VIP Status

[edo]

It's like scientology but with watches. Shame they get rid of the turtlebeck prophet.

[GW44]

Originally Posted by 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

The cheque is in the post

[Lemarp]

We need someone that can fill out what it means to be (or at least what they think this means):

VIP -
VVIP -
VVVIP -
VVVVIP -
God Tier - Significant # of instagram followers; known celebrity?

[Steele]

Originally Posted by 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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Sir you must be like me and are married with trauma lol. You got a 16202 and I think that’s an amazing offer and pick up. Would love to know what pieces you picked up before that

[conkers]

Originally Posted by Lemarp

We need someone that can fill out what it means to be (or at least what they think this means):

VIP -
VVIP -
VVVIP -
VVVVIP -
God Tier - Significant # of instagram followers; known celebrity?

They are described differently by AP, "friend of the brand", "friend of the family" as examples.

[khairain]

I'm not sure about now but before pandemic there were few criteria depending on the piece that your purchasing. If my spending history was below 100k USD I will be invited to their event in my region which one of the event that was paid for that I attended the launching of Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie in Singapore and F1. That year if you purchase any piece 70k above they will invite you for a paid for golf trip in Dubai and to get invitation to AP factory min requirement is to purchase a Toub. For all RO steel you need to get Boutique Manager to approve and for 15202 Regional Manager to approve.

[APhound]

Originally Posted by Steele

Sir you must be like me and are married with trauma lol. You got a 16202 and I think that’s an amazing offer and pick up. Would love to know what pieces you picked up before that

16202 is the only reference number I know- but I got the green diver then a rg royal oak then a rose gold offshore then a ss code then the 16202.. and I already had a panda royal oak.. wonder what’s next?!


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[mickyd329]

Originally Posted by APhound

16202 is the only reference number I know- but I got the green diver then a rg royal oak then a rose gold offshore then a ss code then the 16202.. and I already had a panda royal oak.. wonder what’s next?!


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That's a very diverse collection. Looks like a RO QP or maybe even an OW is in order next.

[Pfang56]

Originally Posted by mickyd329

That's a very diverse collection. Looks like a RO QP or maybe even an OW is in order next.

Agreed. I think that a QP in any metal or case is an important milestone. Not just for the AP allocation, but a QP is just a different level altogether.


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[APhound]

Ya it seems like a perp would make sense but my dad and I got perpetual Patek’s this year so I’d really want something else maybe ceramic? Maybe tourb? Some of those high end codes are really attractive to me also.. We’re both collecting new aquanauts next week, dads getting the green 5168 and I’m getting the orange 5968 and have always wanted that one!


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[GW44]

Originally Posted by conkers

They are described differently by AP, "friend of the brand", "friend of the family" as examples.

Or, in your case Roger, friend and key advisor of the owners

[Pfang56]

Originally Posted by APhound

Ya it seems like a perp would make sense but my dad and I got perpetual Patek’s this year so I’d really want something else maybe ceramic? Maybe tourb? Some of those high end codes are really attractive to me also.. We’re both collecting new aquanauts next week, dads getting the green 5168 and I’m getting the orange 5968 and have always wanted that one!


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Awesome pieces. Nothing compares to a PCC in Patek! I know that PC's have been a key entry point these days for elevated Aquanauts and Nautilus' - so it's not a surprise it's the same for AP.

I think for QP share an interest and wait for 2025 - when we all expect an upgrade of the 5134 movement.


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[Steele]

Originally Posted by APhound

Ya it seems like a perp would make sense but my dad and I got perpetual Patek’s this year so I’d really want something else maybe ceramic? Maybe tourb? Some of those high end codes are really attractive to me also.. We’re both collecting new aquanauts next week, dads getting the green 5168 and I’m getting the orange 5968 and have always wanted that one!


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First of all is your dad adopting? “Asking for a friend” as my father didn’t get me jack S#*^+

I’m house trained, don’t eat to much just don’t ask my wifey for a reference and I’m good to go lol

Originally Posted by APhound

16202 is the only reference number I know- but I got the green diver then a rg royal oak then a rose gold offshore then a ss code then the 16202.. and I already had a panda royal oak.. wonder what’s next?!


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Seriously amazing collection great variety for every occasion

My favs are the 16202, the RO Rose gold not sure it that’s the 15500OR and the Panda but well done sir.

Yeah time to look for ceramic and complications next.

[conkers]

Originally Posted by GW44

Or, in your case Roger, friend and key advisor of the owners

In the old days yes to an extent that was true. Not so any more sadly. All my main connections have left.

[GW44]

Originally Posted by conkers

In the old days yes to an extent that was true. Not so any more sadly. All my main connections have left.

And what's your take on the new CEO and direction they are taking?

[conkers]

Originally Posted by GW44

And what's your take on the new CEO and direction they are taking?

Haven’t met her so can’t really comment. I’ll take the 5th on the second part of your question……a long discussion to be had over several beers on my next visit to Blighty!

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by conkers

They are described differently by AP, "friend of the brand", "friend of the family" as examples.

