How conspicuous is it to wear an expensive watch?

overcoil · 03-29-2016, 12:09 PM

Frm these post most of you have nicer and know watches better then me. But I find nice watches very 'conspicuous'.
Panerai, Bell&Ross instrument, Graham - they all yell to me. Big Pilot, AMVOX Deep Sea - those pieces I like catching on pieces wrist. Calatrave, Piaget don't phase me any. Fifty-Fathoms I notice and size up the individual. So I definately analyze the watches and the wearer.

SDH · 03-29-2016, 12:36 PM

Suppose the only negatives of wearing such a fine watch would be fear of damaging it and the possibility of being mugged for it

///Mongo · 03-29-2016, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDH

Suppose the only negatives of wearing such a fine watch would be fear of damaging it and the possibility of being mugged for it

That's what insurance is for.

SDH · 03-29-2016, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///Mongo

That's what insurance is for.

Didn't know you could insure a watch but then again I've never owned one as expensive so suppose I've never had a reason to look into it

BEM-S4 · 03-29-2016, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDH

Didn't know you could insure a watch but then again I've never owned one as expensive so suppose I've never had a reason to look into it

You need to get a separate rider for your renters or home owners policy, and you need to send an appraisal in which any jeweler can do for you. Pretty simple but it's not just automatically covered on a policy. Not super expensive though.

BEM-S4 · 03-29-2016, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Frm these post most of you have nicer and know watches better then me. But I find nice watches very 'conspicuous'.
Panerai, Bell&Ross instrument, Graham - they all yell to me. Big Pilot, AMVOX Deep Sea - those pieces I like catching on pieces wrist. Calatrave, Piaget don't phase me any. Fifty-Fathoms I notice and size up the individual. So I definately analyze the watches and the wearer.

It sounds like you're in the "watch guy" category though so you'd probably notice more than most folks would. I think some of the Grahams are the flashiest things out there, aside from crazy diamond encrusted stuff obvs.

Capt Crunch · 04-13-2016, 07:04 AM

Update: Went to a shop and tried on a similar sized watch to the one I was looking at. To my eye, it looked ridiculously large on my elfin 6-6.5" wrist. It didn't fit under my shirt as some people mentioned. If I were going to get something, it would need to be significantly smaller, which basically rules anything that I've liked so far out.

Oh well

jtodd_fl · 04-13-2016, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Crunch

Update: Went to a shop and tried on a similar sized watch to the one I was looking at. To my eye, it looked ridiculously large on my elfin 6-6.5" wrist. It didn't fit under my shirt as some people mentioned. If I were going to get something, it would need to be significantly smaller, which basically rules anything that I've liked so far out.

Oh well

Have you looked at a Tag Carrera? Those are at least similar in appearance and smaller. Probably somewhat cheaper too.

SharpAndCunning · 04-13-2016, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtodd_fl

I have a busy who wears an $80,000 Patek to client meetings because he doesn't want them reacting to his $10,000 Rolex. Haha.

I don't know what a busy is, but yes. I agree with this. People are so dimwitted, it isn't funny.

jtodd_fl · 04-13-2016, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpc647

I don't know what a busy is, but yes. I agree with this. People are so dimwitted, it isn't funny.

Sorry - buddy. (Autocorrect fail). Will update.

Aatish · 04-13-2016, 08:57 AM

This thread reminds me of a story.

So in any International Arrivals Terminal in India, one must have his/her bag go through a second X-Ray machine if told to do so, upon exiting the airport. Basically, the officer on duty spots out the people from USA, UK, etc. and tells them to put their stuff through the X-ray. Most of these people carry a lot gold jewelry, electronic, etc in their bags, which technically need to be declared. If it's a small amount, your fine, but if you have large amount or quality stuff, the officers will start threatening you with fines in the name of taxes...which means pay me something and I'll let you go.

My dad and I had to go to a cousins wedding a few years back. I was wearing my Panerai, my dad was wearing his Platinum Day-Date. There was some dude on our flight who happened to be going to said wedding also. He was wearing an all Gold/Stainless Daytona. Was talking up his watch, called my dads watch a steel watch (which my dad just agreed to lol) and yeah. Kind of a douche.

