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.

I wouldn’t but I don’t like Rolex. I spent A LOT more than the cost of a Rolex on another watch brand a few years ago. I do love the watch but now I would rather spend the money on travel. I even saw a watch for less that £1k the other day that would have probably suited me just as well!

@scully29

My goodness mumsnet is another planet I had literally no idea a watch could cost so much.

I've just seen a watch for sale for £166,600.00 it's here www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Rolex-Pearlmaster-39-M86405RBR+0001/p/17303431 and there are no doubt watches that cost more than that.

They're a good investment and nice gift to inherit.
The only thing that would put me off is they are the choice watch for drug dealers, traders, traffickers the ultimate I made it.

@HaroldTheHare

These comments are hilarious- there are people saying no way what a waste- save it & spend it all on a fancier holiday next year! 12k on a holiday......which will last a couple of weeks but a watch that will last a lifetime, increase in value & become an heirloom is the waste......I honestly don't get people sometimes!!

well, whilst I don't see the issue with buying a watch you can afford, personally I prefer a holiday. I am less interested in things than experience.

I don't think either a waste, just a preference. Ideally you can do both

@Teaandjam

I wouldn’t but I don’t like Rolex. I spent A LOT more than the cost of a Rolex on another watch brand a few years ago. I do love the watch but now I would rather spend the money on travel. I even saw a watch for less that £1k the other day that would have probably suited me just as well!

Sell your watch and spend the proceeds on travel.

OP one of my brothers' has a couple of Rolexes.

He's into other expensive things as well but he can afford them.

If you can afford it then buy it as you can always sell it.

Sorry, I'm with your DH.

I would first like to state that if I wanted a £6k watch I could afford it, so this isn't coming from jealousy, but I just don't get the love for status symbols like Rolex watches, designer handbags etc at all.

I'm boring and practical. My Tissot watch does what it is supposed to do, so I see no point at all in spending the best part of £6k more to do the same job.

If you want one go and buy it.

My first reaction is to entirely agree with your DH - but that's because I'd never even consider spending that much money on a watch.

On the other hand, if it's "spare money" that you can easily afford and won't have any impact on the rest of the family funds, then it's up to you what you spend it on, so yeah, do it if it makes you happy.

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion

Yes, that would be utterly ridiculous. Think of the things you could buy with 6 grand! Save it and do an amazing holiday next year. No idea why anyone would spend so much on a watch unless they were a multimillionaire, even then its a waste.

And a holiday that’s over in two weeks is less of a waste?!

Do it. Life's too short. Wear it and enjoy it and if you don't like it, sell it on. Simple.

Just do it and remind him that it’s not actually that much money for a nice watch!

I've officially stepped into a parallel universe 🤣

@mistermagpie

If you have the money and will love it then why not, it will last longer than a holiday.

I have about 5 grands worth of diamonds on my fingers just because I love them, it's ok to want 'pointless' things as long as you can afford them.

I'm sorry, all I can see is Gollum sat stroking his preciousssss.......!!

I’d love one of the Omega ones featuring Snoopy.

I have 2003 and 2015 Snoopy Speedmasters. I’m a big Moonwatch fan though having 4 in total with a standard one being my daily wearer.

I think it depends on how gentle you are with watches. I tend to bump mine into door frames, its resting on the desk when I'm typing, gets caught in shopping bags when I'm unloading the car e.t.c.

At that price - are you actually going to wear it as your day to day watch? There's a lot of talk about it retaining value - won't do that it it gets scratched or chipped.

My Rolex wasn’t as good at keeping time as a £20 swatch but at least there are no batteries - traded mine in for something more obscure which I prefer as no-one notices it. People used to notice and comment on the Rolex sometimes and that wasn’t what I wanted. Call me ungrateful but mine was a gift from (now) ex

Personally I have zero interest on spending things on flashy 'stuff'. I can't relate to the fact that it's £6k on a watch, but I can get my head around spending money on things that are an investment (like a house purchase and improvements, for instance). So if you are totally sure that it's an investment that you could cash in in the future, then I could see the logic in that. What happens if you damage it though? Is it fixable? That's what I'd be checking.

I don't think it could be described as a waste of money because it holds its value and one hopes that it will have the added value of giving you pleasure and being useful.
It is a lot of money to spend on oneself imo but I am not good at spending in that way.
I don't think a car is a good comparison .Maybe antique furniture? people spend premium money on all sorts of things that are not necessary eg new kitchens, expensive appliances , thousands of pounds a year on clothes, new sofas when their old ones are still useable etc . It is personal choice and I think that this sounds like a lovely choice for you.

@sixthtimelucky

Stealth boast alert!

oh how utterly tedious...

Do it OP.

A beautiful watch gives great pleasure daily.

If it was a piece of jewellery, a lot of people wouldn't blink.

@Bluesheep8

Just do it and remind him that it’s not actually that much money for a nice watch!

I've officially stepped into a parallel universe 🤣

Yep

Absolutely go for it. You can afford it. If you compromised on a cheaper watch you'd always feel disappointed it's not the one you wanted. Life is too short not to enjoy the nice things. My mum has a second hand Rolex she wears as an everyday watch and loves it. It's not something I'll ever be able to afford but my mum deserves to enjoy hers. As do you.

Personally I couldn't ever imagine justifying 6k on a watch, as I'm not materialistic at all, and just don't "get it" when it comes to expensive designer things. Don't get me wrong, I've spent more money than alot of people would be happy to on a roll of wallpaper I was completely and totally in love with, and it absolutely completed my life for a brief moment 😄 so I understand that desire to own something you truly appreciate. But for me.... A watch is a watch, they do what they do, and I couldn't imagine one bringing me enough happiness to even justify spending £600 on one let alone £6k. £6k is a life changing sum of money to some people too, so I'd struggle with thinking of the other things I could have done with that money. Not saying you should feel guilty at all op, just saying if your dh doesn't share your sentiment about this watch, I do completely get where he's coming from. If I is your money though and won't affect your finances, he doesn't really get a say. Just like if he wanted to buy a new expensive car/gadget etc and it wouldn't have any financial impact on yourself... You would be okay with that?

The money is coming from your own savings, you wanted one for a long time, & will give a lot of pleasure, then why not.
Pre owned Rolex do seem to hold their value.
A lot of the ‘fun’ is in the purchasing and finding a good deal for a genuine Rolex that hasn’t been altered.
I know nothing at all but I watched a Channel 4 programme that was very entertaining, included a section on watches including a Rolex.
It was called second hand for 50 grand & is still up there on All 4/channel 4 to watch. (not read every post so maybe mentioned already, sorry)

My Rolex wasn’t as good at keeping time as a £20 swatch

🤣 I was going to say that surely a watch is to tell the time and the time is the same whether the watch costs 6k or £6....but it seems I was wrong!

@Halowinslet

Stealth boast alert!

Oh for goodness sake, really? I’m posting online anonymously to ask for opinions on buying a watch which costs far less than most MNers would spend on a car or family holiday, hardly a stealth boast 🙄

Most people dont spend £6k on a family holiday (just saying)