Asking Strangers About Their Watches

watchyouwant · Mar 19, 2022

2002 in Sydney : boarding a City Bus as the last in line, buying a ticket from the driver and noticing he wore a Rolex Sub single red line. My comment: I like these old divers watches.... By that time he was driving, glanced at my fairly new Speedmaster and said:. " I always wanted one of these..... My Sub needs a service very soon." My answer: I have 2 Speedmasters , why not swap ? And exited the Bus with the red Line Rolex Sub. Which needed a Service....

alakapla1 · Mar 20, 2022

STANDY
Working at a Airport every so often my Speedmaster gets a comment. Last one was a young Singaporean guy who was into watches noticed it and said “one day I will get one”

Was buying a T-shirt a few months ago and the 20 something college guy commented and asked about my Speedmaster and the leather strap also.

Seems it’s a young guys dream watch nowadays……

Most watches seen on Aussie wrists I encounter is a Tag Heuer and usually always a birthday present.

Cruise ships years ago I saw two Gold Constellations with brick bracelets in one day 😲 (Rich old guys)

As a "youngish" watch Enthusiast, I can definitely confirm Omega is a bit of a grail brand. Rolexes are way too expensive on the grey market.

When I started working in the corporate world, there were Tag Heuer Careras everywhere (definitely a fresh out of uni watch), the older guys had Tag Heuer Links.

Now you see a lot more Semaster 300 and Speedmasters, along with vintage watches. We had a catch up with some friends and ex colleagues of mine. One of the guys had just bought a new White Seamaster. When he sat at the table he noticed 4 out of the 9 guys with Omegas. His comment "Oh, Omega's aren't that rare" haha

I think a lot of the young guys watch a lot of YouTube for watch info. Theo and Harris seems to be very popular. Also when people hear "Rolex killer" it tends to sway opinions.

NGO1 · Mar 20, 2022

Scarecrow Boat
I've seen this played out a few times
Watch Enthusiast: Is that a Submariner? Very Nice!
Watch Owner: No, it's a Rolex.
Watch Enthusiast: (Politely smile and nod) 👍

this exact scenario last week.
A much older gent stepped out to pump gas. I noticed a beaten to heck Pepsi on his wrist. I said, “I love your Pepsi, lovely watch” and gestured my wrist. He responded, “no, it’s a Rolex”.

Chatted w him a few minutes while our tanks filling up. Original owner, bought it for $162 when he was in military. High-light of my week. He planned to pass it down to his son. Lucky dude.

side note: I heard him say $162, my wife (sitting in the car) heard $62. What is it gang, $162 or $62? The gentleman was in his late 70s, possibly early 80s. He mentioned military discount.

DoctorEvil · Mar 20, 2022

In my experience, most guys tend to respond positively when I say "Hey, that's a nice watch. May I ask what you've got on?" Firstly, they appreciate the compliment. Secondly, they're often thrilled to find someone else they can talk watches with. It's like finding another soul brother, especially in this age of the smart watch. And even if they're not really into watches, there's often a nice story about how they came by that watch.

STANDY · Mar 20, 2022

Chatting to a US Navy helicopter pilot about watches having a beer in the Philippines one time.
( he’s the one who I told a story about getting a Pepsi Rolex for his college graduation from he’s parents and left it under his chair with his jacket on it. Only to return in the morning and the cleaners were a row away from where he sat )

He mentioned that he loves it but gets sick of everyone asking if it’s fake.
5 seconds later a guy walks up to the table and hears us talking about watches and looks at he’s Rolex and says “is that fake”…..Funny as….

Eve · Mar 20, 2022

It happened to me once few years ago, when a stranger noticed my watch. For the first day of ownership of my vintage Seamster Panda, i went to a Restaurant to pick up some food and the Chief passed by and said, waw thats such a nice watch!!!
I was very surprised somebody noticed my watch. I took it off and offered him to look at it, he liked it very much.. so we started talking, he then took of his vintage King Seiko put it on my table and left working. I was also a bit surprised by his trust, leaving me his watch. He came back after 5 minutes with another 2 watches he had in the back, put it on my table and left again 😁
One of them was a vintage solid gold GS watch.. he was very much into vintage Seikos, KS, GS, Omegas.

