Asked not to wear a Rolex to work…

I'd hope it was a self winder.

My $25 one is

Some people can be so strange, can't they?
Imagine coming up with something like that.
Perhaps your replacement manager has pretty sharp eyes spying your Rolex watch which most people would not have recognized for what it was.
A very strange attitude I would say, perhaps she is jealous.

I would be emailing asking her to clarify the dress code following on from your conversation and be asking her to highlight exactly which section of it your watch violates.

It’s not like you’re swanning into work with multiple Selfridges bags every week.

Wear the watch. It's yours and no one should police your sartorial choices

Keep wearing it. She's being stupid, and I'm someone who will never be able to afford a Rolex.

If the madness continues look elsewhere for work.

If Rolex is not considered equivalent but Swatch/Timex is, clearly there must be an official list of appropriate watch brands as part of the office dress code. After all, they definitely wouldn't make an HR policy up as they go along, as that would be potentially discriminatory, right?. So ask politely if you can see that list, because you have your eye on a nice watch that costs £199/£499/£799 and you want to be sure that it will be OK.

Continuing on the "consistent, fair, definitely not made up as they go along" list, since the request not to wear the Rolex is based on the fact that there have recently been redundancies, ask for the formula by which the "Tone down the watches" rule is calculated. For example, if the share prices goes to £20 can you go back to the Rolex? If it hits £30, can you get a Patek Philippe?

(None of the above suggestions are serious, but FFS, this is such a stupid policy that they might as well be.)

I was told by a mentor when I was training to teach that the jewellery I was wearing was inappropriate as it was too flashy. I told her it was cubic zirconia (It wasn't, it was real diamonds) and she never mentioned it again. Jealousy came to mind.

I would wear it. If she spots it and comments tell her that on reflection you felt it was an unreasonable request. It's not a brand new watch and you have been wearing it for years, furthermore it's not company policy and that you will be continuing to wear it.

😂😂😂

I thought you were going to say you worked in a soup kitchen or a food bank or something, in which case I could kind of see their point. But if you work in a senior position in a law firm, it’s bloody ridiculous. I’d carry on wearing it.

Wear the same one and if questioned exclaim “it’s a different one, I have like 10!” and ask them to clarify what their precise issue with it is 😂

Sounds like she’s trying to get you out tbh.

Given she’s new, and the company backdrop you mention.

we don’t get to tell a woman what she can and can’t wear, a watch is far more understated than a flashy car or a pair of laboutins/posh handbag.

Entirely this.

Stop policing women's clothing unless it's against the company's dress code.

Go buy yourself an Omega watch & wear that to work instead

Is she going to make you bring in packed lunches too, if popping out to Pret/wherever is deemed too frivolous and rubbing your wealth in the face of others?

Seriously. She’s on one. Follow up by email and cc HR. She’s massively overstepped. Your finances are piss all to do with her or your colleagues. The fact you wear a Rolex has no bearing on someone else’s potential redundancy.

I'm 20 years further down the line than my team. We are in opposite life stages. I know it and so do they. They are balls deep in nappies and childcare. I'm out the other side.

They see my watch, my bags, my clothes. They know the village I live in.

They may gossip about my income, but how I spend it is my business.

Wear the watch.

I've worn Rolex watches to work for over 30 years and only a couple of people have ever recognized them as Rolex. I wouldn't agree to this and having paid for an expensive watch service a while back I also wouldn't be happy to not wear it every day.They need movement throughout the day.
As a solicitor you'll be more familiar with this than I am but aren't you starting a dangerous precedent here which could be interpreted as you changing your conditions and having to pander to other whims like your clothing, make up etc.

And it may not even be your direct team- could be receptionists/ secretaries/ cleaners. Either way there are a couple of indicators about culture- the comment about the other senior staff knowing to be understated.

Stop wearing the watch in lieu of enormous diamond earrings? 🤗

I have a great relationship with my team too but I know they still bitch about me behind my back. That’s what staff do. They aren’t your friends.

I asked my OH (who has his own 30-odd yo Rolex) for his opinion and he said, if you’re a lawyer and a senior one at that, I’d say that it’s a mark of success and a sign that you know what you’re doing and are a bloody good laywer.

he also said in China it’s evidence of your accomplishment- which is why Victorias Secret failed in China, nobody could see the display of status.

i would carry on wearing the watch, style it out initially and suggest you forgot or didn’t realise she was serious, and then push back.

we don’t get to tell a woman what she can and can’t wear, a watch is far more understated than a flashy car or a pair of laboutins/posh handbag.

You've got redundancies, but she was bought into a new senior leadership position? Tell her to work for free for a few months!

That is insane I earn an average wage in a public sector job and was gifted an expensive watch for my 30th I wouldn't be stopping wearing it unless it breached a uniform policy

I'd look for work elsewhere.
What's next?
Sally, could you please not drive your flashy X car to work.
I'd be low-key about my reasons for leaving, though. The industry is a small pond and you might work together in future. Standard line: Other challenges, broaden my knowledge etc; and be really upbeat about looking to fulfill personal goals.