How are AP unicorn watches allocated?

[WatchLover1234]

Hi folks, does anyone has any idea on how are AP unicorn watches allocated? I am opening this thread to share your knowledge and experience. Other than purchase history, what are other factors that are taken into considerations? Care to share? All comments are welcome.

[AshAP]

I might be wrong but I think if you have a huge passion for the brand that is a big help, repeat purchases are essential of course. I don’t think AP will just automatically sell the most desirable watches to the guy with the biggest wallet like a Rolex dealer, AP are more discerning than that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WatchLover1234]

Originally Posted by AshAP

I might be wrong but I think if you have a huge passion for the brand that is a big help, repeat purchases are essential of course. I don’t think AP will just automatically sell the most desirable watches to the guy with the biggest wallet like a Rolex dealer, AP are more discerning than that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think participating their marketing event will be a great help as well.. On top of that, support their new launch and new line.. That will be much more helpful

[AshAP]

Originally Posted by WatchLover1234

On top of that, support their new launch and new line.. That will be much more helpful

Only if you genuinely really like it and only ever buy what you like, don’t buy something just because you have led yourself to believe that a specific purchase will ingratiate you with the brand. My advice would be to never buy something now in the belief that it will open a door later, if you don’t really want it then leave it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WatchLover1234]

Originally Posted by AshAP

Only if you genuinely really like it and only ever buy what you like, don’t buy something just because you have led yourself to believe that a specific purchase will ingratiate you with the brand. My advice would be to never buy something now in the belief that it will open a door later, if you don’t really want it then leave it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fully agreed. The timepiece that you are thinking of buying must absolutely be the one you like.. Never ever buy something that you don't like and offload it fast just to gain a timepiece that you want.

[KBM]

Originally Posted by AshAP

Only if you genuinely really like it and only ever buy what you like, don’t buy something just because you have led yourself to believe that a specific purchase will ingratiate you with the brand. My advice would be to never buy something now in the belief that it will open a door later, if you don’t really want it then leave it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

x100.

[sokoloka]

What would you define as a unicorn watch?

[Hermann]

Originally Posted by sokoloka

What would you define as a unicorn watch?

Thats the final question..
A perpetual calendar skeleton in ceramic, a baguette skeleton, a ceramic skeleton and the salmon 15202 would be such special pieces or i am wrong?

[AshAP]

I’m guessing he’s referring to models such as 15202, 15407, ceramic Royal Oaks etc.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GS93108]

The reality is that none of us really have any idea of how they are allocated. From what we all know, there can’t be a ‘system’, it has to be at AP’s discretion. We ‘know’ that AP Le Brassus ‘signs off’ on certain items, but we don’t know how they make that decision.

Remember though, AP isn’t an abstract entity, it is a living machine with people at its heart and from the sales AD to FHB you need someone to be your advocate, so make sure you are worthy of someone ‘investing’ in you.

[Token74]

Originally Posted by GS93108

The reality is that none of us really have any idea of how they are allocated. From what we all know, there can’t be a ‘system’, it has to be at AP’s discretion. We ‘know’ that AP Le Brassus ‘signs off’ on certain items, but we don’t know how they make that decision.

Remember though, AP isn’t an abstract entity, it is a living machine with people at its heart and from the sales AD to FHB you need someone to be your advocate, so make sure you are worthy of someone ‘investing’ in you.

Lol...you summed that up in soooo many words less than me.

For anyone tempted to read what I’ve written, save yourself time and just read This!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GS93108]

Originally Posted by Token74

Lol...you summed that up in soooo many words less than me.

For anyone tempted to read what I’ve written, save yourself time and just read This!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

But I was just about to give your post a big thumbs up :)

My relationship with AP is all down to AP London, I had fallen into a negative frame of mind towards AP, but Maria in London fixed that and ever since I’ve been AP biggest advocate. To be honest I now consider everyone in London to be a ‘Maria’, they are all exceptional.

I think your post and mine = one thing = relationships trump money in the AP world. That’s not to say that spending zillions doesn’t assist in building a relationship, but turning up with an open wallet on day one isn’t the be all and end all.

[Token74]

Originally Posted by GS93108

But I was just about to give your post a big thumbs up :)

My relationship with AP is all down to AP London, I had fallen into a negative frame of mind towards AP, but Maria in London fixed that and ever since I’ve been AP biggest advocate. To be honest I now consider everyone in London to be a ‘Maria’, they are all exceptional.

