ALS - Boutique or AD

[ModestCollector]

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.

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by ModestCollector

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.

If you have a good relationship with an AD I would support the AD and he will support you.
The Boutique is run by some great guys and I deal with them but discounts don't happen.

[enjoythemusic]

AD, as this builds your purchases to acquire other brands too.

[lanteanflux]

It’s one thing to not want to buy preowned , it’s another to only buy new from boutique and forgo 15% off . Blimey

[raclaims]

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

[mongrelnomoad]

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...

[mongrelnomoad]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

AD, as this builds your purchases to acquire other brands too.

In London, the AD and boutique have a centralised system, so it'd be logged...

Moot point whether you want to shop with either, though.

[ModestCollector]

Originally Posted by Russell996

If you have a good relationship with an AD I would support the AD and he will support you.
The Boutique is run by some great guys and I deal with them but discounts don't happen.

Thanks, this could be a deal breaker... if the boutique do not discount then I think that is decision made. Pointless paying more unnecessarily.

I wonder how the 'experience' of buying will change in the new socially distant world...

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by mongrelnomoad

In London, the AD and boutique have a centralised system, so it'd be logged...

Moot point whether you want to shop with either, though.

Thx, good to know.

[ansharma]

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.

[cascavel]

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.

[Bearxj86]

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).

[antelope]

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.

[Bloomberg]

Take it at the boutique and then order an Odysseus for me please. They don’t want to sell me that watch :(

[WatchEater666]

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.

[az2598]

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!

[cascavel]

Originally Posted by Bloomberg

Take it at the boutique and then order an Odysseus for me please. They don’t want to sell me that watch :(

Buying a few pieces and having a relationship at a boutique won't get you an Odysseus. Don't feel bad.

[Bloomberg]

Originally Posted by cascavel

Buying a few pieces and having a relationship at a boutique won't get you an Odysseus. Don't feel bad.

Thanks. I’m said that because Lange refused my request and precised that they reserve the Odysseus for their best clients...

[Pongster]

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.

[lanteanflux]

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!

[ModestCollector]

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.

[KBM]

Originally Posted by lanteanflux

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!

That's an easy one. Rg black dial, every time.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by lanteanflux

...or the discounted but barely legible
black dial 1815 chronograph at AD!

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 :)

[anselm]

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.

[Pongster]

My local AD invited me to a VIP Lange event even if i had not bought one.

Well, that invitation made me buy one.

[jltait]

Originally Posted by kauebm

that's an easy one. Rg black dial, every time.

x2

[macct]

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.