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SMD · 14 February 2020, 03:57 AM

As the title indicates, I am a little stunned and confused as to how this all happened. As I have written a few times in the past, my interest in APs and watches more generally has been waning, to the point where I have not even worn a mechanical watch for the last three months! The current environment leaves a lot to be desired by someone who has been, shall we say, an AP fanboy for about 9 years now. It was not the fact that AP would (obviously) prioritize its VIPs but that something seemed to be breaking down in the allocation process. Models that are pseudo “application pieces”, (meaning models that require approval from the boutique manager and higher ups to be sold) all seemed to be ending up in the grey market. That people I know buy a watch, flip it, and then buy another, are feted as big spenders when they are simply recycling the same $$ and contributing to the flipping culture that is alive and well at the moment. That there was no room for the buy and hold customer devoted to the brand. The transaction nature of the industry just turned me off.

So when you combine the current environment with the mixed experiences I have had at my local boutique (which I won’t rehash) I was pretty much done with AP. I wasn’t going to sell what I had because I bought them for a reason and those reasons did not change. But I had no interest in playing the game of trying to win the allocation lottery. Instead I decided I would go in and have the bracelet on my 26237 and in the process see what had changed at the boutique now that most of the staff had turned over. So three weeks ago I head into midtown (yuk) and the boutique was super busy, never seen it so busy. Waited patiently while a sales rep I have never seen before helped someone else. When he finished up he happily changed out the rubber strap and then we chatted a bit. He was fantastic, could not have had a better experience. Pulled up my profile, saw what I had long ago indicated an interest in and wanted to know if it was still accurate. I told him a version of the story above, love the brand but my interest had been waning. Also walked me through the Code line (yes, yes I know but they are much better in person and I think they have potential given the case design) and said he would put himself on as my second point of contact (the boutique manager was listed as the first point of contact). I thanked for his time subsequently by email and that was that. Fast forward two weeks and he asks me again if there is anything else I was interested in, I respond and again that was the end of it. Next day I am at the gym over lunch and he calls me cell. I did not want to take the call at the gym so I let it go to voicemail. No message. Weird. I email him and let him know I am tied up but what’s up. He calls again and this time I find a place to pick up the call at the gym. He asks if I still want the piece that I had indicated an interest in several years before. I told him, uh yeah, and he responded by letting me know that he will have one in an hour and do I want it. Stunned. No idea how it came to be or why, but I finished up and then headed back up to midtown (still yuk) and shall we say the rest is history.

The buying experience was phenomenal and my sales rep could not have been better. I won’t bore you with all the details but the experience was the best I have ever had with AP and I am very thankful to my sales rep (I don’t want to name someone publicly without their consent, even when positive).

I apologize in advance, the pictures suck though this piece makes me want to try harder.

NYG1121 · 14 February 2020, 04:12 AM

Wow great story and so glad they took care of you. Gives us all hope. Congrats on a stunning piece!!!!

masterserg · 14 February 2020, 04:14 AM

Congratulations S! You deserve it!

maciej · 14 February 2020, 04:17 AM

Congrats buddy!

eiesh · 14 February 2020, 04:22 AM

Congrats!!!!! Really happy for you.....wear it in good health

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Basic_Satisfaction · 14 February 2020, 04:23 AM

Looks great ,cheers.

Gravity · 14 February 2020, 04:24 AM

WOW! That's one hell of a callback, especially without having to scoop up a Code or anything else you really didn't want. Congrats! Still my fav piece.

hrm · 14 February 2020, 04:24 AM

That’s awesome. Beautiful watch. Congrats!

mnl · 14 February 2020, 04:43 AM

what a great story, love hearing success stories like this! absolute masterpiece you just got, one of my favorite ever! congrats!!!

SMD · 14 February 2020, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYG1121

Wow great story and so glad they took care of you. Gives us all hope. Congrats on a stunning piece!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by maciej

Congrats buddy!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basic_Satisfaction

Looks great ,cheers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gravity

WOW! That's one hell of a callback, especially without having to scoop up a Code or anything else you really didn't want. Congrats! Still my fav piece.

