My encounter with Mr D.

[Legend]

I attended a business dinner/gathering recently, and the host was known to an AP aficionado, and a [censored] in my humble opinion. You know, the type that would talk to you only if he thinks you are of equal status, and even so, behaves like he is conferring a great favor upon you when speaking with you. Oh, and he is a replica watch hater according to my associate and friend (a rep collector himself) and I believe that he is of opinion that all rep wearers should be condemned to the deepest pits of the abyss with no chance of being absolved. Yeah, you know the type.

The dinner was expectedly a lush affair held at a restaurant in a luxurious hotel, and to give credit where it is due, it was a very sumptuous dinner, one where everyone enjoyed. It is the after-dinner conversation I want to tell you about. There were about 50 guests, and after dinner, we all started the drinks and everyone stood up to mingle with one another. Pretentious, superfluously polite high society stuff. I was as out of place with the perfunctory pleasantries as a chandelier in a kitchen, and felt as bored as when I was watching the movie "The Marine".. ok, the movie was worse, except that I got to grope my date fairly outrageously. But I digress, thats a story for a different day.

Anyway, I was scanning the scene, with a drink in hand and feeling like an idiot, while trying to look sophisticated and intelligent and "in", when I spotted the host at the end of the room, pouring himself a drink at the bar. I noted the very generous belly disagreeing with the nice dark blue Armani suit he had on (I found out it was Armani only later on), his ostrich leather Hermes belt, his jowls quivering as he returned a greeting of a guest rather loudly, and yes, I noticed the AP ROO, a Volcano, on his wrist. It was then that I decided to engage the man in a conversation for the sake of courtesy, learning, and experience his notoriety first hand. Boredom fled from me like Legion being exorcised. I straightened my jacket lapels a little, flicked my wrist for a check (wearing my gen AP ROO black themes), and began approaching my target.

He was just about to finish pouring his drink at the bar, when I reached him. A tentative "Hello Mr D" started it all. (The conversation shown here is an approximation of what went down, and close enough to pass for the actual exchange)

He looked up, or rather, he looked slightly down. He was about 6'3", and me, a modest, willowy 5'11". A petulant little frown, a little self-important throat clearing, and a rather cautious "Hi, don't believe we've met?" from him. You could almost sense him drawing the cloak of wealth, experience and wisdom, all 49 yrs of him, around him as a mantle to make him seem the bigger dog. He drew up to his full height and stretched out a hand, a gesture which must be learnt from watching countless episodes of Julius Caesar and the glory of Rome.

I took his hand and shook it, and introduced myself, along with the fact that I was a "friend of S, an associate of his" I also commented that I wanted to tell him that I noticed that he had a nice watch, and wanted to ask his advice as well as to take a closer look as I wanted to buy one myself.

D checked his wrist, as if noticing his watch for the first time, and remarked: "Oh? I see. I did not know they pay (my job title) so well these days!" Guffaws. The hearty laughter caused a few heads to turn and stare. It was Jabba the Hutt trying to intimidate the younger Jedi. (OK I am no young buck myself, but younger ) I smiled in response and waited.

He noticed my watch too, and asked: "You wear an ROO too! Is that a black themes? Is it real?" Yep just as I expected. Taking no prisoners here. Eyes widened a little in mock innocence at his questions. How quaint. That must be how the big bad wolf looked to the little red riding hood just before threatening to make her into lasagne. Yes I know, it depends on which version of the red riding hood you read. Mine had something to do with lasagne I recall.

"Erm yeah. Bought it from a friend. Wanna have a look?". I replied dutifully. In reality, the watch from bought from the local AD in Singapore. I became friends with the sales agent after a few purchases.

"Here, let me have a look." He sighed, the appearance of a judge before a heavy sentencing, and I removed my watch for him. He took it in his hand, inspected it front and back and front and back, ad nauseum, and finally, he handed it back and pronounced it "A very very well made replica" and that "I am quite impressed". There was the obvious look of triumph, contempt and dark promises of doom all mixed together on his impressively rotund face, as he handed me the watch back. I asked him "oh really, Mr D? This was my first AP (it is) and I would like to know, what gives?"

