Boutiques Came Through Hard For Christmas

[fwong208]

I'm describing my experiences with both Rolex -and- AP Boutiques.

I had a relatively fun and short stretch flipping watches here which gave me the opportunity to learn about and appreciate these luxuries I otherwise wouldn't have been able to. This was all thanks to my friend and member here on TRF who equipped me with the knowledge and balls to dive into this addicting hobby.

Short story is, I put aside the flipping and concentrated on other aspects of my life which have now given me the ability to start collecting in earnest for myself.

I own a modest OP39 which was a present to me by my wife and that held me down for years.

But as I am getting older and working even harder now, I am finding that nothing is giving me the joy I used to have messing around and geeking over watches.

As such, I decided to try my luck at 2 boutiques to see if I could fill that void in my heart, knowing how difficult it was to try to compete with countless others and their own personal stories, to obtain a watch.

For Rolex, I sought out a Sub D. I had sold my personal Sub in order to cough up the funds for my wife's engagement ring.

I also sold my AP 15703st, a present I got myself after making a small amount on some trades a few years back for personal reasons.

Both left weird gaping voids in my soul when let go.

I walked into each boutique with an open mind, an honest word and no expectations for anything. I wasn't entitled, I wasn't begging, and I certainly wasn't pushy.

ROLEX - 0 history with Tourneau/Bucherer. Found an exceptionally personable and sincere SA. I was very specific about what I wanted and the reason why. I spent less than 15 minutes at the store talking and trying on just 1 watch. I was offerred no promises. I followed up one time at the store to drop off some treats to say hello and left it at that.

AUDEMARS PIGUET - I went to a Boutique with 0 purchase history. My original 15703st was with one of you guys. I met with an SA to express interest on a new 15720st and tried on only 1 watch, and looked at the new Code 11.59 - really like BTW. They took my info down and I followed up 1 time and left it at that.

Fast forward recently, I get a message from both SAs - ON THE SAME DAY - letting me know I was in their thoughts and they allocated a watch to me. Total wait - 1.5 months.

I cried like a giant man baby.

My take away on this is that your personal relationship with the SA is going to play a huge part in how they decide who gets what. It's not like I went out of my way to woo them.

Don't be a d*ck and don't wave your cash around like it means sh*t. Just be honest, treat your SA with dignity and respect and perhaps you'll find yourself with a dream come true.

[Riic]

Pics or it didn't happen

[jaySL350]

Originally Posted by Riic

Pics or it didn't happen

Yes,,
Congrats with your incomings but your patronising and condescending attitude at the end of your post will not endear you to this community,,,
Never a good idea to refer to people as “ Dicks”,,,,,

[stevestil]

pics.

[Tikandtokalot]

Nothing wrong with a modest OP39.
One watch does all in needs.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Riic

Pics or it didn't happen

The crying or the watches?

[fwong208]

Originally Posted by jaySL350

Yes,,
Congrats with your incomings but your patronising and condescending attitude at the end of your post will not endear you to this community,,,
Never a good idea to refer to people as “ Dicks”,,,,,

I totally agree with you about referring to people as d*cks. It's not nice nor fair.

However I've been around to boutiques and stores and I've seen people try to leverage wealth to press associates into trying to get them a watch and also as a way to create an air of entitled superiority.

I was not intending to ascribe these things to the community, just an observation on what not to do.

Everyone can take it how they will. I've only had good vibes from most members here from my first day on this community many years ago.

[fwong208]

Originally Posted by Tikandtokalot

Nothing wrong with a modest OP39.
One watch does all in needs.

Truest of words.

I found this to be the most versatile ever. I probably have 1mm photos around of me wearing it for every occasion. I've beat the crazy out of it and it's still beautiful.

[jaySL350]

Originally Posted by fwong208

I totally agree with you about referring to people as d*cks. It's not nice nor fair.

