15450: buying grey at retail or paying 40% more for blue

[maruchan22]

Originally Posted by HMHM

I personally feel that there is no reason to pay even a dime over MSRP for a watch. When one starts to pay a significant amount over retail it actually encourages grey dealers to continue its practice of getting a watch for the sole reason of flipping. It’s akin to giving drug dealers more money to purchase more drugs to distribute. If you can get a 15450 at retail I think it would be a good way to start your journey into collecting AP/watches, irrespective of the dial colour. The environment is getting out of control nowadays for watch collectors so let’s not perpetuate this practice any further.

yes it is out of control. Just like the real estate market. I am afraid the prices aren't going to drop.

[HMHM]

I fully agree with what was said above. Buying a RO is really a great emotional experience, especially if it is purchased from the AP boutique. I do hope the experience will be amazing for you, whichever route you decide to take.

[fsprow]

I have bought watches at MSRP, below MSRP, and from resellers at a premium. All purchases seemed fine at the time. Never looked back and couldn't tell you which watch was in what category.

Same with hard to get cars, sporting arms etc.

[GreenLantern]

Amazing how nothing more than a simple color change drastically affects valuations. It's not even a material change, simply a paint change.

[Burlington]

I much preferred the black dial in person than blue. So if you’ve never seen them on your wrist try and do that first then make the decision

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by Burlington

I much preferred the black dial in person than blue. So if you’ve never seen them on your wrist try and do that first then make the decision

I have to admit, all these impossible to get watches are very strange to me... It used to be you had to try something on your wrist to see if you liked how it fit, and how the color matched with you (your wrist, your skin tone, what you wear, your personal taste, etc).

Now? Everything is purchased sight-unseen.

[Burlington]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

I have to admit, all these impossible to get watches are very strange to me... It used to be you had to try something on your wrist to see if you liked how it fit, and how the color matched with you (your wrist, your skin tone, what you wear, your personal taste, etc).

Now? Everything is purchased sight-unseen.

If i had of only gone on pictures and desirability level i would have never bought the diver.

Yet the instant i tried it on i knew that was the perfect watch for me.

I do understand why desirable drives more desirability from consumers though.

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by Burlington

If i had of only gone on pictures and desirability level i would have never bought the diver.

Yet the instant i tried it on i knew that was the perfect watch for me.

I do understand why desirable drives more desirability from consumers though.

[dauster]

Originally Posted by Burlington

If i had of only gone on pictures and desirability level i would have never bought the diver.

Yet the instant i tried it on i knew that was the perfect watch for me.

I do understand why desirable drives more desirability from consumers though.

Exactly right that’s how I felt about the 42mm ROO, not in a million would I have bought at retail at the boutique but I tried it in and it’s been love ever since...

[phow]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

I have to admit, all these impossible to get watches are very strange to me... It used to be you had to try something on your wrist to see if you liked how it fit, and how the color matched with you (your wrist, your skin tone, what you wear, your personal taste, etc).

Now? Everything is purchased sight-unseen.

It’s funny you say this because if there wasn’t all the hype around the blue dial, I don’t know that I would have even considered it for my first AP. Not because it isn’t a great looking dial. It is. Just because I have always gone with black dials (when an option) on all of my SS watches. Unless I’m on my 2nd or 3rd watch within that particular model line, then I would go with some color to change things up.

[myporsche]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

Amazing how nothing more than a simple color change drastically affects valuations. It's not even a material change, simply a paint change.

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

I have to admit, all these impossible to get watches are very strange to me... It used to be you had to try something on your wrist to see if you liked how it fit, and how the color matched with you (your wrist, your skin tone, what you wear, your personal taste, etc).

Now? Everything is purchased sight-unseen.

It just doesn't make sense does it? Seems it's more about what others think, asking a forum full of strangers, the hype, the followers, IG, youtube morons with their opinions (some without even having the watch) etc. Pretty sad. Your paying this much money and need others validations and perceived hype of rarer dial colors (my ruthenium is actually more rare but who cares).

I was looking at my older notes from few years ago when researching the 15400 from multiple greys. Besides the prices being ridiculously low compared to now (still high then for me) I was balking at paying a couple hundred premium for a blue dial thinking it just another color, who cares. Then I saw them all and tried them in real life and didn't even like the blue dial which was "already sold" to another client but I'm sure I would get a call less than 24 hours later if I wanted it (the guy was almost literally winking "hey do you really want it?").

Originally Posted by HMHM

I fully agree with what was said above. Buying a RO is really a great emotional experience, especially if it is purchased from the AP boutique. I do hope the experience will be amazing for you, whichever route you decide to take.

To me its actually a bonus not to deal with the dickhead sales reps at some of the boutiques especially in the LA area (westime, BH). It is not an emotional experience for me at all for this particular watch/brand. I got turned off in major ways at the AD and bought it from an AD source literally a few days later brand new, no bs no attitude. Why cant they get it right the first time? They only have like a handful of boutiques is that hard to get it right? just a bad bad start to a client relationship being my first experience at an AP boutique at the time.

