Advice needed

[Bigsoftee]

Hello to everyone. I am seeking some advice, I have been fortunate enough to purchase a couple of AP’s in the last year at my local boutique. I have my eye on a Code 1159 Perpetual Calendar in RG, these are readily available in the grey market, with a considerable discount v MRP. Do you think if I went ahead and got one, registered it, then this would jeopardise my relationships with AP and future purchases from them? I could not register it I know, but I do like to have them all registered online, especially with the new coverage AP offer.

Thanks in advance for your advice on this, have a great weekend everyone.

[Armis]

I don’t see why they would mind. The alternative would be waiting forever for an allocation of this piece, which is a relatively smaller production number to begin with.

[messikens]

I don't think they'd mind, you're not selling the pieces offered but rather adding.

That said, doesn't hurt to ask your SA what the chances are for a QP and in what timeframe. Depending on what they say you can then decide, but for a code you may save a pretty penny going grey

[Bigsoftee]

I think I will do that and speak to the guys at AP. See what they say.

[Gandor]

The QP is an allocation piece requiring approval from AP corporate. Getting one direct is surprisingly hard considering how much cheaper they are on the resale marketplace.

[Bigsoftee]

That what surprised me Gandor, just don’t get why people would sell, knowing they will find it hard to buy a new AP directly, and the loss they will take too.

[Henrimontgomery]

I love AP delusion.

QP are corporate allocation because of course they know better. Then they get flipped for a lower price on grey.

Every time I see a newer model of RO in Watchfinder display case I think “good job AP, you certainly know your customers”.

[APWorldTour]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

I love AP delusion.

QP are corporate allocation because of course they know better. Then they get flipped for a lower price on grey.

Every time I see a newer model of RO in Watchfinder display case I think “good job AP, you certainly know your customers”.

What about Patek, RM, FPJ, Rolex, and literally every other brand.

[macrowatch]

The brand could care less. The boutique manager probably does a quick mental calculation left of how much spending power you have left to be able to sell you to. But of course if your watch budget is 7 figures, then everything keeps flowing. Worst case scenario they just sell the the one in the other metal color right?

It’s a tempting buy at 60k USD for sure!

[sj24k]

My philosophy has always been to spend my money when, where, and how I want to spend it. Don’t really factor in the feelings of sales people or how it will impact my supposed “position” with them.

I understand this might not be how this particular “game” is played. But so be it.

Good luck.


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[l_chissle]

Originally Posted by Bigsoftee

just don’t get why people would sell, knowing they will find it hard to buy a new AP directly, and the loss they will take too.

Probably because they think it'll add to their 'profile'. Which might be the case in some boutiques.

Open conversation is the best way to find out.

[911AP]

The boutique won't care. Go ahead and do it. If you didn't buy it from them, they don't care what you do with it.

[Bearxj86]

Originally Posted by Bigsoftee

Hello to everyone. I am seeking some advice, I have been fortunate enough to purchase a couple of AP’s in the last year at my local boutique. I have my eye on a Code 1159 Perpetual Calendar in RG, these are readily available in the grey market, with a considerable discount v MRP. Do you think if I went ahead and got one, registered it, then this would jeopardise my relationships with AP and future purchases from them? I could not register it I know, but I do like to have them all registered online, especially with the new coverage AP offer.

Thanks in advance for your advice on this, have a great weekend everyone.

I would consider getting it from the boutique. While you lose some money vs gray you do get considered for more pieces. So I think its a pretty even proposition. My advice: If you are planning to get more pieces after the QP, go with the boutique.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by macrowatch

The brand could care less.

They are not going to cry themselves to sleep at night, correct. However, if someone made a habit of asking for watches going for a premium, while buying anything else grey at a discount, I'd expect their effort in securing hard-to-get allocations to reflect that. OP has a Code and RO, IIRC, so is at a bit of a crossroads. If going for the QP, I'd skip registering it for the time being.

[mickyd329]

Originally Posted by Bearxj86

I would consider getting it from the boutique. While you lose some money vs gray you do get considered for more pieces. So I think its a pretty even proposition. My advice: If you are planning to get more pieces after the QP, go with the boutique.

I agree with this. Getting a QP from the boutique really does open up future allocations for you. If you do decide to go grey, I would do what @VogelPheonix said and don't register it for a while.

[APWorldTour]

Originally Posted by mickyd329

I agree with this. Getting a QP from the boutique really does open up future allocations for you. If you do decide to go grey, I would do what @VogelPheonix said and don't register it for a while.

Funny how some people selling freak out over the possibility of someone else re-registering and thus damaging their relationship, but now here we are recommending that a buyer not register for that same exact reason haha.

It is what it is, but can’t help but to feel that this adds an additional unnecessary aspect to collecting. Deciding what to buy and sell can be hard enough as it is, and this sure doesn’t make those decisions any easier.

[APWorldTour]

Originally Posted by mickyd329

I agree with this. Getting a QP from the boutique really does open up future allocations for you. If you do decide to go grey, I would do what @VogelPheonix said and don't register it for a while.

That being said, as far as the advice goes, I agree with these 3 guys ^

[Bigsoftee]

Originally Posted by Bearxj86

I would consider getting it from the boutique. While you lose some money vs gray you do get considered for more pieces. So I think its a pretty even proposition. My advice: If you are planning to get more pieces after the QP, go with the boutique.