Mr D looked a little flustered and truth be told, quite angry at me. He said to me "Take it to (he named the local AD which I bought my watch from) and said I referred you. They will be able to tell you more. Now if you'll excuse me..."

"But Mr D," I replied neutrally, "I bought it from my friend at the same AD. Do they make as good a replica version for your Volcano as well?"

Mr D glared at me, but was recalcitrant. "Yes, but sorry your watch does not look real."

Me "why so?"

Mr D: "it just doesn't." and then he sauntered off to bestow his contemptuousness on someone who could appreciate it more.

What I want to share, is that there will be people in your life, who just refuse to believe that you can afford the same, or nicer watches, cars or houses as they do. Mr D is an expatriate working in Singapore, and has been living here for the past 8 years. I will not name his original country of origin, as it has no bearing on the story or the point I am trying to make.

I never did get to see his ROO Volcano more closely, nor get to engage him in any meaningful conversation for the rest of that night. But I took no umbrage at his offence. There have always been, and there will always be guys like Mr D around. I do not know if this is a reverse call-out or not, but this is an abridged and true version of what happened, just to share with you guys.

[sgtguk]

One word L ...........you know its coming.........ass hole met a few of them myself over the years, no time for them!

Thanks for sharing

[Watchmeister]

Very entertaining. How does it feel to be the "superior" gen owner.

[Legend]

One word L ...........you know its coming.........ass hole met a few of them myself over the years, no time for them!

Thanks for sharing

I am tempted to post his pic, but a guy like him would probably be rushing to sue me for defamation, libel, and everything in between.

[Legend]

Very entertaining. How does it feel to be the "superior" gen owner.

Most of the time, feels the same as wearing any of my reps actually.

But gens have their own value and uses, under specific situations.

[folex]

LOL.

Ignorance from a "wise" 49 years old. TBH many of my friends have a gen AP, and one of my close buddies got his first watch on his 21st Birthday. (Also an AP Black Theme, seems to be the first or coolest AP to get) It is true that it does cost a lot of money to purchase, but that does not mean people like you couldn't afford one. It sounds as though you are an associate I-banker, if I may guess, and sure enough someone in your caliber would easily be able to afford one.

Furthermore, the prices of cars in Singapore are extremely high relative to the States. It would make more sense to "invest" on an AP than to save up for a car and mod it as a hobby.

You probed his ego, probably going to trade in it and get a Richard Mille. LOL

Edited October 29, 2012 by folex

[danielv2000]

Real classy guy this Mr D. With a gen on your wrist, a $1000 bet might have been in order.

[Legend]

LOL. Such ignorance from a "wise" 49 years old. TBH most of my friends have a gen AP, and one of my close buddies got his first watch on his 21st Birthday. (Also an AP Black Theme, seems to be the first or coolest AP to get) It is true that it does cost a lot of money to purchase, but that does not mean people like you couldn't afford one. It sounds as though you are an associate I-banker, if I may guess, and sure enough someone in your caliber would easily be able to afford one.

Furthermore, the prices of cars in Singapore are extremely high relative to the States. It would make more sense to "invest" on an AP than to save up for a car and mod it as a hobby.

You probably probed his ego, probably going to trade in it and get a Richard Mille. LOL

Hey mate, good to hear from you again!

yes I guess he was pretty offended that I could afford a watch in "same" league, though if you want to be technical about it, the Volcano still costs quite a bit more than my basic entry level ROO..

I am not a banker, though lol, but lets just say I earn enough to get by, with a enough to buy a few occasional nice things from time to time.. you know how Singapore is like.

I used to have a nifty little car collection, but like you said, it makes much more sense buying a watch than a car in this heavily governed little republic.

You have lucky and rich friend. I owned my first ROO at the comparatively ripe age of 27.

