Starting a relationship with a boutique and advice needed!

[xeal]

I hope this doesn't sound odd, but I'm genuinely looking for some helpful tips.

I have been debating buying a Royal Oak for some years now, but never got around to doing it due to other obligations, other watch purchases, etc.

I approached my local boutique and the gentleman was very nice, we had a very nice chat.
I know that if I asked for a jumbo which I really want I would be shown the door, so I asked for a ROC which I did genuinely want as well. I was told I will hopefully and very likely get it sometime in January, which was surprisingly fast but also shows me that the gentleman believes I am actually an enthusiast. I say this because I imagine many people want to get these watches at retail for obvious reasons.

Watches that are on my list are as follows
ROC
26470ST
15202
15500 (grey)

a 33mm quarts for my wife.

I know I cannot ask at once, but I also have never been in a position where I had to "build" a relationship to buy watches.
The guys at Rolex know me well and I have no trouble getting any watch from them which is where most of my collection revolves around.

I'd appreciate insight on how to ask for what I wish to purchase.
Do I start with whats more reasonable, and then once that comes in I ask for the next? Would I not effectively lose a chance on something else that I may have gotten had I asked to begin with?
For example, if I hadn't asked for my ROC and asked for a 15500, I would not be getting one in January (fingers crossed).

[Reign]

If those watches are all on your list I’d ask for the following in this order:

ROC
Grey 15500
15202ST

Depending on when / how you’re allocated the Jumbo, you can slot in the ROO and/or Ladies RO after the 15500 to move yourself up the Jumbo list.

Good luck, your list seems quite reasonable and nothing crazy so hopefully it’ll pan out for you within the next 12-18 months.

[xeal]

Originally Posted by Reign

If those watches are all on your list I’d ask for the following in this order:

ROC
Grey 15500
15202ST

Depending on when / how you’re allocated the Jumbo, you can slot in the ROO and/or Ladies RO after the 15500 to move yourself up the Jumbo list.

Good luck, your list seems quite reasonable and nothing crazy so hopefully it’ll pan out for you within the next 12-18 months.

Thank you for the prompt and insightful response. So one after the other, or once you acquire the one you've asked for, you ask for the one that follows? Or do you tell them the watches you intend to get from the start?

[AshAP]

I’d give them the full picture of what you like. A friend of mine went with me to AP for the first time and really liked 4 of the watches that they showed him. He couldn’t decide which he liked the most so he asked if they were all available and took all 4. There’s no point being shy.


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[charlie2888]

Originally Posted by AshAP

I’d give them the full picture of what you like. A friend of mine went with me to AP for the first time and really liked 4 of the watches that they showed him. He couldn’t decide which he liked the most so he asked if they were all available and took all 4. There’s no point being shy.


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Now that's a power move!

[VogelPhoenix]

I started with a 15500 grey in 2019 and then had some discussions with the sales manager at the boutique about my wishlist. Bought a 26237 (Beast re-edition) and Panda ROC in 2020 - very happy! We'll see how things go with the next watches on the list (15450 for the wife and maybe a 15407 at some point in the future - that will be interesting to see).

Overall, I found AP much more straightforward than anything I saw from the many Rolex ADs I talked with over the last year or two.

[xeal]

Originally Posted by AshAP

I’d give them the full picture of what you like. A friend of mine went with me to AP for the first time and really liked 4 of the watches that they showed him. He couldn’t decide which he liked the most so he asked if they were all available and took all 4. There’s no point being shy.


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I'm happy it worked for him!

[xeal]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

I started with a 15500 grey in 2019 and then had some discussions with the sales manager at the boutique about my wishlist. Bought a 26237 (Beast re-edition) and Panda ROC in 2020 - very happy! We'll see how things go with the next watches on the list (15450 for the wife and maybe a 15407 at some point in the future - that will be interesting to see).

Overall, I found AP much more straightforward than anything I saw from the many Rolex ADs I talked with over the last year or two.

Glad for you. Did you tell them outright all the watches you want, including the 15450 and 15407? Or was it a patient process of receiving one, and asking for another sort of thing?

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by xeal

I hope this doesn't sound odd, but I'm genuinely looking for some helpful tips.

I have been debating buying a Royal Oak for some years now, but never got around to doing it due to other obligations, other watch purchases, etc.

I approached my local boutique and the gentleman was very nice, we had a very nice chat.
I know that if I asked for a jumbo which I really want I would be shown the door, so I asked for a ROC which I did genuinely want as well. I was told I will hopefully and very likely get it sometime in January, which was surprisingly fast but also shows me that the gentleman believes I am actually an enthusiast. I say this because I imagine many people want to get these watches at retail for obvious reasons.

Watches that are on my list are as follows
ROC
26470ST
15202
15500 (grey)

a 33mm quarts for my wife.

I know I cannot ask at once, but I also have never been in a position where I had to "build" a relationship to buy watches.
The guys at Rolex know me well and I have no trouble getting any watch from them which is where most of my collection revolves around.

