!!
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Old 11 January 2018, 01:22 PM   #7
Baco Noir
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Sounds like you’re trying to create a problem where there isn’t one. Let her by what she likes



It that doesn’t work, buy her a rose gold Daytona.


Genius!!!
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Old 11 January 2018, 03:04 PM   #8
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Let her wear what she wants not what you decide
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Old 11 January 2018, 11:44 PM   #9
karmatp
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Don't try to make you wife be a part of your hobby. I tried years ago to get my wife a nicer watch and she just had no interest.

You would be wasting your money buying her something she just does not appreciate.

By the way, we are the weird ones spending this much money on watches that are completely overpriced. My wife thinks I am crazy, and she is probably right.
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Old 12 January 2018, 12:26 AM   #10
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You can't so stop trying
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Old 13 January 2018, 06:01 AM   #11
stockae92
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why try to change them? i think its enough that women tried to change men .. LOL

plus that will just eat into my watch funds, plus she will start noticing my new incoming, plus she will start caring how much they cost ... :D
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Old 13 January 2018, 09:17 AM   #12
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Don't mess with a good thing.

I have plenty of cheap watches that I like and wear from time to time.
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Old 13 January 2018, 10:51 AM   #13
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My wife doesn't wear a watch. She does have one from Walmart that has a picture of a cartoon monkey on the dial that she wears once in a blue moon.

She understands my interest in watches, but does not share the interest. It's okay with me.
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Old 13 January 2018, 10:57 AM   #14
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I've tried to get my wife into watches. She is not interested - so more for me and better for our bank account!
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Old 13 January 2018, 12:12 PM   #15
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Men like watches. Women like diamonds. I thought everyone knew this universal law.
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Old 13 January 2018, 01:16 PM   #16
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More budget for your collection then! I know what you mean but to each their own. I too have 2 cheap watches in my collection that are priceless to me. A Fossil and a Kenneth Cole. Priceless because of who they were given to me by, they both carry sentimental value and remind me of certain times in my life and those memories are irreplaceable.

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Old 13 January 2018, 01:38 PM   #17
roaddog359
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Just tell her under no circumstances will you ever buy her an expensive watch.
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Old 14 January 2018, 06:32 AM   #18
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Same as my wife; she doesn't care about watches or any horology/history. IMHO best left that way :)
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Old 14 January 2018, 06:35 AM   #19
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Why would you care?
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Old 15 January 2018, 05:56 AM   #20
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Don't. It will be a serious waste of money and energy.

Let's face, some people are just not into watches. If your wife/friend/family member is not into it, then why bother. Don't buy people presents you want to get and do not force people to enjoy your hobbies. Your money will be better spent on the activities you both enjoy.
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Old 15 January 2018, 07:17 AM   #21
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Not something I would want to change in the least. One enjoys what one enjoys.
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Old 15 January 2018, 07:19 AM   #22
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Are you insane
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Old 15 January 2018, 07:47 AM   #23
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Count your blessings
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Old 15 January 2018, 07:50 AM   #24
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Quote:
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Sounds like you’re trying to create a problem where there isn’t one. Let her by what she likes :
This
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Old 15 January 2018, 09:29 AM   #25
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Use her savings to treat yourself. This is the Year of the Woman so take whatever you can get before they eat us all!
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Old 15 January 2018, 04:28 PM   #26
Torque Time
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Let it go brother!!! My wife is the same...doesn't wear a watch. I've tried for 20 yrs.

Try what has worked for me...take interest in what interests her and buy the Rolex equivalent of whatever that 'thing' is. Diamond/Shoes/home decor/furniture/etc.

Just my $.02...but probably worth less
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Old 15 January 2018, 10:31 PM   #27
ChristopheH
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My wife wears a Sarb 017 !
when I see how she maintains it ... I prefer not to lend her my DJ ...
But my wife may not be a representative sample ...
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Old 16 January 2018, 08:27 AM   #28
amh
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roaddog359 View Post
Just tell her under no circumstances will you ever buy her an expensive watch.


Quote:
Originally Posted by McLovin View Post
Men like watches. Women like diamonds. I thought everyone knew this universal law.
Yeah... whenever I drag her to an SD she picks up a 31mm WG with meteorite diamond dial

Quote:
Originally Posted by HobokenRolex View Post
I've tried to get my wife into watches. She is not interested - so more for me and better for our bank account!
True

Quote:
Originally Posted by ap1 View Post
Count your blessings
Again - maybe I should
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Old 16 January 2018, 08:47 AM   #29
bdex75
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Wife likes cheap watches. How to get her to upgrade?

My grandpa always used to tell me “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. That saying has never applied more than it does here.

My wife has a cheap shinola and an Apple Watch. I have tried Rolex and Tudor to no avail. I gave up.


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