How conspicuous is it to wear an expensive watch?

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by Capt Crunch

Blarg. I only have one french cuff shirt. While the total cost is significantly less than the watch, I don't really feel like replacing everything just to fit a watch. I'm glad you brought it up.

No problem. It's a real issue with big watches.

[Rich150001]

Agree with most everyone else on here. I wear a nice IWC regularly and it hardly ever gets noticed. Rolex's aren't as prestigious these days among watch enthusiasts as they used to be, but they still seem to attract the most attention, especially from the non watch enthusiasts.

[FogCityM3]

Have a couple of Rollers including a Daytona and really only watch people notice...most have no clue. Agree with other comments that it will be appreciated by those who like watches and those are the people who understand the concept of buying a quality timepiece and as such, are probably the least likely to judge in a negative way.

[atxgt3]

I've worn nice watches for 15+ years and almost nobody ever notices. The ones that do usually know watches. My Panerais don't get a second look, my Rolexes don't get a second look (even my big ass Deepsea), my Audemars Piguet divers don't get a second look, etc. The only watches I have consistently gotten compliments on through all my years of collecting watches have been my Ulysse Nardins. Everyone loves them and compliments them, the other ones don't get noticed except by people that already know exactly what they're looking at.

So in short, wear what you want and don't stress about it.

[csu87]

Not many people know what that watch is or what its worth. I used to have a Panerai that i wore quite a bit, but my $1500 Tag would get more comments because everyone knows of Tag.

Most the comments you will get is "Geeze that is a big watch" not "Geeze that is an expensive watch" and depending on the people you interact with, they will probably assume Invicta or Diesel since those are 2 of the most common big watch brands.

[BEM-S4]

The PAM is not a super flashy watch, honestly only people who will really notice one way or the other are watch guys. Think it's a very nice, understated but still unusual and cool piece.

FYI, I have all of my shirts made 1/2" bigger cuff on the left than the right to accommodate my watches. It's really not a big deal to have done. And if you're in a decent sized city, you can absolutely find a good tailor who will make you shirts for a reasonable price. That or I have a tailor I use in Bangkok where you can just email them your measurements and order everything online, like $40 each and the quality is top notch.

[AIRPOWER]

+1 to all the other "it won't really get noticed" The Panerai (Laminar 1950 GMT Ceramica) has a definitely low key look to it much like my Omega Dark Side of the Moon (which is $12+K watch).

I can count on 1 hand how many people that have noticed my DSOTM which were 1 co-worker, a really hot gold-digger (which I subsequently banged) and stranger that came up to me in a bar.

I bought the watch because I absolutely love it and think it is very unique. I honestly my SeaMaster Planet Ocean get 10x as many compliments.

[MightyMouseTech]

Why do people care so much about what other people think?

[jtodd_fl]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Why do people care so much about what other people think?

Some of us work in sales. Telling a customer you won't negotiate further on price, while wearing a $50K watch will give them perceived leverage. Same with rolling up to a customer in a Lambo or a Rolls Royce. In this type of scenario, a smart person takes all possible influences into account. Maybe we have different definitions or "caring", though.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by jtodd_fl

Some of us work in sales. Telling a customer you won't negotiate further on price, while wearing a $50K watch will give them perceived leverage. Same with rolling up to a customer in a Lambo or a Rolls Royce. In this type of scenario, a smart person takes all possible influences into account. Maybe we have different definitions or "caring", though.

Slightly different reason but if you are on the younger side it's not always best show up to work with something north of $10K on your wrist, tough to project that young and hungry vibe. Totally unfair to him and slightly different example, but we had a new guy start and his car was in the shop so he came his first day in his mother's V12 SL Benz, he didn't make it to lunch before everyone assumed he was a lazy rich kid.

[Blksnowflake]

Originally Posted by vsix

Ever heard about Lehmann watches?
Was THE ETA supplier for Rolex...

Never.

[8_is_enough]

If you get a Panerai, only watch guys will notice it. It's a great "under the radar" watch, even in 44-47mm.

[vsix]

Originally Posted by Blksnowflake

Never.

Look it up, the hottest insider watch you can get.
Anyone knows RLX/Breitling.
I personally will get myself a Lehmann
Like the idea with the disapearing crown.

http://www.lehmann-uhren.de/de/Home

[consolidated]

Another reason I love vintage watches. A vintage PP Calatrava, Rolex red sub or 80k 6239 Daytona just looks like an old watch your grandfather passed to you. But they are so cool to wear.

