Do you strike up conversations when you spot pieces in the wild?
I’m a freak. Always having sly glances at what people are wearing out in the wild.
Last week I clocked a guy in our coworking space wearing a ceramic Daytona so that was straight away a “lovely Daytona there fella”. Yesterday over breakfast at a hotel the dude at the table next to us was wearing a Monaco so we ended up swapping watches and chatting whilst the wives rolled their eyes!
Just now I’ve chatted to a guy wearing a 2005 Seamaster with the Peter Blake hands.
I don’t mind striking up convos with strangers as my take is “if it was the other way around it’d make my day”, and the chats always go well with smiles flowing abundantly. Interested in how others approach the subject tho…
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Sean
It started 12 years ago with a Chris. Ward C8 Pilot. Just got the grail upgrade to my IWC Pilot Chrono in Sept 22. Also have a thing for Breitling... What’s next?? 🤷🏻♂️😅😬
Middlesbrough, UK
Member since
Last active: 1 month ago
D. I'll talk if asked, but won't do the asking.
The fact that you had to say "in the wild" and that we all knew exactly what you meant is a sad commentary on where our culture is and is headed.
Life is short. Make as many interactions with people that you can in your day to day (in the wild). It might just be: "Nice watch" and "Uh, thanks." It costs nothing.
Oh yes,my eyes are a swiveling when we're out, just looking at what's been worn. The wife now knows the signs now the involuntarily twitch,sweating,panting and she always exclaims in a loud voice ' oh god a watch' now if they haven't run by then their mine!!!, seriously though if I see something and it's an appropriate setting I will try to start a conversation, why not it's better than the weather,football(depending how your teams doing),and always better than the state of the world
I seldom see anything but smart watches and they are always in a hurry. Otherwise its a cheap walmart special.
I've had two "interactions" with watches and I'm not sure I'll do it again unless someone approaches me.
It's usually just a compliment passing by if it's a setting where it's not weird and it's a really cool watch.
Introvert here. My watch is under my sleeve if I’m outside. No one will see it. I don’t go out of my way to look for watches, but If I spot a nice watch, I just note it and smile. If I spot a spectacularly expensive piece, I’ll nudge the wife for e.g. and say ‘that dude’s wearing a £20K watch in the middle of Dunfermline,’ or whatever. 😂
I struck up a conversation with four casual acquaintances about watches and am batting .500. I was oddly brushed off or ignored by two (both Rolex Subs though one co-worker seemed embarrassed that I noticed). The other two I struck up two nice watch conversations (Speedy and Seiko Ginza LE).
So I guess it depends on the person. Personally, when other people ask me if I'm into watches because of what I'm wearing, I'm happy to talk about them. Admittedly, this has only happened to me 2x and both while wearing my Tudor BB GMT. When a stranger on the subway in NY commented on my watch, I was initially glad it was the little bro (i.e., it's not a Rolex so leave me alone) but ended up having a nice conversation for 2-3 stops about the Tudor BB line. Watch lovers everywhere.
Luckily, I can spot a nice watch from a distance and typically know what brand it is by the design and case. So, in those cases, I might break the ice. Sometimes it's obvious. For instance, I saw a guy once wearing a Tag Heuer Monaco. Pretty distinctive watch and much bigger in person than you would think. I simply said, "Nice watch. Iconic" and he was over the moon. Took it off his wrist, offered to let me wear it. We even swapped watches for a moment because I was wearing my Aqua Terra and he was equally impressed by my watch as I was with his. I've seen him a few times since (our boys play hockey together) and he's always wearing the Monaco, so I know that his tried and true.
I find that it's not hard to differentiate a watch person from someone with a watch on their wrist, if you know what I mean.
I struck up a conversation with four casual acquaintances about watches and am batting .500. I was oddly brushed off or ignored by two (both Rolex Subs though one co-worker seemed embarrassed that I noticed). The other two I struck up two nice watch conversations (Speedy and Seiko Ginza LE).
So I guess it depends on the person. Personally, when other people ask me if I'm into watches because of what I'm wearing, I'm happy to talk about them. Admittedly, this has only happened to me 2x and both while wearing my Tudor BB GMT. When a stranger on the subway in NY commented on my watch, I was initially glad it was the little bro (i.e., it's not a Rolex so leave me alone) but ended up having a nice conversation for 2-3 stops about the Tudor BB line. Watch lovers everywhere.
Maybe the embarrassed co-worker was wearing a knock off and didn't want any additional attention drawn to him/herself.
I got a cold reception one night in a bar asking some guy about his Tag. I thought he was going to punch me. All I said was "hey, which Tag is that? I've got a buddy who has one with the blue dial". I'm a little gun shy after that.
Always. Results now, as they always have been, are mixed.
I have many stories.
On Sunday I chatted up someone who was wearing an SBGW283.
Talked about how he used to be an Omega only guy then walked into an airport duty free shop and impulse bought a Grand Seiko and was hooked. Lovely conversation. Might have been @HotWatchChick69 with frosted tips.
Also recently tried to chat with someone who had on the new IWC Top Gun Chrono in black ceramic.
Completely iced me out. Drove away in a Porsche Panamera so I guess the jokes actually on him.
Always. Results now, as they always have been, are mixed.
I have many stories.
