this post was submitted on 20 Oct 2023
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I’m finding it harder and harder to tell my wife that I’m buying a new watch. After about 4 watches, she can’t understand why I would buy more. I’m curious as to smartest or most interesting way that someone has used to get around this issue.

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[–] Secure-Marionberry80@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Deception by omission is different than lying. After a certain point, they can’t tell them apart anyways. Get a P.O. Box if you really want to hide it.

[–] Desperate_Mistake_81@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

About as far as I would go is to say I got it on the grey market. But other than that, don’t lie it’s not worth it

[–] watchwatcherwatchest@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

You dont wanna lie, you want her on board with the amount of money youre spending or you wanna be more choosy about your watches. She will find out eventually and its way uglier when it comes out you lied

[–] Jerseybz@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

No I don't lie. If I really want another I would probably sell one that I have. Unless you have a ton of disposable income I don't see a need for more than 4-5 watches. Id rather have quality over quantity.

[–] RobinsShaman@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Lie. Lie about your lies. Then lie some more. Eventually she will be so confused and suspicious she will start questioning reality. And eventually you can have a watch collection you can be proud of.

[–] Fun_Apartment631@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Set up your finances so your fun money isn't coming out of household money. Do whatever.

My wife has turned into kind of an enabler. 🤣

[–] beet_taco@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

this is the way. my wife and I separated our finances at the beginning of our marriage and it’s the best decision we’ve ever made. regardless of who makes how much, having some bucket of money you aren’t accountable to your spouse for is a pretty incredible pressure valve.

[–] CdeFmrlyCasual@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Do y’all have a seperate joint account for the big stuff? I’ve heard of couples have a hybrid arrangement like that.

[–] beet_taco@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

yeah - we have a joint account that we both contribute to that covers family expenses, mortgage, etc.

[–] irfaanihsanjaffer@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

It’s all from my “fun money”. However, I’m always hesitant to tell her I’m using it to buy a new watch. It’s not that she’ll stop me from spending my “fun money” on whatever I want, I’m just tired of all the comments about it.

[–] starvingking721@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Might be some rounding down of prices here or there

[–] Cranialscrewtop@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Money disagreements is 1 of the biggest causes of divorce. Work it out, man. Above all, don't lie about it.

[–] Zamboni4201@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Take a photo of here shoe closet. Or makeup cabinet. Or whatever it is she’s into. Scarves, jackets, whatever it is, she has something that, to a guy, seems excessive. It’s usually shoes.

And when asked, if you have time, she’ll likely give you a lengthy story about the need for each and every pair of shoes.

Next time she says something about watches, bring up the picture, rotate the phone, show it to her, “you have shoes, I have watches.”

[–] irfaanihsanjaffer@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Love it. This is the kind of responses I was looking for.

[–] Orpheusf13@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

No, you should probably figure out how to communicate that to her.

That said, I’ve heard from a McLaren salesperson that he has a client who buys the new version of the his car in the same color every couple of years, keeps it under a cover in his garage and told his wife he’s had the same car for over a decade so to each their own!

[–] stoned-autistic-dude@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

I'm going on 11 years with my wife, and if you have to lie to your significant other, I'm pretty certain things aren't going to last.

[–] irfaanihsanjaffer@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (3 children)

I could’ve worded the title of my post a lot better. What I was trying to ask is what are the best/interesting/smartest ways you’ve used to justify buying watches to your significant other. I don’t want to lie and I don’t plan to lie to my wife … basically, how do I do this without lying. (I’m still new to using Reddit - is it not possible to edit the title of my original post?)

[–] betrayedconcept@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

It’s hard if your spouse is a saver. Easier if you can explain to her it’s a hobby you enjoy and it brings you some level of happiness (hopefully it does lol). A good partner should support you within reason.

[–] CdeFmrlyCasual@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

You can edit the body of your posts but not the title.

[–] irfaanihsanjaffer@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Yes. Exactly. I’m not lying to my wife nor am I spending money out of budget. (Despite what 95% of the comments are about. Haha) It’s more-so my reasoning or just convincing here it’s actually a fun hobby to have.

Yes, you’re right, I should’ve changed my wording but too late now I guess.

I can’t find how to change text of the post either. I’ve changed it before. But when I check here, there’s no option for me to do anything.

[–] CdeFmrlyCasual@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Gotcha. Just try to figure out a good way to explain why you like the ones you do outside of fashion considerations.

For me, it’s a mix of because-i-like-shiny-things, historical souvenirs, and appreciation of watchmaking. I like my dressy watches but i like the Soviet engineering of my Vostoks and having a watch or two from a country that no longer exists.

