Is this a hobby for the super rich?

rainking · Apr 4, 2019

P pongster
I got married early. I heard about that development where in exchange for the engagement ring, the girl is expected to give an engagement watch to the guy. My brother was able to enjoy this phenomenon (but drawback is, it seems he cant wear anything else but his engagement watch).

Then to one up, the push gift was invented. So for each birth, the husband must give a gift to the wife.

What world is this on? LOL

jankymutt · Apr 4, 2019

bucksandreds
Hello,

I’m a 30 something dentist who’s been eyeing my first Omega (speedmaster Pro) but haven’t been able to justify purchasing one. Am I just too darn cheap or are most of you multimillionaires? The reason I started this thread is I guess I want you guys to help me rationalize to myself why I should buy it.

Thanks in advance.

This is such a great question and something I have been wrestling with also.

I’m a 36yo ER physician who is just getting into this hobby. I take care of a lot of people from much lower socioeconomic levels and keep feeling guilty that I’m even considering buying a $3 or $4k watch.

However recently my perspective is changing. First, I worked really hard to get where I am today. Second, I leave frugally and mostly spend my money on traveling with my wife. I drive a Chevy Volt and sock away a lot for retirement. Some people spend thousands on fancy cars, or elaborate homes, expensive vacations, etc. if I can afford a nice watch and it’s mot compromising my family’s finances I think I should be able to without feeling remorse.

mrs_LA · Apr 4, 2019

P pongster
I got married early. I heard about that development where in exchange for the engagement ring, the girl is expected to give an engagement watch to the guy. My brother was able to enjoy this phenomenon (but drawback is, it seems he cant wear anything else but his engagement watch).

Then to one up, the push gift was invented. So for each birth, the husband must give a gift to the wife.

I heard about the engagement watch after my husband and I got married. But he bought a bachelor watch for himself to signify the time he asked for my hand.

Why have I not heard of this push gift?! Thanks for bringing this up, now I can prepare to give hints for the next baby!

jankymutt · Apr 5, 2019

P pongster
I got married early. I heard about that development where in exchange for the engagement ring, the girl is expected to give an engagement watch to the guy. My brother was able to enjoy this phenomenon (but drawback is, it seems he cant wear anything else but his engagement watch).

Then to one up, the push gift was invented. So for each birth, the husband must give a gift to the wife.

Very cool. I have not heard of this! With I would have know before I got married 2 years ago!! 😀

pongster · Apr 7, 2019

mrs_LA
I heard about the engagement watch after my husband and I got married. But he bought a bachelor watch for himself to signify the time he asked for my hand.

Why have I not heard of this push gift?! Thanks for bringing this up, now I can prepare to give hints for the next baby!

Hmm. Bachelor watch. Can i also get one retroactively?

And hopefully it doesnt have to be of this sort - https://www.google.com.ph/amp/s/www...watch-ulysse-nardins-nsfw-classic-voyeur/amp/

pongster · Apr 7, 2019

jankymutt
Very cool. I have not heard of this! With I would have know before I got married 2 years ago!! 😀

An engagement watch can be a boon or a bane.

I think am happy where am at where i “conditioned” my wife to give me a new watch every year.

Screwbacks · Apr 7, 2019

im not a super rich watch collector, but at least, im a tad richer now. i i bought my cb66, among other watches, for only $1,520 back then.

flw · Apr 7, 2019

I teach at an independent school, so although we may have a few multimillionaires among our parent community, there are absolutely none on our faculty. As others have said above, it's a matter of what you choose to save for, and how you want to spend some "fun money". A modest income isn't necessarily an absolute barrier to being able to have a few indulgences here or there. A fine watch is, in many cases, the only piece of "jewelry" a well dressed man might wear.