On Sunday I chatted up someone who was wearing an SBGW283.
Talked about how he used to be an Omega only guy then walked into an airport duty free shop and impulse bought a Grand Seiko and was hooked. Lovely conversation. Might have been @HotWatchChick69 with frosted tips.
Also recently tried to chat with someone who had on the new IWC Top Gun Chrono in black ceramic.
Completely iced me out. Drove away in a Porsche Panamera so I guess the jokes actually on him.
lol. Its ok if things get awkward sometimes… occasionally people are just nobheads and you have to account for that, chuckle and move on. 👍🏻👊🏼
I got a cold reception one night in a bar asking some guy about his Tag. I thought he was going to punch me. All I said was "hey, which Tag is that? I've got a buddy who has one with the blue dial". I'm a little gun shy after that.
Probably having an off night… might have had an argument with the wife about how much he spent on it 😬🤪
Luckily, I can spot a nice watch from a distance and typically know what brand it is by the design and case. So, in those cases, I might break the ice. Sometimes it's obvious. For instance, I saw a guy once wearing a Tag Heuer Monaco. Pretty distinctive watch and much bigger in person than you would think. I simply said, "Nice watch. Iconic" and he was over the moon. Took it off his wrist, offered to let me wear it. We even swapped watches for a moment because I was wearing my Aqua Terra and he was equally impressed by my watch as I was with his. I've seen him a few times since (our boys play hockey together) and he's always wearing the Monaco, so I know that his tried and true.
I find that it's not hard to differentiate a watch person from someone with a watch on their wrist, if you know what I mean.
100 percent. I love that distinction… “a watch person versus someone with a watch on their wrist”… I get what you mean but I struggle to describe what it is that goes into the vibe someone gives off when you know they’ll be excited to share more 🤔
I struck up a conversation with four casual acquaintances about watches and am batting .500. I was oddly brushed off or ignored by two (both Rolex Subs though one co-worker seemed embarrassed that I noticed). The other two I struck up two nice watch conversations (Speedy and Seiko Ginza LE).
So I guess it depends on the person. Personally, when other people ask me if I'm into watches because of what I'm wearing, I'm happy to talk about them. Admittedly, this has only happened to me 2x and both while wearing my Tudor BB GMT. When a stranger on the subway in NY commented on my watch, I was initially glad it was the little bro (i.e., it's not a Rolex so leave me alone) but ended up having a nice conversation for 2-3 stops about the Tudor BB line. Watch lovers everywhere.
nice. Yeah, I think if someone’s wearing a speedy or a ginza then theyve clearly thought about it and will be delighted it gets noticed. Folk have very mixed reasons for getting a Rolex (or as others have said, perhaps a fake!) so it’s more of a roll of the dice with those folks.
Introvert here. My watch is under my sleeve if I’m outside. No one will see it. I don’t go out of my way to look for watches, but If I spot a nice watch, I just note it and smile. If I spot a spectacularly expensive piece, I’ll nudge the wife for e.g. and say ‘that dude’s wearing a £20K watch in the middle of Dunfermline,’ or whatever. 😂
Covert ops. I love it! Yeah, there’s a lovely quiet satisfaction in just spotting and knowing that your knowledge bank is up to date and functioning 😅
It's usually just a compliment passing by if it's a setting where it's not weird and it's a really cool watch.
Nice approach. Let’s all just be good humans 😊
I've had two "interactions" with watches and I'm not sure I'll do it again unless someone approaches me.
That reverso story breaks my heart a bit 💔😅 When so many of us here have JLC as a bit of a grail brand, to see some folk not even register them when they own them makes me wanna enter the crying game 😪🤪
The fact that you had to say "in the wild" and that we all knew exactly what you meant is a sad commentary on where our culture is and is headed.
Life is short. Make as many interactions with people that you can in your day to day (in the wild). It might just be: "Nice watch" and "Uh, thanks." It costs nothing.
Wise words as ever Gandalf. 🧙🏼♂️ Yeah I 100% agree, it’s really important to make that little bit of extra effort a) to get out there and b) to look up from your phone and into another humans eyes every now and then. Let’s return to human interaction before we all have the chips implanted and live in Zuckerbergs paradise 😂😇
Oh yes,my eyes are a swiveling when we're out, just looking at what's been worn. The wife now knows the signs now the involuntarily twitch,sweating,panting and she always exclaims in a loud voice ' oh god a watch' now if they haven't run by then their mine!!!, seriously though if I see something and it's an appropriate setting I will try to start a conversation, why not it's better than the weather,football(depending how your teams doing),and always better than the state of the world
Awesome. Yeah, I think it’s a lovely conversation starter that goes beyond the expected topics, right?!
Thats really kind / generous of you to lean in when someone’s taking a risk and figuring out their tastes. Appreciate you replying big man. 👊🏼👍🏻
D. I'll talk if asked, but won't do the asking.
Dang it! Knew there should have been a fourth option 😅👌🏻
I usually don’t comment on other people’s watches simply because where I live, NOBODY wears traditional watches. However, I usually always ask my doctors, lawyers, tax guys etc… Most of them wear Rolex, Longines, and some high end vintage heirlooms. It embarrasses the hell out of my wife even though I do it in a very respectful and complimentary way.
Clicked A and then realised it should’ve been B 😂 Dammit!