Either way, at Mumbai it was time to exit the airport. We didn't have much in the way of Gold in our bags, but we did have electronics. Daytona guy tagged along us and got flagged out by the officer for his watch. The officer looked at my dads watch, and my watch and let us go.

Capt Crunch · 04-13-2016, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtodd_fl

Have you looked at a Tag Carrera? Those are at least similar in appearance and smaller. Probably somewhat cheaper too.

Isn't it 45mm as well? I thought the Panerai was approximately the same size.

jtodd_fl · 04-13-2016, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Crunch

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtodd_fl

Have you looked at a Tag Carrera? Those are at least similar in appearance and smaller. Probably somewhat cheaper too.

Isn't it 45mm as well? I thought the Panerai was approximately the same size.

They have some different sizes. Plus case shape makes a big difference.

csu87 · 04-13-2016, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Crunch

Isn't it 45mm as well? I thought the Panerai was approximately the same size.

i think most are in the 40-42mm range.

My two are 40 and 41

Capt Crunch · 04-14-2016, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csu87

i think most are in the 40-42mm range.

My two are 40 and 41

Are there watches out there in the 40mm or less range that have the light brown strap like the tag heuer space-x?

jtodd_fl · 04-14-2016, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Crunch

Are there watches out there in the 40mm or less range that have the light brown strap like the tag heuer space-x?

Did you think of maybe looking at pre-owned? There are lots of good things.
I am NOT advocating this store, but here is an interesting watch. You can always google the reference numbers too...

http://www.jomashop.com/omega-watch-...403001001.html

Can't believe I did not think of this sooner. Google "Vacheron 49040" or 49140. These are quite reasonable and a very well-respected. You can add a brown leather strap as needed.

edit: To clarify, I would not advocate only because I have no experience. I am NOT dissing them either. Sorry if any confusion.

SunnyD · 04-14-2016, 01:12 PM

The only nice watch brand your casual person would know is Rolex. Anything else, and they probably won't think anything of it.

BEM-S4 · 04-14-2016, 02:09 PM

If you can go the PO route there are a lot of options for smaller cases, as they've tended to get bigger in recent years. Two that I have in the regular rotation are my Aquatimer 44MM case and an early 70s Omega that's 36MM. Bought the gf a 1957 Omega also a smaller case even though it's a gent's watch.

csu87 · 04-14-2016, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Crunch

Are there watches out there in the 40mm or less range that have the light brown strap like the tag heuer space-x?

you can buy additional straps for the tags. If you go the name brand Tag strap, you are looking at a couple hundred, but if you dont mind them not having a Tag label, you can get high quality leather straps for the $50-100 range.

I have a brown one like that one as well as a plain brown and 2 black ones for my carreras

squidge · 04-14-2016, 06:49 PM

I spent $600 on a Shinola Runwell and get lots of compliments on it. I know that's a drop in the bucket, but it cost triple what I'd spent on a watch previously, and it makes me happy. So if you can afford it and it makes you happy, don't get too caught up in what people think. They don't really care beyond saying "Hey, that's a cool watch. Anyway..."

wrickem · 04-15-2016, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtodd_fl

Did you think of maybe looking at pre-owned? There are lots of good things.
I am NOT advocating this store, but here is an interesting watch. You can always google the reference numbers too...

http://www.jomashop.com/omega-watch-...403001001.html

Can't believe I did not think of this sooner. Google "Vacheron 49040" or 49140. These are quite reasonable and a very well-respected. You can add a brown leather strap as needed.

I just had a really decent experience with that online store, so I think you're safe advocating them.

O bought the watch I wanted for A LOT (like 1K)less than I would have paid at my usual Jewelers, Amazon or anywhere else I looked

The downside was that it took longer than expected for them to get it from Breitling (I can't blame them and at least it's "freshly" manufactured and wasn't sitting around for 1 year), and the CS rep sounded like I was bothering them the time I called.

All in all though, I'd buy from them again in a heartbeat.

Aatish · 04-15-2016, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squidge

I spent $600 on a Shinola Runwell and get lots of compliments on it. I know that's a drop in the bucket, but it cost triple what I'd spent on a watch previously, and it makes me happy. So if you can afford it and it makes you happy, don't get too caught up in what people think. They don't really care beyond saying "Hey, that's a cool watch. Anyway..."

