And that’s why you never judge a book by its cover. Several years ago, Luke Combs told what’s become a pretty popular story among fans about the time he got the “Pretty Woman” treatment at the Rolex store in New York City, He’s a big watch guy, which was inspired by his grandfather who got one when he left his job at the mill and Luke saw how much it meant to him, as he recently explained during an interview with Popcast’s Jon Caramanica and Joe Coscarelli of The New York Times: “My grandfather got a watch when he left the mill, got a Rolex when he left the mill. He was always insanely proud of this… it signified this achievement of this thing that he earned. all of his work is summed up in this item that he can physically have and wear.” Of course, Luke explained that he never moved to Nashville to get rich, but that came along with his success in music, and he has started to collect watches as his one splurge. He also joked that he could maybe see why he did get the Pretty Woman treatment at the New York City Rolex store considering he walked in wearing camo gym shorts… something I’m certain those sales associates don’t see very often from most serious buyers: “I didn’t move to Nashville to get super rich, or be famous, or whatever. Those things came with what I wanted to do, and obviously, it’s wonderful. It’s amazing, my kids have an amazing life, I’m incredibly thankful for all of those things. But it just became… I got my first watch here, in New York. I got ‘Pretty Woman’d.’ I was wearing camo gym shorts, so I don’t necessarily blame them for doing that, you know? Well there’s the dance of the watch thing… so I walk in, and I’m like, stainless steel Yacht-Master, you got one? And they’re like, ‘No, what are you talking about?” It went on like that, and they continued to give him the run around until he explained that he was playing nearby Madison Square Garden that night and wanted to commemorate it with his first big watch purchase: “And I’m like, ‘What do you mean? Like, this is the story where you sell that.’ That’s like me walking into the Godiva store and them not having chocolate. Like, what are you talking about? What do you have? And they’re like, ‘None of these watches, we don’t have any of them.’ I’m like, I find it hard to believe that a company that’s spending money for this real estate, in New York city by The Garden, and there’s nothing for sale, you’re telling me that’s a thing. Don’t buy it one second. And this was not in an effort to try to flex on them, but I was just like, ‘I’m bummed because I’m playing Madison Square Garden tonight and I wanted to wear it.’ This is my first big watch purchase and such a big moment, and I was just opening for Aldean there, and so it wasn’t my show, but this felt like a big punch me moment. This is the, my grandfather’s watch moment of, man, I’ve made it, I’m getting here.” Eventually, Luke got his moment, because they happened to find one that was “on hold” in the back… convenient… “And they’re like, well, we may have one. We have one that’s on hold for a guy, let me go give him a call.’ [He’s] definitely real, and then he’s gonna say, you know what, I don’t want that watch I’ve been waiting five years on, actually. I don’t want that. Give it to that guy, he sounds like a cool guy.” It honestly makes for a great story now, and Combs clearly got the last laugh because he can buy any watch he wants to, though he says he doesn’t hold a grudge and he continues to purchase Rolex’s now in addition to many other kinds of watches. He specifically noted his new tradition of buying a watch when he had each of his sons, so that must mean he’s got another new accessory on the way as Luke’s wife, Nicole, just gave birth to their youngest son Chet Wiley Combs several weeks ago: View this post on Instagram Luke also noted that he’s really into buying vintage watches right now, one of which he showed off at the CMA Awards this past November, where he sported a gorgeous Elvis Presley-owned Omega watch which the one and only Johnny Cash had gifted to Elvis for his birthday in 1969, when he would’ve turned 34-years-old. The inscription on the inside of the watch reads: “To E. From J. Jan 8 1969.” Of course, Elvis and Cash were early signees to the iconic Sun Records label, as Cash signed with them in 1954, and Elvis Presley began his career there in 1954, signing a contract in November of 1955. They toured together in the 50’s, and were close friends during the early part of their careers, and of course, are both two of the most iconic, influential musicians to ever live, so it’s truly an incredible piece to own. Luke purchased this piece of history for a cool $103,700, but I’m sure it was a much more pleasant buying experience than the Rolex store in NYC… View this post on Instagram You can watch the full podcast below. The post Luke Combs Understands Why He Got The ‘Pretty Woman’ Treatment Buying A Rolex In New York City: “I Was Wearing Camo Gym Shorts” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.