I've been trying to decide on a special, durable piece that I can wear everybody. At the moment, I wear my wedding rings and small diamond studs daily, and only take them off to clean or, in the case of the rings, when I'm in the free weight section at the gym. I thought that a nice watch would be the perfect addition, and went to compare the Ballon Bleu and Oyster Perpetual in person. Instead, I ending up trying on a Lady Datejust in TT Everose--big mistake! I absolutely loved it, but it was double the price of what I'd anticipated spending on a Rolex.
While I have enough money to pay for it, SO and I have so many other short-term and long-term priorities that I'd feel really guilty getting it. I never showed him the watch or the model when I mentioned wanting one, because I didn't want to deal with his reaction. He flips out at the cost of my infrequent haircuts ($120 before tip), even though he's okay spending that on a nice meal, and there's no amount of money that would make him think that it's worth spending that much on a watch, designer bag, denim, etc. (I'm the more frugal when it comes to restaurants).
We share an account, and he is the primary earner, though I work, am the main caregiver for our child, and have earned enough to afford the watch. I'm in my mid-30s, and feel like I'll have to wait more than two to three decades before the price will ever be justified, namely after our infant and future children are out of college and married. While the pragmatic, sensible part of me agrees with this, another part thinks that there'll never be a "right" time, and that it makes sense to splurge now so that I enjoy wearing it for many years to come.
Besides the watch, I've considered getting a bangle, something classic and discrete. Maison Birks' flex bracelet is dainty, goes with everything, but also seems a tad on the plain side. No qualms about the price, thanks to the US/CAN exchange rate. I also have had my eye on the thin Cartier Love bracelet, but am not sure how it would hold up to daily wear. There are stories of people randomly losing half their bracelet because of the screws falling out.
I've also considered getting a small diamond pendant for daily wear, nothing too fancy, just something to augment what is otherwise a fairly casual style.
Overall, in terms of price, the Rolex is the most expensive, but it seems more justifiable in terms of craft and workmanship. I'm not sure how I'd feel about wearing a TT Everose specifically to the gym, though, whereas I'd be comfortable wearing an SS oyster perpetual. The Cartier bracelet seems really overpriced for what it is, but I like the idea of wearing if for life and adding engravings along the way. I can't do that with the Birks, but the Birks is also half the price of the Cartier.
What would you choose? For those that splurged much later in life, do you wish you had made the purchase earlier?
While I have enough money to pay for it, SO and I have so many other short-term and long-term priorities that I'd feel really guilty getting it. I never showed him the watch or the model when I mentioned wanting one, because I didn't want to deal with his reaction. He flips out at the cost of my infrequent haircuts ($120 before tip), even though he's okay spending that on a nice meal, and there's no amount of money that would make him think that it's worth spending that much on a watch, designer bag, denim, etc. (I'm the more frugal when it comes to restaurants).
We share an account, and he is the primary earner, though I work, am the main caregiver for our child, and have earned enough to afford the watch. I'm in my mid-30s, and feel like I'll have to wait more than two to three decades before the price will ever be justified, namely after our infant and future children are out of college and married. While the pragmatic, sensible part of me agrees with this, another part thinks that there'll never be a "right" time, and that it makes sense to splurge now so that I enjoy wearing it for many years to come.
Besides the watch, I've considered getting a bangle, something classic and discrete. Maison Birks' flex bracelet is dainty, goes with everything, but also seems a tad on the plain side. No qualms about the price, thanks to the US/CAN exchange rate. I also have had my eye on the thin Cartier Love bracelet, but am not sure how it would hold up to daily wear. There are stories of people randomly losing half their bracelet because of the screws falling out.
I've also considered getting a small diamond pendant for daily wear, nothing too fancy, just something to augment what is otherwise a fairly casual style.
Overall, in terms of price, the Rolex is the most expensive, but it seems more justifiable in terms of craft and workmanship. I'm not sure how I'd feel about wearing a TT Everose specifically to the gym, though, whereas I'd be comfortable wearing an SS oyster perpetual. The Cartier bracelet seems really overpriced for what it is, but I like the idea of wearing if for life and adding engravings along the way. I can't do that with the Birks, but the Birks is also half the price of the Cartier.
What would you choose? For those that splurged much later in life, do you wish you had made the purchase earlier?