Thanks guys. I just stare at it constantly and it never seems to get old.

SMD · 14 February 2020, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masterserg

Congratulations S! You deserve it!

Not sure deserve is the right word but I am very thankful. My wife is getting annoyed with me because I keep saying "I can't believe they sold this to me". Weird times.

edo · 14 February 2020, 04:47 AM

Great story... congrats on one of the best modern APs...

alonsowwss · 14 February 2020, 04:49 AM

this is an amazing piece , congrats!

SMD · 14 February 2020, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gravity

WOW! That's one hell of a callback, especially without having to scoop up a Code or anything else you really didn't want. Congrats! Still my fav piece.

Yeah, not sure what it was. Only thing I have going for me is that I don't sell. I still have every AP I have ever purchased and they know it as I am in there once or twice a year to have them change out straps or get a piece serviced, etc. Not sure if they value that or not but that's all I got.

macrowatch · 14 February 2020, 04:56 AM

Nice story and even nicer watch!

Bourbon · 14 February 2020, 05:05 AM

Two questions.

1. How much did you save as you bought via retail versus flipped/secondary?

2. What was in the glass (booze)?

Kilometerman · 14 February 2020, 05:33 AM

Hot damn! That’s fantastic. I hope that kind of treatment becomes the norm.

chiscott_29 · 14 February 2020, 05:39 AM

Wow...first of all, congratulations and wear that in the best of health! It’s just absolutely gorgeous.

This gives all of us hope. I agree with the sentiment that there are simply way too many watches that are on the secondary market. It’s understandable that some go there, but on some models it really makes you ask if the process is broken. It won’t be fixed in a day, but I think AP may be aware of this and slowly things like this will happen with more frequency. These watches deserve to go to collectors, “fanboys”, or whoever genuinely has an appreciation for the art and craft and wants the privilege of owning what are bonafide works of art.

Your experience shows that indeed there may be better days ahead. Now, enjoy the hell out of that watch!!

benlee · 14 February 2020, 05:40 AM

Big Congrats!

Enjoy!

uscmatt99 · 14 February 2020, 05:44 AM

That's how it should be! Congratulations, I'm sure you'll wear the heck out of it.

I've also been bothered a bit that there doesn't seem to be a good system in place to allocate watches to those who will actually wear them. With an initial investment and a point of contact, it would be pretty straightforward to purchase a sought after piece with a couple duds, flip for profit or even money as long as you got one at under market price, rinse and repeat. To the boutique you've purchased 10 watches in a year and are the whale. To your bank account, you've purchased just one at a discount, 9 other suckers have paid market price for what they want, and greys have turned a profit with you.

Nothing wrong with taking advantage of the system, but it is a turn off for someone like me who pretty much agonizes over every purchase, but never sells something once I've purchased it.

GS93108 · 14 February 2020, 06:15 AM

Very cool, well done, great watch.

AK797 · 14 February 2020, 06:21 AM

A Code-less victory is the best kind, double congrats!

BigAppleBill · 14 February 2020, 06:22 AM

Wow! What a great surprise! Congrats!

Thanks for sharing this story. I hope having this piece on your wrist brings back the passion you once had.

SMD · 14 February 2020, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edo

Great story... congrats on one of the best modern APs...

It truly is mesmerizing to stare at. Definitely smitten.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alonsowwss

this is an amazing piece , congrats!

Never seen one IRL until I walked in last Friday. Only problem is I have to take my contact lenses out to see it clearly as they are too strong to see it up close

Quote:

Originally Posted by macrowatch

Nice story and even nicer watch!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bourbon

Two questions.

1. How much did you save as you bought via retail versus flipped/secondary?

This info is publicly available and not really something I considered. I was never buying it grey.

2. What was in the glass (booze)?

Macallan 18 Sherry Cask. There a few more after that. It was delicious.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kilometerman

Hot damn! That’s fantastic. I hope that kind of treatment becomes the norm.

