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Thread: People noticing and commenting on your watch

  1. #1

    People noticing and commenting on your watch

    I am sure this has been discussed on here before but what are your thoughts and reaction when someone notices or comments on your watch.

    Having recently purchase a Datejust 16014 and only receiving it back yesterday after having it checked over i had the following happen today.

    While I was on the tube this morning the guy sitting opposite me kept looking at my wrist, I became a little uncomfortable so pushed the watch up my arm to keep it off show got off and thought no more of it.

    Fast forward to this afternoon I was in a meeting going through the previous minutes when one of the guys said aloud across the table while nodding to someone else on the other end of the table "lovely watch you have there, i could not help but notice it". I wasn't sure how to react and carried on with the discussion we were having.

    I have noticed a few people in the office have nice watches, one guy has a Patek and another some sort of vintage Jager but i have never commented or seen anyone else comment for that matter.

    Over the years I have had a couple of submariners, a GMT and a explorer 39 and never once have I noticed anyone looking and certainly not comment on what i was wearing.

    The watch in question is the least costly I have had in the past 10 + years (most have been in the £4-5000 range) with the exception of a Tag for a short while.

    Anyway how do you react if at all when this has happened to you?
    Last edited by boring_sandwich; 14th June 2018 at 17:56.

  2. #2
    Grand Master number2's Avatar
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    I don't go on the Internet to tell people about it, I just get on with life.
    "Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."

    'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.

  3. #3
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    I feel chuffed and say, "Thanks for noticing. Have a great day." Or words to that effect.

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  4. #4
    Master bobbee's Avatar
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    Need to buy one of those giant Invictas, as owners are always saying as how they get compliments all the time, and in all my watch wearing years nobody ever said anything about any watch I have worn...

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by number2 View Post
    I don't go on the Internet to tell people about it, I just get on with life.
    Boring_ sandwich has 289 postings, you have in excess of 13,000 which suggests you spend a hell of a lot more time on the internet than him and he is spending more time than you getting on with his life.

    If you are going to be a keyboard bully, best to select a sensible target old chap.

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by bobbee View Post
    Need to buy one of those giant Invictas, as owners are always saying as how they get compliments all the time, and in all my watch wearing years nobody ever said anything about any watch I have worn...
    That is my point really I have never previously had it happen to me and didn't really know how to react due to the fact the comment happened in the middle of a meeting, had it been one to one i would have had a chat about it and watches in general with my limited knowledge.
    Last edited by boring_sandwich; 14th June 2018 at 18:12.

  7. #7
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    I love it when someone notices my watch & makes conversation about it. I switch between a CWC diver's & a Seamaster 2254.5000. Both get the occasional compliment & that's nice. Cheers me up.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by boring_sandwich View Post
    Anyway how do you react if at all when this has happened to you?
    It's never happened to me but I think thanking the person as you would for any compliment is the way to go and make probe a bit to see if they have a genuine interest in watches.

  9. #9
    Master davidj54's Avatar
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    Happened a couple of times with my Casio A158-W of all watches! But comments were from people I know, not strangers, amused probably that I'd wear such a watch.

  10. #10
    Only ever happened once to me, whilst wearing my G10. An ex pongo noticed it and we had a good chat about it, though it was fairly specific, got the impression he didn't have that much interest in watches generally, just the old G10.

  11. #11
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    It's a loaded thing to do.

    It has happened to me just 3 times.

    The first time was when my wife and I were having lunch in Oxford and the waiter just said "nice watch" out of the blue and promptly walked away before I could say anything. The watch was a 39mm Explorer, so it was a dull looking watch and not the sort of thing that anyone would normally notice. Both my wife and I were a bit non plussed and got back to stuffing the apple tart down our mouths. Bit of a non event and no harm done.

    The second instance was just over a year ago in a Rolex AD when I was wearing a coke 16710 GMT11 with a Jubilee bracelet. Now let us be realistic, you always gawp at other mens wrists when in a Rolex shop. Some old guy on the wrong side of 80 walked up to me and suggested that the watch was "a tad loud" and I ought to tone it down a bit. He was wearing a YG Daytona which was 10 times louder than mine. Bit funny so no harm done.

