Wearing Patek as Analyst??
Sorry for the click bait title… genuine question, I have $300k+ saved up from side jobs, internships, investing etc and now am a first year analyst as a BB.
Looking to get a nice watch / watch collection going, really like the designs of Rolex Submariner (Starbucks), GMTs (Pepsi and Batman), Patek Calatrava, JLC Master Ultra Thin, ALS. Super cliche I know, but just starting to learn about watches.
Would wearing these at the office be appropriate? For context, am at a firm where people notice things / fashion and hierarchy matters / people gossip. Thanks.
would be wearing like say a Patek Calatrava (often can be bought <$10k used) which is super subtle and elegant be too much given it’s a PP? Once again not trying to seen as showing off but just like the designs.
thanks everyone and happy holidays!
What about VC
Honestly man I can’t understand why you feel the need to flex at the office. Get your watch and wear it on dates or on the weekend or whatever. On top of that, “never outshine the master.” You’re working amongst many accomplished people that may exhibit jealousy if they sense that you have more than them in some capacity. If you do decide to go with one, that JLC ultra thin is a beauty and pretty inconspicuous.
Not trying to flex, which is the point of the post. Good advice, thanks
Common sense prevails from this guy.
You a fan of dropping thousands on a watch and then not wearing it 90% of the time (time in the office, realistically it’s probably even more than 90% of the time)?
Do high end watches, as a category, appreciate in value? I honestly don’t know but I kind of doubt it. Unless I have that 100% wrong, a watch collection is a vanity investment, and your commendable nest egg notwithstanding, those are generally losers. (It doesn’t help that sales tax puts you 8% underwater on day 1).
Most sought after watch pieces generally appreciate (at least they dont depreciate) if you buy around MSRP prices.
But i agree that it is more of a feel good hobby or even a vanity purchase depending on why you are buying the watch. But at the end of the day, not every purchase you make has to be financially sound investment man. Have fun a little
The popular models like Sub/GMT are an instant arb opportunity, as they go for $9k retail and sell for $17k on grey market, reason is because of scarcity and long wait times at ADs. Even if you wear them it’s prob a 1x if you sell it used, and even better, if you sell after the brand retires that specific line, prob a 2-3x times retail price even if used. Of course less popular models lose money most of the time.
I would not consider watches as investments.
Typically, if you buy a watch new it depreciates by 20 - 30% immediately and then by 0 - 10% thereafter. If you buy a used watch, one “advantage” is you can typically resell it for around how much you paid for it. Hence, watches end up being a decent storage of value compared to other hobbies (i.e. cars) and one can easily do the following to explore the hobby:
Year 1: Buy Omega
Year 2: Sell Omega and buy IWC
Year 3: Sell IWC and buy Cartier, etc.
If you’re really into watches, you may be able to make some money by taking advantage of market illiquidity for rare / high-end pieces. I don’t partake, but I imagine this would need to be done in the $20k+ price range or with $5k+ vintage or neo-vintage pieces.
I’d say Rolexes are pretty sure investment pieces if you’re solely trying to flip and are reselling retail pieces for retail prices as new on the grey market
Don't, you can only lose in this scenario... I don't see much upside to wearing a nice(r) watch, it will only result in jealousy and envy
Honestly no one would bat an eye on a calatrava unless theyre watch enthusiasts (its literally just a basic leather strap watch that has patek written on it in small font). Even then, i would personally respect you more as a watch guy myself for you to buy something low profile vs. a more recognizable, “flashy” watch like a gmt as you mentioned.
Even then, the watches you listed arent that obnoxious to a point that would create a bad image on you. Plus im a firm believer that the type of watch you wear creates bad image only if you are a douchebag in the first place
Awesome thank you
If you like it, wear it. A $10k watch isn't ridiculous for an analyst. The only downside is your seniors with low self-esteem might get jealous. But the odds are way higher that they'd appreciate it or not even realize its a Patek.
Feel like Patek gives the want to flex perception than have a good taste in watches type of feel, or am I wrong?
D-O-N-'-T
I would wear it with pride. It is a beautiful watch, classic, and elegant. Unlike the Pepsi or Starbuck/Hulk
Is everyone just gonna ignore the $300k savings as a 21 yo?
How'd that work?
.
No one actually cares that much — calatravas are much more nondescript than a submariner.
I wore decently nice watches as an analyst (Rolex, JLC, IWC, etc.) to the office regularly and the only people who commented were others that were into watches. I wouldn’t wear anything that is too conventionally flashy though — left my submariner at home for the weekends.