Ever since i walked into this restoraunt, he immediatelly recognised me we would share what we wore on this day and talk a few minutes, most of the time he would leave me some of his watch on my table, while i was waiting for food.
He was a true enthusiast, no show off, very nice.
Unfortunatelly since few months he opened another local, so we dont see each other anymore. But one day i will visit him at his new place 😀

That was the watch:

FCA · Mar 20, 2022

Recently one of my students walked up to me after a lecture and asked.
"Is that a Omega Speedmaster Professional"
I was totalt unprepared for that question but handed him the watch.
Now we talk mostly about watches and not so much the academic subject 😬
He wants to be a watchmaker's apprentice when he becomes a student 👍

mydeafcat · Mar 20, 2022

DoctorEvil
In my experience, most guys tend to respond positively when I say "Hey, that's a nice watch. May I ask what you've got on?" Firstly, they appreciate the compliment. Secondly, they're often thrilled to find someone else they can talk watches with. It's like finding another soul brother, especially in this age of the smart watch. And even if they're not really into watches, there's often a nice story about how they came by that watch.

This, exactly. Approach people in the way you would feel comfortable when being asked.

I’ve had staff at local shops as well as folks in line comment on my Speedy, say; interestingly, they tend to be much younger than me. And then I get to share a conversation with a likeminded stranger. Bonus! As well, I have no problem commenting on someone’s watch. Naturally, one must read the situation and be respectful yet I’ve never had anyone take umbrage at being asked about their watch. In the larger picture, most folks simply have no interest and only know Pandas, Batman, Kermit and Pepsi as things in zoos, drinks they consume, or characters seen on TV. Therefore, I suspect most watch enthusiasts appreciate the connection.

rkman11 · Mar 20, 2022

I go up to strangers to talk about watches all the time! Restaurants, farmer’s markets, kiddo’s baseball game, doesn’t matter - I am shameless!

While my wife rolls her eyes.

pdxleaf · Mar 20, 2022

rkman11
I go up to strangers to talk about watches all the time! Restaurants, farmer’s markets, kiddo’s baseball game, doesn’t matter - I am shameless!

While my wife rolls her eyes.

Me too. My wife sends me to get something and her final instruction is, "don't get into a blab attack."

Went on a trip once with my younger daughter to San Diego to earn some quick miles. We took Uber around town and of course I had to talk with the driver. Afterwards my daughter said, "you'd be a good spy. You get people to tell you all their secrets."

Funny thing is I am a big time introvert, as is she. I was able to share with her the secret to life as an introvert, which is to think about the other person instead of yourself. (Just about) everyone is happy to talk about themselves to someone who is interested. And there are so many fascinating stories waiting to be told.

Watches of course are tricky because of the cost factor. Great ideas and stories shared already and not much to add. Had the occasional guy come up to me and say "nice Speedmaster." It's a bit of a surprise when it happens so I can imagine how a non-watch person might feel startled. But it's all good.

My wierd thing is glasses. If I see a guy with nice glasses frames I'll comment "Great glasses." That does seem a little wierd as I write it but no harm done so far.

SkunkPrince · Mar 20, 2022

Back when I wore a Speedmaster, a clerk wearing a Seamaster Professional noticed mine and I noticed his at about the same time. Eye doctor was wearing a Speedmaster and he told me the story of how he got it for his dad and now it's his (actually a pretty good story, too). I was wearing my Seamaster Professional at the doctor's office and he said, "nice watch". I don't really ask about watches, though, and a lot of people don't wear them anymore.

Widows Son · Mar 20, 2022

I think it depends upon the setting. If I were approached walking on a dark street my response would be different than if in a coffee shop. I have complimented people often, it sometimes leads to a nice conversation. I was working security at a wedding once and complimented someone on his GV Milgaus. He took it off and handed it to me, it was really nice. I was wearing an older 14000 Airking at the time. At my son's baseball game last Summer I noticed a Dad wearing shorts and a tee wearing a gold DayDate. He's a kabillionnaire. He owns several companies one of which everyone here would recognize!!! At Lodge a few weeks ago the candidate was wearing an older gold watch, presumably belonged to his father or grandfather. It looked like possible a Hamilton or maybe Benrus. I meant to ask him about it but didn't get the chance.

BlackTalon · Mar 20, 2022

cicindela
Cool Porsche.

I was at a club event yesterday, and a guy pulled up to ask some questions. I walked over to talk to him and something caught my eye. He was wearing a Japan Racing speedmaster. I said "Hey, very nice watch" and flashed my Tintin. First time I have some one of those 'in the wild'. He was in a Cayman and I drove there in my 18 year old Volvo, so I definitely could not stand even on the cool car factor. 😟

Rman · Mar 20, 2022

I was at a wedding a few years ago and the CEO of a major American company was there—- as I was introduced to him I noticed he wore an FP Journe Chronometre Bleu.

I complemented him and said “you must be a watch guy wearing a Journe.”