    Third occasion was a few weeks ago. I was on a very deserted beach sun bathing and as is the norm, left the wife on the sun bed and went for a constitutional walk along the beach by myself. I was wearing a Sub. Halfway through the walk some young man of about 30 called me over and asked the time which I gave him. He then noticed the Sub and kept repeating that it was a nice watch and was obviously genuine. I am 69 and no match for him and although nothing came of it, I did feel a bit worried. He was almost certainly just admiring the watch and it was all very innocent but I left as soon as I politely could and walking away with my back to him did make me feel vulnerable. So the approach was unnerving.

    Therefore on balance, I prefer not to comment and also prefer not to be approached.

  12. #12
    Master bobbee's Avatar
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    I bet your ears rotated 180 degrees as you walked off!

  13. #13
    One of the reasons I'm quite careful to tailor my choice of watch to the venue / location. If I'm in London/Birmingham etc etc then I tend to wear one of my Seikos or the G10, if its a trip to Dartmouth with the kids, something a little more expensive may get some wrist time.

  14. #14
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    I’d react the same way as if someone said “nice shoes” or “nice tie” or “nice car” or “nice bike” (I could go on but you get the idea).

    It doesn’t happen often, but if it does I’d probably smile and say “thanks” and carry on. Maybe feel a bit self conscious. That’s about it.


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  15. #15
    Master Tetlee's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BenN View Post
    I’d react the same way as if someone said “nice shoes” or “nice tie” or “nice car” or “nice bike” (I could go on but you get the idea).

    It doesn’t happen often, but if it does I’d probably smile and say “thanks” and carry on. Maybe feel a bit self conscious. That’s about it.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Nobody comments on my watches, I have kind of quirky taste and my friends and family all agree most of my watches are ugly so to be expected. But if anyone did them yep, as above.

  16. #16
    Master mindforge's Avatar
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    I find it does happen occasionally and I just say thanks and ask what they're wearing which usually prompts a conversation.

  17. #17
    Master
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    I had a work colleague comment on my PAM 49 some years ago when on a training course. Turns out she had bought her husband a PAM as a wedding present so she recognised it. Never commented upon before or since.

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  18. #18
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    I usually palm it off my saying I’m a watch geek and could bore you with the history of 5 generations of this particular watch. But I won’t. Exit, stage left.

    Only ever wear a G Shock when meeting customers, tenants, etc etc naturally.

  19. #19
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    Nobody ever has

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mick P View Post

    Third occasion was a few weeks ago. I was on a very deserted beach sun bathing and as is the norm, left the wife on the sun bed and went for a constitutional walk along the beach by myself. I was wearing a Sub. Halfway through the walk some young man of about 30 called me over and asked the time which I gave him. He then noticed the Sub and kept repeating that it was a nice watch and was obviously genuine. I am 69 and no match for him and although nothing came of it, I did feel a bit worried. He was almost certainly just admiring the watch and it was all very innocent but I left as soon as I politely could and walking away with my back to him did make me feel vulnerable. So the approach was unnerving.

    Therefore on balance, I prefer not to comment and also prefer not to be approached.
    Must admit I'm a bit disillusioned with that tale Mick
    Had you down as a "take no sh-t' Edward Woodward type of guy.

  21. #21
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    A sales assistant in the Chanel Boutique in Harrods noticed my Harrods Tudor Black Bay Green and asked me what number it was. We then struck up a conversation about what number she thought they were up to.

  22. #22
    Master Papa Hotel's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by emmm View Post
    A sales assistant in the Chanel Boutique in Harrods noticed my Harrods Tudor Black Bay Green and asked me what number it was. We then struck up a conversation about what number she thought they were up to.
    Don't leave us hanging there! What number did the sales assistant in the Chanel Boutique think they were up to?

  23. #23
    Master
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    Think it’s happened twice in the nearly 30 years I’ve had ‘nice’ watches.

    Wasn’t particularly comfortable recently when an acquaintance, in the pub, asked for a look and then said in a rather-too-loud voice: “So how many Rolexes have you got?”.

    I’m now wearing my newly acquired £15 Casio ....

  24. #24
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    @Papa Hotel Between four and five hundred. As as of last Saturday.

  25. #25
    Craftsman wits's Avatar
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    Happened to me a few times.
    Most memorably at an industry dinner a fellow diner clocked my Monaco 5 mins later everyone had their watches out
    We were a bit kettled though

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  26. #26
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hood View Post
    Must admit I'm a bit disillusioned with that tale Mick
    Had you down as a "take no sh-t' Edward Woodward type of guy.
    Nah - I am like Pike in Dads Army, my mum always said I was delicate.