This makes sense to me, as I do want further pieces from AP. I will speak to the guys at AP and ask to be put down for a piece. I was unaware it’s an allocation piece from AP, and not the boutique.

Thanks for everyone’s input, very much appreciate it. Will patiently wait :) as I have others I am hoping to buy, with one more this year as it’s my 50th.

[mickyd329]

Originally Posted by APWorldTour

Funny how some people selling freak out over the possibility of someone else re-registering and thus damaging their relationship, but now here we are recommending that a buyer not register for that same exact reason haha.

It is what it is, but can’t help but to feel that this adds an additional unnecessary aspect to collecting. Deciding what to buy and sell can be hard enough as it is, and this sure doesn’t make those decisions any easier.

Indeed, this hobby has turned into quite the circus..

[Bigsoftee]

Originally Posted by mickyd329

Indeed, this hobby has turned into quite the circus..

Not going to disagree with you

[crispyness87]

On a side note, when I got allocated my taupe ROO back in December, I had already waited close to 18months for it. Market prices were dipping below MSRP by then, and I actually had a come-to-jesus conversation with my SA. Something along the lines of "yo if you aint allocating me, i'm going grey; its been a long wait".

2 weeks later, the allocation came. We've come to a point where we sometimes beg to buy pieces at higher prices from the boutique vs at discounts in the grey market. All for the hope of future allocations!

[epic]

Originally Posted by mickyd329

Indeed, this hobby has turned into quite the circus..

Absolutely agree with this comment, and Unfortunately this appears to apply more on certain brand than some others.

[messikens]

Originally Posted by crispyness87

On a side note, when I got allocated my taupe ROO back in December, I had already waited close to 18months for it. Market prices were dipping below MSRP by then, and I actually had a come-to-jesus conversation with my SA. Something along the lines of "yo if you aint allocating me, i'm going grey; its been a long wait".

2 weeks later, the allocation came. We've come to a point where we sometimes beg to buy pieces at higher prices from the boutique vs at discounts in the grey market. All for the hope of future allocations!

Just out of interest, how did the rest of the convo go? Totally get you but I'd imagine it's also a bit weird for the SA to be put on the spot like that... What was his general take / feedback / etc?

Congrats on getting what you want when you wanted it btw!

[crispyness87]

Originally Posted by messikens

Just out of interest, how did the rest of the convo go? Totally get you but I'd imagine it's also a bit weird for the SA to be put on the spot like that... What was his general take / feedback / etc?

Congrats on getting what you want when you wanted it btw!

Hey! I will admit my post was an oversimplification and it does seem from reading it at face value that I was quite impolite.

The reality is I have a good rapport with my SA and always have courteous and polite (I know everyone says this about themselves, but just give me benefit of the doubt). I told my SA that 1) the ROO is what I really really want, and 2) the fact that I already have ROs but want ROOs shows I’m being genuine in having a proper diverse AP collection (fact is, most don’t even think about ROOs and Codes once they’ve broken into ROs; most will upgrade, few will ‘downgrade’) and 3) if we creep into 2023 (30th anni) there’ll be a chance taupe will be discont due to new releases. Hence, while fully acknowledging the watch is popular, if it doesn’t come soon, I would be ‘forced’ to have to go grey with premiums dropping.

It was a proper fair discussion. Man to man. I acknowledged my SAs position, and I articulated mine.

[kb866]

Originally Posted by Bigsoftee

Hello to everyone. I am seeking some advice, I have been fortunate enough to purchase a couple of AP’s in the last year at my local boutique. I have my eye on a Code 1159 Perpetual Calendar in RG, these are readily available in the grey market, with a considerable discount v MRP. Do you think if I went ahead and got one, registered it, then this would jeopardise my relationships with AP and future purchases from them? I could not register it I know, but I do like to have them all registered online, especially with the new coverage AP offer.

Thanks in advance for your advice on this, have a great weekend everyone.

Since you mentioned you already have a buying record with the AD, should be fine and actually helps you get offered more pieces from the AD in the future. The sales reps from the AP AD's I've worked with are perfectly happy with people getting watches on the grey market. From my experience, they see it favorably when allocating pieces. It proves that you are really into the brand and the AD/sales are leaving money on the table by not offering you more pieces.

When I talk to my AD, I purposefully wear in the watches from AP that I bought grey and we talk about it openly. Most of the time my AD sales rep shakes his head and says I overpaid and he's going to work to offer me more.

Also the Code 1159's are seriously underrated. In person they are absolutely beautiful and I think it makes a whole lot of sense to get in on them before they start trending. So if you can get at under MSRP, I'd do it if I were you.

[Bigsoftee]

Originally Posted by kb866

Since you mentioned you already have a buying record with the AD, should be fine and actually helps you get offered more pieces from the AD in the future. The sales reps from the AP AD's I've worked with are perfectly happy with people getting watches on the grey market. From my experience, they see it favorably when allocating pieces. It proves that you are really into the brand and the AD/sales are leaving money on the table by not offering you more pieces.

When I talk to my AD, I purposefully wear in the watches from AP that I bought grey and we talk about it openly. Most of the time my AD sales rep shakes his head and says I overpaid and he's going to work to offer me more.

Also the Code 1159's are seriously underrated. In person they are absolutely beautiful and I think it makes a whole lot of sense to get in on them before they start trending. So if you can get at under MSRP, I'd do it if I were you.

Thankyou for the advice, I am due to see my SA this week, so let’s see how it goes