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.

My DD loves watches, has always spent a lot on them....until she bought her Rolex 6 years ago. She has never looked at another watch since, she adores it, even though it doesn't keep good time and needs a £500 service.

6k for a watch is ridiculous

But if you can afford it, I guess there’s no reason why you shouldn’t

That's insane! What a boring thing to spend so much money on, what does it do?! Do people just get them so that other people will see and be impressed by their wealth and taste or something?

Personally I wouldn't bother, I'd just keep the money I would have spent on a holiday this year to add to the money I would spend on next years holiday and have an extra fancy holiday next year.

Do it! I have had one for over 20 years it still looks brand new and lovely, I should probably get it serviced but if it ain't broke....
I am sitting here admiring it now.

I’m trying to sell a Rolex date just OP! Please message me if you’d like pictures x

I would OP, it's something you have wanted for a long time and you are now in a position to acquire it. Go for it! My DH has a Rolex and I have an Omega Constellation, which I wore every day pre-Covid (never wear jewellery of any sort now because I wear a clean pair of latex gloves in every shop I go in and it catches). Never regretted buying it for a moment.

It's your money, your (long term) desire, so clearly YANBU. I can't say that I think your other half is BU for his "ridiculous amount of money for a watch" view mind. It seems mad to me as well ;)

If you love it, get it. I bought one new 2 years ago for £5650. If preowned is now £6K+ it shows how much values have risen. If it's something that you have wanted for ages it's not just a fad. Treat yourself but look at the insurance issue - it might be worth more than just your house insurance will cover for a single item.
Have a look at the forum Time Zone - UK (TZ-UK) for advice ref insurance.
Above all, enjoy it!

I got an omega seamaster for my graduation a few years ago just a little cheaper. I absolutely love it. My DH loves buying gifts but I hate having money spent on me so only ever get stuff for the kids and its the one nice thing I have. Every time I wear it I remember how hard we both worked to get me through that degree.

Definitely agree about going to try it on, watches look so different on everyone.

Well worth it !! I have a Tudor and I love my watch !! It’s your money and they deffo do hold value it’s an investment x

Why the hell not?
It's your money. You have your finances arranged so that it won't have any impact on him and he's perfectly free to spend his own money on whatever the hell he likes. You're not asking him to buy it. You're not asking him to cover your share of the bills.

I'm jealous as hell that you have 6k to spend on a watch. 😁😁

That's insane! What a boring thing to spend so much money on, what does it do?! Do people just get them so that other people will see and be impressed by their wealth and taste or something?

Some people do no doubt, I prefer more subtle watches. Only people who are into watches would notice my most valuable watch, nobody else would give it a second glance.

I'm in the neither of you are unreasonable, just different opinions camp, but then we're an Omega owning household and know how quality watches retain or increase in value.

I don't see the point of spending that sort of money on a watch - but neither would I spend more than £20 on a handbag. Different people / different priorities. If it makes you happy and it genuinely doesn't affect him then I don't think it should be an issue.

(I do like an investment though and am interested in what others have said about the value increasing! If this is the case I'd definitely go for it!) Would this angle convince your husband it's a good idea? Not that you necessarily need to - but for the sake of marital harmony...

@fraddu

Do they all really hold their value? surely it depends on the actual model eg a very expensive special edition surely holds its value more than the entry price point ones?

Many of them hold their value really well, not just very expensive special edition ones, It helps that Rolex keep,supply low enough so that demand outstrips demand, causing long waiting lists, etc,

Oh OP, just go for it. You love it, you have the money, you're not splashing the cash on a whim, it's something you've yearned for for a long time.

I love beautiful things - jewellery, watches, bags and they bring me an extraordinary amount of joy on a daily basis. I never buy expensive things on impulse - I research, save, research, save and anything I buy or my DH buys for me, have to be as a result an achievement so there's a meaning, rather than 'look, just something pretty'.

I would LOVE a Cartier Santos or Tank and I have some business goals we need to achieve before I can splurge - it may never happen, but it's nice to have something so beautiful to aim for.

Quite honestly, after the difficult couple of years we've all experienced and the fact that you've obviously had some health worries, just do it. We all deserve things that make us happy, big or small, and it sounds like this would be yours.

When you do it, come back and show us the pic!

As people have said, if you’re careful with what you buy it won’t lose any money if you come to resell it and it may well gain value. Some people buy new cars and the depreciation on that is just burning cash. It’s not my thing but it sounds like it’s yours and if you can afford it and it gives you pleasure wearing it then go for it! Do go and try some on though!

We all value different things. I paid about the same amount for a painting by an up and coming artist. I have something on my wall that gives me pleasure every single day and hopefully one day it will prove a good investment. Cars wear out, holidays pass in a flash but your watch and my painting will give us years of pleasure and may be worth more than we paid at the end of the day. What’s not to like?

YABU. Watches are so yesterday!

Hardly anyone wears a watch now unless it's also a Fitbit, or shows they text messages, calendar etc (eg Apple Watch).

Depends on your general finances frankly.

Neither of you are wrong, but some posters on MN think holidays are an extravagant luxury (and don't get them started on an expensive wedding 😂 ).

It's not wrong to spend 20k++ on a wedding, 3k on a wedding dress, 3k on a ring, why should it be wrong for a watch or a handbag.

Ultimately, you'll be wearing it every day.

As it sounds like it's still a fair amount of money, I'd just think carefully how practical it is FOR YOU. Will you be worried to scratch it or damage it constantly? Will you wear it or put it safely away all the time?

A lot of people spend a lot more than 6k on a car they don't even need because it makes them happy.

That's insane! What a boring thing to spend so much money on, what does it do?! Do people just get them so that other people will see and be impressed by their wealth and taste or something?

Isn't just like most things? Everyone likes spending their money in things they like, it doesn't have to be for the benefit of others. Most people buy things for themselves, not for others.

It's not for me and I don't see the appeal, but dh does. He is really interested in them. He bought his for himself. He isn't interested in what anyone else thinks. Good job really too, as most of our friends also don't get it so wouldn't be impressed, they wouldn't even notice a particular watch type or style in someone else's wrist.

Its your money. Lesson for next time is dont discuss it if you dont wantto open yourself to his opinion.

Personally though id rather put the money to a bigger life goal like clearing the mortgage to retire sooner and earn more money (but each their own)

Dont spend your way out of a low point though as it is just a watch and once you have it it is just a nice thing, it doesnt "do" anything. Which it doesn't have to but it might be nicer to buy it as a treat rather than to mitigate feeling shit?

Personally I think it is an obscene amount of money to spend on a watch.
But hey if you've got Six thousand quid to waste, you probably don't care what anyone else thinks.

If you can afford to spend that amount on a watch then 6k is not a huge amount to you, so yes buy it. To me that is a huge amount and would be a waste of money.

If it’s not wiping your savings out then why the hell not!
Like you said, you would have spent the money anyway.
I (I’m sure a lot of women do) wear 4K worth of wedding and engagement rings every day and don’t think of the money spent on them as a waste because I love them and get a lot of wear out of them.
I wouldn’t personally spend 6k on a watch because mine always end up getting a bit bashed up. Having said that my day to day watch cost £600 so isn’t cheap.