  27. #27
    Master bedlam's Avatar
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    A waitress complimented my laptop recently when she saw me fold it backwards into a tablet. What advice do you all have for me in responding to this perplexing event???


  28. #28
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    The only watch of mine that gets commented upon by the general public is my GMT-Master, and that's only by petrol station cashiers and used-car salesman. i guess because of the aspirational nature of the Rolex brand???

  29. #29
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    Used to get it regularly in the old van and in my mk2 golf. Always said, "cheers mate"
    If a stranger were to comment on the watch I'd tell them its a Jake the snake.

  30. #30
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    People noticing and commenting on your watch

    I’ve had a few positive comments over the years some with negative smart Alec replies, “why pay all that it’s just a watch”




    Over the last 25 years the in-laws have a rule not to mention my watches, cars or houses, they blank them it’s just so obviously ridiculously blatant, the BIL recently got divorced after 20 years and we went for dinner and met his new girlfriend she’s 50 and a teacher, she commented on my 5980r on leather saying she’d never heard of Patrick Philip but it looked lovely, she also asked which shop I’d got it from as she like to get her new love one, this was obviously making the BIL very uncomfortable as he leaned back in his seat and blurted out “oh you know we never ask Mark about his watches as he goes on about the workings an everything it’s a family thing” the wife looked at me and said “ actually you never told me how much you paid for that one did you” no I said but from memory I think it was about a tenner from Oldham market, but I think the stalls gone now.

    She’s now fully aware of the in laws rules and has kept her mouth firmly shut, although her eyes tell a different story.






    Sent from The Royal Suite at The Savoy
    Last edited by Volvomanuk; 15th June 2018 at 06:34.

  31. #31
    Only time I can recall it happening was in a meeting with a business partner in Jo'burg recently. Half-way through the meeting he said "I've got to ask, but what's that red hand on your watch for?". I was wearing the Great White, so explained that I use the red GMT hand to track the time back at home when travelling. "What a great idea" he said. Then back to business.

    There are one or two other colleagues at work who will occasionally glance over to see what's the flavour of the day, but generally they know me well enough not to ask me about watches.

    I was in a meeting back in the UK recently and noticed the customer sitting next to me was wearing an SMPc but I resisted the urge to ask about it. Wouldn't want to end up reading about myself in a few posts time....

  32. #32
    Grand Master Dave+63's Avatar
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    People noticing and commenting on your watch

    Quote Originally Posted by Papa Hotel View Post
    Don't leave us hanging there! What number did the sales assistant in the Chanel Boutique think they were up to?
    07730 421834?

    The only time I can remember is a few years ago in B&Q when I was wearing a Tag Heuer.
    Last edited by Dave+63; 15th June 2018 at 07:21.

  33. #33
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    my brother inlaw noticed my sub c and said"is that a real rolex ",i replied"no you are imagining it"..
    Last edited by greasemonkey; 15th June 2018 at 07:54. Reason: sspelin

  34. #34
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    Occasionally I’m asked by mates who know I like watches ‘nice watch, how much was it?’ I usually reply that it’s a cheapy for knocking about. Most of them aren’t watch fans and can’t understand why you’d spend more than £50 on one. I don’t think I’ve ever been asked by a stranger and wouldn’t be comfortable if I was. I like to think my watches are understated.


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  35. #35
    Master Alansmithee's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bobbyf View Post
    Occasionally I’m asked by mates who know I like watches ‘nice watch, how much was it?’ I usually reply that it’s a cheapy for knocking about. Most of them aren’t watch fans and can’t understand why you’d spend more than £50 on one. I don’t think I’ve ever been asked by a stranger and wouldn’t be comfortable if I was. I like to think my watches are understated.


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    The average selling price of a watch in the UK was about £85 the last time I checked.

  36. #36
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    Quote Originally Posted by Volvomanuk View Post
    I said I think it was about a tenner from Oldham market, but I think the stalls gone now.
    I live down south now but born and bred in Oldham. I don’t recall the Patek stall from my youth, I’m guessing it was next to the Louis Vuitton stall by the chippy.



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  37. #37
    Grand Master ryanb741's Avatar
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    The new Tudor Gmt has had a few comments but by far it's my Seiko 'Ursula'. Gets loads of positive comments from women and also gay men lol.

