Ask AP CEO Francois Bennahmias

[WatchEater666]

Awesome. Ask about how he plans on moving the brand away from being completely reliant on the RO.

[sgwatchguy]

Originally Posted by GS93108

Poor old rockdrock, he's opened a can of worms for himself.

Just remember rockdrock, there's no TRYing to ask our questions, there's only DO or DO NOT :)

p.s.

Enjoy lunch and remember that you can get food anywhere but FHB's time is less available, so forget what your mother taught you and don't chew every bite 20 times...you've got questions to get to...

I hope you enjoy your lunch and meeting. Thanks for the gesture on these questions.

Have fun! Get lots of pictures including of what Francois is wearing.

What watch will you wear for the occasion? Your new 1159?

[Spin27]

Originally Posted by Sunny_Submariner

Does the RO Chrono not already haver an in-house movement? If not, what movement is it using?

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=468414

[Nauti]

Originally Posted by Patton250

Please ask him to start making 39 mm royal oaks again. Besides the unobtainable jumbo. Thanks and congrats on your visit.

Yep this .....good shout

[NYFatboy99]

I'm sure it'll be a fun experience... though it has been mentioned earlier, ask what the plans are for the in-house movement?

[AlexFlorian]

I would like to know if it will be like a kind of interview and if you will publish it on a site?
Tell him to never stop.
He's a hero, a genius.
Thank you.

[startrolexendrolex]

Please inform him how poor the service are in the U.S. boutiques compare to other countries. Is a really turn off for the brand when the service is not up to the quality of the watch.

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[robertengel]

Originally Posted by Patton250

Please ask him to start making 39 mm royal oaks again. Besides the unobtainable jumbo. Thanks and congrats on your visit.

Yes yes yes please bring back the dual time 39mm

[YoungPrezzy]

Im pretty sure everyone already expects this coming but probably ask if the next iteration of royal oak chronos will feature exhibition case backs?

Though the biggest question for me why they would discontinue the two tone royal oak in 41mm only to continue making it in midsize. This boggles my mind and makes me unwell.

[Raemondo]

I hope to meet FHB in person someday, perhaps during a tour of the manufacture & museum.

In the meantime, I'm curious:
- What is his plan to dethrone Patek as the "top" watch brand?
- Will the Code1159 address the dress watch gap in the AP lineup?
- Any hints on the 50th anniversary 15202?
- Any plans to make more ROs in 39mm, especially the QPs?
- Will there be in-between complications in the RO line such as an Annual Calendar, Moonphase, etc.?
- When will AP make it easier to change straps on ROs and ROOs?
- Are the ROO chrono issues addressed? Many new ROOs had chrono issues shortly after end-customer delivery.
- What is the plan for RM after Mr. Mille is no longer there?

Clearly I've been thinking about meeting him for a long time.

The few stories you should have him recount for you, are the amazing strategies he executed to bring most of the distribution in-house and reduce dealer relationships, as well as the strategy he employed to raise auction house and secondary market values. He is one of the boldest CEOs I know, many hate his arrogance but I love how well he's executed for AP and made them the successful brand they are today. He's the definition of "you can't make an omelette without breaking some eggs."

[GS93108]

There's no question that FHB has his critics, but does he care? of course not, and good for him. Love him or hate him, if he says he'll do something then he does it, and that is a trait that is rapidly evaporating from our society.

p.s.

I've said it before, but if you want a relationship with AP then take up golf. FHB loves golf and he loves treating his 'AP Family' at golf events.

[noshake]

Any plan to open additional AP boutiques in the U.S.?

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[dauster]

what about the secondary market place that AP wanted to introduce so their customers can buy from a trusted source and dont have to go grey?

[porschejeff]

When will AP get rid of the Code 1159 line up?

[rockdrock]

Originally Posted by sgwatchguy

I hope you enjoy your lunch and meeting. Thanks for the gesture on these questions.

Have fun! Get lots of pictures including of what Francois is wearing.

What watch will you wear for the occasion? Your new 1159?

Yikes! I did not realize how many questions people really have. I love this forum. Francois has me scheduled for one and half hour lunch with him. I might not to all the questions but will do my best to ask most and repost.

Yes, I will definitely wear my one and only AP, my new 1159!

Oh get this... I will make my own movement with a watchmaker in the afternoon. So excited about this. I have a full day event of stuff.


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[rockdrock]

Originally Posted by startrolexendrolex

Please inform him how poor the service are in the U.S. boutiques compare to other countries. Is a really turn off for the brand when the service is not up to the quality of the watch.

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This is really good point. Can you expand? He is a man of details. I have my own stories but if you have something you would like to share I’d be glad. (No names) : )


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[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by rockdrock

Oh get this... I will make my own movement with a watchmaker in the afternoon. So excited about this. I have a full day event of stuff.

Wow! I am envious. That's awesome.

Do you get to case it and buy the watch containing it?

[rockdrock]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

Wow! I am envious. That's awesome.

Do you get to case it and buy the watch containing it?

