The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Right now I live in Slidell and will soon be a permanent resident of Mississippi. Building a house in Jourdan River Shores off of Hwy 603.

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Garfield411
CH-53D & UH-1N
Crew Chief
Old Navitimer
Chrono Avenger M1
Colt Automatic (Early)
Rolex Submariner
Rolex Explorer II

I have no problem with people expressing "Nice watch!" Or, "Nice xxxxxxx" fill in the blank for whatever.

However, I've always had a problem with a person asking someone else how much something cost, regardless of how well you know them. I find this usually happens with things that are fairly nice/classy. Personally, I'm very choosy with my purchases--I take a lot of time to research them, save up, and take the approach that I want to buy something ONCE and buy it RIGHT, to last me for a long time. Otherwise, I end up spending even more money on re-buying something in the near future, because it was cheap, or broke, or didn't quite meet my needs, or wasn't future-proof enough, or whatever.

Side note, but that's what's drawn me into Breitling research, having worn consumer-grade watches the last 15-20 years that give out on me every 4-5 years.

So that's all to say that when I make my few distinct purchases, I like to buy things that are well made, classy, and will last me a long time. (not to mention I have expensive taste/hobbies) This means the purchases I make on a car, a watch, a house, audio/video equipment, (my real hobby) etc. I can't STAND it when I'm with somebody, and they ask, "how much did you pay for that", often even without any tact, caution, or caveats. If you hold them off, they'll get really pushy and just ask more. THEN, if you actually tell them, they'll roll their eyes, and say something like, "whoa, that's ridiculous." AND THEN, you feel like you have to justify yourself to that person, of why it's not that bad, that you spent that much.

If someone really gets rude, you can always point out something like, "well, that vacation you took to Hawaii last year with your whole family--how much did that cost? $4k? Have anything to show for it other than pictures? This watch/DVD player/etc cost much less than that, and I get use and enjoyment out of it every day."

So my response to that question usually is to let the person know I won't talk money, but leave the door open for nice communication about other things. Something friendly like, "well, I won't talk prices, but I really like this car. Are you a gearhead yourself?" The only time I'll cautiously get into prices is if someone is genuinely researching something for the purpose of possibly buying it themselves. I know it helps me out when people do that for me.

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Chris
Club Member #0070
2009 TT Chrono Evo w/Rose gold, blue face
2009 Airwolf w/black face, Co-Pilot module
2009 TT Lady Cockpit w/Mother-of-Pearl, Diamond face for the wife

I was mailing out a package the other day and the guy at the counter was like "what kind of watch is that?" I told him it was a Breitling. The lady next to me in line was like "can I see?" I awkwardly showed her my arm and she was like "Oooooooh. Nice."

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-RJ

Appreciation of a timepiece is nice, but talking price or asking is rude. Anyone who is a watch enthusiast should know not to ask, and someone who isn't should have the class not to ask.

I've never had anyone comment on my watches except a friend, and I deflected the price question when he asked. Friends don't discuss money, let alone strangers. Unless you both love the same stuff (like watches!).

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Patek Philippe pocketwatch -- Rolex Sub LV -- Hamilton Khaki X-Wind -- Oris RAID Chrono -- Slate dial Skyracer

I've had this happen to me a couple of times too, I usually just say my dad gave it to me when I graduated, or when I turned eighteen, or whatever.

After all... who's gonna know I didn't even finish high school?

Anyways, it's funny. I've told some friends that my watches are replicas instead of saying they're authentic and what they cost me... It really doesn't make sense to brag about some stuff, but I even *hide* it. I wonder if that's weird...

I would never say that one of my watches was a fake.

Apart from the fact that I think that would say something about my personality / values, I have nothing to be ashamed about with my watches. I wear them proudly and I don't care two hoots what people think about the cost.

I think it's that I feel uncomfortable around some people saying how much I've spent on some things. I have friends who aren't exactly wealthy -- quite the opposite, in fact. And it kinda makes me uncomfortable saying I've spent two grand on a watch while they're struggling to make ends meet... I guess it is weird, though.

There are plenty of choices between saying it's a fake and telling them the cost.

I was asked how much my watch cost when I first wore my Complications 19 and people hadn't seen it before. I just replied 'enough'. If people are going to push the issue then I'll tell them that I'm not going to tell them because it's irrelevant to them.

You're probably right

I think I'll rehearse that in my mind so I never get caught off-guard and mumble "uh, ah, this? It's, um, ah, not real, uh, yeah, that"

Thanks!

Agreed... all of this is why I just don't talk about the cost. Otherwise, whatever approach I take to discuss the cost comes with some big baggage.

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Chris
Club Member #0070
2009 TT Chrono Evo w/Rose gold, blue face
2009 Airwolf w/black face, Co-Pilot module
2009 TT Lady Cockpit w/Mother-of-Pearl, Diamond face for the wife