[Capt Crunch]

Originally Posted by jtodd_fl

Some of us work in sales. Telling a customer you won't negotiate further on price, while wearing a $50K watch will give them perceived leverage. Same with rolling up to a customer in a Lambo or a Rolls Royce. In this type of scenario, a smart person takes all possible influences into account. Maybe we have different definitions or "caring", though.

This is exactly it. I'm a consultant at the point in my career where I want to start selling things. I imagine people will be less inclined to give "me" money if they think I've already got enough (or worse, more than them).

[jtodd_fl]

Originally Posted by Capt Crunch

This is exactly it. I'm a consultant at the point in my career where I want to start selling things. I imagine people will be less inclined to give "me" money if they think I've already got enough (or worse, more than them).

You'll be good. Anything besides a Rolex. A "real" watch guy would even view the Panerai as not an expensive watch. Know your audience. If you ever get a Patek or a tourbillon or repeater or something, maybe don't wear it when you know the client is a "watch guy". 99.9% of the time, you are fine.

[Blksnowflake]

Originally Posted by vsix

Look it up, the hottest insider watch you can get.
Anyone knows RLX/Breitling.
I personally will get myself a Lehmann
Like the idea with the disapearing crown.

http://www.lehmann-uhren.de/de/Home

No, not the watch. Answer was regarding Rolex ever using an ETA movement.

[JoeFromPA]

I work and sell in an industry where image is incredibly widely arrayed. I can walk into a sell where I'm selling to one guy in a $2000 custom suit and a high-end watch, sitting next to a guy in jeans and a worn out poorly fitting shirt - and he's the ultimate decision maker.

For me, it's about being conservative and taking care of the details. A rolex sub would be fine but it would be noticed by some in a negative light because it's common chosen and indicates a $5-8k spend on jewelry. A more conservative choice, and a talking point if it came up, would be an Omega Speedmaster for example.

Secondly, I travel a good bit. I take trains to NYC/Penn Station, for example. I absolutely do not want to be walking through Penn Station and the surrounding area wearing a conspicuous watch. And I'm a fit male. The people who would be targeting me would know exactly how much they could pawn the watch for that same day.

If you spend all your time in communities where BMW ownership is a norm, then this isn't as much a concern. But a high-end watch is just like buying your wife a very large diamond engagement ring - your concern isn't about the people who say something to you about it, it's about the people you don't even notice identifying how much it's worth.

[atxgt3]

Originally Posted by vsix

Look it up, the hottest insider watch you can get.
Anyone knows RLX/Breitling.
I personally will get myself a Lehmann
Like the idea with the disapearing crown.

http://www.lehmann-uhren.de/de/Home

What are you even going on about?

[David70]

Originally Posted by jtodd_fl

Some of us work in sales. Telling a customer you won't negotiate further on price, while wearing a $50K watch will give them perceived leverage. Same with rolling up to a customer in a Lambo or a Rolls Royce. In this type of scenario, a smart person takes all possible influences into account. Maybe we have different definitions or "caring", though.

Also in sales but I would also say how you dress, what you drive, etc. can have other negative affects whether in sales, mgmt., HR, etc. As others said, you can do what you want but you have to weigh the positives and negatives to everything and decide if it is still worth it to you.

Working in sales at manufacturing company, it would make my life more difficult than it is worth for me to show up at one of our plants and recommend reducing our margin, people working overtime to get products out, a raise, negotiating a deal, etc. while wearing a really expensive watch. While many would say the watch is irrelevant it only matters what the person you are trying to sway believes.

[SDH]

I like the fact you would wear it daily and that you use the m3 as a daily drive. Would be a waste otherwise, good on you.

If anyone gives you stick it's just jealousy, ignore them and enjoy the stuff you've worked hard for

[jtodd_fl]

Originally Posted by SDH

I like the fact you would wear it daily and that you use the m3 as a daily drive. Would be a waste otherwise, good on you.

If anyone gives you stick it's just jealousy, ignore them and enjoy the stuff you've worked hard for

I agree in principle... but in practice, as I and others have pointed out, sometimes you need to weight the pros and cons, as doing so can have a real effect on your ability to enjoy the things you've worked hard for.