VIP Status

[Octagon Guy]

Just had a gathering with my cousin and his bunch of AP fanatic friends. Their individual collection ranges from 5 pieces to 16 pieces each.

I'm shocked to learn from their sharing with me, a newbie to AP, that to be a VIP of AP, not only do we have to clock a minimum spent amount (nothing surprising here) but also have to maintain a minimum spend annually to remain as one (this is what caught me hard).

Can anyone here attest to this? If it's true, it'll be a real challenge. To clock a minimum spending to be considered one might be achievable to many whose journey are new but to maintain spending after those who already achieved that status in the long run, might not be viable as they already owned most of the references they are after.

[hellofromthebay]

What is the minimum spend?


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[brandrea]

Interesting. I’m curious what they said the spend is …

[S’portEye]

You left out the most important part. What is the minimum yearly spend?

[RolexADreal]

i am one of "those" and i haven't spent millions nor i spend hundreds every year.... But i am categorised as VIP on AP system....

I simply buy what i like, sometimes 2-3 pieces per year, sometimes 0... So don't think there is a definite answer... and regarding my VIP status (which i am far from being for real), it's all about how your sales representative wants to push you....

[Octagon Guy]

These guys also didn't have any concrete figure. Probably only AP knows. There's a few guys in the group who has a minimum spent history of USD400K or more and they've been receiving birthday and festive gifts. But none yet to be invited for corporate events. Even for my cousin who has the biggest collection of 16 pieces.

[Octagon Guy]

Originally Posted by RolexADreal

i am one of "those" and i haven't spent millions nor i spend hundreds every year.... i siply buy what i like, sometimes 2-3 pieces per year, sometimes 0... So don't think there is a definite answer... and regarding my VIP status (which i am far from being for real), it's all about how your sales representative wants to push you....

Sorry but your post is abit confusing to me. So are you considered a VIP or no?

[RolexADreal]

Originally Posted by Octagon Guy

Sorry but your post is abit confusing to me. So are you considered a VIP or no?

i don' t consider myself VIP, AP system does

[Steele]

I wanna spend $$$ lol buying AP's

[Ichiran]

I yearn to be a VIP at AP so that I can ask for a 16202ST.

[Octagon Guy]

Originally Posted by RolexADreal

i don' t consider myself VIP, AP system does

How do you know AP recognise you as their VIP? Do they tell you upfront? And can you see it anywhere in your online profile?

[RolexADreal]

Originally Posted by Octagon Guy

How do you know AP recognise you as their VIP? Do they tell you upfront? And can you see it anywhere in your online profile?

No... i saw it on their laptop but perhaps i was not supposed to see it... nobody ever told me....

Also i can see whenever i visit a boutique which is not my main one and they check the system they welcome me with a special smile...

[lucasalce]

When you ask for a new wishlist item, they bring out an iPad to update your profile. That would be an oppotunity to see if you have a status.

[Vivalas]

Calling the ‘capo di tutti capo’ or in this case ‘whale of all whales’ . . . .

Mr Big GW44

He decides who goes on the VIP list - below him obvious

[Steele]

Hello @conkers where are you!!!!

[Octagon Guy]

Originally Posted by RolexADreal

No... i saw it on their laptop but perhaps i was not supposed to see it... nobody ever told me....

Also i can see whenever i visit a boutique which is not my main one and they check the system they welcome me with a special smile...

Originally Posted by lucasalce

When you ask for a new wishlist item, they bring out an iPad to update your profile. That would be an oppotunity to see if you have a status.

Ah... Learn something new again. Thank you!

[conkers]

I don’t believe there’s any hard and fast rules around this and varies from market to market but I think it is safe to assume there are multiple tiers and spend is only one criteria (albeit an important one).

[Pfang56]

Originally Posted by conkers

I don’t believe there’s any hard and fast rules around this and varies from market to market but I think it is safe to assume there are multiple tiers and spend is only one criteria (albeit an important one).

Conkers is definitely the source here and is god tier :)

Reinforcing the fact that I understand cumulative spend is important, as well as diversity of collection, and engagement in events / visits (especially Le Brassus). I also heard bringing family members along (your spouse, your kids, etc) is also a plus and helps.


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[PP&AP]

Originally Posted by Octagon Guy

These guys also didn't have any concrete figure. Probably only AP knows. There's a few guys in the group who has a minimum spent history of USD400K or more and they've been receiving birthday and festive gifts. But none yet to be invited for corporate events. Even for my cousin who has the biggest collection of 16 pieces.