I probably would not want to since I suck! I scratch everything. I don’t know much about it but they have me scheduled for a watchmaker workshop. Happy to share the experience afterwards.


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[sgwatchguy]

Originally Posted by rockdrock

Yikes! I did not realize how many questions people really have. I love this forum. Francois has me scheduled for one and half hour lunch with him. I might not to all the questions but will do my best to ask most and repost.

Yes, I will definitely wear my one and only AP, my new 1159!

Oh get this... I will make my own movement with a watchmaker in the afternoon. So excited about this. I have a full day event of stuff.


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Sounds amazing!! Hope you enjoy every moment of it!



If you have a wishlist you’ve advised AP of previously, I suspect they may surprise you with it. Keep your fingers crossed!!

[Reign]

Originally Posted by rockdrock

Yikes! I did not realize how many questions people really have. I love this forum. Francois has me scheduled for one and half hour lunch with him. I might not to all the questions but will do my best to ask most and repost.

Yes, I will definitely wear my one and only AP, my new 1159!

Oh get this... I will make my own movement with a watchmaker in the afternoon. So excited about this. I have a full day event of stuff.


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They’ve got you for life ahaha!

Jokes aside, really really happy for you - this is what makes AP special, you don’t need multiple watches or tourbs to get on their radar. They really go out of their way to provide a complete experience for clients when possible.

Try not to ask too many questions and just enjoy the time with FHB

[startrolexendrolex]

Originally Posted by rockdrock

This is really good point. Can you expand? He is a man of details. I have my own stories but if you have something you would like to share I’d be glad. (No names) : )


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To me AP is extremely high quality watches and goes along with that is a luxury focused lifestyle. Their boutiques in America is way too focused on the bottom line and not cultivating lifelong or loyal collectors. The U.S. boutiques gives off a feeling of what or how much can you spend today? They are not focused on understanding the collectors lifestyle or needs, they just want to push watches. They also have a salestaff that way to rough around the edges, saying things like this is particular watch is hot and is over retail and thats their sales strategy. Like of you buy a this 200k code then you can get this watch thats double retail and is all over IG. Maybe I'm old but this type of style just don't communicate class or luxury to me.

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[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by rockdrock

I probably would not want to since I suck! I scratch everything. I don’t know much about it but they have me scheduled for a watchmaker workshop. Happy to share the experience afterwards.

Thanks, in advance.

I'm very curious.

Please, please, ask that question.

[dauster]

Originally Posted by startrolexendrolex

To me AP is extremely high quality watches and goes along with that is a luxury focused lifestyle. Their boutiques in America is way too focused on the bottom line and not cultivating lifelong or loyal collectors. The U.S. boutiques gives off a feeling of what or how much can you spend today? They are not focused on understanding the collectors lifestyle or needs, they just want to push watches. They also have a salestaff that way to rough around the edges, saying things like this is particular watch is hot and is over retail and thats their sales strategy. Like of you buy a this 200k code then you can get this watch thats double retail and is all over IG. Maybe I'm old but this type of style just don't communicate class or luxury to me.

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Very well put I agree

[rockdrock]

Originally Posted by porschejeff

When will AP get rid of the Code 1159 line up?

Haha that’s actually a good question. In the same perspective, I am curious how much they plan to keep investing in the lineup. I don’t think I will get anything new but would like to know the evolution. Are they going to add tapiseerie to the dial in some new format, add bracelet, or make the special edition steel edition?


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[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by porschejeff

When will AP get rid of the Code 1159 line up?

Hope they won't - even the base models are just a few tweaks to dials and hands away from greatness. High end ones are very impressive.

[rockdrock]

Originally Posted by sgwatchguy

Sounds amazing!! Hope you enjoy every moment of it!



If you have a wishlist you’ve advised AP of previously, I suspect they may surprise you with it. Keep your fingers crossed!!

Thanks bud!

I do have a royal oak on the list but don’t think that would happen. I am guessing. I am just happy and excited for the experience. But, will keep my crossed and will but that in the universe. : )


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[rockdrock]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

Hope they won't - even the base models are just a few tweaks to dials and hands away from greatness. High end ones are very impressive.

Agree 100%


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[sgwatchguy]

Originally Posted by vogelphoenix

hope they won't - even the base models are just a few tweaks to dials and hands away from greatness. High end ones are very impressive.

+1

[GB-man]

Please ask him if he prefers champagne or beer. Thanks

[pj1369]

Originally Posted by startrolexendrolex

To me AP is extremely high quality watches and goes along with that is a luxury focused lifestyle. Their boutiques in America is way too focused on the bottom line and not cultivating lifelong or loyal collectors. The U.S. boutiques gives off a feeling of what or how much can you spend today? They are not focused on understanding the collectors lifestyle or needs, they just want to push watches. They also have a salestaff that way to rough around the edges, saying things like this is particular watch is hot and is over retail and thats their sales strategy. Like of you buy a this 200k code then you can get this watch thats double retail and is all over IG. Maybe I'm old but this type of style just don't communicate class or luxury to me.

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Couldn't agree more.


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