<p>I’m wearing my Rolex today in honor of this thread. I love it. I did buy it used in 2003 (this particular one) from a reputable dealer at a jewelry show. It was a limited edition. I have not had any regrets at all. I have paired down over the years and did sell my two-toned Rolex a few years ago in favor of just keeping the gold one.</p>
<p>I actually had a fake gold one for travel, but that was stupid since I didn’t want to be mugged for my $40 fake watch! :)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>My DH has given me 2 watches as gifts. It didn’t even occur to me to be regretful that I didn’t get to choose them myself. </p>
<p>When the OP asked the question, she might have known that unsolicited advice would follow. Not so sure she should be expected to be insulted on top of that.</p>
<p>Ivygolfer, it is my impression that unless purchased from an authorized Rolex dealer, the warranty would be void. For that reason, my watch was purchased from and serviced by a reputable jeweler and I would not be comfortable buying from an independent.</p>
<p>I did inherit my dad’s circa 1940s Omega and have worn it while the other watch was being repaired and I do love it. It is certainly going strong after many years in a drawer followed by a good cleaning from a watch repair specialist but it is also the type which needs to be wound daily. I am disappointed to hear that the newer Omegas aren’t as good as the Rolex.</p>
<p>^^I think it’s time for people to get over it. You can start a thread on any topic and expect that others may have differing opinions, or even say things that you think are insulting. It really might not be that they’re all jealous, believe it or not, or that they care how anyone spends their money. There are just differences of opinion. That’s just the way it is. As PG said, she really wants advice on the topic, then I stand corrected But why keep going on about any negative comments people have made, why not just bypass them, and answer the questions she asked? </p>
<p>I suspect that if there weren’t comments that some found annoying, this thread would be on page 3 of the cafe by now.</p>
<p>@Joblue, independents mostly deal in used watches, the warranty is not very important as it expires 2 years from the original date of purchase.</p>
<p>I agree with you there, busdriver. A good thread requires conflict! :)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I think she has made it more than clear that’s what she was doing, so it is good of you to say. :)</p>
<p>So, PG, in which direction are you leaning?</p>
<p>I’m sure whatever choice you make, your twins will be happy and appreciate the thought you’ve put into it. </p>
<p>I have a friend who is a true “watch person.” She has some really nice pieces, but MANY inexpensive yet very fun watches. I tend to always look to see what she is wearing, whereas I would almost never notice what anyone else is sporting. The funny thing about her is that, in spite of her watch fetish, she is always late. ;)</p>
<p>I wore one of the Rolexes for a while and hated it. I have thin wrists, no extra padding, and the thing is the size and weight of a pair of handcuffs. The best thing, though, was that I could get what I paid for it years later. This might be a good argument for going with a Rolex.</p>
<p>My wife bought me a simple watch from H. Moser & Cie. when she was in Switzerland (black leather strap so doesn’t meet the original criteria). It only comes out with me on special occasions. There are hundreds of smaller watchmakers in Switzerland that are not as well-known here in the states, many using the same movements and cases available to the more established brands.</p>
<p>Off-topic, my usual watch is a Timex with a stopwatch and alarm for coaching soccer. It doubles as mugger deterrent.</p>
<p>ETA: Dang, just looked up that 1987 Oyster Perpetual. It would be worth double what I sold it for in the mid-90s.</p>
<p>I can’t believe how many responses the OP’s question has generated. I love luxury watches. I couldn’t afford one twenty years ago; my parents couldn’t have afforded to buy me one either. In fact, even if they could, they wouldn’t do so. As immigrants who lived through the Great Depression, they never spent money on anything that wasn’t practical. In some ways, they led rather joyless lives.</p>
<p>But . . to answer your question. We’ve had good experiences with Tag watches. Both kids got them for high school graduation. One still wears hers–it’s been 12 years. The other had hers stolen from a hotel room (she left it in her make-up bag). She replaced it with another Tag (using her own money). </p>
<p>I have a Cartier Americaine Tank–rose gold with diamonds. I went to the Cartier 100th Anniversary Exhibit in NY and was really taken with the craftsmanship and history behind the Cartier watches, especially the Tank. I think that’s why H bought me one–although he choose one that has a somewhat different style than the original Tank. The watch was a present for my 60th birthday (helped soften the blow of hitting that number). I wear that watch fairly often–whenever I go out to dinner or a social occasion where I dress up. On a daily basis, I wear a diamond Michele Signature Deco watch. I like it because I can change the straps and that gives it a different look.</p>
<p>My H bought himself a Patek Philippe three years ago. It shocked everyone in our family because H never wore a watch and was always on time (unlike me) and could always tell you the time of day with great accuracy. H bought the watch from a jeweler on Nantucket. It was an older watch (don’t know how old) and he’s had some issues with it. Each time, the jeweler sent it to Switzerland for repair. That was not only costly–it also took a very long time. Months and months. In fact, it’s in Switzerland right now and has been there since May!</p>
<p>FWIW, I think luxury watches are a lovely gift for your twins’ 21st Bday. Only advice I’d have is to not buy a Patek Philippe. I might go with the Tank for your D–since you received one from your folks, it would be a nice tradition to continue.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Who on earth said that you thought wearing an expensive watch was a good idea in these conditions? You are making an argument for no reason out of my opinion, based on experience.</p>
<p>PizzaGirl: I can’t believe some of these posters. Is it political correctness or envy or just childhood lasting out at people who have “more” than you and your husband. Don’t know don’t care.</p>