Passing through LHR today, I was impressed to see that you're not just high-up on the AP "friend of..." tree, but are getting honored by BA as well

[Octagon Guy]

Originally Posted by conkers

They are described differently by AP, "friend of the brand", "friend of the family" as examples.

Correct to assume "friend of the brand" is of the lowest level of VIP?

[Bearxj86]

I'm actually in a bit of a somewhat frozen state as a VIP or VVIP whatever you call it.

1) In April 2023, I went to Le Brassus on a 3 day really great trip including Le Locle (I wonder if being invited to Le Locle where the RMs and grand comps are made is a different level). Flown business class from Los Angeles, 5 star hotels, everything paid for nice meals etc. I heard you need $500k+ cumulative spend to get invited.

2) Over the years I have 10 watches registered with AP the most "hot" ones being the Openworked Jumbo RG, Ceramic Chrono, and Titanium QP. I have in excess of $0.5M of spend but I don't believe I am over $1M. The most I've spent in 1 year is around $300k. I hear they also measure how many QPs you have, in this case I have 2 (Code 1159 WG QP and the Titanium Americas edition QP).

3) I have purchased other pieces on the gray market such as a Remaster and older models such as 14790 and offshores.

4) Last watch I received was in Oct of 2023 which was a 15510st green, at the same time I moved to Switzerland in Feb of 2024 and it has been difficult to stay in touch or visit my Los Angeles boutique (same thing with FP Journe). I've visited the Geneva boutique for both AP and FP Journe and was treated nicely and shown pieces but I have kept my Los Angeles "point of contact".

5) I asked for a few things but have always had my eyes on the Remaster02 before it was even released (being a collector of vintage and more classic/neo classic designs). I have been allocated one and will pick it up next month (will fly in to pickup). To be clear I haven't been offered the Ceramic OW or OWQP, the John Meyer or the Travis Scott so I don't believe I am the highest tier.

6) I am not pushy and will buy 1-2 watches a year. My next purchase is ???? but I have asked for a PM Jumbo as well as a 37mm YG frosted/turquoise for a potential shared piece with the wife. My wife is not into watches so the only piece I was able to stomach buying was a 15450st blue back in 2020. Outside of that I don't buy ladies pieces but won't mind a unisex option. My SA recommended a RD3 as well as a star wheel as a potential wishlist too.

7) I think it's clear that for me to advance to the next level, a gemset, a MR or Tourb or concept (somewhere in the 200k range) is likely to level me up. I'm still waiting for the right piece. Maybe RD3??!

[conkers]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

Passing through LHR today, I was impressed to see that you're not just high-up on the AP "friend of..." tree, but are getting honored by BA as well

That is awesome and made me laugh thanks for sharing!

[conkers]

Originally Posted by Octagon Guy

Correct to assume "friend of the brand" is of the lowest level of VIP?

No “friend of the brand” is 1-2 ranks above “cooking” VIPs. “Friend of the family” it starts to get interesting and then the ultimate status designation of “friend of the balance sheet” rules supreme.

[Steele]

Originally Posted by conkers

No “friend of the brand” is 1-2 ranks above “cooking” VIPs. “Friend of the family” it starts to get interesting and then the ultimate status designation of “friend of the balance sheet” rules supreme.

Lmaoooooo “Friend of the Balance Sheet”

[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by conkers

No “friend of the brand” is 1-2 ranks above “cooking” VIPs. “Friend of the family” it starts to get interesting and then the ultimate status designation of “friend of the balance sheet” rules supreme.

🤣🤣 we gonna call them “FOBs”? Lol

[GW44]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

Passing through LHR today, I was impressed to see that you're not just high-up on the AP "friend of..." tree, but are getting honored by BA as well

That’s real notoriety

Originally Posted by conkers

Haven’t met her so can’t really comment. I’ll take the 5th on the second part of your question……a long discussion to be had over several beers on my next visit to Blighty!

Deal

[vakman]

Originally Posted by conkers

They are described differently by AP, "friend of the brand", "friend of the family" as examples.

Sounds like the Donny Brasco scene about he is a friend of mine he is connected. But if i say friend of ours he is a wiseguy.

[dchang81]

To be honest (even though my total watch spend is nowhere near that) 500k over a few years doesn't seem crazy to be VIP considering the pricing of the product.

[gauwow]

Originally Posted by Steele

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

VIP status for a 16202st . Nope. Def not where I live which has a boutique. I got my allocation last year after 4 purchases but I don’t get invited to events or receive any gifts. I did get that huge AP book when I asked.

[Steele]

Originally Posted by gauwow

VIP status for a 16202st . Nope. Def not where I live which has a boutique. I got my allocation last year after 4 purchases but I don’t get invited to events or receive any gifts. I did get that huge AP book when I asked.

I was just in Tokyo about a month ago and hit the house and Boutique in Ginza and the AP Lab. What a great time. Yeah you’re lucky to have all of that. The crazy thing is that Japan at least Tokyo is a very high consumption market. I had no idea so I can imagine that getting offered anything is very competitive for sure. I did see lots of vips roll into the locations

[kaiserphoenix]

Originally Posted by 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.

Yes is true, it functions very similarly to an Airline Status/Mileage programe.