However I've been around to boutiques and stores and I've seen people try to leverage wealth to press associates into trying to get them a watch and also as a way to create an air of entitled superiority.

I was not intending to ascribe these things to the community, just an observation on what not to do.

Everyone can take it how they will. I've only had good vibes from most members here from my first day on this community many years ago.

That’s fair enough and I don’t wish you any bad vibes ,,,
People here are very aware of how some people treat SAs in ADs and there seemingly entitlement and I have a lot of empathy for SAs who have to repeat “ sorry no Daytona’s,GMTs or Subs ex amount of times every day and the response they receive,,,,,
All the best with your new pieces ,,,

[ArtNouveau]

Originally Posted by jaySL350

Yes,,
Congrats with your incomings but your patronising and condescending attitude at the end of your post will not endear you to this community,,,
Never a good idea to refer to people as “ Dicks”,,,,,

I have to say there’s lots of postings here that seem to be coming from those very types of people, and I’d have to side with the OP on his observations.
So many people here feel like they’re entitled to buy the watch they want because they have the money, it’s just not that simple. And anytime a poster refers to SA’s as somehow lesser human beings than themselves, I know immediately why that person isn’t getting any AD watches.
I am not a whale but have received three pretty desirable pieces in a row from my AD with no additional purchases simply by being respectful and consistent.

[fwong208]

Originally Posted by jaySL350

That’s fair enough and I don’t wish you any bad vibes ,,,
People here are very aware of how some people treat SAs in ADs and there seemingly entitlement and I have a lot of empathy for SAs who have to repeat “ sorry no Daytona’s,GMTs or Subs ex amount of times every day and the response they receive,,,,,
All the best with your new pieces ,,,

Thanks for the wishes!

[jaySL350]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

I have to say there’s lots of postings here that seem to be coming from those very types of people, and I’d have to side with the OP on his observations.
So many people here feel like they’re entitled to buy the watch they want because they have the money, it’s just not that simple. And anytime a poster refers to SA’s as somehow lesser human beings than themselves, I know immediately why that person isn’t getting any AD watches.
I am not a whale but have received three pretty desirable pieces in a row from my AD with no additional purchases simply by being respectful and consistent.

Yes,,,
It’s nice to be nice ,,,,,

[Vipes]

Congrats! Doesn’t cost anything to be nice.

[BDII]

Yeah, +1 on the not minding your commentary at the end. Lots of guys in this hobby seem like really hard people to be around.

Congrats, and thanks for sharing your experience.

[SaintMickey]

Originally Posted by fwong208

I'm describing my experiences with both Rolex -and- AP Boutiques.

I had a relatively fun and short stretch flipping watches here which gave me the opportunity to learn about and appreciate these luxuries I otherwise wouldn't have been able to. This was all thanks to my friend and member here on TRF who equipped me with the knowledge and balls to dive into this addicting hobby.

Short story is, I put aside the flipping and concentrated on other aspects of my life which have now given me the ability to start collecting in earnest for myself.

I own a modest OP39 which was a present to me by my wife and that held me down for years.

But as I am getting older and working even harder now, I am finding that nothing is giving me the joy I used to have messing around and geeking over watches.

As such, I decided to try my luck at 2 boutiques to see if I could fill that void in my heart, knowing how difficult it was to try to compete with countless others and their own personal stories, to obtain a watch.

For Rolex, I sought out a Sub D. I had sold my personal Sub in order to cough up the funds for my wife's engagement ring.

I also sold my AP 15703st, a present I got myself after making a small amount on some trades a few years back for personal reasons.

Both left weird gaping voids in my soul when let go.

I walked into each boutique with an open mind, an honest word and no expectations for anything. I wasn't entitled, I wasn't begging, and I certainly wasn't pushy.

ROLEX - 0 history with Tourneau/Bucherer. Found an exceptionally personable and sincere SA. I was very specific about what I wanted and the reason why. I spent less than 15 minutes at the store talking and trying on just 1 watch. I was offerred no promises. I followed up one time at the store to drop off some treats to say hello and left it at that.