[–] eggnogeggnogeggnog@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Compare it to the 400 dollars she just spent on J-pop merch easy

[–] ObjectiveAssistance8@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Depends on whether you consider your watches or your wife more important. If the latter (which I sincerely hope), then, no, don't lie. Communicate and find common ground. My wife is supportive of my expensive hobbies (watches, knives, etc.), but she also gives me some good pushback now again (that I need). She trusts me, but also isn't afraid to smack a bit of sense into me. We've been through more trouble than most (accidents, serious health issues, brain injuries, etc) and have stuck it out together. Maybe that's why she gives me more slack than I probably deserve :)

[–] too_much_covfefe_man@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

My wife likes watches too

And cars 😬

[–] MyNameIsVigil@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Every lie we tell incurs a debt to the truth. Sooner or later, that debt is paid.

[–] DangleVonBallbag@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

My job is to provide for the family. After that it’s my choice.

[–] Happy_Boy_29@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

When yon has a habit like watches there is nothing to lie about, it's not like yon is stuffing white powders up yon nose or leaving train tracks on yon veins, if yon is not absolutely up front about what yon is upto yon has to ask yon self is she a keeper. Squabling about money is a sure sign things are going to get messy. Get yon significant other on board, talk to her about yon interest, ask her opinions yon never know she might find horology as absolutely fascinating as you do and grow to really love it. Good luck !

[–] MyPlanetMars@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Just budget it in advance, so it is an expected and tolerable spending that is accounted for.

For example, for you, maybe $50 a month is fine. "Instead of doing XXX, I am putting that money aside for a watch", or "let's each put $50 a month to a fun/hobby account." And, once you have enough money, you can get it. It's clear, and each month, it's a manageable amount. You and your wife can do it as a fun thing for both of you. Maybe she can use it for purse, jewelry, or something else.

Budgeting gives freedom, not restriction like a lot of people think. For example, if you don't budget, you might feel bad for every time you go out and eat. But, if you already budgeted $200 for eating out, you can feel free and have fun going out as long as you stick to the budget. Same with watches, or other "fun" spending. Allow yourself that budget, and have guilt-free fun.

[–] 1900hustler@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

I am the CFO of the household - my job is to take care of everyone and everything. If I am not putting us into any debts or financial hardships we cannot manage then I am free to do what I want. My bonus is basically free for me to spend on anything since I earned that through effort and hard work so that’s what I use.

Between that bonus i buy/sell/trade and keep watch numbers the same so it’s never oh you got so many watches it’s same number just a different piece

[–] grathontolarsdatarod@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

I'm going to give you the benefit of doubt.

Lying about the cost of a watch might not be such a bad idea.

It sounds like you're heading for divorce with or without the watch, so might as well gaslight her for her half of it, anyway.

Oh and remember to remind her and her lawyer, bonus if the kids are around, that it was her dumbass that thought you'd be worth it when she agreed to marry in the first place.

Enjoy your time piece!! 😀

Either that, or at least you and her boyfriend will know the truth. Honestly, its a better investment than the FDs you were probably going to blow her money on. AND FRIDAY IS TOMORROW!!

[–] dodge81@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

When I first started trying to grow my collection, maybe 4-5 years back I was a bit embarrassed to admit to my wife that I wanted to spend some of my newly found pay rise on more watches, so I bought a cheap one (think it was about £90) and showed her. Explained as best I could that I loved watches, but would never spend any of the house money on them, it would only ever be ‘spare’ money. (No idea what that is anymore like….)

I found then that being upfront about it all meant she was happy I wouldn’t bankrupt us, and I was happy that I could continue with my obsession. She knows that I would sell a watch to fund something if/when needed also and not do anything daft.

She’s now part of the hobby albeit in a smaller way than myself, and even took me to a boutique in Sorrento earlier this year to try on a Monaco I’d been mumbling about wanting. (I bottled out of the purchase though!!)

[–] saintmsent@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Lying about money is among the stupidest and worst things you can do for a relationship. Be honest, try to explain to her why buying watches is fun or important to you, and don't sacrifice your financial stability for a new toy

[–] irfaanihsanjaffer@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Just to be clear
I do not lie to my wife about buying watches or spend money beyond our budget. I am simply tired of getting comments like: “Why would you buy another watch when you have so many” followed by an eye-roll. I was wondering how people justify collecting watches to their significant other.
It was my fault for being unclear, but please, please stop responding by telling me not to lie to my wife or that we’re getting divorced. Just FYI we’ve been happily married for 7 years with two beautiful daughters. We’re good

[–] bobbiek1961@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Let us discuss shoes and throw pillows, wife, Dear...