Flexing. Don't we all?

Yep

Somehow it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. 😕

Yes! I flex all day cuz‘ I’m an arrogant sick bastard!!! 

Be like me! Arrogant! And you wouldn't care about it 😉…

Showing off accomplishments is natural. It's the exaggeration that makes it flexing. You are trying to convey that you are more than you really are. (Whether a watch is an accomplishment is another question altogether.)

LOL.. well that is one way of handling it! 😂

But isn't "showing off" in itself tantamount to flexing? As opposed to modesty as a virtue.

I wouldn't say so. A friend of mine owned a Porsche. He saved up to get the Porsche, and worked on it largely himself. He also had no qualms about letting his friends drive that car. It was simply that without exaggeration. He didn't make any claims beyond what the car actually was.

In a similar vein I know people who got a Rolex as their first watch as a kid, because they needed something to tell the time. You will find that absolute non-flex among people who never had to give their finances a second thought.

What I'm inarticulately trying to say is: It's the behavior that makes it a flex and not the object. 

I get your point. I guess the behavioral part really depends on how other people see it. Or probably how we project ourselves to third parties. It is in a way very subjective.

Nope we all do not. buying something for achieving an accomplishment or just because you enjoy it is far different than buying something to show off to others. Many don’t care what others think. One can love a Rolex or Porsche with zero regards to the thoughts of others.

I don't collect watches to impress other people, only myself!

Perception can be whatever someone thinks it is, intended or not.  Years ago my therapist told me to keep out of other peoples heads; blunt but true.  As already mentioned by others on this thread, my collection is for me and not to impress others.  In fact, I prefer if nobody notices the watch I am wearing.

Yes, whether you perceive it as flexing is up to you. That doesn't mean that the owner is not simply wearing something he/she likes.

Take most Porsche owners for example: They almost hide their cars, and you can only see them on back roads, if you know where to look. It's very much their private enjoyment, and they keep it that way.

Similar to antique cars, firearms or art: You may have seen it, but you wouldn't necessarily know.

None of my watches are the traditional 'flex' watches,they're on my wrist cos I like them and I'm engaged with them above the just a timepiece or wearing because they subjectively shout something. No real flex from me to the outside,but I'd like a conversation if anyone is interested. So maybe an unconscious 'flex' but not in the oh look mines more valuable than yours, more a let's talk.

I can relate to that sir. How do you perceive WRUW, NWA, etc. in our forum?

I respect and relate to that myself sir. 🍻

That's probably the best way of looking at it, "keep out of other peoples heads". Enjoy what we do as long as you don't hurt no one. 🍻

Yup, I do agree some people tend to hide it. It is just now I have reservations with WRUW, NWA and other posts in our forum. I kinda have a "slight" issue now of reconciling posting for other people from accross the planet to see is not flexing. Would like to think of it as simply sharing with people having the same interest in watches. 😊

In a group of like minded hobbyists it is a unique place to share pieces, where to the rest of the world no one will engage or care about watches. Some collect badges and yes, others just want to show off.

Salute to you sir! Dropping by your profile I believe every word you say and relate to your sentiments. It makes me feel more comfortable. Cheers! 🍻

Thank you for your insights sir! Well appreciated. 😉

You flex if you're smart. And if you're really smart, you lie and say you don't. Otherwise, you're just putting yourself at a disadvantage against people who do. One of those things that we might wish wasn't true but must nevertheless acknowledge to avoid an unnecessary handicap.

A little blurry but I see what you mean. 😉

The biggest flexes always seem to come from people who think all eyes are on them. In watch terms, they'll walk into a room wearing their Rolex and think EVERYONE knows they're wearing a Rolex when, in reality, 99% of the room doesn't know they're wearing one, and 100% of the room doesn't care.

So funny! They may even be frequently raising their wrist to eye level or touching their face or chin hoping people would notice the watch. I have seen people like these in real life. But no one really cares! 😂

Correct. Being a watch nerd is truly one of the loneliest pursuits you can be into 'in the real world'. While online communities seem large, and make it feel like everyone can spot a BB58 at 20 metres, the reality is most people don't even wear watches these days, let alone think about them, let alone know anything about them, let alone care what any of us wear. Which is why I always say, buy watches and wear watches because you love them, not because you think it will impress people, or that there's a 1 in 10,000 chance a really knowledgeable watch person is just about to walk around the corner, notice your watch, and talk to you about it!

IKR, that is why I enjoy WC so much! This is really the forum for us watch heads to share and discuss anything and everything about our common interest. Moreover, our family is non-toxic unlike some watch forum sites I have visited. Just healthy and straightforward interaction between members. 😊