What would you do if LVMH buys AP?

[NYG1121]

Originally Posted by TNG

Problem with this is that normally the quality also declines with the take over. See for example what happened to Rimowa (suitcases), Creed (parfume), Arcteryx (clothing). All family owned business who sold their company's to big money firms. All of them have less superior products on the market now then what it was used to be. I think profit is more important then quality for these money managed firms. For family business it is about preserving the company for the next generation. That is an completely other take.

So i would hoard old AP pieces.

I don't know if this applies to high end watch making. Both vacheron and ALS make phenomenal pieces without any degradation in quality. I also don't see them increasing their production numbers or anything else that may suggest richemont has had an impact. I get the sense that they remain highly independent and just have the backing of a large conglomerate financially which isn't really a bad thing.

[Rickkk]

Originally Posted by GW44

I look forward to hoovering up the Uber hard future allocations from those that desert the brand if LVMH acquire AP

Maybe acquire one high end model before switching the hoover on?

[Gr8]

Originally Posted by TNG

Problem with this is that normally the quality also declines with the take over. See for example what happened to Rimowa (suitcases), Creed (parfume), Arcteryx (clothing). All family owned business who sold their company's to big money firms. All of them have less superior products on the market now then what it was used to be. I think profit is more important then quality for these money managed firms. For family business it is about preserving the company for the next generation. That is an completely other take.

So i would hoard old AP pieces.

What happened to Rimowa?

They've had collabs with Fendi (owned by LVMH), Dior (owned by LVMH), Moncler (independant), and probably more as those 3 are the only ones I saw and liked.

[LUDA]

Originally Posted by Abfanhunter

Maybe they actually come up with another watch besides the RO they’ve been surviving on for decades.

The issue is not coming up with a new watch, the issue are the customers liking it or not.

There was the Jules Audemars line, there was the Millenary, there was the Edward Piguet line... there's now the Code 11.59 line as well, but people want Royal Oaks.

AP made some of the greatest dress watches 50 or 60 years ago, but nobody would buy them if they would make them today.

[WatchEater666]

Originally Posted by NYG1121

I don't know if this applies to high end watch making. Both vacheron and ALS make phenomenal pieces without any degradation in quality. I also don't see them increasing their production numbers or anything else that may suggest richemont has had an impact. I get the sense that they remain highly independent and just have the backing of a large conglomerate financially which isn't really a bad thing.

ALS is objectively better finished when looking at comparable pieces VS AP.

[psm11]

Originally Posted by TNG

Problem with this is that normally the quality also declines with the take over. See for example what happened to Rimowa (suitcases), Creed (parfume), Arcteryx (clothing). All family owned business who sold their company's to big money firms. All of them have less superior products on the market now then what it was used to be. I think profit is more important then quality for these money managed firms. For family business it is about preserving the company for the next generation. That is an completely other take.

So i would hoard old AP pieces.

And this is what is currently about to happen with Tom Ford…


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[185671085]

With Jasmine's step down and new Chairman of the company was former Tiffany CEO and most of his career path was crossed with LVMH. New CEO was in Marketing field with P&G for 2 decade.

[185671085]

Maybe think outside of the box. AP had tracked history to acuqire other watch brand like 40% of JLC BACK THEN. And they still holds 10% shares of RM

[psm11]

Originally Posted by edo

But at the end of the day what bad can happen selling it to LVMH?

Maybe they will make a watch with a fashion designer and put their logo in the face on the dial... or CEO daddy's son can get an idea to put comics characters on dial... or they can c-ride a bunch of celebrities as friends of the brand and these celebrities doesn't even care and wear other watches all the time...

Oops, already happened...

Only celeb they partnered with I ever got the feeling truly loved AP and wore them all the time was Arnold.


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[texasmade]

Originally Posted by psm11

And this is what is currently about to happen with Tom Ford…


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To be fair, TF started declining before the sale. At least on the men's clothing side. I'm not sure about the quality on cosmetics and perfumes which make up the bulk of the company's profits.

[psm11]

Originally Posted by texasmade

To be fair, TF started declining before the sale. At least on the men's clothing side. I'm not sure about the quality on cosmetics and perfumes which make up the bulk of the company's profits.

