Discussion
Bought a Rolex Datejust 41 last year almost exactly a year ago.Smooth bezel, Oyster bracelet, blue dial. Beautiful. Particularly the way that deep blue dial looked in the light. The perfect watch for me. Under the radar, tough yet refined, could be worn with a T-shirt and flip flops or a suit and tie
It had added emotional significance. I had tried one on in the company of my then terminally ill cousin, while visiting him in Brighton. He loved it, I loved it. When the time came and we buried him a few months later, I was wearing the same watch on my wrist.
And yet...
I never gelled with it. Whether it was because it was neither one thing (sports watch) nor the other (formal watch), I simply don't know. But perhaps more than anything else I simply couldn't reconcile myself to having that amount of money sat on my wrist. As time went on, it simply became apparent to me that all the precision engineering in the world, all the heritage and tradition, just couldn't compensate for the nagging feeling that beyond a certain point, I was personally uncomfortable with spending a certain amount on a timepiece. Doesn't mean I don't get others who do. It's just that where I thought the Rolex would draw me inexorably into the habit of seeing such things as desirable, it has done precisely the opposite.Which is a good thing, as I'm not a rich man by any means. So I've had to accept that I'm simply not a luxury watch guy (apart from my Panerai, which I bought used for a very reasonable sum that just about sits within my fiscal limits!)
So, off it goes. I am Rolex-less. It has been polished, and been placed into its box ready for its new owner. Who I know will love it. Because it's going to my brother, who was there that very day that I tried the watch on with with our cousin. So it'll stay in the family at least.
Cheerio watch. It's not you, it's me....
ETA. Next watch will be a SInn 556i, I think. Just about strikes the balance between desirability, looks, and cost for me.
It had added emotional significance. I had tried one on in the company of my then terminally ill cousin, while visiting him in Brighton. He loved it, I loved it. When the time came and we buried him a few months later, I was wearing the same watch on my wrist.
And yet...
I never gelled with it. Whether it was because it was neither one thing (sports watch) nor the other (formal watch), I simply don't know. But perhaps more than anything else I simply couldn't reconcile myself to having that amount of money sat on my wrist. As time went on, it simply became apparent to me that all the precision engineering in the world, all the heritage and tradition, just couldn't compensate for the nagging feeling that beyond a certain point, I was personally uncomfortable with spending a certain amount on a timepiece. Doesn't mean I don't get others who do. It's just that where I thought the Rolex would draw me inexorably into the habit of seeing such things as desirable, it has done precisely the opposite.Which is a good thing, as I'm not a rich man by any means. So I've had to accept that I'm simply not a luxury watch guy (apart from my Panerai, which I bought used for a very reasonable sum that just about sits within my fiscal limits!)
So, off it goes. I am Rolex-less. It has been polished, and been placed into its box ready for its new owner. Who I know will love it. Because it's going to my brother, who was there that very day that I tried the watch on with with our cousin. So it'll stay in the family at least.
Cheerio watch. It's not you, it's me....
ETA. Next watch will be a SInn 556i, I think. Just about strikes the balance between desirability, looks, and cost for me.
Edited by Joey Ramone on Tuesday 13th November 04:07
Lovely watch (and story).
I sometimes have the same thoughts about the money I have tied-up in my modest collection.
Although I enjoy them everyday and there is no joy looking at numbers in a bank account (to a degree).
So unless you can use the cash for something else you enjoy and it's not causing financial hardship, I don't see the problem.
I sometimes have the same thoughts about the money I have tied-up in my modest collection.
Although I enjoy them everyday and there is no joy looking at numbers in a bank account (to a degree).
So unless you can use the cash for something else you enjoy and it's not causing financial hardship, I don't see the problem.
romeodelta said:
Although I enjoy them everyday and there is no joy looking at numbers in a bank account (to a degree).
So unless you can use the cash for something else you enjoy and it's not causing financial hardship, I don't see the problem.
^ this. Luxury watches make no more sense than fine art, IMO, But therein lies the appeal - just because we can. I’d much rather have my watch on my arm than a few grand in my account (which sounds very spoilt, I’m aware). So unless you can use the cash for something else you enjoy and it's not causing financial hardship, I don't see the problem.
People that have a nice watch (or simply a watch they enjoy having) are probably having a nicer day-to-day than those who are waking up worried their details have been stolen.
If I needed the money, my watch would be sold, but until then, looking at the time is very enjoyable
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