- Rohan Dhawan shared an encounter with a businessman who revealed that his Rolex Daytona is a first copy bought for ₹ 10,000 from an Instagram page, despite looking identical to the luxury timepiece that retails for over ₹ 25 lakh.
- The businessman stated, "Where I'm sitting today, people never even assume it could be fake. It shows the time, it gets me compliments, it does the work for me. So why spend that kind of money on a real one?"
- Dhawan expressed feeling confused and awkward, stating he couldn't fully agree or disagree with the businessman's logic.
- The LinkedIn post sparked a debate about luxury, social status, and authenticity, with users commenting on how stature and net worth influence perceptions of the watch.
- The businessman noted that his net worth earned him compliments rather than the watch itself, stating, "The watch did not earn the compliment. His net worth did."
- Another user commented that true luxury is about intrinsic value and respect for the asset, stating, "Shortcuts might fool the room, but authenticity is always for oneself."
A Delhi businessman worth Rs 500 crore has sparked a debate on luxury and authenticity by revealing he wears a counterfeit Rolex Daytona, purchased for Rs 10,000. In a conversation with entrepreneur Rohan Dhawan, he stated, “Where I’m sitting today, people never even assume it could be fake. It shows the time, it gets me compliments, it does the work for me. So why spend that kind of money on a real one?”13
This admission has ignited discussions about the value of genuine luxury items versus replicas, with many questioning whether social status and personal credibility outweigh authenticity. Dhawan expressed his internal conflict, stating, “I sat there confused, awkward, and lost in thought because I do not agree with him but I couldn’t fully disagree either.”
The conversation highlights a broader societal trend where perceived value often supersedes actual worth. One user noted, “It means, for a lot of people, the room they’re standing in has become worth more than the object itself. The watch did not earn the compliment. His net worth did.”5
Others chimed in, emphasizing that true luxury should be about personal satisfaction rather than external validation. “True luxury isn’t about what others assume; it’s about the intrinsic value, craftsmanship, and respect for the asset itself,” one commenter remarked.6
As the debate continues, it raises important questions about consumer behavior and the evolving definitions of luxury in modern society.
“The businessman's Rolex Daytona retails for over Rs 25 lakh, but he bought the replica from an Instagram page. The post sparked debate, with one user noting that Bill Gates wears a Casio Duro, suggesting stature makes the watch classy, not the other way around.”
The Indian Express