Oh wow didn’t know that (I bought mostly their cosmetic stuff). What happened to the clothes?


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[texasmade]

Originally Posted by psm11

Oh wow didn’t know that (I bought mostly their cosmetic stuff). What happened to the clothes?


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TF suits used to be made in a Zegna factory to a very high standard in quality but that factory closed down years ago. Now I have no idea which factory is making the suits. While the suits are still very good, they aren't as nice as the old Zegna made ones.

[edo]

Originally Posted by psm11

Only celeb they partnered with I ever got the feeling truly loved AP and wore them all the time was Arnold.


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Actually, Barichello was great too. Heard that back in days he promoted AP pretty well in high racing circles. Serena was great too, a shame AP did not adverise more their partnership. Speaking of tennis how many of you remember that Djokovic was brand ambassador but it doesn't lasted long before he went to Seiko and now Hublot. And AP got another sport GOAT Lionell Messi but they even didn't properly marketed that limited edition.

In brand ambassador world no one can touch the marketing genius of Richard Mille. He really makes them family in reality not just on public press release.

[dchang81]

Originally Posted by Gr8

What happened to Rimowa?

They've had collabs with Fendi (owned by LVMH), Dior (owned by LVMH), Moncler (independant), and probably more as those 3 are the only ones I saw and liked.

the best thing with rimowa is the luggage being $1500 but watch case is $2500

[Mercutio]

Originally Posted by Gr8

What happened to Rimowa?

They've had collabs with Fendi (owned by LVMH), Dior (owned by LVMH), Moncler (independant), and probably more as those 3 are the only ones I saw and liked.

Apart from several price hikes, nothing changed at all indeed, and low key, I’m cheering that the upscaling of Rimowa luggage just doesn’t take off (“collabs” with designers, ridiculous stickers and bag tags etc.) - LVMH completely misjudged their target audience, which are corporate SVPs, consultants, lawyers and bankers - I.e. all the folks that really fly a lot and hence need a sturdy, practical carry-on, and prefer the black and platinum bag hangers by several orders of magnitude and don’t really want to flash/bling with their luggage either at the client or in the lounge

[GW44]

Originally Posted by Rickkk

Maybe acquire one high end model before switching the hoover on?

Just out of curiosity, which high end AP’s have you got?

[In-N-Out]

Originally Posted by Mercutio

Apart from several price hikes, nothing changed at all indeed, and low key, I’m cheering that the upscaling of Rimowa luggage just doesn’t take off (“collabs” with designers, ridiculous stickers and bag tags etc.) - LVMH completely misjudged their target audience, which are corporate SVPs, consultants, lawyers and bankers - I.e. all the folks that really fly a lot and hence need a sturdy, practical carry-on, and prefer the black and platinum bag hangers by several orders of magnitude and don’t really want to flash/bling with their luggage either at the client or in the lounge

They did an adidas backpack collab last year which were amazing

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Mercutio

LVMH completely misjudged their target audience, which are corporate SVPs, consultants, lawyers and bankers - I.e. all the folks that really fly a lot and hence need a sturdy, practical carry-on, and prefer the black and platinum bag hangers by several orders of magnitude and don’t really want to flash/bling with their luggage either at the client or in the lounge

Do you have any numbers/evidence to back this up? I have a banged up aluminum carry-on and fit the "fly-a-lot" label, but most of the people I see with Rimowas all over Asia don't look like bankers and lawyers at all. I haven't seen any of the boutiques they opened in prime locations close down again.

[WatchEater666]

Originally Posted by Mercutio

Apart from several price hikes, nothing changed at all indeed, and low key, I’m cheering that the upscaling of Rimowa luggage just doesn’t take off (“collabs” with designers, ridiculous stickers and bag tags etc.) - LVMH completely misjudged their target audience, which are corporate SVPs, consultants, lawyers and bankers - I.e. all the folks that really fly a lot and hence need a sturdy, practical carry-on, and prefer the black and platinum bag hangers by several orders of magnitude and don’t really want to flash/bling with their luggage either at the client or in the lounge

As someone that used to fly a lot, I think Rimowa is tough to use day to day. Prefer Briggs and Riley b/c of how lightweight the main products are and practical. The compression stuff is nice too, can fit a lot in a very small size.