Thanks for the input! Would you say Subs and GMTs are actually too flashy for the office? Thought they were a normal an/ass watch. Of course might be difference between a black sub/batman which are more discrete, and Pepsi
Idk if it’s too flashy necessarily but just more noticeable — if the goal is to enjoy your watch without drawing too much attention those would not be ideal
You’re fine wearing a Calatrava. I think a Nautilus or Royal Oak would be too flashy and attract the wrong kind of attention in an office setting. Any dress piece from high end brands won’t be recognizable at a glance unless you work with a bunch of watch guys. Submariners are also so common that I don’t think anyone would care. Just don’t get a gold bluesy lol. Personally I daily wear a spring drive grand seiko that flies completely under the radar. Nobody has said a thing and I’m technically the most junior at my shop. Use your judgement.
Some people on the forum might see that you have a $300K nest egg and balk at buying a $10K watch that will more than likely depreciate, but if taken care of your Calatrava could be your office watch and wedding watch for life. Not to mention you could pass it down as an heirloom. $10K over a lifetime really isn’t too bad an investment.
Thanks sir! Just curious since you’re well-versed—what do you think about a Batman or Pepsi, would that look odd / keep it to the wknd?
How come you compare such(!) different watch styles as equally appealing? Totally different to me and would not consider some of them as particularly appealing for a mid-20 y/o.
It also seems that you would really like to go with any of the Rolex models but look for the third party verification. So here it goes — perspective from someone at an EB in Europe: half my office wears Rolexes and the running gag is that grads buy the first one as soon as the first-year bonus hits the account. It may give a chuckle here and there but not the panic / life-altering consequences described by some grads/interns above — would agree with the guy with the longer answer around Patek’s more “low key” models. Nautilus would be indeed be a bit odd, same for Daytona, Royal Oak etc… anything above 25-30k could brand you a bit as a nepo hire, which you probably want to avoid.
Another thing is the “real world” perception: a Rolex is probably the most recognizable luxury watch brand to anyone, which you either love or hate — that’s the reason why I kept to other brands, who also make nice divers / dress or other models. Also relevant in NY / LDN and other geos in light of rising theft / burglary, since every random wanna-be G will recognize your Pepsi GMT or Sub at the restaurant/club/bar/transport…
Hope that helps and enjoy your new watch, whichever it will be!
if you wear a 25k patek dress watch no one will really notice or care. do not wear a nautilus.
no one cares or notices watches honestly. just dont wear something super blingy
Why not just get a standard starter watch (Day-date, Speed Master, Sea Master). Most analysts don’t wear high end watches, so you’ll get a lot of attention anyways. Have thought about upgrading myself but most of my clients / MD’s have mistaken my Seiko for a Rolex
Day dates are not starter watches brother
Feel like a Rolex is totally fine as they are so common. A Patek is probably a bit much. Assuming other people are curious and ask you what it is, you then have to respond “it’s a Patek” is definitely going to sound a bit snobbish / spoiled. Obviously you aren’t because you worked very hard for your money, but they aren’t going to know that.
Fair enough, thanks for the input
Do the Calatrava. Nobody will notice anyway and if they care enough to ask, they’re watch guys and will “get it” anyway.
Don’t overthink it. Be who you are, wear what you love, and don’t be ashamed of it. You only live once.
Wise words!
You don't have anything to gain from wearing it to the office, but you do stand to lose by rubbing some people off the wrong way. Not worth the potential risks IMO. I didn't have massive savings like you but I'm fairly spoiled by my parents.
When I was starting out at an analyst at my firm, I purposely avoided wearing any name brand bags like Hermes to the office to avoid catching any negative attention bc people gossip or notice these things like you said. I didn't really lose anything from not wearing them to the office, I can wear them on my own time outside.
yeah, sure, $300k+ saved from internships before starting a full-time job after college. just be honest and say that your rich parents are spoiling you and can buy you a nice watch. there are lots of kids from rich parents in IB, so this forum will not blast you for being honest. get your nice watch, nobody will care.
chill, there’s no reason to cap on here lmao quit attacking ppl online
1) there is a reason - people feel good about themselves if they make a post saying that they earned something (even if in reality they got it as a gift)
2) do you actually believe a college kid can save $300k+ without using parents money?
3) calling out people's lies isn't attacking them.
this is so stupid.
you’re young buy something decent.
but what you should really do is buy something melania coins
My most frequently worn watches were a gold (Tiffany's to boot) Calatrava, a Tag (a quartz one) and a blue Overseas during my internships. I shelved the RO/Nautilus because they're so strongly associated with "bling" sub culture and carry negative connotations for people whose only contact with luxury watches is rap videos.
Seriously, nobody gave a shit except a few watch nerds that "get it."
A $10k, even $33k watch, is well within reach for a dedicated AN1 (even without a lot of prior earnings/savings). As long as you own up to the hobby, it's no different than saving up for a M5, which actually has less value retention (% wise especially) over 5+ year period. Rolexes are so ubiquitous, unless you rock a solid gold skydweller or something, nobody will bat an eye. Submariners and GMTs (even if you rock up with a Pepsi GMT, that will be more of an insider signal) in particular would just... blend in.
A rainbow daytona though, yeah, that's gonna trigger some questions about your discretion.
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