[Legend]

Real classy guy this Mr D. With a gen on your wrist, a $1000 bet might have been in order.

A guy like him, would find excuses to weasel out of it, and in the process, make me a conman.

The funny thing is, his picture can be found on google lol, I tried today. In the first picture I chanced upon, he was wearing a royal oak, partially hidden by shirtsleeves.

There are guys, that no matter how many APs he own, could not buy self-confidence and the confidence could only come from belittling the next guy.

[folex]

Hey mate, good to hear from you again!

yes I guess he was pretty offended that I could afford a watch in "same" league, though if you want to be technical about it, the Volcano still costs quite a bit more than my basic entry level ROO..

I am not a banker, though lol, but lets just say I earn enough to get by, with a enough to buy a few occasional nice things from time to time.. you know how Singapore is like.

I used to have a nifty little car collection, but like you said, it makes much more sense buying a watch than a car in this heavily governed little republic.

You have lucky and rich friend. I owned my first ROO at the comparatively ripe age of 27.

Hey! Yeah, haven't heard from you in a while. Hope that you're keeping up with the 'lavish-life.' hehe.

You're probably right, but despite the Volcano being slightly priced higher. I think the Black Theme is very nice Plus, the price difference isn't significant anyways, you could have gotten it if you really did want it. Its just a matter of preference.

Yeah, I have many lucky friends if you put it that way. 18 And already driving Maserati's, Ferrari's etc. I guess having a self-made man like yourself has its pride too

[TeeJay]

D is for Douchebag...

Awesome handling of the situation, bro I hate that kind of "Say I sent you..." smug nepotism of someone like that making out like they're doing you a favor You showed him who was the real Mr Big at the party

[dluddy]

Great story.

What a pretentious snit

[Legend]

D is for Douchebag...

Awesome handling of the situation, bro I hate that kind of "Say I sent you..." smug nepotism of someone like that making out like they're doing you a favor You showed him who was the real Mr Big at the party

Hey bro, thanks for dropping by.

Yes name dropping are either for those who cannot use their own, or think too much of their own. I was, truthfully, a small fish swimming among the bigger ones at the event, and engaging in social politics can be very boring.

I think you would have done better than me in such circumstances. I'll have liked to watch you take him to school

Great story.

What a pretentious snit

There's one in every rep collector's life I reckon.

[GarrettP1]

Ignore self-important people.

Only deal with them on a professional basis if you have to.

Never solicit their opinion.

Cut them off (politely) if they start to offer one anyway.

Assume they don't like you, accept that, and carry on.

I see them all the time in my field.

[Rolexman]

Cool story. 100 bucks his volcano is a rep

[TeeJay]

Hey bro, thanks for dropping by.

Yes name dropping are either for those who cannot use their own, or think too much of their own. I was, truthfully, a small fish swimming among the bigger ones at the event, and engaging in social politics can be very boring.

I think you would have done better than me in such circumstances. I'll have liked to watch you take him to school

Have to admit, I don't think I'd've let him just walk away without qualifying precisely why he thought the watch was a fake, although I'd've tried not to tread on his toes too much at his own party, maybe just asked his wife or barely-legal daughters if they wanted any free tattoos I took my wife's surname (which sounds like Old Money) when we got married, and brush up nicely for swanky dos

[grew]

Its funny, there are those that treat watches as a status symbol and those that are true lovers of Horology. When I lived in NYC and approached people I was acquainted with regarding their watches, I have had utter douchebags wearing AP's, Panerai's and Rolex's make condescending comments about whatever gen I had on my wrist, all were done out of ignorance and many times my watch was worth more than theirs. Similar conversations have resulted in me trying on 50k+ Patek's and ALS's. It truly depends on the person and why they are wearing the watch.

[w0lf]

Arrogance on the part of the meritorious is even more offensive to us than the arrogance of those without merit: for merit itself is offensive.

-Friedrich Nietzsche