Question about AP House

[Fenrira]

For those who have visited, what was the experience like and how does it differ from a regular boutique? The concept looks and sounds interesting, and I’m curious if you need an invitation to visit and/or an appointment, or whether anyone can just walk in to any AP House. Also, does the experience vary by city?

[GS93108]

You need an appointment, so give them a call.

Here's an article that has a decent pic of London:

https://www.watchpro.com/ap-houses-e...ur-times-more/

Here's a thread about AP House London from when it opened:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=709349

In the simplest terms, it's place to get a coffee, chat with the AP team and play with some watches. By all accounts they now have a table tennis table too...

[Fenrira]

Thanks for the reply, will make an appointment soon. I’d intended to visit the HK one last year until my travel plans were cancelled. Looked up articles on it but none of them mentioned anything about an appointment – all of them were rather vague

[AshAP]

Originally Posted by Fenrira

For those who have visited, what was the experience like and how does it differ from a regular boutique? The concept looks and sounds interesting, and I’m curious if you need an invitation to visit and/or an appointment, or whether anyone can just walk in to any AP House. Also, does the experience vary by city?

OP your profile states that you’re UK based, for London you definitely need an appointment as you announce your arrival on a camera intercom and I’m not sure they’ll release the door if they’re not expecting you. However that’s were the formality ends as the experience is incredibly relaxed, I took a friend on Thursday this week as she’s wanting her 1st AP and she was very impressed with the chilled out atmosphere and the relaxed sales approach. This experience is very different to a boutique as the concept is designed to be informal and more like a club where you’d go with your pals for a drink or a coffee and it’s easy to spend 2-3 hours there whereas in a boutique I think you’d typically sit down for 10-20 minutes try on the watches you’re interested in and then leave. At AP House you can even have a game of table tennis either before OR after a glass/bottle of whisky depending on how competitive you’re feeling.


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[supernova]

Definitely great experience in AP house London. As others say, get a coffee, sit on a couch and they bring out some watches for you to try. Had some hot pieces while I went last year to try on, but not for sale obviously.

I was looking for a 15500 at the time and there was no mention or push on buying a Code or whatever. Very realistic expectation and told me over a year wait and even said if you must have it soon, best route was to go grey market!


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[Flying Doctor]

Originally Posted by AshAP

OP your profile states that you’re UK based, for London you definitely need an appointment as you announce your arrival on a camera intercom and I’m not sure they’ll release the door if they’re not expecting you. However that’s were the formality ends as the experience is incredibly relaxed, I took a friend on Thursday this week as she’s wanting her 1st AP and she was very impressed with the chilled out atmosphere and the relaxed sales approach. This experience is very different to a boutique as the concept is designed to be informal and more like a club where you’d go with your pals for a drink or a coffee and it’s easy to spend 2-3 hours there whereas in a boutique I think you’d typically sit down for 10-20 minutes try on the watches you’re interested in and then leave. At AP House you can even have a game of table tennis either before OR after a glass/bottle of whisky depending on how competitive you’re feeling.


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That would about sum it up. There is no pressure to do anything but I agree that booking before is a good idea as I don't think they accept walk ins.

Ash - when did the table tennis board arrive? I don't remember that - wish I had I would have been on it (even though I am utterly rubbish!)

FD.

[Fenrira]

Sounds like a fascinating experience. As far as I know, there’s no other watch brand that offers this concept. Looking forward to visiting soon. Thanks for sharing, everyone!

[AshAP]

Originally Posted by Flying Doctor

That would about sum it up. There is no pressure to do anything but I agree that booking before is a good idea as I don't think they accept walk ins.

Ash - when did the table tennis board arrive? I don't remember that - wish I had I would have been on it (even though I am utterly rubbish!)

FD.

AS a guess I’d say shortly after lockdown but Neil (AK797) was demonstrating his prowess on it at least a week before me.


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[AK797]

Originally Posted by AshAP

AS a guess I’d say shortly after lockdown but Neil (AK797) was demonstrating his prowess on it at least a week before me.


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Yeah, I really worked up a sweat with Ines having not played in 20 years! I beat her pretty good as I used to play TT and tennis so the old top spin moves came back to me, but I bet now she will whip any of us.

[lovewatches1987]

What are the locations of all AP houses?

[Fenrira]

Originally Posted by lovewatches1987

What are the locations of all AP houses?

The ones I know of so far are in London, Madrid, Hong Kong and Tokyo. I believe that there is also going to be one in New York soon.

[GW44]

AP House is a great concept and whilst other brands have elements that are the same in their own brand boutiques it’s not in the same league at all.

I’ve been to events at VC/Bregeut/Panerai, Piaget and Rolex boutiques in London and they just cannot compare.

[Waldorf369]

Are wait lists for AP House separate from say, Harrod's or other boutiques?

[slim]

I recently visited the AP house in Madrid. I loved the design and concept AP is taking with the AP houses. The Madrid team were very welcoming and warm! I can't wait to go go back!

[h.to]

Visited AP house on several occasions. It's a relaxed lounge with couches and seating areas. Your rep brings out watches (3-4 at a time) for you to view, saving the hottest and most exclusive pieces until the last. You can take photos, videos etc. There are spots that are geared for IG photo ops and it seems like it's a chilled environment to cozy up to the AP team and vice versa (obviously they are also looking to keep valued customers).

I think they'd need to know you're coming via appointment or invitation. I don't imagine reps sitting around AP House waiting for walk-ins.

[youthagainsttt]

I've been to AP House in HK several times, never needed to make an appointment. We don't have a table tennis table but now they bring around a menu for you to choose your drink. They did say you can just chill out, not necessarily look at watches for the whole time but they do kindof sit with you anyway so it's a bit awkward if you just sit there ordering drink after drink.