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Co worker got a big invicta got more compliments in a day than I have in years

Donn Chambers
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josiahg52 josiahg52
It just doesn't happen. A bartender in San Diego noticed my traser P6600 and she liked it for some reason. It's not a spectacular watch.

Another bartender noticed my 145.022-69 Speedmaster. Not as that exactly, of course, but it had caught her eye. She enjoyed hearing why I chose this vintage watch specifically. Well, it seemed like she did. We went out for a bit after so I think she was maybe just trying to talk to me? Then I moved. I did like her . . .

Those are the only times I can remember it happening in the wild and for all I know, both times were for different reasons than an interest in watches.

pretty sure they were both more interested in you than your watch. 😉
 
cvalue13
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In 2014 in Houston, I was in a day long negotiation, when at the end of the day the counter-party asked if I was wearing a Ranchero; he was right.

There’s been only one other time a stranger complimented or asked about a watch, but the time anyone ID’d a Ranchero from across the table was cool.
 
Tubber
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I did get a comment on a matte dial 16750. "Nice fake Rolex".
 
DoctorEvil
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Back in the early to mid 1990s, when TAG Heuer was hot, I was wearing a new quartz divers watch at work. A co-worker noticed it and asked, wide eyed, "Is that a real TAG?" to which I responded "Yes, it is". She then gasped and said, "Oh my God, they're so expensive!". It was the first time anyone had ever noticed a watch that I was wearing. I'll take that as a compliment I guess.
The next time I received a compliment for a watch was when I got my Seamaster Pro 2551.80 in 2005. It was noticed by two workmates immediately, who liked the look of it. One was a big James Bond fan so he was particularly envious. That same watch has since gotten compliments another two or three times from friends and workmates.
My most recent watch compliment came 6 days ago at work, when a workmate noticed my Speedy FOIS on Forstner flat link bracelet and said, "Ooh, that's a nice looking watch". I thanked her and said it was a 50th birthday present from my wife.

Back to the OP's original post. I suspect that his workmate was getting all these compliments for three reasons:
1. He might have previously been a wearer of something mundane like a smart watch, so a big "watch with hands" would be immediately noticed. On the other hand, the OP has always been a wearer of a "watch with hands" so no one else notices.
2. The OP's workmate was actively soliciting views on his watch and people just wanted to be nice.
3. The watch vaguely resembled a Rolex Sub so people straight away think that it's a good/expensive watch.

Just my two cents.
 
Spruce
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A few years back, a barman admired this - I wear it so rarely that I now regret not offering to sell it to him

upload_2022-5-1_8-5-37.jpeg
 
Taddyangle
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Walrus Walrus
....he specifically said he “wanted something well built and low key”....

Agree to disagree. Runs like a tank. And pretty low key (when/if compared to other skeleton watches).
 
PXL_20220207_122254576~2.jpg
STANDY
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He’s just happy he got a new watch….seen many a mate spruiking like a rooster with a new $3-400 fishing reel time and time again.
Happy to let them have their time in the sun….

(I use a $1000 Shimano Stella that has outlasted probably 3 of their $400 reels)

The people that know, know 😉
 
Larry S
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A few Positive Examples:
A week ago at the beach, a fellow sailor noted my RGM 801 COE and asked to see it. It got passed around the table while I explained to the surprise of all that it was made in PA.
Security guard at a famous NYC building told me I had to surrender “that nice 1675” before you go up. Retired NYC Cop and collector, almost missed my meeting as nerd conversation ensured.
Folks at work noticed complimented newly acquired 145-22-69 DON speedy.
Guy in a meeting noted my 2998-6.. Post meeting nerd convo ensured.

A few Creepy Examples:
Had a direct report who had a long reputation within the company as a pain in the ass (it was my turn). Saw my RG JLC Master Calendar on my wrist, asked me what it was, looked it up on line and started telling people what it “cost”.
Sales guy in a large electronics retailer wanted to talk more about the 1675 than the audio quest I was on.


Overall, the pandemic and attendant crime wave have reduced the wrist time of my more charismatic pieces. Guess the essence of Invicta is the creation of attractive, blingy, disposable shiny objects.
Edited:
 
josiahg52
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Larry's story did remind me of a fellow military member who noticed my 145.022-69 that happens to have a DON bezel. He recognized it as old/vintage Speedmaster.
 
Donn Chambers
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Walrus Walrus
… He came in Monday with a big shiny Invicta with a blue bezel that looks similar to a Rolex sub. If people like invicta I have no problem but he specifically said he “wanted something well built and low key”. Well imo that invicta is neither.


So then he’s showin the darn thing off and got (yes I counted) six watch compliments in one day as we made our rounds together. I had a 60’s constellation on didn’t get a double take…
.

Getting back to the original post, I suspect the reason he got more compliments is because he was “showing it off” around the office. People tend to be polite in situations like that and won’t say anything negative. The important thing is what they were saying (or thinking) about him afterwards.
 
Taddyangle
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STANDY STANDY
He’s just happy he got a new watch….seen many a mate spruiking like a rooster with a new $3-400 fishing reel time and time again.
Happy to let them have their time in the sun….

(I use a $1000 Shimano Stella that has outlasted probably 3 of their $400 reels)

The people that know, know 😉

I'm happy to have my day in the sun. I'm on my third Invicta over a 10 year period. I bought at 80% off MSRP. The people that know, know. 😉
 
NGO1
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New watch folks tend to buy ‘for others’. While some are much discrete.
I complement wrist-wears based on their owners’ personality.

[Loudly] hey John (young engineer), nice Daytona, lunch on you today!
[Whisper in ear] Hey Allen (our director), nice Invicta, dinner on you tonight!

the point of this post is, When I caught you with a new watch, I eat for free.


Obligatory watch photo
C98BC22D-11E9-4CCE-8D89-7B9D7F792476.jpeg
 
Waltesefalcon
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I've very seldom had any compliments out in the wild. I think over the years I've had two or three coworkers notice. I have had quite a few students notice my watches over the years and one or two have wound up coming to show me a watch of theirs that they are proud of.
 
NT931
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justacpa justacpa
The minute you make a fuss about your watch is the day you'll get mugged. I'm curious what happens to an Invicta owner when they take his watch. When they see it's an Invicta (BTW I have two) do they beat him up even more?

I've heard that it's pretty dangerous to wear an Invicta in public. The muggers spot it, beat you up, and to add insult to injury, they not only leave your Invicta on your wrist, they put an additional Invicta on the other wrist for extra punishment.
 
Wryfox
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I used to work with a guy who got a Rolex Presidential for his college graduation. He wore it at work but put it in the company safe when he went out to lunch as he was so paranoid of it getting stolen. And this was 30yrs ago. I learned from that situation a Rolex isn't worth it if it just worries you all the time.

Beautiful watch though. Too bad he put it in the safe....😗
 
Cenzo
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My first job out of college, a co-worker also had a Rolex he had gotten for a graduation gift. When we wanted the "official" time we would ask Dave - "what's the Rolex time?"
 
Jantar
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I never had anyone say a word about any of my watches until this past week a colleague at my gliding club recognized my speedmaster. We briefly talked watches and he said he used to own a speedmaster too and regretted getting rid of it.
 
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