Agreed. But it is a business and they need to take care of VVIPs as well, and I fully support that. I just hope they keep an eye out for the people who purchase with a view to a distribution so to speak (sorry, the language of my prior life as securities lawyer is coming out)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiscott_29

Wow...first of all, congratulations and wear that in the best of health! It’s just absolutely gorgeous.

This gives all of us hope. I agree with the sentiment that there are simply way too many watches that are on the secondary market. It’s understandable that some go there, but on some models it really makes you ask if the process is broken. It won’t be fixed in a day, but I think AP may be aware of this and slowly things like this will happen with more frequency. These watches deserve to go to collectors, “fanboys”, or whoever genuinely has an appreciation for the art and craft and wants the privilege of owning what are bonafide works of art.

Your experience shows that indeed there may be better days ahead. Now, enjoy the hell out of that watch!!

Your lips to gods ears.

Quote:

Originally Posted by uscmatt99

That's how it should be! Congratulations, I'm sure you'll wear the heck out of it.

I've also been bothered a bit that there doesn't seem to be a good system in place to allocate watches to those who will actually wear them. With an initial investment and a point of contact, it would be pretty straightforward to purchase a sought after piece with a couple duds, flip for profit or even money as long as you got one at under market price, rinse and repeat. To the boutique you've purchased 10 watches in a year and are the whale. To your bank account, you've purchased just one at a discount, 9 other suckers have paid market price for what they want, and greys have turned a profit with you.

Nothing wrong with taking advantage of the system, but it is a turn off for someone like me who pretty much agonizes over every purchase, but never sells something once I've purchased it.

I hope there is some consideration for those who are interested in owning these pieces long term and not just to sell on 47th street. One thing I made clear was that I guarantee any piece sold to me would not end up in the grey market or end up registered in someone else's name. Notwithstanding, there are probably hundreds if not thousands of people in NYC that could say the same thing that are far more worthy than me. So I am very thankful and appreciative to AP.

SMD · 14 February 2020, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benlee

Big Congrats!

Enjoy!

Thank you. Your collection and the manner in which you can capture in pictures is truly legendary.

Token74 · 14 February 2020, 06:38 AM

Many congrats. AP is my current favourite brand.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

pain888 · 14 February 2020, 08:19 AM

Well Deserve. CONGRATS

Burlington · 14 February 2020, 08:45 AM

What a fabulous watch !!

