My Sub - 6 months in...
Discussion
After lots of helpful advice from this forum, I bought a new no-date Sub from Dom exactly 6 months ago today. In that time, my views of it have changed, so I thought I'd post my experiences, especially for first-timers thinking of taking the plunge. I realise I'm amongst PH'ers with far more experience in watches, far better watches and far more knowledge, so it would be interesting to hear whether my experiences are typical.
Bear in mind that the most of my own money I'd ever spent on a watch before this was £65 for my trusty Seiko 7T32 'Panda' and you'll see that this was a pretty substantial spend for me - in fact it was £50 more than my last car.....
Its only now that I realise that a small part of my original motivation to buy it was in the hope that others might recognise it and come to the conclusion that I was doing alright for myself - yes, foolish, I know, but at least I can admit it.
I'd like to think that my primary motivation was to reward myself for several years of hard work - I've always wanted a "proper" watch and for a few years, hankered after a Tag Carrera, but again, this forum (and a certain Mr Gould) helped me grow out of that phase....
After exactly six months, precisely nobody has noticed it, with the possible exception of my boss, who I noticed glancing at it during a meeting, but he didn't say anything. Most alarmingly, Wifey hasn't noticed it either. She either doesn't know (or care) or she already knows and is waiting for me to 'fess up. I'll do the same to her as she does to me when I notice something new - "oh that? - had it ages - told you about it months ago....."
However, the big attitude change for me is that I very quickly got into the mind-set of not wanting or needing anyone to notice - it was enough for me to simply know what was on my wrist - a sense of private satisfaction.
The only negative aspect I've found is that on a few occasions, I've actively sought to hide the watch, as I really didn't want people to see something of that value on display. Whether it was embarrassment at being seen as a bit of a flash git, or fear of having it stolen, I don't know, but I certainly hid it.
As for the watch itself, I still absolutely love it and its only been off my wrist for five days while I went to LeMans. Its accuracy is OK (circa 4 seconds a day slow at the moment) but I don't care - I just set it every week or two. I had an issue with the bracelet links going a bit stiff, but I simply started wearing it in the shower - no more issue...
Finally, now that the effects of spending several thousand have worn off, I find I don't care what its worth - I simply have the watch I want and I'll wear it all day, every day unless I'm going to be risking serious damage. The bracelet clasp is already a bit scratched, where it rubs on my desk, but that was unavoidable without leaving it in the box, which (IMHO) would have been a criminal waste.
I can easily see me keeping this for the rest of my life and leaving it in my will - problem is, I have two sons, so I'll need to buy another good watch so that one of them doesn't feel left out - any suggestions?
Bear in mind that the most of my own money I'd ever spent on a watch before this was £65 for my trusty Seiko 7T32 'Panda' and you'll see that this was a pretty substantial spend for me - in fact it was £50 more than my last car.....
Its only now that I realise that a small part of my original motivation to buy it was in the hope that others might recognise it and come to the conclusion that I was doing alright for myself - yes, foolish, I know, but at least I can admit it.
I'd like to think that my primary motivation was to reward myself for several years of hard work - I've always wanted a "proper" watch and for a few years, hankered after a Tag Carrera, but again, this forum (and a certain Mr Gould) helped me grow out of that phase....
After exactly six months, precisely nobody has noticed it, with the possible exception of my boss, who I noticed glancing at it during a meeting, but he didn't say anything. Most alarmingly, Wifey hasn't noticed it either. She either doesn't know (or care) or she already knows and is waiting for me to 'fess up. I'll do the same to her as she does to me when I notice something new - "oh that? - had it ages - told you about it months ago....."
However, the big attitude change for me is that I very quickly got into the mind-set of not wanting or needing anyone to notice - it was enough for me to simply know what was on my wrist - a sense of private satisfaction.
The only negative aspect I've found is that on a few occasions, I've actively sought to hide the watch, as I really didn't want people to see something of that value on display. Whether it was embarrassment at being seen as a bit of a flash git, or fear of having it stolen, I don't know, but I certainly hid it.
As for the watch itself, I still absolutely love it and its only been off my wrist for five days while I went to LeMans. Its accuracy is OK (circa 4 seconds a day slow at the moment) but I don't care - I just set it every week or two. I had an issue with the bracelet links going a bit stiff, but I simply started wearing it in the shower - no more issue...
Finally, now that the effects of spending several thousand have worn off, I find I don't care what its worth - I simply have the watch I want and I'll wear it all day, every day unless I'm going to be risking serious damage. The bracelet clasp is already a bit scratched, where it rubs on my desk, but that was unavoidable without leaving it in the box, which (IMHO) would have been a criminal waste.
I can easily see me keeping this for the rest of my life and leaving it in my will - problem is, I have two sons, so I'll need to buy another good watch so that one of them doesn't feel left out - any suggestions?
When I bought my S/S Daytona back in 2005 I was standing in a lift with a colleague who had bought a fake Daytona from the beach guys whilst on holiday. We were both wearing T-shirts so the watches were clearly visible and my colleague got a comment from another lift user saying 'Nice watch mate' and not a word about mine. Now my colleague's fake Daytona was clearly a fake and had a brown leather strap but always got comments. My colleague to this day always reminds me of that moment in the lift and that he paid £10 for his watch on the beach.