It seems that AP really cares about having a client relationship and buying full pop at a boutique, I know this for a fact right from mid management (I wont share details), yet the treatment at some of these places is very intolerable and sometimes downright unprofessional like when I had to jump through hoops ordering an extension link and the idiot installed it backwards or when they simply treat you like they are doing favors selling you a watch. Anyways rant over, glad I got the piece I wanted from a great source.

[HMHM]

Originally Posted by myporsche

It just doesn't make sense does it? Seems it's more about what others think, asking a forum full of strangers, the hype, the followers, IG, youtube morons with their opinions (some without even having the watch) etc. Pretty sad. Your paying this much money and need others validations and perceived hype of rarer dial colors (my ruthenium is actually more rare but who cares).

I was looking at my older notes from few years ago when researching the 15400 from multiple greys. Besides the prices being ridiculously low compared to now (still high then for me) I was balking at paying a couple hundred premium for a blue dial thinking it just another color, who cares. Then I saw them all and tried them in real life and didn't even like the blue dial which was "already sold" to another client but I'm sure I would get a call less than 24 hours later if I wanted it (the guy was almost literally winking "hey do you really want it?").




To me its actually a bonus not to deal with the dickhead sales reps at some of the boutiques especially in the LA area (westime, BH). It is not an emotional experience for me at all for this particular watch/brand. I got turned off in major ways at the AD and bought it from an AD source literally a few days later brand new, no bs no attitude. Why cant they get it right the first time? They only have like a handful of boutiques is that hard to get it right? just a bad bad start to a client relationship being my first experience at an AP boutique at the time.

It seems that AP really cares about having a client relationship and buying full pop at a boutique, I know this for a fact right from mid management (I wont share details), yet the treatment at some of these places is very intolerable and sometimes downright unprofessional like when I had to jump through hoops ordering an extension link and the idiot installed it backwards or when they simply treat you like they are doing favors selling you a watch. Anyways rant over, glad I got the piece I wanted from a great source.

I am sorry to hear about your experience. My initial experience with the AP boutique was good. Previously with THG, they were unable to get any stock from AP and it was quite a frustrating experience. Now THG does not even carry the brand anymore (in Malaysia). I suspect AP is trying to move to a full boutique experience and slowly reduce their dependence on authorised dealers. I try to purchase from boutique only whenever possible as they are more forthcoming and straightforward. Less games to play.

[thekman]

Blue is nice on all ROs but not 10k NICER

[alexlt730512]

if you really like the blue and willing to pay for the difference, then go for it.

[GoingPlaces]

40% more. No way!


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[bart12]

For what it's worth;

a) buy what you like, not what's hyped
b) talking hype: the 15450 blue is not even the same blue as the one on the 15202, so that hype does not even make sense so to speak. In other words, if you really have to buy what is "cool" at the moment, get the 15202 from AP or nothing at all
c) all hype aside, I personally find the grey much nicer than the blue for this model. It also has the added benefit of making the dial look a bit bigger as it kind of blends in with the rest of the watch (which is all steel)
d) also all hype aside, if you want a really nice blue dial, get a 5711 (or as it has just been discontinued, the successor of the 5711)

When you think about it, it's really funny how "grown up" men act like they're back in high school trying to get the sneakers/watch which all the cool kids have. At least for teenagers it's kind of understandable that they do not have their own character/taste figured out and are so easily influenced by peer pressure

[ts3]

Originally Posted by bart12

For what it's worth;

a) buy what you like, not what's hyped
b) talking hype: the 15450 blue is not even the same blue as the one on the 15202, so that hype does not even make sense so to speak. In other words, if you really have to buy what is "cool" at the moment, get the 15202 from AP or nothing at all
c) all hype aside, I personally find the grey much nicer than the blue for this model. It also has the added benefit of making the dial look a bit bigger as it kind of blends in with the rest of the watch (which is all steel)
d) also all hype aside, if you want a really nice blue dial, get a 5711 (or as it has just been discontinued, the successor of the 5711)

When you think about it, it's really funny how "grown up" men act like they're back in high school trying to get the sneakers/watch which all the cool kids have. At least for teenagers it's kind of understandable that they do not have their own character/taste figured out and are so easily influenced by peer pressure

Agree to all of a), b), c), and d).

Like you I prefer the grey dial on the 15450 (c) but the watch is a little chubby and it would have to be a 15202 (b) in the end. I am quite happy with that other blue dial sports watch though (d) and there may not be enough room for a second blue dial sports piece as I like to keep it to 3-5 watches total.

[herbie911]

I just got mine this week after more than 12 months wait! I have been wearing the watch all the time since I got it! You will not mind the wait! All worth it!

[Emery]

I settled for the grey dial, and now everytime I see pictures of the blue dial, I think to myself "what if".
At the same time, I'm the kind of person that values the AD experience/connection over buying from secondary.

The grey dial blends in with the overall case, while the blue has more pop/distinction.
I suspect each has it's place depending on your situation.

I'm just hoping that one day, when the 15450 gets discontinued, the blue dial swap will become an option.

[MrBlahBlah]

I think it’s worth checking out the grey dial 38mm chronograph. The grey is simply stunning, it really comes alive with various textures and levels of depth. It elevates grey to another level of design and art, I think....


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