Wryfox · Apr 19, 2019

I've got a 20yr old pickup truck and a gold rolex. In 10yrs I'll have a pile of rust and gold rolex.

chiswick · Apr 19, 2019

bucksandreds
Hello,

I’m a 30 something dentist who’s been eyeing my first Omega (speedmaster Pro) but haven’t been able to justify purchasing one. Am I just too darn cheap or are most of you multimillionaires? The reason I started this thread is I guess I want you guys to help me rationalize to myself why I should buy it.

Thanks in advance.

chiswick · Apr 19, 2019

bucksandreds
Hello,

I’m a 30 something dentist who’s been eyeing my first Omega (speedmaster Pro) but haven’t been able to justify purchasing one. Am I just too darn cheap or are most of you multimillionaires? The reason I started this thread is I guess I want you guys to help me rationalize to myself why I should buy it.

Thanks in advance.

chiswick · Apr 19, 2019

My thoughts if a dentist can,t afford one ...............no one can!

rudagger · Apr 19, 2019

chiswick
My thoughts if a dentist can,t afford one ...............no one can!

He can afford; he's just not sure it's worth it.

STANDY · Apr 19, 2019

rudagger
He can afford; he's just not sure it's worth it.

Thought the exact thing at the Dentist a few times....

rudagger · Apr 19, 2019

flw
. A fine watch is, in many cases, the only piece of "jewelry" a well dressed man might wear.

To me a difference is that jewellery is worn for people to see it. If you wear let's say a Rolex for others to see, IMO you have an issue.

I once worked at a company where the boss was a little full of himself. He would ask if your watch was a Rolex, and if not, he would say, "oh this is". Not impressive!

Gray_Panther · Apr 19, 2019

Almost 30 here, both my cars are paid off and I only have my mortgage to pay off (but aggressively attacking it).
If you think about it, there are many things that can be sacrificed to afford nice timepieces. Not having a car payment or mortgage give one with plenty of cash to play with. It also helps to maintain an old one that getting stuck with payments for a new one.
There are also many other minor things that really add up over a few years such as going out to eat, buying coffee everyday, entertainment subscriptions, not using coupons, paying full price for clothes, paying other people for work you can possibly do instead, etc.

For example, I moved into my home last August and it didn't come with a rear patio so I am doing all the work myself and I am only paying for materials. If I were to hire a contractor I would have to pay 22-25k for the work to be done, but now I am looking at 7-8k just for materials. If I didn't have the mortgage I would pocket that 15k and if so desired I could pick up a couple very nice Omegas with those savings.

Once the mortgage is done, you bet your bottom dealer I will aggressively save for a Patek Philippe!

Gray_Panther · Apr 19, 2019

I also just purchased my AT as an engagement watch, about 7 months after my wedding 😀
My wife is expecting a push present, so this whole engagement watch and push present trend is very real. And why not if you can afford it without hurting yourself financially. Us guys spend thousands on a rock, shouldn't the girls spend thousands on us for some heavy metal?!

Slowpoker · Apr 19, 2019

rudagger
To me a difference is that jewellery is worn for people to see it. If you wear let's say a Rolex for others to see, IMO you have an issue.

I once worked at a company where the boss was a little full of himself. He would ask if your watch was a Rolex, and if not, he would say, "oh this is". Not impressive!

I used to know someone like that, he was ever so full of himself, saying that it was the best thing ever and it was indestructible.

That is until he dropped the Rolex..

Evitzee · Apr 19, 2019

Everybody's financial situation is different. I'm retired and have a fair amount of money tied up in watches that I've amassed over the 40 years of collecting, many bought, many sold/traded. To me it's a part of my net worth and estate. Yes, the street value is somewhat less than what I paid for them but I get pleasure from owning them and winding them and wearing them so the negative value is just the cost of ownership. House and vehicles are paid for so the watches aren't a drain on our finances. It can be a rich hobby but one can buy good quality vintage watches for $300 or $400 (say vintage 30's, 40's American watches). There are more expensive hobbies like vacation homes or high grade cars which don't interest me. To each their own, I'm certainly not going to feel guilty about my hobby.

77deluxe · Apr 19, 2019

Just a hobby.