In ten years of owning my Daytona I've probably had three people ask me about the watch basically to ask whether it's genuine. I have received more comments about the Casio G-Shock I have.
In ten years of owning my Daytona I've probably had three people ask me about the watch basically to ask whether it's genuine. I have received more comments about the Casio G-Shock I have.
That's a nice little story, it's great whenever someone finds something that really just does it for them. Be it a car, watch, house or whatever, it's nice when these materialistic things can turn out to be something you can genuinely enjoy and be content with.
I'm surprised you didn't get any attention at all with it though, I'm sure many people do notice it just don't say anything!
I'm surprised you didn't get any attention at all with it though, I'm sure many people do notice it just don't say anything!
Nigel_O said:
I've always wanted a "proper" watch and for a few years, hankered after a Tag Carrera, but again, this forum (and a certain Mr Gould) helped me grow out of that phase....
Have you stopped liking the Carrera's then?What is so bad about them?
I'm curious because I brought the first re-edition back in 1992 and it's been my only watch till I brought a G-Shock about 3 years back.
What does your sub look like?
Can you post a photo?
robm3 said:
Have you stopped liking the Carrera's then?
What is so bad about them?
I still like the LOOK of the Carrera - very stylish, without being TOO fussy. However, after lots of reading about modern Tags, I started to realise that what was inside the case had no real correlation to the price tag. Or more cruelly put, its a marketing triumph of style over substance.What is so bad about them?
I very nearly bought one, purely because I liked they way it looked, which (in some people's eyes) is just fine. However, I eventually changed my mind on two counts - I wanted something that was as good inside as it is outside and I also started to look for even simpler appearance (hence the no-date Sub over the date version). Being practical about it, my failing short-distance eyesight also means I needed high-contrast and low detail - I doubt I could even have read the date without my glasses on....
robm3 said:
What does your sub look like?
Can you post a photo?
Will post a photo later. To me, it looks absolutely amazing, as it represents a huge achievement for me personally. I accept that its 'entry level' for really good watches, but it makes me feel good. However, being a bit cold about it, it looks just like the other n thousand Submariners that Rolex churn out every year, so it can hardly be classed as exclusive. However, I like the looks of my lowly Alfa GT and there's 80,000 of those around the world....Can you post a photo?
For now - a stock photo lifted from the Rolex website
I bought my Explorer (39mm) specifically because it was so unobtrusive and would not draw attention. I like the brand but not some of the negative connotations associated with it.
I love the Sub but it is just a little bit too obviously a Rolex for me.
I have the same issue with having 2 children but only one higher end watch.
I love the Sub but it is just a little bit too obviously a Rolex for me.
I have the same issue with having 2 children but only one higher end watch.
counterofbeans said:
Nigel_O said:
I can easily see me keeping this for the rest of my life and leaving it in my will - problem is, I have two sons, so I'll need to buy another good watch so that one of them doesn't feel left out - any suggestions?
GMT Master
(it's also been to Le Mans with me 
)So I have for my three boys a GMT Master II, Datejust and an Omega Speedmaster.
I'm not convinced they will argue about what is worth what/favourite son etc., hopefully they'll simply remember me every time they wear their watch.
Edited by HoHoHo on Friday 17th July 14:19
This really is the beauty of quality watches, very few people notice them. They are mainly a personal pleasure.
A Sub/GMT/Daytona can be worn everyday without attracting hardly any attention and as a bonus the few people that do notice them tend to think it's a 'looky looky ' beach watch !
Nigel_O said:
The only negative aspect I've found is that on a few occasions, I've actively sought to hide the watch, as I really didn't want people to see something of that value on display. Whether it was embarrassment at being seen as a bit of a flash git, or fear of having it stolen, I don't know, but I certainly hid it.
I can completely relate to this. I was sitting with a number of people around a small table for a meeting at work and I had my left arm resting on the table. I had a sudden thought that I hope people don't think I am sitting like this to show off my Breitling! It's not a big flashy one, but it is easily recognisable. I withdrew my arm from the table.Unless you are very well off, I think there is something a bit embarrassing about spending a fair chunk of cash on what is, in essence, a shiny trinket. I say this as a man with around 50 watches
I admire your honesty but I have to say that if I was spending that sort of money on a watch, I would definitely want people to notice it and admire it. I suppose that if you are very well off and have the absolute best of everything then it doesn't matter so much but if it's a really big purchase that represents something really special to you then I see no harm in wanting others to appreciate it.
For me, and I've said it before, whilst I recognise the sub is a fantastic watch, it doesn't particularly look like it's worth the amount of money it is - all in my opinion of course. I say this having had a significantly cheaper Tudor Black Bay which was very similar to my eyes. There are some Omegas and Breitlings that really catch the eye.
For me, and I've said it before, whilst I recognise the sub is a fantastic watch, it doesn't particularly look like it's worth the amount of money it is - all in my opinion of course. I say this having had a significantly cheaper Tudor Black Bay which was very similar to my eyes. There are some Omegas and Breitlings that really catch the eye.
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