Bit of fun, but I go into the depths of watch stickers and how they can be compared to other asset protection, and how they are perceived by various people.
I agree on every point. I recently discovered your channel and am enjoying it. As a guy who sold his ceramic Subs and GMT, and now has a 14060 2-liner, you're a man after my own heart. The men who did the jobs and activities that watches like the Submariner and Explorer were designed to do, never put stickers on them. They wore them because they could endure and survive some of the harshest conditions on earth. It's almost like not sleeping with your girlfriend, so you can save her for the next guy.
Great topic Mike. Like you’ve said, I think people are putting stickers on their watches to preserve them as investments, since the value of a watch is directly related to its condition. This includes the dealers as well, lots of them wrap watches now to keep them pristine while being tried on by lots of people in their stores. Some of the dealers wear their own stock, so they can wear a watch more freely, but keep it looking flawless. Another group to consider are those on the OCD spectrum (whether aware or not). Such an affliction transcends socioeconomic status. If a scratch on a watch could keep these people up at night, perhaps having the option to wrap their watches could make them more comfortable and more likely to purchase more watches 🤔. I’m not interested in wrapping my watches, but I can’t deny that I would wear my watches differently if I knew they couldn’t be scratched.
Plastic cover for clasp on my sd43 can barely be seen and definitely prevents desk diving not worried about rest of watch so no sticker. I don't take pride in having scratches like some of you ...
100% agree with this. I could not have addressed this topic better myself. These are top of the line watches designed purposefully as tools. They also have steel cases that are meant for getting banged up. Cmon guys. Yes, we use them more as fashion accessories these days but putting stickers on it completely takes away from the spirit of what these watches stand for. Like you said, if u have to be that concerned and worried about getting it scratched or getting small dents, the watch is wearing you. That's no fun.
IDK…Leaving factory stickers on one’s Rolex eventually leaves the watch looking like a beautiful woman with a peeling sunburn on her shoulders and forehead… Adding aftermarket stickers…..well….. something in me thinks that’s a new soul vs old soul argument. These things ( cars, watches, leather goods and clothing ect ) are meant to be used and given a life by using them during your own.
I am on the side of keeping a watch stickered, it has nothing at all to do with having the means to afford it or living a Rambo lifestyle and having the need to put battle scares on my watches. I find enjoyment in keeping my belongings in tip top condition and that is that. Does Jay Leno thrash and abuse his collection of cars or does he have a team that preserve them all. Do you put polish on your expensive shoes? Do you wear moisturiser to keep yourself looking pretty? its all down to personal choice and for me i don't want to eventually hand down a collection of battered old watches to my son as a heirloom 👍
Great video as always, I see where you’re going with this ; you put on PPF and Phone cases…etc. to protect the item itself but not to protect the “Value” of this particular item, and I personally agree with that, but not on a watch…since you are controlling “protecting its surrounding” and are not worried that it could fall of your wrist. Keep it up and have a great day 👍🏼👏🏼
I’m half way through and laughing out loud mate. This video is hilarious! I have PPF on my 911 (front end only). But none of my Rolex’s have stickers. BUT, I did put a sticker on my recent Speedy ‘57 on the clasp only as I’m just not sure if it’s a long term keeper. Never thought I’d do it but doesn’t bother me at all.
If you don't scratch another dude will do. Happened to me with my M3 E92. I swear to the aliens, guys. I babied that thing and did all and everything you can imagine to have it oong lasted. Did reguslr oil changes, changed rod bearing for precautionary reasons, changed the drive shaft bought brabd new wheels, repainted the whole damn car. Then the day came to sell the car and brought it to the good dealer friend of mine, crying when habding over the keys. Only to get exactly 2 days after an whatZaPp video showing me the car had been sold and the dude having bought it, doing donuts and burnouts all over the dealer ship. Moral of the story: Wear it or another one will!