I think your post and mine = one thing = relationships trump money in the AP world. That’s not to say that spending zillions doesn’t assist in building a relationship, but turning up with an open wallet on day one isn’t the be all and end all.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cascavel]

AP is a company that, like many others, is in business to make money. If you buy a lot of watches from AP they will grow to like you as a customer and, perhaps, a person. When there is a difficult to get watch that you desire they will favor you over someone who has little or no purchase history with them who also wants the same watch. If AP produces a limited edition high demand watch, like the WG salmon dial 15202, unless you have spent over $500,000 at AP, even if your SA loves you, you're not getting it.
And remember, however much money you have, there are a lot of folks with more who spend lavishly and they are you're competition in everything luxury.

[melhk]

Originally Posted by cascavel

AP is a company that, like many others, is in business to make money. If you buy a lot of watches from AP they will grow to like you as a customer and, perhaps, a person. When there is a difficult to get watch that you desire they will favor you over someone who has little or no purchase history with them who also wants the same watch. If AP produces a limited edition high demand watch, like the WG salmon dial 15202, unless you have spent over $500,000 at AP, even if your SA loves you, you're not getting it.
And remember, however much money you have, there are a lot of folks with more who spend lavishly and they are you're competition in everything luxury.

Sums it up pretty well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Token74]

It’s like so many other things, it’s about genuine relationships, especially with a company like AP.

I don’t buy into the fact that you can fake these relationships. There’s a bunch of folk on here that look down on SA’s. I’ve been one, although not the watch trade, and it’s a profession just like anything else (well, not like a surgeon! But you know what i mean). They can sniff out the people pretending to build a relationship so that they can jump the queue. Sure, as with any profession, you get good ones and bad ones, but the good ones know what they’re about.

If you are genuine. If you genuinely buy into the brand. If you genuinely want to build a relationship because you want to be part of the brand and you have a genuine passion for watches, then you have a chance of getting a special piece, but only if your sole purpose is not to get that special piece.

I have a special relationship with my Rolex AD and they have always got me what I’ve wanted. And they have way bigger spenders than me. But i genuinely value our relationship. They are nice people. They enjoy talking watches. They humour me when i want to geek out for an hour while the wife shops for shoes. I bought from them when grey dealers were cheaper (for younger viewers, yes, that was a thing!). I nearly compromised my opportunity to get a Nautilus because i was clear i would only buy jewellery from my Rolex AD, and not the Patek AD. I’m genuine and it’s a genuine relationship.

And by the way, my Nautilus was my first and only purchase from the Patek AD. I was helped by a friendly introduction, but I actually think it was my honesty (about the jewellery), my demonstrable commitment to my Rolex AD, and the fact he could tell i was really into watches and no way interested in hype or profit. He probably thinks that when I’m a bit older and in a position to buy a six figure Patek Perpetual, or a Patek for the wife, I will go to him and not another AD or grey just to make a saving. And he’s spot on!!

Sure, places like WoS probably just care about spend, but localised ADs or company’s like AP are different. I really don’t believe it’s about how much you spend. Filthy rich people probably just buy grey by the way because they want immediacy. The number of people that spend multi-six figures in a single watch store, is way more limited than the number of special watches made.

Just my opinion.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dauster]

Originally Posted by Token74

It’s like so many other things, it’s about genuine relationships, especially with a company like AP.

I don’t buy into the fact that you can fake these relationships. There’s a bunch of folk on here that look down on SA’s. I’ve been one, although not the watch trade, and it’s a profession just like anything else (well, not like a surgeon! But you know what i mean). They can sniff out the people pretending to build a relationship so that they can jump the queue. Sure, as with any profession, you get good ones and bad ones, but the good ones know what they’re about.

If you are genuine. If you genuinely buy into the brand. If you genuinely want to build a relationship because you want to be part of the brand and you have a genuine passion for watches, then you have a chance of getting a special piece, but only if your sole purpose is not to get that special piece.

I have a special relationship with my Rolex AD and they have always got me what I’ve wanted. And they have way bigger spenders than me. But i genuinely value our relationship. They are nice people. They enjoy talking watches. They humour me when i want to geek out for an hour while the wife shops for shoes. I bought from them when grey dealers were cheaper (for younger viewers, yes, that was a thing!). I nearly compromised my opportunity to get a Nautilus because i was clear i would only buy jewellery from my Rolex AD, and not the Patek AD. I’m genuine and it’s a genuine relationship.

