[paulpauper]

Are people still impressed by Rolexes? This is not the 90s or 80s anymore when dropping $10k on a watch was a big move. Things have really exploded post-Covid with influencer culture and wealth appearing seemingly ex nihilo. These nobody, no-name kids seem to have so much money, even.

[metaphor]

> This is not the 90s or 80s anymore when dropping $10k on a watch was a big move.

To be fair, you're disconnected from economic reality if you think dropping $10k on a watch today isn't a big financial move.

[seattle_spring]

I interpreted “big” to mean “impressive to your neighbors”, not “big” as in “financially significant.”

[nalekberov]

Well, distribution of wealth is still more or less the same; the gap is even wider and wider now.

Additionally, money can only move one just a little bit higher in social hierarchy. Those influencers influence young minds to consume more and more stuff, get money from the brands they are advertising, spend on expensive things - which are produced and sold by rich people. Direction of flow is always the same, rich gets richer, poor stays poor, so called "no-name kids" continue driving people to consume (mostly) useless things.

[jurassic]

I don't know about Rolexes specifically, but there is definitely a male subculture of people obsessed with watches who will be impressed by somebody sporting the right bling. I'm not into it, but I can see why many people are given they roll art, engineering, collecting, and conspicuous display of power/wealth all into one.

[Andrex]

For some guys it's cars, for some it's watches. It's kinda weird seeing the men of my generation run around trying to find their "X" for "Yeah, I'm the <X> guy. Impressed?"

[fsckboy]

hypergamy. (particularly male) humans have been in a status conscious rate race since caveman days, it's built in and not likely to change. consciously avoiding it is just an alternate strategy in the same game, like the "wears sneakers with a tux" guy.

I wish the men around me didn't choose cars for how much noise they make, I live on a somewhat busy street.

[tempest_]

The internet has just ruined niche culture a bit in my opinion.

I used to be harder to find people in to a specific sub-culture but now it is easy to find a subeditor or whatever. They just feed off each other until they are insufferable.

Beer, mechanical keyboards, watches, whatever.

[argiopetech]

"Seem to have" is relevant. There's an entire industry focused around renting you a mansion in the hills, Ferrari, Rolex, chain, cameras and lighting equipment... For 4 hours so you can do your Insta shoot and head back to your normal life.

Also, anybody can get a credit card and build a credit limit relatively quickly that will buy (though not pay for) multiple Rolexes.

[Andrex]

It all depends on who you're trying to appeal to. There's a big segment of the (male) population that's really, really into watches. Kevin Rose famously got distracted by the vertical for a good few years (I think it was "Hodinkee?" or something equally unserious.)

[yieldcrv]

they are, rolexes are engineered well and most recognizable.

there is more niche affinity to certain brands and aesthetics that are seen as far more coveted than rolex, from the people that matter. as in, there are absolutely some circles of people that will lend you respect for the curated taste and often have access to resources reserved for people that prove it with these material things, whereas rolex will be a neutral to negative signal.

no different than wearing a suit in a professional setting, to one thats fitted, or cufflinks, there are just levels to it that continue with accessories.

aside from that, one benefit is that thieves typically don't recognize other brands. they recognize rolexes and a couple others though.

[kshahkshah]

Think it is having the opposite effect you’re assuming. You might have just gotten older…

[roflchoppa]

I’m impressed with the engineering. But not so much as a “flaunt it” item.