Ruining a non-existent boutique relationship

[messikens]

What are your thoughts on the following situation:
I've talked quite a bit with an AD boutique in a major city and been put "on the list" for a watch for myself (15500 non-blue) as well as a 77350ST for my wife - probably for about a year or so but so far no movement...

I have a different connection to an AD that had a 77350 in store that I can definitely get within 2 weeks as I have been promised that watch.

That said, I am torn between getting it now immediately vs actually procuring it from the boutique where I can establish a longer term relationship. That said, no date has been promised whereas the other AD has definitely given me the thumbs up.

Will this be a negative viewpoint from the boutique? Or actually help as I will be seen as a prior AP customer for any forthcoming purchases anyway once I own a piece?

Any thoughts welcome as I am new to this process and all its details / inner workings.

[KCT]

I was in the exact same situation earlier this year.

Went to a boutique and requested for a 15500 (white) plus 77350 as a matching set but no news for a couple of months.

Then an AD whom I have a relationship with offered me the 77350 available immediately. But the AD is very upfront and mentioned that they have not received any 15500 to date. Hence the chance of getting the 15500 subsequently is very very low.

What I did in the end was to go to the boutique and speak with my sales guy. Explained the situation and I gave up the watch from the AD. I guess this reinforce that I am a serious buyer. Thereafter they took a deposit for the 77350 and it came in a few weeks. A few months later, I got the call for the 15500.

While your end result may not replicate mine, I think you can try contacting the boutique again and request that they take a deposit? Once they take a deposit, you are quite confirmed in getting the watch.

I feel that buying from the AD does not help in any way with the boutique.
Best to stick with the boutique.

[GS93108]

If you aren't already an AP customer then I'd buy the 77350 from your AD now. That way you will at least register as an existing customer with AP. As of next year AP is supposedly focusing on the customers they already have rather than new customers.

[cascavel]

If you don't buy the 77350 from the boutique then you have no chance of getting the 15500.

[Willyjo]

Take it.

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[1William]

If the watch you want is available from the AD then take it and move on. The speculation that you may or may not get it in the future or if you don't buy from the Boutique you will not get the watch is just that, speculation. "One on the wrist is always better than one on the list." Good luck.

[www777]

Do boutiques normally request a deposit? A boutique added me to the list but didn’t ask for a deposit. I requested a new 43 ROO and new diver. Maybe those are not in high demand so a deposit isn’t required? Or should I call back to offer a deposit?

[macrowatch]

Originally Posted by www777

Do boutiques normally request a deposit? A boutique added me to the list but didn’t ask for a deposit. I requested a new 43 ROO and new diver. Maybe those are not in high demand so a deposit isn’t required? Or should I call back to offer a deposit?

Yes, when the watch is allocated to you and on the way in.

Other situation is someone changed their mind and you jump into the slot and just go in to pickup/pay for the watch.

[macrowatch]

OP, I'd just get the watch now from an AD. I don't think it hurts your relationship with the pending boutique. It also depends on how much dry powder you have or if you are budget sensitive.

[Bearxj86]

Having spoken to folks at AP here is my recommendation:

1) Give your AP boutique SA a call. Let them know that one of the watches became available via your AD; ask for his advice.

2) Most likely, these guys just want you to get the watch ASAP. He/she will ask you to do so.

3) Get the watch, register it under your AP account (if you are serious, your AP SA should have you on file - make sure you confirm he/she sees you registered).

4) After you get the watch, follow up with your boutique SA as though AP was one big family. Talk about how you love the watch and now that your wife has it, you are even more excited for yours. Ask for timing.

5) Your SA will note you received a watch and start working on the NEXT one on the list :)

6) Best to stop by with said watch and have an expresso with that SA. RELATIONSHIPS MATTER.

[TunaTuna]

I'd stop stressing and overthinking it. Just get the watch where you can my friend

[cascavel]

But wait, if you buy the 77350 from the AD, who can't get you a 15500, then you lose all hope of getting a watch for yourself, only the wife will have gotten a watch. Does she really want one? I just assumed that the 77350 was a carrot to entice the Boutique to get a 15500. Are we putting the cart before the horse, here?

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by www777

Do boutiques normally request a deposit? A boutique added me to the list but didn’t ask for a deposit.

It used to be (and maybe still is) that the AP boutiques only take deposits for watches that have been allocated to them and will be delivered within the year. Deposit then guarantees the watch within reasonably well defined time frame. That's how I got my 15500 in 2019.