And by the way, my Nautilus was my first and only purchase from the Patek AD. I was helped by a friendly introduction, but I actually think it was my honesty (about the jewellery), my demonstrable commitment to my Rolex AD, and the fact he could tell i was really into watches and no way interested in hype or profit. He probably thinks that when I’m a bit older and in a position to buy a six figure Patek Perpetual, or a Patek for the wife, I will go to him and not another AD or grey just to make a saving. And he’s spot on!!

Sure, places like WoS probably just care about spend, but localised ADs or company’s like AP are different. I really don’t believe it’s about how much you spend. Filthy rich people probably just buy grey by the way because they want immediacy. The number of people that spend multi-six figures in a single watch store, is way more limited than the number of special watches made.

Just my opinion.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

it seems to work for you, but let's be real you romanticized the shit out of it. If you continue to buy from one place and are a decent human being, show some interest they should consider you a good client. what else am I supposed to do? Write them poems and buy my ADs cars?

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by dauster

it seems to work for you, but let's be real you romanticized the shit out of it. If you continue to buy from one place and are a decent human being, show some interest they should consider you a good client. what else am I supposed to do? Write them poems and buy my ADs cars?

I feel you.

Seriously. Bigtime.

When spending millions (potentially) isn't enough to get you a $30k watch (e.g. Steel Jumbo Blue Dial) that social media has hyped up, it's rough.

[dauster]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

I feel you.

Seriously. Bigtime.

When spending millions (potentially) isn't enough to get you a $30k watch (e.g. Steel Jumbo Blue Dial) that social media has hyped up, it's rough.

lol let's open a poem thread so we can all get our grail pieces. And in case anybody wondered - yes, I am a bit frustrated even though I understand I am small time but still it's getting ridiculous.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

I feel you.

Seriously. Bigtime.

When spending millions (potentially) isn't enough to get you a $30k watch (e.g. Steel Jumbo Blue Dial) that social media has hyped up, it's rough.

But if one is just after one hype piece best to just forget about "relationship" and spend a few $$$ extra to go grey. No poems needed.

[WatchLover1234]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

But if one is just after one hype piece best to just forget about "relationship" and spend a few $$$ extra to go grey. No poems needed.

Don't think that a poem is needed at all..

[Token74]

Originally Posted by dauster

it seems to work for you, but let's be real you romanticized the shit out of it. If you continue to buy from one place and are a decent human being, show some interest they should consider you a good client. what else am I supposed to do? Write them poems and buy my ADs cars?

Hey, if you know better then all good. But I’ve done ok out of my romanticised approach.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dauster]

Originally Posted by Token74

Hey, if you know better then all good. But I’ve done ok out of my romanticised approach.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

more power to you, maybe me being hesitant going all the way has held me back... you definitely have way more success getting the pieces you want while you are also having fun. Sometimes it does feel a bit crazy though.

[fsprow]

Whoever the dealer and the company believe will generate the most profit contribution over the near and medium term. Easy peasy.

[dauster]

Originally Posted by WatchLover1234

Hi folks, does anyone has any idea on how are AP unicorn watches allocated? I am opening this thread to share your knowledge and experience. Other than purchase history, what are other factors that are taken into considerations? Care to share? All comments are welcome.

I'd say Kevin Hart, John Mayer, Conkers, Horolupe, Ellen DeGeneres, lebron james and 50% of the NBA, some pro golfers. In the rare occasion one or 2 pieces are left over they go to some super VIP.

EDIT: I forgot the dude from the fugees - Pras -that calls the AP CEO by his first name. This guy has one impressive collection.

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by dauster

I'd say Kevin Hart, John Mayer, Conkers, Horolupe, Ellen DeGeneres, lebron james and 50% of the NBA, some pro golfers. In the rare occasion one or 2 pieces are left over they go to some super VIP.

EDIT: I forgot the dude from the fugees - Pras -that calls the AP CEO by his first name. This guy has one impressive collection.

Sounds about right.

And that's what's depressing about the watch industry and watch collecting these days. It's out of reach. Even to those of us who spend a ton and have massive collections.

If AP or RM or the like want to continue catering to celebs, that's great, but they need to increase production or decrease production of references no one wants, and increase production of those we do want.

[GreenLantern]

dauster, happy to collab with you on a poem or two.

[GreenLantern]

Luckily, I'm not after just one hype piece. And somehow I doubt my poet friend, dauster, is either.

[MrBlahBlah]

Roses are red
Violets are blue
If I get a code,
Can I buy a 15202?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[ap1]

Originally Posted by MrBlahBlah

Roses are red
Violets are blue
If I get a code,
Can I buy a 15202?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Edit last Liine - can I geta jumbo too