I see people write "can't pull off a patek", which to me seems more income based.
I am wondering what your definition of what you can pull off or not is based on?
: income/personality/something else?
If income, then what do you think in your mind, is a good percentage of your annual income you think you can pull off?
The way I see it is some people who buy APs very much want to wear their wealth on their sleeve (Ala Rappers) Patek Buyers move in circles where that watch would be well known.
I could never rock either because I believe people who buy those watches extend that expense and quality to the rest of their kit. Bally shoes, Name brand everything. Expensive cars. I wear a SUB because it is one of the few watches 1. most people think are fake 2. are affordable to almost anyone who can save $7000
In my circles no one would know a PAM from a Patek. I just don't have wealthy friends. Many would not even recognize a Rolex as being anything more than a Seiko. That said, they know I pay cash for cars and own our home, so a Rolex SUB is not much of a stretch. A Solid gold or Smurf at $30K would scream fake on my wrists, I would be embarrassed to wear or to indicate I am wearing a $15K + watch. even if I wanted to be a fool with money. But it makes no sense to me. It's too big a chunk for a wristwatch. So you won't see me wearing even $10K REPS I sold nearly all my "expensive" REPS and try not to have one where the real thing cost over $10K
I drive a 12 Miata MX5 and a 15 Tacoma TRD. Not exactly vehicles one would associate with the kind of wealth it would take to rock a $30K watch. So I would not wear the REPS of high end watches. . I don't wear designer clothing.Well I do have a few NIKEs I bought on Ali Express because I would
NEVER pay $90 for a pair of sneakers. I will buy a single $8000 watch but wear $25 AirMax sneakers.. go figure..
IMO to rock a $30K watch without upscaling the rest of one's kit makes the watch scream rep for those in the know. Younger guys have more issues with this than older guys. A young guy working at Mc Donalds rocking an AP just doesn't "fit" But I can see a SUB on a young guys wrist who has a good job, nice car, and maybe even a house.
The car pretty much says a lot as well, Can a young guy really spend $8K or more on a watch and drive a beater? Sure! but That makes no sense. Young guys as a whole like nice cars more than fine exclusive watches. The nice car would come first. Especially if seeking status....Something cars and watches seem to do most. People "wear" both.
Actually Rolex is in the cellar in status
when one really looks at the expensive watch market. The Uber rich either wear Seikos or six figure watches I would not be aware of. They give Rolexes away as cheap gifts.
That is why I can wear the real thing and yet many would assume it is a fake because the Rolex Sub is the MOST replicated watch made. I am ok with that. I am also very ok with it being a GEN if and when asked. If they catch me with the BLNR I have to say it's a REP because "I can only make sense of owning one Rolex and that one is at home".But if people know you have a GEN they will think all your watches are GENS and likely won't ask.
PLUS. A Rolex is a good investment and instant currency. In a few years when a new SUB Date costs $10K I will have a watch worth what I paid for it. That cannot be said of many lower end brands like Brietling .