Great topic, it expands exponentially as you delve deeper as you say. Personally, a dress watch I like it to stay mint (if possible). A Rolex as a general rule I want it to “become mine” through its unique patina and character. I recently took my Explorer 39mm for service and was faced with the polish or not polish question…it was tough. I went with don’t polish as I felt when it comes back without the scuff of my mac book sliding out of overhead luggage bin and hitting it or the bracelet scratch from hiking and scaling a rock face in Victorian High Country etc etc it wouldn’t be mine. Without these marks then I could swap it with someone else’s 39mm MKII Explorer and it would make no difference. That said I protect and care for my 16600 more as it is fairly mint. However, I do swim in the ocean in both these Rolexes. Specifically on the sticker topic…. No. I’d never add aftermarket stickers. It’s like saving your girlfriend for the next guy 😂 …. as some occasionally write which always makes me laugh. Thanks for the video 🙌🏼
Just use the bloody thing, lol. I totally agree with you. The people who put their watches in safes they spoil the fun of the hobby, and the market for the rest of us. Also, the ones who wear them but with stickers they don’t experience fully the watch. Even if it is scratched, it can be polished. And also scratches are like battle scars, they give character, and build up memories. Lol, some of my watches get scratched when I wash the dishes, do I care? No! I enjoy my watches.
I think it's a misconception to think that everyone who uses stickers are trying to preserve the watch for resale. I think there are a lot of people who have no intention of reselling it that just simply want to maintain the luster and beauty of the watch, trying to keep it looking as new as long as possible. I don't use stickers, however...I regret probably in those early months when I was getting used to wearing it that I didn't keep one sticker on the clasp for a little while, because I stupidly scratched it just using my MacBook Air, which is a silly way to scratch it. Never incurred any scratches going diving, sky diving, hiking, working out or any other activity. So, I get the idea of the stickers and while I'm not one that uses them, I can understand why some would use them in certain circumstances.
I don't wear my first good watch much in all honestly anymore (Speedy Pro 1861), it's sentimental now and partly duo to the hesalite, I bought a new Speedy SS 3861 to wear daily. I don't think I'd ever sticker a watch, maybe a sentimental watch or a vintage watch would be understandable. As for as Rolex guys sticking new sports Rolex watches, I think you nail the type of guy perfectly. On a side note, when I lifted (got injured, fractured wrist, to heavy, young and dumb, it was never the same) I used gym gloves, only because I sweated from my palms a lot, it was a grip issue, not all glove guys are bad :)
On your last day you’ll never reflect on your biggest regret was not putting stickers on your watches. Stickers on a watch shows you can’t afford to wear it. You’ll be looking at your watch through plastic - hilarious. Plus your stickers may protect from the odd scratch but won’t protect from that case edge or clasp ding! Smack that watch off a door frame and connect with metal - boom! You’ve got a ding. Then what? If you’re fretting about surface damage get your watch arm in a surgical sling. Keep it close to your body. And cover it in a bubble wrap enclosure. Only wear in bed. Don’t leave that bed with your sling or bubble wrap, when leaving the bed take the sling and bubble wrap off and get the watch into a protective case. Then go for that piss and back into bed. Slinged up. You’ll have the last laugh as the watch will stay pristine. Get into sling mentality.
When you said “maybe the watch is wearing you”, that was a mic drop. I watched someone toss a Breitling aerospace with copilot module onto a table recently, using it as a true tool watch. That’s real.
Throw some sticky tape on the clasp to protect the laptop and take chunks out of door frames.... I think the car thing is different. We know the car will go in a few years and generally won't last 20, 30 or 40 years, but the watch in our hearts we want to keep for a lifetime. We not passing a car down. My father's 1969 seamaster is battered to death but it lived his life. The scars tell a story of a life lived.
This video made me think. I have a basic phone case as well, and I would not use my phone daily without it (got the case day 1). I guess i dont want my phone to have dents and scratches 😂 on the other hand, I dented the lugs on my new seamaster last weekend at a friend's wedding, made me wince at the moment, but now i have a nice memory attached everytime I see where the microphone hit my watch. I would never put protective stickers on it. I guess it is because phone cases are accepted as a normal part of phone ownership. I dont know when they invented watch stickers, but it definitely isnt the "norm" yet
I just don't care. The only unfortunate thing I can think of on this topic is someone who wants to wear stickers on his watch but doesn't because he' thinks anonymous others would think less of him. Actually, if as you say 80% are against stickers, then if I met someone with stickers, I think I'd feel I'd met someone secure enough in himself to not give a shit what anyone else thinks about him.
Let's allow that this is merely an opinion. I happen to agree. It doesn't make you a bad person but I agree with the poverty mentality. I prefer to own a watch.
