Asked not to wear a Rolex to work…

I don't even notice what watches people are wearing. It's not like you've got a big gold rapper's chain on 🤣 Seems a bit overkill.

An old colleague of mine was asked to use a different car when visiting clients because the boss didn't want clients thinking we were paying him enough to drive something that flashy (We weren't the guy was from family money)

It’d be easy for the KCs you know to laugh it off what with them being full self employed and all

"It was a gift" steely tone and look.

I was made redundant from my first job after 8 years service. Do you think I noticed or gave one tiny xxxx about what watch my manager was wearing?

I assume that mnhq thought it was troll hunting? 🤷‍♀️🙈😁

most Rolexs are self winding, not battery, precision or otherwise.

I am great at pointless resentment, and earn a pittance, but this wouldn't bother me in the slightest.
What does bother me when I am working hard for a company that is going down the pan and threatening all our livelihoods, is stupid decisions that directly harm the business.
So not an individual wearing a rolex - more "rolex style" business decisions - flashy, showy, ego driven, pointless crap that just makes me wonder "who is paying for this? Oh right, me".

I know that, as individuals, there are people who earn orders of magnitude more than me. It's them fucking up the business that pisses me off.

She's flexing her muscles to see how much she can get away with. It won't stop there, now she's tested your boundaries and found them easily kickable.

And furious that she doesn't have a nice watch to go with her new 'station' in life.

Don't let it get to you OP. I had this kind of shit back in the day about a nice pen I'd treated myself too for a landmark birthday, and that didn't even cost 200 quid.

Also agree with seeing if any male colleagues have been asked the same. I'd wager none.

I would be interested what car she drove … is it flashy? Expensive? Time to downgrade then?

Outstanding 👏

How dare she call you “flashy”? How rude.

i woul literally start dressing like Flava Flav.

Well someone obviously has otherwise the OP would not have been called for a meeting.

Why does the watch have to be a sentimental gift or worn for years to be allowed?

What if you come in with a facelift on Monday morning? They are 6-13k. Hermes bag the same. Why a watch ban?

I don't think it is any of her business what watch or other jewellery you wear to work, but I wonder how many people would even notice you're wearing a Rolex, whether a real one or a fake.

No, but Rolexes are seen as flashy.

The line is drawn at items which are perceived to be flashy by most people. It is as simple as that.

Am I the completely deluded and inappropriate one here?

Absolutely not!

I’d only take it off if it is stated as such in the uniform/dress code policy.

Your new manager sounds (and I hate to say it) jealous. Saying it’s “flashy” highlights she is somewhat insecure about her own accessories and style and feels inferior.

I’d understand if they were coming from a place of concern safety-wise, as in London/Manchester etc. there are a lot of Rolex robberies in the street. But it seems like that’s not the case.

Not necessarily. I wouldn't complain about my manager, but I would find it insensitive.

Really, I am surprised that you are in a senior postion as you seem totally clueless.

Yes and if she noticed then a thief would too.

And it is very insensitive when there are redundancies going on.

It is ridiculous. It is picking on one thing only when you could park a flash car in the car park outside the window or have a massive engagement ring. You could wear a 3k coat from idk LV
what next? It’s arbitrary.

😂

YANBU, I think it’s terrible she called you into a meeting for that - where does the line get drawn?! Dictating the size of engagement rings?! Or what brand of clothes you are wearing ?!

it’s tough but at the end of the day, someone will always have more than you and someone will always have less. You not wearing your Rolex won’t prevent redundancies so what’s the point.

I dunno. There’s an element of people who really can’t stand bosses / managers displaying symbols of wealth, or assuming they’re loaded - going on holidays, houses, accents etc.

go low key (and it can never be low key enough until even that becomes the problem) if it bothers you personally what they think or don’t bother. You can’t apologise for being born.

Ask her if you're allowed to wear a new broach.

Many pieces of jewellery you wouldn't know how much they are worth. Watches, earrings, wedding rings, could look toned down, could be worth many many £1000's.

The woman is a berk.

You could email her and after stating your understanding of her request, say although you originally agreed, you are now confused and would like some clarification.

Ask why a watch you have worn to work for years has suddenly caused concern. Say you would like to know if you need to have a ‘Shares on the Up’, ‘Shares going down’, and Shares holding’, jewellery and clothing selection ?Will you have to swap your car and/or house depending on how the company is doing ? Is it OK to wear smart clothes you bought last year or do you have to get a new wardrobe from Primark.

Of course, copy more senior managers in too.

As a PP said, she should be concentrating on lifting the company up, not making up ‘rules’ about what changes staff should be making to what they wear.