I think this helps show spend is important, but relationship with SA can trump spending. I've been invited to a few events, and my spend history is much smaller than your cousins. On the flip side, I tend to get the standard holiday gifts instead of the special ones we see others on this board receive. I'll take the events any day!

[Horsin’ Around]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

I yearn to be a VIP at AP so that I can ask for a 16202ST.

If someone was allocated a 16202ST does that mean they are a VIP at AP?


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[Steele]

Originally Posted by Horsin’ Around

If someone was allocated a 16202ST does that mean they are a VIP at AP?


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I would say YES! 16202 any, 15202 any, Black Ceramic RO's any, Openworks 41mm, 15510st these are the monsters, Then of course the Grails like the John Mayer

[Steele]

Originally Posted by conkers

I don’t believe there’s any hard and fast rules around this and varies from market to market but I think it is safe to assume there are multiple tiers and spend is only one criteria (albeit an important one).

The legend has entered the chat!!!

[Emery]

Considering the current retail prices of AP watches, not hard to maintain the annual spend by just purchasing 1-2 watches every year.

[hellofromthebay]

What really matters, is if you are a VVIP. That’s how I’ve heard the owner of a major Boutique categorize celebrities


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[mickyd329]

I don't know exactly at what spend history you are classified as a VIP. I'm don't think there is a hard number. It's more likely based on the number of boutique purchases and variety of the collection. I do know that they expect around 2 purchases a year from such clients on average or 1 BIG one per year. Again, nothing concrete I think. I guess if you get invited to AP events you are a step above the average client. If you also got difficult allocations like QP's OW, Jumbo's, and such, you are somewhat of a VIP as you have gone through the allocation approval process through AP Corporate. If you get offered pieces like a JM, Scott, Blue CE QP, or OW CE QP, you are definitely VVIP level or higher. If they offer your MR, you KNOW you are VVVIP. lol..

If you get invited to Le Brassus, you are somewhere in the upper tier of clients. There is a differentiation there too though. I was invited to a 2 day trip to Le Brassus recently, but there is a member here that just got back from a week long trip the week after me where I believe they took him and his wife to all of the AP facilities including Geneva and LeCocle where the high complications are made. I won't say who as he has not posted about his trip, but he would be considered at least VVIP IMO.

@Conkers is definitely VVVIP level too.

[mickyd329]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

I yearn to be a VIP at AP so that I can ask for a 16202ST.

Michael,


You are VVIP at all of the other brands you collect except AP. I find that crazy!

[Nova1]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

I yearn to be a VIP at AP so that I can ask for a 16202ST.

For once the status is bestowed upon thee, thou heart shall fill with merry and glee.
And thine wrist shall shine for the whole world to see.
SH

[Ichiran]

Originally Posted by mickyd329

You are VVIP at all of the other brands you collect except AP. I find that crazy!

My AD treats me well though they don't retail AP anymore. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed your thread on the visit to Le Brassus

I would love to visit AP on my own too, after hearing positive feedback from others. Plus I can get to visit other manufacturers around the region.

[Octagon Guy]

Originally Posted by mickyd329

I don't know exactly at what spend history you are classified as a VIP. I'm don't think there is a hard number. It's more likely based on the number of boutique purchases and variety of the collection. I do know that they expect around 2 purchases a year from such clients on average or 1 BIG one per year. Again, nothing concrete I think. I guess if you get invited to AP events you are a step above the average client. If you also got difficult allocations like QP's OW, Jumbo's, and such, you are somewhat of a VIP as you have gone through the allocation approval process through AP Corporate. If you get offered pieces like a JM, Scott, Blue CE QP, or OW CE QP, you are definitely VVIP level or higher. If they offer your MR, you KNOW you are VVVIP. lol..

If you get invited to Le Brassus, you are somewhere in the upper tier of clients. There is a differentiation there too though. I was invited to a 2 day trip to Le Brassus recently, but there is a member here that just got back from a week long trip the week after me where I believe they took him and his wife to all of the AP facilities including Geneva and LeCocle where the high complications are made. I won't say who as he has not posted about his trip, but he would be considered at least VVIP IMO.

@Conkers is definitely VVVIP level too.

This info is very detailed.

[APhound]

I don’t think 16202 means you’re VIP. That was my last watch, bought six in the last two years (no I wasn’t buying them to get a 16202) and I’m nobody to them. Only gift I got was that stupid backgammon set lol. No way I would ever get offered any of the cool stuff. I don’t have any idea what my next watch will be but not one of the omg ones.
I’ve been around some of the guys who are VIP and they don’t even know there’s such a thing or care. They’re just rich!


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