AUDEMARS PIGUET - I went to a Boutique with 0 purchase history. My original 15703st was with one of you guys. I met with an SA to express interest on a new 15720st and tried on only 1 watch, and looked at the new Code 11.59 - really like BTW. They took my info down and I followed up 1 time and left it at that.

Fast forward recently, I get a message from both SAs - ON THE SAME DAY - letting me know I was in their thoughts and they allocated a watch to me. Total wait - 1.5 months.

I cried like a giant man baby.

My take away on this is that your personal relationship with the SA is going to play a huge part in how they decide who gets what. It's not like I went out of my way to woo them.

Don't be a d*ck and don't wave your cash around like it means sh*t. Just be honest, treat your SA with dignity and respect and perhaps you'll find yourself with a dream come true.

Happens all the time. I've gotten 3 from AD this year.

Now not so sure about your last sentence/comment but Uh Ok. And of course it is all about personal relationships. I guess it could be summed up as "be likable".

OH and as others said...Pictures or you are just "a d*ck waving your wins around and your post don't mean sh*t without them". (see what I did there )


or am I

[Nav01L]

So now you’re off to buy scuba gear? Congratulations on two great divers!

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by SaintMickey

Happens all the time. I've gotten 3 from AD this year.

Now not so sure about your last sentence/comment but Uh Ok. And of course it is all about personal relationships. I guess it could be summed up as "be likable".

OH and as others said...Pictures or you are just "a d*ck waving your wins around and your post don't mean sh*t without them". (see what I did there )


or am I

Wow, I think I got whiplash!

[SaintMickey]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

Wow, I think I got whiplash!

Haha! Hopefully my emojis make it clear I was being ironic.

[Seddyspaghetti]

Congrats where are the pics?

[Robf52]

I think OP has a great story; most people sense he meant no offense, just stating how/how not to act, in life in general.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by SaintMickey

Haha! Hopefully my emojis make it clear I was being ironic.

You betcha!

[ks58]

Great that they came through. Show the proof as well. Great story though.

[mcch2233]

Originally Posted by fwong208

However I've been around to boutiques and stores and I've seen people try to leverage wealth to press associates into trying to get them a watch and also as a way to create an air of entitled superiority.

I was at my AD a few weeks ago, and this one guy was SO clearly flaunting his wife's Birkin around the entire store - as she was looking in some cases, he was holding her bag and putting it on the counter at other cases when talking to an SA to keep it in CLEAR view.

Probably one of the most cringeworthy things I've seen in person.

[fwong208]

Originally Posted by SaintMickey

Happens all the time. I've gotten 3 from AD this year.

Now not so sure about your last sentence/comment but Uh Ok. And of course it is all about personal relationships. I guess it could be summed up as "be likable".

OH and as others said...Pictures or you are just "a d*ck waving your wins around and your post don't mean sh*t without them". (see what I did there )


or am I

Yall just forcing my hand

[SaintMickey]

Originally Posted by fwong208

Yall just forcing my hand

What size is that AP!?

[Benzsiam]

Originally Posted by SaintMickey

What size is that AP!?

I think it's 42mm AP ROO.

Congrats to OP!

[SaintMickey]

Originally Posted by Benzsiam

I think it's 42mm AP ROO.

Congrats to OP!

oic. What size is that wrist then!!!!

[dawalsh]

Originally Posted by SaintMickey

oic. What size is that wrist then!!!!

About an inch and a half too small for that watch, but he’s happy. I say good for him.

[SaintMickey]

Originally Posted by dawalsh

About an inch and a half too small for that watch, but he’s happy. I say good for him.

That's all that matters.

[fwong208]

Originally Posted by dawalsh

About an inch and a half too small for that watch, but he’s happy. I say good for him.

You're absolutely right. I have spaghetti wrists it's totally off. Need to bulk up again