DH says I’m ridiculous for wanting to spend this amount of money on a watch, who is BU?

[Halowinslet]

I’ve been lusting after a Rolex datejust for as long as I can remember, but have always stopped myself from buying because there has always been something more ‘sensible’ to do with the money, like keeping it in savings or spending money on an experience like a holiday. This year I’ve been feeling pretty low what with the current situation and there’s no way I’ll be able to go on holiday this year as I’m vulnerable health wise.

Announced to DH this morning that I’m thinking about treating myself to a nice pre owned Rolex (£6k) on the basis that it’s what I’d usually spend on holidays in a year anyway and they hold their value pretty well, in the event that I ever wanted/needed to sell.

DH thinks I’m being absolutely ridiculous spending such a large amount of money on a watch and now I’m wondering whether I’m having a moment of madness. I should point out that the funds would be coming from my own pot of money, rather than joint.

[quote DanniDuck]@kowari

I've never thought 'I wish I'd bought' anything. I only regret things I didn't do. My memories give me more pleasure than things.

Exactly this.

I have many wonderful memories of holidays and Christmases, and family weddings, and holidays with friends, and working abroad, and travelling with friends, and holidays with DH and and the kids when they were little, (and many other things involving the kids...)

I don't remember what expensive items I owned many decades ago. That's because I value love and friendship and family over and above wealth. According to this thread, some people don't [/quote]
Wow that’s bold. Awaiting the pile in.

I don't think this is an 'either / or' situation for OP
Buying the watch doesn't mean she'll never have a holiday again or that she values material goods above memories with friends & family!
I love both- we travel a lot with dc & I treasure the fact that we are lucky enough to be able to do this
I also have beautiful, expensive jewellery given to me by my husband over our 22 years together & these items also hold memory & meaning. For us.
It's possible to like & appreciate both!

Buy the watch and enjoy it. You'll treasure it every day.

I bought myself a Cartier Tank Americaine in 2007. I deliberated for about a year and finally took the plunge when on a work trip, as I was in a country with no VAT and that was back when the £ was very strong. I paid £11k for the small face, white gold bracelet with diamonds around the face. I think the UK retail price was around £17k at that time. I just checked the Cartier website and the same watch is now £26,300.

I wear my watch every day, so it's worked out at £2 a day over the past 14 years.

Just a word of warning though that the maintenance of expensive watches is also very expensive, I've probably spent £2.5k over the years having the watch serviced, new batteries, replacing the scratched crystal face and polishing scratches out of the gold bracelet.

@choli

I associate that kind of watch with criminals and wives of criminals to be honest. A sort of money laundering.

Incredible did you know they let women be criminals these days?

DH thinks I’m being absolutely ridiculous spending such a large amount of money on a watch - how right he is.

Sorry but I find the whole idea utterly puke-worthy in a world where people are desperate for covid vaccines that their countries cannot afford.

I will get flamed for this I know - but there you are; this is what I think.

YANBU, your money, your choice, but if the watch needs a new battery, or any repairs, you may have to use an authorised dealer, as many jewellers won't touch Rolex watches. Just something to bear in mind when weighing things up.

I met a lady on holiday who had a beautiful watch. It was very eye catching as it had a red strap and diamonds surrounding the face, so I complimented her on it, which is when she told me it cost £20,000! I was a bit shocked, as I didn't know the brand and thought it was just a nice watch with fake diamonds - but they were real! She was slightly embarassed, saying she felt a bit guilty about buying it, but all her family are well off and they all collect watches. I didn't judge the ethics of her purchase, I just thought she had good taste.

Exactly what I’m looking at. Using inheritance money. You can’t lose on a Rolex. They look elegant and smart. I will be passing it on to my daughter. Go for it.

@lazylinguist

Wow I googled Rolex Datejust. It just looks like... a watch. I honestly don't get it!

I also googled and it's got 46 diamonds in it?! Bit different to an average watch.

I think now is the year to say fuck it and buy the watch. If not now, when?

If you can afford it - and want it, get it.

@UrbanRambler

YANBU, your money, your choice, but if the watch needs a new battery, or any repairs, you may have to use an authorised dealer, as many jewellers won't touch Rolex watches. Just something to bear in mind when weighing things up.

I met a lady on holiday who had a beautiful watch. It was very eye catching as it had a red strap and diamonds surrounding the face, so I complimented her on it, which is when she told me it cost £20,000! I was a bit shocked, as I didn't know the brand and thought it was just a nice watch with fake diamonds - but they were real! She was slightly embarassed, saying she felt a bit guilty about buying it, but all her family are well off and they all collect watches. I didn't judge the ethics of her purchase, I just thought she had good taste.

Part of the point of Rolex is they don’t use batteries. You are supposed to have them serviced, a bit like a car since they are mechanical though.

She was slightly embarassed, saying she felt a bit guilty about buying it

Yet she told you the price. She could have just said thanks.

Exactly! "Oh, do you like it? It cost 20 grand, you know".

Embarrassed my arse

@Shade17

It is undeniably a ludicrous amount of money to spend on a watch.

I bought a watch in 2015 for £6k which is now worth £30k. Really kicking myself for doing that. Not.

The watch is only worth what you can sell it for. Someone can come along and value it at 30k but if no one buys it from you at that price, is that really its value?

My DH and I bought each other a watch and ring at £5K each - they were second hand. We wear them everyday, years later. We saved hard for them. It’s not something we’ll ever be in a position to buy again.

Should the shit hit the fan, we could sell them. As we bought them second hand, we could sell them for the same price.

Do it!

He has no say in how you spend your money. Controlling arse.

6k isn't a lot for a watch today and if you decide after a year that you don't want it you should be able to get pretty much all of the money back.

I'm sure lots of people have already said this, haven't RTWT, but I would never wear an expensive watch, any more than I'd leave my wallet on the table in a restaurant while I went to the loo. I suppose in some areas/parts of the world it would be ok, but to me in inner London it screams Rob Me Now!

I'm with you mischance, startling to me. There's unnecessary purchases and then there's £6k watches, it really is a different world.

I wouldn't but that's:

A. Innate tight-waddery when my £8 Casio (or £60 Fossil when I'm out on the razz) does the same job and

B. Feeling it's a klaxon to a mugging.

But that's me. It's your dosh, OP. If you want it and it fills a gap, crack on.

covid vaccines, starving children, basic hygiene for communities, I could name plenty of things that Id be thinking about if I had a random £6k. But Im no fan of watches so accept its not my world as Ive said.

You are. It's a ridiculous amount to spend on a watch.

£6k on covid vaccines