<p>So (not that PG isn’t more than capable of handling this nonsense) I will submit that we gave our kids for their major birthdays…watches, diamond necklaces and a few trips that we all enjoyed…And while we actively support certain charities I do not think that we donate quid pro quo. </p>
<p>Gang up on me people…I don’t care. I don’t think that PG cares at all. But sometimes we people can be insufferable.</p>
<p>I think we fought this same battle a few years ago about purses. Didn’t we, oldfort? :)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>SOG,</p>
<p>In this respect, you and I have something in common. </p>
<p>Moreover, while I do appreciate nice aesthetics, I regard them as luxurious extras and if it comes to choosing between aesthetics and functionality…the latter overwhelmingly wins out personally. </p>
<p>It’s been an interesting ongoing friendly argument/conversation I’ve been having with an older friend for whom aesthetics are #1…even at the expense of functionality. The issues with such a prioritization manifests itself when some practical items such as computers have problems with overheating, cost of replacement parts, or short lifespans due to design sacrifices made for the sake of “great aesthetics”. </p>
<p>Ironically, I don’t feel I’m one of those on this thread completely against luxurious watches and am surprised my first comment was viewed in such a light when it’s actually much more nuanced and actually closer to PG’s perspective: While many younger folks don’t wear watches, I do feel it’s prudent to have to complete a “professional outfit” in many corporate office settings. Even when it’s business casual. </p>
<p>However, one should understand that if one discusses expensive luxury items that don’t have a direct practical use or where one could arguably get the same practical usage from a less expensive item due to branding or lower aesthetics(Not bad ergonomic design), it will prompt perceptions of “showing off” or “questioning the taste of others”. </p>
<p>Especially when more direct statements of the latter were made as they were in this very thread. I agree with Busdriver11 that if such comments come up and they make the ones interested in discussing the luxurious/expensive items uncomfortable…the better way is not to ask for suppression of such comments/discussion…but to “grin and bear” such comments* and move on. </p>
<ul>
<li>IMO, preferably in good gracious humor.</li>
</ul>
<p>
</p>
<p>Incidentally, one of the factors which galvanized the French Revolutionaries against the Ancien regime was the perception that royalty like Marie Antoinette and the aristocrats were so out of touch that the apocryphal account of her declaring “Let them eat cake” upon hearing that the French commoners were discontent because they lacked bread/grain due to poor harvests was believable. </p>
<p>Even when it wasn’t true, the “in your face” luxury as symbolized by Versailles, parties, jewels, and other luxuries while most French people were starving from bad harvests and bad national finances from past imperial debts and ironically…from supporting the American Revolution to stick it to the British made it so the French Revolutionaries were able to use that apocryphal account to galvanize support and topple the regime. </p>
<p>The French Revolution wasn’t kind to Marie Antoinette or many aristocrats as history has shown…</p>
<p>I guess we should add watches to weddings, cars, and purses when it comes to CC discussions that turn a bit crazy. :)</p>
<p>Seriously, if you are interested in a place with good prices and good return policies, Costco has some lovely, high end watches. The one I pointed out to H yesterday was a Cartier for just under $8,000. I can’t remember whether it was a men’s or unisex watch. Just a thought. I understand that Costco has also carried a few Rolex watches as well. Our store didn’t have any yesterday, but merchandise does vary by store, especially for their high end stuff.</p>
<p>^^Without differences of opinion, in any subject, threads turn dull and quickly disappear. If people actually carefully read posts and didn’t guess and misinterpret what others are attempting to say, there would often be no conflict. I am very guilty of that, focusing on one phrase that rubs me the wrong way…</p>
<p>And with Costco, they give you the member refund. No receipt needed for returns, no arguments.</p>
<p>Pizzagirl - I never actually thought that’s what you in any way intended to say. I had assumed oldfort’s interpretation was the correct one from the get-go. However I am very sensitive to the way things are phrased and also to class issues and I think SomeOldGuy’s post really sums up the (incorrect) interpretation of the statement that was stinging for some. Like I said, I don’t in any way or form believe that you intended for your statement to come across that way but I was trying to maybe explain why some people were responding in such a fashion to what should be a really tame discussion. </p>
<p>What I really don’t like is the assumption from some on this thread that those who caution against purchasing such a luxury item for a young adult or who simply don’t have a set of values or priorities that would justify spending several thousand dollars on a watch are just green with envy. It just echoes of teenage girls calling anyone who doesn’t like or disagrees with them OMG SO JEALOUS. To say, no, it was never intended to be about class and then say that those who disagree are just envious of your discretionary spending capabilities seems contradictory on some level. </p>
<p>I say this as someone who really doesn’t have a horse in this race. I think a luxury watch is a thoughtful gift to a young adult who would appreciate it, even if it’s not something within my sphere of experience.</p>
<p>I think any thoughtful gift that takes into account the recepients’ preferences is always such a nice idea. I personally have a hard time making a surprise purchase of an item that is 4-5 digits and would prefer to go shopping with the recipient, but we’re all different.</p>
<p>Love Costco’s great return policy, so am biased, I admit. ;)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Here is what Costco lists:</p>
<p>[All</a> Watches](<a href=“http://www.costco.com/all-watches.html]All”>http://www.costco.com/all-watches.html)</p>
<p>Price range from $37,999.99 to $59.99.</p>
<p>Point of information: Marie Antoinette’s comment of “let them eat cake.” was correct in that cake actually cost less than bread at that time. I learned this historical goof when Mr. Ellebud and junior Ellebuds and I went to Versailes.</p>
<p>…oh gosh darn…I just admitted to a trip to Europe. Sorry.</p>