He admitted that he was a bit of a collector and read some of the blogs. He was actually visibly uncomfortable talking about it and probably preferred people didn’t know.

I believe that’s one of the paradoxes of the hobby, that many would prefer to keep it a private pursuit but it’s something you often wear in public.

I too am more of an under the sleeve guy, but when I meet a watch enthusiast I enjoy talking about the hobby.

rspace · Mar 20, 2022

Scarecrow Boat
I've seen this played out a few times
Watch Enthusiast: Is that a Submariner? Very Nice!
Watch Owner: No, it's a Rolex.
Watch Enthusiast: (Politely smile and nod) 👍

My contribution to this : Got into the lift at work with a gentleman
Me: Is that a 6263 big red? Very Nice!
Watch Owner: No, it's a Paul Newman daytona. You know i bought 2 years ago for $XX but now the price is almost.....
Me: (Politely smile and nod) 👍

rspace · Mar 20, 2022

Also I've had this backfire once. I usually strike up conversations with strangers at my usual dealer's that i frequent. Those conversations typically go really well. I've made numerous friends in the process and have learned a ton from some who were seasoned collectors.

I was on trip to London a few years ago and went to visit Gray's Antique Centre. There was a vintage watch stall manned by 2 middle eastern gentlemen who was serving a customer looking at several watches. That customer was wearing a really nice military 30T2 so i commented him on it and in my excitement stuck around in my usual fashion hoping to start a conversation. He gave me a one word reply and went back to his watches. Almost immediately I was "politely" asked by the booth owners (after they spoke among themselves in their native language) if i could come back later. I was honestly taken aback a bit but obliged.
I did go back after that customer had left and apologized if i made them uncomfortable. Apparently that customer was a dealer and one of their regulars. Some people don't like to be disturbed i was told. I have to say now i am not as open as before in doing the same.

Jayrock26v2 · Mar 22, 2022

I actually met one of my close friends at my local gym who just recently moved to Canada from Italy and didn't know anyone, he came up to me to ask about my explorer and we became friends from there. its cool how something like a watch can bring people together when they otherwise wouldn't have

TheGreekPhysique · Mar 22, 2022

Scarecrow Boat
I've seen this played out a few times
Watch Enthusiast: Is that a Submariner? Very Nice!
Watch Owner: No, it's a Rolex.
Watch Enthusiast: (Politely smile and nod) 👍

Apparently has trickled down to Tudor as well. This happened this past weekend after I spotted a Tudor GMT in the wild:

ME: "Is that the Tudor GMT?!"
STRANGER: "Yea. Its the best."
*Turns around and walks away*

140dave · Mar 22, 2022

I tend to just awkwardly glance repeatedly at their wrist until they show it off or they feel uncomfortable and walk away. Works well at conventions lol

Wryfox · Mar 22, 2022

ngo516
this exact scenario last week.
A much older gent stepped out to pump gas. I noticed a beaten to heck Pepsi on his wrist. I said, “I love your Pepsi, lovely watch” and gestured my wrist. He responded, “no, it’s a Rolex”.

Chatted w him a few minutes while our tanks filling up. Original owner, bought it for $162 when he was in military. High-light of my week. He planned to pass it down to his son. Lucky dude.

side note: I heard him say $162, my wife (sitting in the car) heard $62. What is it gang, $162 or $62? The gentleman was in his late 70s, possibly early 80s. He mentioned military discount.

This is my same story. Saw a guy at a gas station with a 60s era Milgauss. Said hey nice milguass. He says no its a Rolex. I said well the model is a milguass and its quite special. He said Oh really? So I explained it to him and he really didn't know whether to believe me or not. I asked him how long he's had it. He said since he got out of the marines in 69. Worn it every day since. Since it seemed he didn't know much about it, I asked why he chose that one. Said it was the cheapest rolex they had there, and he wanted a rolex. I explained again that it is quite valuable now and he should take extra care. He shrugged, said he'd worn it like that for 50yrs, another day of the same won't matter.

Asking Strangers About Their Watches

watchyouwant

alakapla1

NGO1

DoctorEvil

STANDY

Eve

FCA

mydeafcat

rkman11

pdxleaf

SkunkPrince

Widows Son

BlackTalon

Rman

rspace

rspace

Jayrock26v2

TheGreekPhysique

140dave

Wryfox

Similar threads

GQ article - Why True Watch Heads Never Set the Time on Their Watches

Homeless Watches: Help Me Find Their Original Boxes !

How many of you sleep with their watch on?

Anyone ever get 'defensive' about their watch/watches?

Two Readers Share Stories About Their Omega Speedmaster Watches

Do you tell people their watches are frankens?