I'd appreciate insight on how to ask for what I wish to purchase.
Do I start with whats more reasonable, and then once that comes in I ask for the next? Would I not effectively lose a chance on something else that I may have gotten had I asked to begin with?
For example, if I hadn't asked for my ROC and asked for a 15500, I would not be getting one in January (fingers crossed).

For the Jumbo - the watch you really want - why don’t you go grey?

[xeal]

Originally Posted by illiguy

For the Jumbo - the watch you really want - why don’t you go grey?

I gladly would if it were impossible or discontinued.
If I could work my way to getting it, that would be the ideal way for me, not just because I would save money, but also because this gives me chances to buy other watches I want for myself and for my wife.

[WatchLover1234]

Originally Posted by xeal

I gladly would if it were impossible or discontinued.
If I could work my way to getting it, that would be the ideal way for me, not just because I would save money, but also because this gives me chances to buy other watches I want for myself and for my wife.

I think your wishlist doesn't sound absurb. However for 15202st,i personally feel that ROC, an offshore steel and 1550st grey then to get 15202st is quite hard. I'm not sure about how the boutiques in your region works but the collection isn't vast enough.. Getting the 3 out of the 4 should not be too huge of a problem. Then again, I might be wrong but best to check with your SA on the possibility. Heard from people that 15202st is very hard to get. So it takes time and probably few years of wait..

[kimwizzzuuu]

Just wanna share some my own experience. I got my 15202st as my 3rd AP from boutique. My first is 26405CE, second is a lady millenary for my wife. After I receive my 15202ST I request a blue dial 15500st a year later, received it 6 months later. I did not pay any deposit and wait for all those watches. Just purely exchange my interest with Sales at the boutique and patiently wait. Hope that helps.

[WatchLover1234]

Originally Posted by kimwizzzuuu

Just wanna share some my own experience. I got my 15202st as my 3rd AP from boutique. My first is 26405CE, second is a lady millenary for my wife. After I receive my 15202ST I request a blue dial 15500st a year later, received it 6 months later. I did not pay any deposit and wait for all those watches. Just purely exchange my interest with Sales at the boutique and patiently wait. Hope that helps.

That's a great news buddy! I think it all boils down to what was being allocated to that boutique and what the VVIP wants next for their next watch..

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by xeal

Glad for you. Did you tell them outright all the watches you want, including the 15450 and 15407? Or was it a patient process of receiving one, and asking for another sort of thing?

Well, for me, more of a process. When I bought the 15500 I thought that was about as much as I wanted to spend on a single watch - so much for that. 15450 is a bribe for my wife and 15407 the grail. There are more pieces I find interesting (ceramic/titanium ROO, pink gold 15500 on strap, Code QP,...), but can't buy everything at once.

[rtanjaya]

Sharing my experience,

Oct’19 - I started with a 15710st black diver as my SA told 15500/15202 wasn’t possible for a first watch.

While at the boutique had a chat with my SA and decided to switch the asking list from 15500blue to grey as I wanted variety since 15202st will be another blue.

Dec’19- While waiting for the 15500, texted SA that I would want the ROC panda too. 3 months after the diver, the ROC was available for me to pick up in store.

March’20 - 15500grey came 3 months after the ROC panda.

During this time, I was in constant chat with my SA and she told me that the jumbo is close probably by the end of year.

June’20 - Added a 77351st new 34mm model for my wife

Sep’20 - added a 15202or. Initially in December, SA tried to push this model which I wasn’t keen, but decided to ask for this model when I got my wife an AP.

My SA has since updated me that the 15202st would not happen in 2020 due to production hit by covid. So now am still waiting for it but I reckon it should be in the early half of 2021.

My sense with AP and my awesome SA is they don’t promise you what they can’t get. For eg. all the models I asked, I was given an approximate timeline and it has always been accurate or earlier, but once I asked about the black ceramic PC, and my SA couldn’t promise if I could even get one, fair enough. As long as you maintain a good and friendly relationship, the occasional text messages, the list that I asked was reasonable and I was able to get within 3-4 months each and gives me time to appreciate the watch before the next.

Good luck and enjoy the journey OP!

[Emery]

Originally Posted by rtanjaya

My sense with AP and my awesome SA is they don’t promise you what they can’t get. For eg. all the models I asked, I was given an approximate timeline and it has always been accurate or earlier, but once I asked about the black ceramic PC, and my SA couldn’t promise if I could even get one, fair enough. As long as you maintain a good and friendly relationship, the occasional text messages, the list that I asked was reasonable and I was able to get within 3-4 months each and gives me time to appreciate the watch before the next.

Good luck and enjoy the journey OP!

This is probably due in part to the boutique model, where the SAs have a good idea on what and when they'll be getting stuff, and can also liaise directly with HQ on allocation pieces.

[xeal]

Originally Posted by rtanjaya

Sharing my experience,

Oct’19 - I started with a 15710st black diver as my SA told 15500/15202 wasn’t possible for a first watch.

