Job Discussion Forums

[Canuck2112]

It took me awhile to notice this...

The guy handing me my change at 7-11 is wearing an Omega Seamaster
The cab driver, as he turns around to notify me of my fare, is wearing a Rolex
The kid shovelling gyudon at Yoshinoya is wearing a Tag

These are all authentic watches that are WAY out of the budgets of the people working at these jobs.

I know fashion tends to be emphasized in Japan, but in regards to Men's watches it seems to be extreme.

Does anyone know the reason for this? Are watches, in particular, some sort of special status symbol in Japan?

[Wintermute]

Japanese are obsessed with brand. Usually those young Japanese you mention receive their watches as gifts for entering university but most just buy those watches with the bonuses that they earn at the end of the year. A Japanese office worker I knew (only on 250k a month) blew his entire 1.5 million yen bonus on a watch.

[flyer]

yes, I have noticed the same thing from time to time

[southofreality]

The obsession with brand names here is often disturbing, but lots of men in countries throughout the world have a fondness for high quality, Swiss made timepieces.

It was common in my grandfather's day for lower-middle class and even borderline poor men to fork over their hard-earned savings for expensive, brand name timepieces. In many, if not most cases they never needed to buy another watch.

And, when they were in their golden years, they passed their watches on to sons or grandsons.

Granted, a high quality, brandname watch doesn't make anyone a better person, and doesn't represent success in life necessarily. But, for those who appreciate a fine wristwatch, it often becomes a personal treasure.

I once spent a month's salary on a Tag and have never regretted it.

I have more contempt for people with money who get frustrated when they see a store clerk or a college kid with a nice watch and think 'How dare you try to represent yourself as having the same status as me!'
Of course, this isn't directed to anyone who has posted in this thread so far. It's just what I've experienced every once in a blue moon.

[Apsara]

Not just men. Bulgari, Hermes etc watches are really popular with women. When I was a university student I worked at a duty free shop in NZ and we sold plenty of Hermes watches worth around 200,000 yen to young Japanese women- probably OLs living rent free at their parents' houses with a lot of disposable income. Same with the Louis Vuitton bags etc- even university students have them, and they're real.

[AndyH]

It is also important to note that many of these young adults still live with their parents, and therefore have a good deal of disposable income.

I myself am a bit of a watch otaku, and purchased a couple of fine timepieces on my eikaiwa salary. I'm glad I did it too, especially in light of the fact that nowadays, as I support a wife and kid, I can't justify the expenditure.

[Hoser]

Yeah it's men and women both. I know my girlfriend spent her bonus on a Rolex watch. I've never asked her how much it was but sometimes I see similar watches in Bic Camera or other places and the price makes my jaw drop.

[mimimimi]

I know a Japanese guy who purchased both an expensive watch and bracelet. Really shiny ones. He likes to wear them on dates. I believe he thinks it will "impress the girl." Personally, if I see a guy wearing more jewelery than me . . . I stop . . . and start to back away slowly, while being careful not to maintain eye contact . . . but that's just me. FYI, this is also good advice if you ever come across a cougar or your mother-in-law.

[southofreality]

[gaijin4life]

*off- topic* but, - excellent choice of an avatar, Canuck 2112 !!

[gaijinalways]

Personally, I'd rather spend the money on a trip (like now)! A watch is only that, a watch. Now a days, many of my uni students in Japan just use their shiny new cellphones to know the time....

[Hoser]

Well I dunno. I mean a good watch is like a piece of art. That $6000 watch will last longer than you do if you take care of it. It could be a piece of jewelry that gets handed down from generation to generation. On the other hand, I would much rather play my PS3 on that Panasonic Viera TV which should only cost 300K at most.

[southofreality]

[Apsara]

I'd rather have a 6 month trip to South America than a piece of art I could pass to my descendants any day- it's a personal thing I suppose! But then I haven't worn a watch for years, I just look at my keitai if I want to know the time.

[southofreality]

I get what your saying, Aspara. But, I bet you have a little bit of a materialistic side, don't you? Come on, admit it. Don't you?

Well, with enough patience and a firm commitment, there's no reason why any of us couldn't have both the 6-month trip and the watch (or whatever expensive goody one really wants to buy).

Just don't take the watch to S.A. or you might come back without it.