Enjoy wearing in good health

benouah · 14 February 2020, 08:56 AM

Wow congratulations
They did increase heavily the rsp on this one few weeks ago

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

bund · 14 February 2020, 08:58 AM

wow!!! Congrats !!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

14 February 2020, 03:57 AM	#1
SMD "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Real Name: SMD Location: LGA/EWR/ORD Watch: AP/PP Posts: 3,701	Not sure how this happened ..... INCOMING! As the title indicates, I am a little stunned and confused as to how this all happened. As I have written a few times in the past, my interest in APs and watches more generally has been waning, to the point where I have not even worn a mechanical watch for the last three months! The current environment leaves a lot to be desired by someone who has been, shall we say, an AP fanboy for about 9 years now. It was not the fact that AP would (obviously) prioritize its VIPs but that something seemed to be breaking down in the allocation process. Models that are pseudo “application pieces”, (meaning models that require approval from the boutique manager and higher ups to be sold) all seemed to be ending up in the grey market. That people I know buy a watch, flip it, and then buy another, are feted as big spenders when they are simply recycling the same $$ and contributing to the flipping culture that is alive and well at the moment. That there was no room for the buy and hold customer devoted to the brand. The transaction nature of the industry just turned me off. So when you combine the current environment with the mixed experiences I have had at my local boutique (which I won’t rehash) I was pretty much done with AP. I wasn’t going to sell what I had because I bought them for a reason and those reasons did not change. But I had no interest in playing the game of trying to win the allocation lottery. Instead I decided I would go in and have the bracelet on my 26237 and in the process see what had changed at the boutique now that most of the staff had turned over. So three weeks ago I head into midtown (yuk) and the boutique was super busy, never seen it so busy. Waited patiently while a sales rep I have never seen before helped someone else. When he finished up he happily changed out the rubber strap and then we chatted a bit. He was fantastic, could not have had a better experience. Pulled up my profile, saw what I had long ago indicated an interest in and wanted to know if it was still accurate. I told him a version of the story above, love the brand but my interest had been waning. Also walked me through the Code line (yes, yes I know but they are much better in person and I think they have potential given the case design) and said he would put himself on as my second point of contact (the boutique manager was listed as the first point of contact). I thanked for his time subsequently by email and that was that. Fast forward two weeks and he asks me again if there is anything else I was interested in, I respond and again that was the end of it. Next day I am at the gym over lunch and he calls me cell. I did not want to take the call at the gym so I let it go to voicemail. No message. Weird. I email him and let him know I am tied up but what’s up. He calls again and this time I find a place to pick up the call at the gym. He asks if I still want the piece that I had indicated an interest in several years before. I told him, uh yeah, and he responded by letting me know that he will have one in an hour and do I want it. Stunned. No idea how it came to be or why, but I finished up and then headed back up to midtown (still yuk) and shall we say the rest is history. The buying experience was phenomenal and my sales rep could not have been better. I won’t bore you with all the details but the experience was the best I have ever had with AP and I am very thankful to my sales rep (I don’t want to name someone publicly without their consent, even when positive). I apologize in advance, the pictures suck though this piece makes me want to try harder. Attached Images

14 February 2020, 04:14 AM	#3
masterserg "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Real Name: Serg Location: US of A Watch: AP Posts: 7,437	Congratulations S! You deserve it! __________________ How can you have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat????

14 February 2020, 04:49 AM	#13
alonsowwss "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Mexico Watch: DateJust 41 Posts: 468	this is an amazing piece , congrats! __________________ Enjoying: ♛126622 Rhodium///♛116500LN White///♛126610 LV///♛126710BLRO///Drive de Cartier Moonphase///Santos de Cartier ADLC///Speedmaster Sapphire 3861///Tudor Black Bay 58

14 February 2020, 05:40 AM	#19
benlee "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Real Name: Ben Location: SIN & JKT Watch: Rolex, AP, PP Posts: 9,874	Big Congrats! Enjoy! __________________ Follow me on Instagram : benlee789

14 February 2020, 06:38 AM	#26
Token74 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Real Name: Vince Location: England Watch: Too many! Posts: 5,744	Many congrats. AP is my current favourite brand. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Time is limited, make every second count. Patek Philippe Nautilus 5990 - AP Royal Oak 15300 - AP Royal Oak 15450 Blue - AP Royal Oak 15450 Silver - AP Royal Oak Offshore 26480 - Royal Oak Offshore 15710 - Rolex Sea Dweller 116600 - Rolex Daytona 116519 - Rolex GMT 126710 BLRO - Omega Speedmaster Reduced - JLC Reverso GMT Moonphase - TAG Microtimer - Dent Pocket Watch - JLC Atmos Phases de lune

14 February 2020, 04:12 AM	#2
NYG1121 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: NE Posts: 2,898	Wow great story and so glad they took care of you. Gives us all hope. Congrats on a stunning piece!!!!

14 February 2020, 04:17 AM	#4
maciej 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: USA Posts: 640	Congrats buddy!

14 February 2020, 04:22 AM	#5
eiesh "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: USA Posts: 294	Congrats!!!!! Really happy for you.....wear it in good health Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

14 February 2020, 04:23 AM	#6
Basic_Satisfaction "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: SoCal Posts: 91	Looks great ,cheers.

14 February 2020, 04:24 AM	#7
Gravity "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2014 Real Name: Eric Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,106	WOW! That's one hell of a callback, especially without having to scoop up a Code or anything else you really didn't want. Congrats! Still my fav piece.