  38. #38
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    Quote Originally Posted by greasemonkey View Post
    my brother inlaw noticed my sub c and said"is that a real rolex ",i replied"no you are imagining it"..
    Love it.
    I’m gonna nick this .

  39. #39
    Master mycroft's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ryanb741 View Post
    The new Tudor Gmt has had a few comments but by far it's my Seiko 'Ursula'. Gets loads of positive comments from women and also gay men lol.
    I really can’t imagine why, Ryan

    Simon

  40. #40
    Craftsman trott3r's Avatar
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    Only relatives for me my sister or mother.

    Being a bit of a slim guy i think i would be a bit bothered if someone said something on the street as well.

  41. #41
    Master Nigeyp's Avatar
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    Its never happened infact i was sat outside asda on a bench with my hood up wearing shorts sleeves and my Daytona, a pair of old sambas and jeans. And I think most of the shoppers thought I was homeless.

  42. #42
    Master Murdoc's Avatar
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    In all the years I’ve had ‘nice’ watches it’s only happened twice. Once on holiday the owner of the villa we were staying in commented loudly that she really liked my watch. The second time at a casino a friend of my girlfriend quietly told me he liked my watch. Both times I was wearing a 16600. All the years of wearing other nice watches as dailys (including an SDc, 5711, GS Diver), nobody has ever commented.

    I don’t think I’d feel particularly comfortable if I was out in public and a stranger commented.


    Edit - I probably don’t receive many comments because I tend to wear rather casual (and sometimes quite cheap) clothes, and for a while my car was a beaten up 15 year old Toyota, so I assume anyone noticing would have assumed they were fake.
    Last edited by Murdoc; 16th June 2018 at 07:55.

  43. #43
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    This happened to mewhen I was at the gym wearing my Submariner.

    The guy next to me said nice watch and then went on to ask if it was genuine or a fake.

    I don’t wear my Rolex to the gym any more.

    When I’m on holiday I take my SMP300, still a nice watch but doesn’t attract the attention that the Rolex did.
    Last edited by JeremyO; 16th June 2018 at 10:07.

  44. #44
    Craftsman Cornholio's Avatar
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    I've never owned anything special, so wouldn't expect comments. However, in the short time that I owned this Rotary, I received many admiring comments. They were usually from young male waiters, shop assistants and such like.




  45. #45
    Craftsman Steelgecko's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JeremyO View Post
    This happened to mewhen I was at the gym wearing my Submariner.

    The guy next to me said nice watch and then went on to ask if it was genuine or a fake.

    I don’t wear my Rolex to the gym any more.

    When I’m on holiday I take my SMP300, still a nice watch but doesn’t attract the attention that the Rolex did.
    What a nice compliment turned sour. No one has yet asked me if my Sub is fake, but if and when they do, I shall simply reply "Whatever you think it is" and - assuming that I'm not in a business meeting where I have to be polite - ignore them thereafter.

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  46. #46
    Craftsman Steelgecko's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cornholio View Post
    I've never owned anything special, so wouldn't expect comments. However, in the short time that I owned this Rotary, I received many admiring comments. They were usually from young male waiters, shop assistants and such like.



    Im not into skeletons but I genuinely think that's a lovely looking watch.

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  47. #47
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    Quote Originally Posted by D4RK1 View Post
    Used to get it regularly in the old van and in my mk2 golf. Always said, "cheers mate"
    If a stranger were to comment on the watch I'd tell them its a Jake the snake.
    Is Jake the snake like a Jekyll (n' Hyde)?

  48. #48
    Craftsman Cornholio's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steelgecko View Post
    Im not into skeletons but I genuinely think that's a lovely looking watch.

    Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
    Apologies, OT. I liked it, but by the third time I returned for repair, they said it was discontinued and did I want to choose another model.

  49. #49
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    Had it twice, both in the workplace.

    First time on a training course, at dinner, the guy across the table pointed out we had the exact same Bremont...first and only time I have seen someone else wearing one

    Second time was after a meeting when exchanging emails, got a compliment on the Grand Seiko I was wearing in the meeting, first time he had seen one in the wild

    Most people notice but don’t know enough to have an in depth conversation, always nice to interact with someone who knows their watches


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  50. #50
    Craftsman Exiztence's Avatar
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    I Got positive comment on 14060 at workplace, I think those are the best. I think I would be a bit spooked getting comment from total stranger and I would probably suspect some foul play.

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