The polycarbonate, and aluminium stuff is easy to bang up or too heavy.

Just IMO.

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by In-N-Out

I would also consider no longer supporting AP honestly. Part of the appeal of watches is the story and romance behind the brand. A lot of that goes away when it’s owned by a large conglomerate.

Yes, nothing like the romance of a watch made by a billion dollar corporation. (Referring to AP)

[huncho]

i wouldn't care, don't think i'd ever sell my RO. i got it mostly for the aesthetics and let's be real, most people don't even know what it is anyway compared to a rolex

[dchang81]

got a set of aluminum rimowa for our wedding. have had to replace the wheels 3 times and one had the side cave in so much the airline replaced it after a year wait. I like the way they look but dragging a large suitcase with non functional wheels is not fun.

[NTCP8]

[QUOTE= I haven't seen any of the boutiques they opened in prime locations close down again.[/QUOTE]

Rimowa at Queen's Road Central in HK closed down... They have another one at Landmark, but the one at Queens Road closed down.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by NTCP8

Rimowa at Queen's Road Central in HK closed down... They have another one at Landmark, but the one at Queens Road closed down.

Interesting. I'm always happy when my bags make with all the wheels still attached, so I'm not sure I get the hard-case-as-fashion-accessory approach. I guess we'll find out eventually how this experiment went.

[ts3]

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

As someone that used to fly a lot, I think Rimowa is tough to use day to day. Prefer Briggs and Riley b/c of how lightweight the main products are and practical. The compression stuff is nice too, can fit a lot in a very small size.

The polycarbonate, and aluminium stuff is easy to bang up or too heavy.

Just IMO.

When flying several days a week some 20 years ago I got Rimowa aluminum kit. The aluminum got banged up in no time but it only added character... Says a guy who is whining about scratches on cars and watches ... LOL

Jokes aside, the dents haven't bothered me. Wheels came off once or twice but it wasn't hard to get spares. When United punched a small hole through the aluminum duct tape has fixed the issue and they paid up. My parents have had Rimowa plastic suitcases since the 1980s but I never liked those much.

[TNG]

Originally Posted by Gr8

What happened to Rimowa?

They've had collabs with Fendi (owned by LVMH), Dior (owned by LVMH), Moncler (independant), and probably more as those 3 are the only ones I saw and liked.

The Family Morszeck sold Rimowa in 2016 to LVMH.
I have several suitcases and the quality is not what it was used to be.

[Mercutio]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

Do you have any numbers/evidence to back this up? I have a banged up aluminum carry-on and fit the "fly-a-lot" label, but most of the people I see with Rimowas all over Asia don't look like bankers and lawyers at all. I haven't seen any of the boutiques they opened in prime locations close down again.

I’m not really in the business of arguing with strangers over the internet, and gladly accept that you have a differing perception.

[AperolSpritz]

Originally Posted by Mercutio

I’m not really in the business of arguing with strangers over the internet, and gladly accept that you have a differing perception.

But isn't this exactly what participating to an online watch forum is?

[Mercutio]

Originally Posted by AperolSpritz

But isn't this exactly what participating to an online watch forum is?

I believe it is more geared towards an exchange of opinions, or render assistance in case you can contribute to a certain item, instead of proving a point?

As such, I politely perceive the situation to be quite different than the preceding poster, but may be geographically biased. Some critical articles dealt with the loss of appeal to R’s core audience, but how you would put this in numbers is a moot point - L reports Fashion & Leather as separate category, yet, LV and Dior account for roughly 80% of sales with the rest spread out across 10+ brands, one of them being R - so asking to “prove” anecdotal evidence is a bit of a lazy out, as it is impossible. Hence, back to square one: I believe my hypothesis holds true based on personal mileage I’d deem meaningful, but happily accept contradictory opinions.

[Rickkk]

Originally Posted by GW44

Just out of curiosity, which high end AP’s have you got?

None but I’m also not hoovering anything up now or after an lvmh purchase. Barely use the Dyson