My first AP and tour of the AP Service Center

[Patton250]

First off I would like to thank all of you enabler's here at TRF. I really love my Rolexes but reading the posts about APs fine timepieces really got me interested. That combined with great trusted seller's here I found one at a price I could not resist. 23% off retail with full factory warranty. So I bought the piece from addy616 a trusted seller here. As I posted in the Who's Who forum it was an absolutely outstanding buying experience. I needed to get it sized so he suggested since I live in Tampa to swing by the Clearwater service center. It's the only one in the northern hemisphere and they take in all new watches from Switzerland to inspect before they go to the AD's to be sold retail as well as do routine service and repairs for all the APs in North and South America. So I called them and set an appointment and the rest is just amazing. From the moment I arrived they treated me like royalty. Coffee, water and a personal inspection of my new AP. They sized it for me pressure tested it and tested the movement. They registered it for me and gave me an extra year of warranty. While I was waiting for them to check the timepiece they brought me some extra goodies. A leather travel case and a beautiful wipe down cloth. As well as a maintenance book and bag. And for the best part I got a tour of their entire facility. They showed me the entire process from how they receive peoples watches to the first phase of disassembly all the way to the polishing rome and the best part the movement room. These people are incredible. Clean rooms and shoe covers the works. This place is cleaner than a hospital. The tour took about an hour. Anyway if you ever have the chance I highly recommend it. Just a great organization with well-paid and happy employees. I can't wait to buy my next AP. Here are some pictures with a lady named Courtney who does the reception and logging of all incoming timepieces and Kevin who is a watchmaker. None of this would have happen without this forum. Thank you TRF.

[eal15]

I wasn't sure if I was supposed to mention it but during my trip to florida last month I too had a tour of he apsc. I made arrangements. Month prior. They are extremely friendly and basically introduce you to everyone. Dave also conducted our tour and we met the ultimate man in charge there, a technician soon to be the head tech at the ny boutique, people I've dealt with over the last year. They spent the better part of three hours touring, hosting and just plain chatting about watches. AP and other brands. There was even a guy from the manufacture training people. Did you have to put the little booties on in the clean room? It was pretty funny. Anyway, what they do there is simple awesome to see in person. Next year they will be opening a little shop in the front and in case someone wants to purchase a time piece then one can. It won't be a full on boutique or anything like that, just a store front in case someone wishes to purchase. There is also a new in house chrono movement coming. I think maybe next year. . The only pic I took was of the front door.


Thanks,
Everett
AP 15710 Diver
Sent from my iPhone

[JD521]

Wow, new in house chrono??? Possibly for the ROC so we can get one with clear case back?!?

[masterserg]

Awesome! I am not that far. I should swing by one day. Would be a great day trip! Thanks for posting!

[Patton250]

Originally Posted by eal15

Did you have to put the little booties on in the clean room?

Oh yeah.

Originally Posted by masterserg

Awesome! I am not that far. I should swing by one day. Would be a great day trip! Thanks for posting!

You won't regret it. Just call ahead of time and make an appointment. Be sure to wear your AP.

[eal15]

Without an appointment the friend guy with the gun might not be so friendly! They are set up do yours but they do them. It'll be better when they open the little store front. Also, they currently use exactly half the building. There is room to expand to double their size. My memory is shaky a bit but I believe the chrono movement will be in the roo's. They will probably make their way to the ro's but we were speaking specifically about the roo's at that time.


Thanks,
Everett
AP 15710 Diver
Sent from my iPhone

[PJ S]

Originally Posted by Patton250

Here are some pictures with a lady named Courtney who does the reception and logging of all incoming timepieces and Dave who is a watchmaker.

Entertaining read, Brett, but I’m sure what people want to know most is…why’s Dave wearing Kevin’s coat?

[eal15]

Just to add they were extremely generous with their time as well as some goodies. Also, most of all you were treated like family and it made my girlfriend want an AP. I suppose that good and bad.


Thanks,
Everett
AP 15710 Diver
Sent from my iPhone

[RationalPragmatist]

Thanks for sharing; I'll be driving over myself to get my 3rd year warranty sticker.

[lig]

Nice. Glad you had a nice experience there

[Patton250]

Originally Posted by PJ S

Entertaining read, Brett, but I’m sure what people want to know most is…why’s Dave wearing Kevin’s coat?

I admire your keen eye for detail. I had the name David on my mind because that's the name of my kids guitar lesson teacher and he was here giving him lessons at the time I posted it. I edited my post. Thanks. :-)

[csi-n]

Wow...such a nice experience. Thanks for sharing.


Sam

[PJ S]

Ah ha…!

I’m sure Kevin will be relieved that he’s wearing his coat, and not Dave’s.

[travisb]

Great watch. Great seller.
The AP Service Center really is top notch. Glad you got the full experience!


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[SDDS]

Totally agree one of the best service center

I had the same experience too many thanks to Lindsay Peterson, Carolina Garica, Kheuthmy Khambay, Betsy Toelle and to all AP staff :):):)


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[beer]

very nice, customer service of luxury watch brands as a whole seems to be great in the USA

i am jealous

does anyone from the UK know if the service center we have here is as good as clearwater? i would be interested in hearing someone's experience...

[eal15]

Kevin was originally from the medical sector but cut his teeth at Omega.


Thanks,
Everett
AP 15710 Diver
Sent from my iPhone

[avilhena]

Nice choice!! Mine says hello!

[Rookie52]

What a great experience and nice to see your choice in their product appreciated. Thanks for sharing.

[singe89]

Awesome experience! AP really gives you a personal luxury experience. It also seems like every single employee truly loves working for AP. They are so passionate about the brand and the history/tradition of watch making. The people at APSC clearwater set the bar pretty high when it comes to customer service. Enjoy that beautiful RO!

[SamGMT]

Great experience and they are awesome people!!

[jjnd08]

Sounds like a great experience; congrats!

[GB-man]

Sounds like a great time Brett. Your RO is a stunner.

[Psmith]

Great, congrats

[Vinyasa]

Congratulations Brett on a fabulous AP! I've developed a growing fondness for the ROs also... and your insight from the service center certainly help.

I'm seriously considering adding a 15202ST in the not-too-distant future, as I think the 39mm is a better fit for my 6.5" wrist.

[Hairdude1]

Congrats! Great read

[Narbeh]

love that AP gave you the right experience. i don't think any other watch company does, panerai, IWC, rolex in my stable and none of the dealers went out of their way. Congrats buddy. Wear it in the best of health...i'm debating picking one up myself.

[Samui]

Wait you didn't buy from them or even an AD and still got them goodies? Cool.

[sea-dweller]

Very nice!

[bar2020]

That's fantastic. I've had two watches serviced by Clearwater and they are always great to deal with. Easily the best customer service from my experience. I must mention that Chopard NYC is right up there too. Thanks for sharing the story.