Watch Obsessives Can be So Cruel

Geezer writes:

I enjoy telling people that my Rolex is a fake.They look at the watch and find ways to agree with me. I'm a little crazy, but it's a fun kind of crazy.

Related articles

There Are Times When Even the Most Incurable Watch Obsessive Has to "Go Naked"

Herculodge Shies Away from High-End Watches Because of Service Costs

Rolex and Other Swiss Brands Could be Coasting on Their Reputation

Is Rolex More Marketing and Image Than Substance?

Listen, Watch Obsessive, No Matter What You Get, You're Gonna Get Bored

A Rolex That I Actually Like: The Deepsea Challenge

Comments

[jonnybardo]

Funny, Geezer. It reminds me of how a blind taste-test of wines was done with "wine experts" and many, even most, couldn't tell the difference between whites and reds.

People get really hung up on the mental image of a thing; in fact, it is almost everything. The key, I feel, is being able to choose which images to buy into. As GI Gurdjieff said, we can't fully de-program ourselves but we can choose which programs we are operating.

[Ed]

They did the same test with iPads, people shown an old ipad 2 were told it is the lastest version, and damn if they didn't remark on how much sharper the screen looked! Perception is reality.

[Geezer]

The Rolex Sea-Dweller (2006) has no "cyclops eye."
It also has factory engraving on the back which fakes out the Rolex "experts." They're used to the Submariner Date model (it's ubiquitous).

Another sickness I have is that I need to sleep with my watch(es). My wife is concerned about me.

One day I may infect you fellows with the High-End Audio Syndrome. I'd hate to do that to Jeff, however.
His taxes are rising this year! :-)

Less money for toys.

[Angelo]

Geezer: I remember working at a small ad agency back in the late 80s. I bought a fake Rolex in Georgetown. I wore it into work----and the owner noticed and loved it. I took it off and let him look at it---and he said he'd like to have a real Rolex (and he and his wife were quite wealthy----they could have easily afforded one). Anyway, I remember telling him, and I still believe this---that if I was the one to buy a real Rolex, people would assume it's fake. But if HE was to buy a fake Rolex, people would assume it's real.

[Ed]

In the 80's I made a few business trips to Taiwan. One one, I asked about buying a fake Rolex and a shady guy took me to a back room and showed me hundreds. I bought two for about 25 bucks. smuggled them through Customs in my socks. My wife still has hers... Easy to tell it's fake by the movement of the second hand-- it moves smoothly, instead of in increments like the genuine article.

[Bill Bush]

My Rolex is real, a less expensive model from the 50's that my aunt gave my uncle for their tenth anniversary. I spent about $300 for legit servicing after I'd had it lying around for a couple of years, and it runs fine when I think to wind it. The band is not genuine but is my personal favorite kind, fine and flexible stainless mesh, so I'm happy. The watch looks pretty much like a normal watch, rather like somebody's mental picture of a modern Rolex, and no one ever spots it. People seem to have only a vague notion of what a Rolex is (me included) but feel they should be awed in its presence. I wear an Armitron most of the time. If I could only have one of them for the rest of my days, I'd take the Artmitron.

[Geezer]

Angelo, people easily assume that my watches are fake.
Therein lies the fun of just telling them they're right.
I get to smile broadly afterwards!

I only care of what my wife thinks when it comes time to wearing
nice clothes and fine watches. These are personal pleasures anyway.
I bought my wife a nice two-tone datejust, and Mom received a stainless model. My wife seems to wear a fake too, depending on company.

My experience:
Few people revel in your pleasures and successes, just those that love you.

Yes world, this Rolex is fake! You might see how it's fun to wear a Rolex.
(For me, anyway) Oh yeah, wear one when shopping for a new car-watch the salesmen fall over themselves to sell you a car!

[Angelo]

Geezer: On that note, great story that relates to what we've been discussing. Back in the late 1970s, a friend's neighbor owned a construction company. They had a lot of money. The guy's wife went out looking at new cars---to the Cadillac dealership. You might recall, back then---women didn't buy Cadillacs very often. That was the "man's job." And apparently, she threw herself together quickly----jeans, sunglasses, scarf over her hair. She walked in----and no one helped her. So she walked around the showroom for a good 15-20 minutes----which you know is a ridiculously long time if you've ever been to ANY car dealer, new or used. They jump on you in seconds, not minutes. Anyway, the greeter finally "assigned" a salesperson to her----a new, young guy who she learned later had just started the job. Likely, the seasoned salespeople had a relationship with the greeter to push off "lookers" on the new guy and save the best prospects for the veterans. In this case, the kid walked up to her and said, "Can I help you?" She didn't hesitate----pointed to a Seville and said "I'll take that one." Then pointed to an Eldorado and said "And I'll take that one." New cars for husband and wife---and negligible discounts she assumed (and was given) based on previous car purchases. Can't judge a book by its cover I guess.