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#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: UK
Posts: 20
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ALS - Boutique or AD
Hello,
First time posting here... When (if) lockdown ever ends I am thinking of pulling the trigger on a new Lange 1 (rose gold, non moon-phase). (I only buy new so not interested in buying used despite large discount). I have a good relationship with a well-known AD in London who stock ALS watches and could probably negotiate a decent discount (c.10% maybe). HOWEVER... there is something appealing about buying from the new ALS boutique on Bond Street. I don't know why - but buying from there would perhaps be more memorable in years to come? (I am a sucker for the buying "experience".) Are there any benefits from buying from the boutique? Are discounts negotiable? Buying from the AD (just around the corner) is likely to hold me in good stead for purchasing future watches from other brands (thinking hard-to-get Rolex's, Pateks etc). OR.... do I go somewhere like Harrods and take advantage of their reward points scheme? I wondered what people's thoughts are for point of purchase? Thanks. |
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#2 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 4,209
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Quote:
The Boutique is run by some great guys and I deal with them but discounts don't happen. ![]() |
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#3 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Real Name: Steven
Location: Glocal
Posts: 20,487
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AD, as this builds your purchases to acquire other brands too.
__________________
__________________ Love timepieces and want to become a Watchmaker? Rolex has a sensational school. www.RolexWatchmakingTrainingCenter.com/ Sent from my Etch A Sketch using String Theory. |
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#4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: -
Posts: 118
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It’s one thing to not want to buy preowned , it’s another to only buy new from boutique and forgo 15% off . Blimey
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#5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: NJ
Posts: 2,605
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I can't fathom ever being willing to pay more for no reason. Go with whoever gives the best deal and you can afford more watches
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#6 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Here and there...
Posts: 1,872
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I bought mine from a London AD - the boutique is an extension of that same AD. Not sure if it makes a difference functionally (unless there is a boutique-exclusive model you're after).
I'd go wherever I could get the watch I want, new, for the best price. The 'experience' is pretty meaningless once you walk out the door... |
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#7 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Here and there...
Posts: 1,872
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#8 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: UK
Posts: 20
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Quote:
I wonder how the 'experience' of buying will change in the new socially distant world... |
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#9 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Real Name: Steven
Location: Glocal
Posts: 20,487
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Quote:
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__________________
__________________ Love timepieces and want to become a Watchmaker? Rolex has a sensational school. www.RolexWatchmakingTrainingCenter.com/ Sent from my Etch A Sketch using String Theory. |
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#10 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: UK
Watch: Lange 1 Moonphase
Posts: 1,868
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Welcome to the forum. To be honest I think 10% is a very average discount for Lange, I was offered 20% off after strong negotiations from an AD a few years ago for a L1 MP but I still went grey and bought new at an even larger discount.
Personally if there was a small difference between boutiques/AD and greys then it is no brainer but when you are paying quite a bit more for the same timepiece then that premium is difficult to justify the buying experience. Take the savings and buy another nice watch unless you want to build a rapport to secure a piece such as the Odysseus. |
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#11 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Santa Fe
Posts: 1,871
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There is very little that building a relationship with a Lange boutique can do for you unless you plan to spend many hundreds of thousands with them. Go the AD route, save money and maybe you can get a future allocation.
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#12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Los Angeles
Watch: 3970
Posts: 3,843
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I was offered a discount at the US boutique in Costa Mesa, California about 18 months ago.
Try to get a price quote from an AD, then tell the AD you want to build a relationship but can they try to match or at least give you a small discount? Then ask for the free stuff (loupe, carrying case, deployant, straps etc. etc. etc). |
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#13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: USA
Watch: Daytona
Posts: 426
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Experience should be similar however should be easier to get a discount from the AD. My 2 cents. I buy my ALS watches from an AD and they are usually kind enough to give me a decent discount.
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#14 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Paris
Posts: 85
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Take it at the boutique and then order an Odysseus for me please. They don’t want to sell me that watch :(
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#15 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,900
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I bought my Zeitwerk from an AD that runs the boutique as well in Chicago. They were great to work with. My bill of sale had the AD on it which I don't mind at all since they deal other brands I might want something from in the future.
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#16 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: nyc
Posts: 9
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I was proactively offered a 10% discount on an AP 1815 up/down without even asking, and then after basically a 5 minute ended up a bit above 15% at a prominent NYC AD.
Think 20% is definitely possible based on my experience and don't know why you would ever go the boutique route if you can get 15 - 20% off and build history with an AD that covers multiple brands! |
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#17 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Santa Fe
Posts: 1,871
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#18 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Paris
Posts: 85
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#19 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Marikina
Posts: 2,561
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No ALS boutique where i am. The most a boutique was able to offer me abroad was the VAT refund and a free strap i think. Didnt take it. Just tried on watches. It’s an experience still. :)
But i dont think the boutique buying experience is worth the 20 to 30% discount our local AD gives. What’s important to me is the watch wearing experience. I suppose a boutique is perfect for items (if any) that AD’s are not allowed to sell. |
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#20 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: -
Posts: 118
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Yeah the real question is whether to buy boutique only 1815 chrono at boutique or the discounted but barely legible
black dial 1815 chronograph at AD! |
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#21 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: UK
Posts: 20
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I thought a 10% discount would be pushing it. Now I'm hearing of discounts of 20% - 30% I'm starting to get excited.
From experience, what would be the best tactic to get such a discount? I'm looking at a Lange 1 so there is hardly a shortage of these so hoping to get as much off as I can. |
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#22 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Real Name: K.
Location: 780
Posts: 10,435
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#23 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Real Name: Steven
Location: Glocal
Posts: 20,487
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Don't do it imho. Would rather wait (nearly) forever than get a timepiece my eyes can read. Was offered the black dial SS 'tona a few times from a few dealers and passed. Waited for the first dealer who offered white dial... and glad i did :)
__________________
__________________ Love timepieces and want to become a Watchmaker? Rolex has a sensational school. www.RolexWatchmakingTrainingCenter.com/ Sent from my Etch A Sketch using String Theory. |
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#24 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: South Charlotte
Posts: 182
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Decision points, if you plan to buy multiple pieces, want to get access to hard to get models like the Odysseus and invited to VIP events, then boutique but offset is no discount.
if you only want a single model or don't care about VIP events, then AD, Gray, wherever you can get the best price. |
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#25 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Marikina
Posts: 2,561
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My local AD invited me to a VIP Lange event even if i had not bought one.
Well, that invitation made me buy one. |
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#26 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2018
Real Name: Jared
Location: Westchestah
Watch: 116200
Posts: 814
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#27 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: CT
Posts: 45
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Agree with “anselm”. It depends on your longer term goals. I have purchased a few Langes over a number of years, but that means nothing to Lange and the boutiques. It is also clear Lange is moving to be more boutique centric. If you think at some point you are going to want something special, you will need standing with a boutique. Personally, I would go AD, grey or preowned. There are very few Langes that hold their value well to be captive to a boutique even if I miss an opportunity for a special model.
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