[messikens]

Originally Posted by bearxj86

Having spoken to folks at AP here is my recommendation:

1) Give your AP boutique SA a call. Let them know that one of the watches became available via your AD; ask for his advice.

2) Most likely, these guys just want you to get the watch ASAP. He/she will ask you to do so.

3) Get the watch, register it under your AP account (if you are serious, your AP SA should have you on file - make sure you confirm he/she sees you registered).

4) After you get the watch, follow up with your boutique SA as though AP was one big family. Talk about how you love the watch and now that your wife has it, you are even more excited for yours. Ask for timing.

5) Your SA will note you received a watch and start working on the NEXT one on the list :)

6) Best to stop by with said watch and have an expresso with that SA. RELATIONSHIPS MATTER.

Thanks bear and thanks everyone for the very insightful comments so far. I'm kinda leaning towards following your advice.

Ideally I'd like to establish the full spending history with the boutique and my SA but since it's been about a year and he couldn't give me a good date it may be better to become an AP customer now and register it under my name and hence be somewhat newly established. That said, hoping it doesn't hurt chances if it's being perceived that it's running dual-track... But the opportunity seems to be too good to pass up.

Any other thoughts are appreciated

[messikens]

Originally Posted by cascavel

But wait, if you buy the 77350 from the AD, who can't get you a 15500, then you lose all hope of getting a watch for yourself, only the wife will have gotten a watch. Does she really want one? I just assumed that the 77350 was a carrot to entice the Boutique to get a 15500. Are we putting the cart before the horse, here?

She really likes it, so it wouldn't be a "waste". That said, ideally I would have liked to bundle since i) we both love the look and history - me more so, ii) it would be fantastic to have a matching set, iii) ideally it wouldn't hurt to not just ask for one of the the most in demand models by itself...

[CoveWatch]

Originally Posted by www777

Do boutiques normally request a deposit? A boutique added me to the list but didn’t ask for a deposit. I requested a new 43 ROO and new diver. Maybe those are not in high demand so a deposit isn’t required? Or should I call back to offer a deposit?

Originally Posted by macrowatch

Yes, when the watch is allocated to you and on the way in.

Other situation is someone changed their mind and you jump into the slot and just go in to pickup/pay for the watch.

I think it varies with individual situations… I had two AP boutique purchases this year and didn’t have to put down a deposit on either. Just paid in full the day they arrived. Ymmv

[kimwizzzuuu]

Originally Posted by CoveWatch

I think it varies with individual situations… I had two AP boutique purchases this year and didn’t have to put down a deposit on either. Just paid in full the day they arrived. Ymmv

Same here, all hot pieces I got without any deposit. The only deposit I paid was my wife's millenary back in 2018.

[kimwizzzuuu]

To OP,

Your situation is very hard to justify in today's market. If I were you, I would wait for Boutique's call for the lady RO. But Like everyone else said, if you are passing AD's offer. You might not see any RO laying around for a while.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by kimwizzzuuu

Same here, all hot pieces I got without any deposit. The only deposit I paid was my wife's millenary back in 2018.

I also only paid a deposit for my first AP, just pointing out that for a first time buyer being asked for a deposit is a good sign, as it means the watch is going to come for sure.

[ATO]

I had to paid a deposit for my first watch through AP house

[squall1]

Looking long term, if the Boutique doesn't have to source your first hard to get model, it might be a blessing in disguise for the long term boutique relationship, especially if you buy your wife's there as a first purchase.

[GW44]

In today’s market if you are offered what you want, you buy. Everything else is semantics imv

[jojosnr]

This relationship building is more complex than courting a spouse. First world problem. It is just a watch, and it is your money. I think it is not neccesary to worry about relationships with an entity who only knows your name by the colour of your bills.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by jojosnr

..an entity who only knows your name by the colour of your bills.

100% incorrect for clients at AP boutiques/houses.

[Mr.GL]

Originally Posted by 1William

If the watch you want is available from the AD then take it and move on. The speculation that you may or may not get it in the future or if you don't buy from the Boutique you will not get the watch is just that, speculation. "One on the wrist is always better than one on the list." Good luck.

Agreed. Buy and enjoy the beautiful timepiece. You will still be AP client.

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[messikens]

Just rehashing this thread - wanted to say thank you to all rhe suggestions.

I bit the bullet and bought it from the AD. Beautiful doesn't begin to describe it and my wife is over the moon.

Now I am just waiting to get mine (at some point) from the boutique... Counting the days IMG_8475.jpg
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[VogelPhoenix]