Asked not to wear a Rolex to work…

[Hydrangeajp]

I've been with my current company for several years in a senior legal role, managing a team. The company's struggling lately - redundancies, pay freezes, and bonus cuts. My own manager recently left, and their replacement (board level), joined last week. After a positive initial face-to-face meet, she scheduled a meeting later that week about the Rolex watch she noticed me wearing into the office.

She told me it was inappropriate and insensitive, given both my seniority and the company’s current situation, and ultimately requested that I stop wearing it to work. She essentially said that "most senior staff already know to avoid wearing expensive, flashy items to work”.

I’ve had this watch for years and wear it daily. I’ve never given it any thought and would think most people wouldn’t even notice it's a Rolex. Am I the completely deluded and inappropriate one here? I was so taken aback and put on the spot that I simply agreed not to wear it, but since then I can't stop thinking I should’ve stood my ground (not because I’m desperate to wear the watch, rather, the whole ask felt excessive and inappropriate?) WWYD? I’d really appreciate an honest outsider’s perspective.

I don't have a Rolex and nor would I know one if I saw it. But I know they are hugely expensive and if you have something like that, it's a pity not to get all the use you can out of it. Precious stones and valuable minerals were mined out of the ground, for what? To sit in a drawer waiting for Terry the Tea-Leaf to bash the door in? Many times no.

Given that you've already said you won't wear your Rolex to work, I don't know how you go about addressing this, but it would be interesting to know who's been asked to leave their Cartiers, Bentleys and Mont Blanc pens at home and go into work in suits from George at Asda.

I wouldn't worry. Poor people don't know what a Rolex looks like or how much it's worth.
Expensive cars are much more obvious. Or fancy holidays or talking about home improvements or cleaners or private schools.

I wouldn't notice.

I wear a 30 year old Cartier Santos watch. It is part of me and I never take it off (except for mri scans). I saved for a long time for it. Tell your boss to fuc off.

When you go in tommorow have a good look at what watched your male colleagues are wearing. If anyone has a designer watch ask them if they’ve been pulled up for it - as I get a feeling you’ll find they have not.

We need details here. What model of rolex is it? If it's a bluesy, then maybe fair enough, stainless explorer on the other hand 🤔

I too am surprised you didn't tell her to F off.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

😂

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.

Yes and if she noticed then a thief would too.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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

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

i woul literally start dressing like Flava Flav.

Outstanding 👏

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

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.