While at the boutique had a chat with my SA and decided to switch the asking list from 15500blue to grey as I wanted variety since 15202st will be another blue.

Dec’19- While waiting for the 15500, texted SA that I would want the ROC panda too. 3 months after the diver, the ROC was available for me to pick up in store.

March’20 - 15500grey came 3 months after the ROC panda.

During this time, I was in constant chat with my SA and she told me that the jumbo is close probably by the end of year.

June’20 - Added a 77351st new 34mm model for my wife

Sep’20 - added a 15202or. Initially in December, SA tried to push this model which I wasn’t keen, but decided to ask for this model when I got my wife an AP.

My SA has since updated me that the 15202st would not happen in 2020 due to production hit by covid. So now am still waiting for it but I reckon it should be in the early half of 2021.

My sense with AP and my awesome SA is they don’t promise you what they can’t get. For eg. all the models I asked, I was given an approximate timeline and it has always been accurate or earlier, but once I asked about the black ceramic PC, and my SA couldn’t promise if I could even get one, fair enough. As long as you maintain a good and friendly relationship, the occasional text messages, the list that I asked was reasonable and I was able to get within 3-4 months each and gives me time to appreciate the watch before the next.

Good luck and enjoy the journey OP!

Thank you and wonderful. Happy it works out for you
Is the 15202 OR relatively easier than the ST then? Both beautiful obviously

[xeal]

Originally Posted by Emery

This is probably due in part to the boutique model, where the SAs have a good idea on what and when they'll be getting stuff, and can also liaise directly with HQ on allocation pieces.

Excuse my ignorance, are 15202s all allocation pieces? Do they need some sort of approval to allocate it to a client?
I know the salmon variant is impossible and that one is likely allocated to only a certain number of people that were even already allocated the steel/rg versions of the jumbo, and surely enough a ton of other stuff they bought, but is the steel also an "allocation" piece?

[WatchLover1234]

Originally Posted by xeal

Excuse my ignorance, are 15202s all allocation pieces? Do they need some sort of approval to allocate it to a client?
I know the salmon variant is impossible and that one is likely allocated to only a certain number of people that were even already allocated the steel/rg versions of the jumbo, and surely enough a ton of other stuff they bought, but is the steel also an "allocation" piece?

I would think that all 15202 are allocation piece..

[ragsk]

Originally Posted by rtanjaya

Sharing my experience,

Oct’19 - I started with a 15710st black diver as my SA told 15500/15202 wasn’t possible for a first watch.

While at the boutique had a chat with my SA and decided to switch the asking list from 15500blue to grey as I wanted variety since 15202st will be another blue.

Dec’19- While waiting for the 15500, texted SA that I would want the ROC panda too. 3 months after the diver, the ROC was available for me to pick up in store.

March’20 - 15500grey came 3 months after the ROC panda.

During this time, I was in constant chat with my SA and she told me that the jumbo is close probably by the end of year.

June’20 - Added a 77351st new 34mm model for my wife

Sep’20 - added a 15202or. Initially in December, SA tried to push this model which I wasn’t keen, but decided to ask for this model when I got my wife an AP.

My SA has since updated me that the 15202st would not happen in 2020 due to production hit by covid. So now am still waiting for it but I reckon it should be in the early half of 2021.

My sense with AP and my awesome SA is they don’t promise you what they can’t get. For eg. all the models I asked, I was given an approximate timeline and it has always been accurate or earlier, but once I asked about the black ceramic PC, and my SA couldn’t promise if I could even get one, fair enough. As long as you maintain a good and friendly relationship, the occasional text messages, the list that I asked was reasonable and I was able to get within 3-4 months each and gives me time to appreciate the watch before the next.

Good luck and enjoy the journey OP!

I hope you did want all of those watches. Otherwise it seems like a lot and you still haven't got the 15202ST.

[rtanjaya]

Originally Posted by xeal

Thank you and wonderful. Happy it works out for you
Is the 15202 OR relatively easier than the ST then? Both beautiful obviously

Not too sure about that. But definitely there are more people that want the ST model, and yes both are absolutely beautiful and will be in my permanent collection.

[rtanjaya]

Originally Posted by ragsk

I hope you did want all of those watches. Otherwise it seems like a lot and you still haven't got the 15202ST.

Ah yes I get what you mean, but yes I want those watches they are each different. If not, I would have waited patiently 1-2 year wait is fine with me

[rtanjaya]

Originally Posted by Emery

This is probably due in part to the boutique model, where the SAs have a good idea on what and when they'll be getting stuff, and can also liaise directly with HQ on allocation pieces.

I believe so too

[Sulituan]

Originally Posted by rtanjaya

Ah yes I get what you mean, but yes I want those watches they are each different. If not, I would have waited patiently 1-2 year wait is fine with me

Thanks for sharing. I doubt, however, that if you didn't make these purchases, AP wouldn't have allocated you a 15202.. sadly..

[Etschell]

go in there and say i want to by a white dial yellow gold 3 handed code 1159.