Shinola is a great watch company.

Perfect watches for everyday wearing

03-29-2016, 12:09 PM	#45
overcoil Major General 3117 Rep 5,582 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	Frm these post most of you have nicer and know watches better then me. But I find nice watches very 'conspicuous'. Panerai, Bell&Ross instrument, Graham - they all yell to me. Big Pilot, AMVOX Deep Sea - those pieces I like catching on pieces wrist. Calatrave, Piaget don't phase me any. Fifty-Fathoms I notice and size up the individual. So I definately analyze the watches and the wearer.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-29-2016, 12:36 PM	#46
SDH Captain 410 Rep 903 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Suppose the only negatives of wearing such a fine watch would be fear of damaging it and the possibility of being mugged for it
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-13-2016, 07:04 AM	#51
Capt Crunch Second Lieutenant 576 Rep 300 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW M3 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: D.C. Area iTrader: (0)	Update: Went to a shop and tried on a similar sized watch to the one I was looking at. To my eye, it looked ridiculously large on my elfin 6-6.5" wrist. It didn't fit under my shirt as some people mentioned. If I were going to get something, it would need to be significantly smaller, which basically rules anything that I've liked so far out. Oh well __________________ New: 2018 Orinoco Metallic/Amaro Brown M3 Old: 2015 Mineral White/Sakhir Orange M3 Older: 2003 Carbon Blue/Cinnamon M3
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-13-2016, 08:57 AM	#55
Aatish Lofty 3476 Rep 849 Posts Drives: i4 M50, 991.2 C2, RRS Diesel Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: ORD <> ATX iTrader: (0)	This thread reminds me of a story. So in any International Arrivals Terminal in India, one must have his/her bag go through a second X-Ray machine if told to do so, upon exiting the airport. Basically, the officer on duty spots out the people from USA, UK, etc. and tells them to put their stuff through the X-ray. Most of these people carry a lot gold jewelry, electronic, etc in their bags, which technically need to be declared. If it's a small amount, your fine, but if you have large amount or quality stuff, the officers will start threatening you with fines in the name of taxes...which means pay me something and I'll let you go. My dad and I had to go to a cousins wedding a few years back. I was wearing my Panerai, my dad was wearing his Platinum Day-Date. There was some dude on our flight who happened to be going to said wedding also. He was wearing an all Gold/Stainless Daytona. Was talking up his watch, called my dads watch a steel watch (which my dad just agreed to lol) and yeah. Kind of a douche. Either way, at Mumbai it was time to exit the airport. We didn't have much in the way of Gold in our bags, but we did have electronics. Daytona guy tagged along us and got flagged out by the officer for his watch. The officer looked at my dads watch, and my watch and let us go.
	Appreciate 2 Quote

04-14-2016, 01:12 PM	#61
SunnyD Major 462 Rep 1,305 Posts Drives: M4 GTS Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Long Beach, CA iTrader: (1)	The only nice watch brand your casual person would know is Rolex. Anything else, and they probably won't think anything of it. __________________ '16 ///M4 GTS '11.75 ///E90 M3 ZCP \| DCT '06 ///M5 \| SMG - Gone '98 ///M3 \| 5MT - Gone '07 ///M Coupe \| 6MT - Gone
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-14-2016, 02:09 PM	#62
BEM-S4 Major General 4529 Rep 8,942 Posts Drives: Dinan M235, Dinan Sport Wagon Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (5)	If you can go the PO route there are a lot of options for smaller cases, as they've tended to get bigger in recent years. Two that I have in the regular rotation are my Aquatimer 44MM case and an early 70s Omega that's 36MM. Bought the gf a 1957 Omega also a smaller case even though it's a gent's watch.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-14-2016, 06:49 PM	#64
squidge First Lieutenant 91 Rep 373 Posts Drives: 1997 Porsche 911 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Sunnyvale, CA iTrader: (4)	I spent $600 on a Shinola Runwell and get lots of compliments on it. I know that's a drop in the bucket, but it cost triple what I'd spent on a watch previously, and it makes me happy. So if you can afford it and it makes you happy, don't get too caught up in what people think. They don't really care beyond saying "Hey, that's a cool watch. Anyway..."
	Appreciate 0 Quote