14 February 2020, 04:24 AM	#8
hrm "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 353	That’s awesome. Beautiful watch. Congrats!

14 February 2020, 04:43 AM	#9
mnl "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: sf Watch: 15450ST Posts: 541	what a great story, love hearing success stories like this! absolute masterpiece you just got, one of my favorite ever! congrats!!!

14 February 2020, 04:47 AM	#12
edo "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Sarajevo Posts: 1,929	Great story... congrats on one of the best modern APs...

14 February 2020, 04:56 AM	#15
macrowatch "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: HK Posts: 4,366	Nice story and even nicer watch!

14 February 2020, 05:05 AM	#16
Bourbon "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: NA Watch: AP Brick Posts: 116	Two questions. 1. How much did you save as you bought via retail versus flipped/secondary? 2. What was in the glass (booze)?

14 February 2020, 05:33 AM	#17
Kilometerman "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Land of the free Posts: 121	Hot damn! That’s fantastic. I hope that kind of treatment becomes the norm.

14 February 2020, 05:39 AM	#18
chiscott_29 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: USA Watch: Rolex, ALS, Omega Posts: 1,231	Wow...first of all, congratulations and wear that in the best of health! It’s just absolutely gorgeous. This gives all of us hope. I agree with the sentiment that there are simply way too many watches that are on the secondary market. It’s understandable that some go there, but on some models it really makes you ask if the process is broken. It won’t be fixed in a day, but I think AP may be aware of this and slowly things like this will happen with more frequency. These watches deserve to go to collectors, “fanboys”, or whoever genuinely has an appreciation for the art and craft and wants the privilege of owning what are bonafide works of art. Your experience shows that indeed there may be better days ahead. Now, enjoy the hell out of that watch!!

14 February 2020, 05:44 AM	#20
uscmatt99 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,036	That's how it should be! Congratulations, I'm sure you'll wear the heck out of it. I've also been bothered a bit that there doesn't seem to be a good system in place to allocate watches to those who will actually wear them. With an initial investment and a point of contact, it would be pretty straightforward to purchase a sought after piece with a couple duds, flip for profit or even money as long as you got one at under market price, rinse and repeat. To the boutique you've purchased 10 watches in a year and are the whale. To your bank account, you've purchased just one at a discount, 9 other suckers have paid market price for what they want, and greys have turned a profit with you. Nothing wrong with taking advantage of the system, but it is a turn off for someone like me who pretty much agonizes over every purchase, but never sells something once I've purchased it.

14 February 2020, 06:15 AM	#21
GS93108 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: UK Posts: 1,194	Very cool, well done, great watch.

14 February 2020, 06:21 AM	#22
AK797 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Neil Location: UK Watch: ing ships roll in Posts: 59,369	A Code-less victory is the best kind, double congrats!

14 February 2020, 06:22 AM	#23
BigAppleBill "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Real Name: Bill Location: NYC Posts: 1,735	Wow! What a great surprise! Congrats! Thanks for sharing this story. I hope having this piece on your wrist brings back the passion you once had.

14 February 2020, 08:19 AM	#27
pain888 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: Tony Location: Rolex Land Posts: 576	Well Deserve. CONGRATS __________________ M116519 WG, M16622, 116610LN, 218235(Olive), 116710(Batman), 126710(Pepsi), 116500(Black) AP ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE CHRONOGRAPH SEIKO SRP773 "LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST"

14 February 2020, 08:45 AM	#28
Burlington "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Europe Posts: 5,643	What a fabulous watch !! Enjoy wearing in good health __________________ “My tastes are simple; I am easily satisfied with the best.” ― Winston S. Churchill

14 February 2020, 08:56 AM	#29
benouah "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 237	Wow congratulations They did increase heavily the rsp on this one few weeks ago Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

14 February 2020, 08:58 AM	#30
bund "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: US Posts: 468	wow!!! Congrats !! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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