Manchester AP House Visit / Lots of new Offshore straps

[ikincooper]

Just enjoyed a fantastic visit to the new AP House in Manchester. It was a real pleasure to spend time (over 1.5 hrs!) with Ritchie to talk watches and to have a tour of the new premises. Ritchie is a qualified watch maker so you can really geek out with him.

I updated my wish list and will hopefully get my account transferred to Ritchie as we really seemed to click.

Got to try on many watches, including the new QP…



Enjoyed a beer (AP collaboration brew) and managed to order in a new white strap for my AP Diver. On that note, the range of available straps has significantly increased to approximately 15 different straps including bright orange, green, red, white and many more.

Any AP lovers in the North of the UK, I’d highly recommend you arrange an appointment.

Sorry the above is my only photo, will be sure to take more when I call in to collect my new strap.

Niki


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[In-N-Out]

Originally Posted by ikincooper

Just enjoyed a fantastic visit to the new AP House in Manchester. It was a real pleasure to spend time (over 1.5 hrs!) with Ritchie to talk watches and to have a tour of the new premises. Ritchie is a qualified watch maker so you can really geek out with him.

I updated my wish list and will hopefully get my account transferred to Ritchie as we really seemed to click.

Got to try on many watches, including the new QP…



Enjoyed a beer (AP collaboration brew) and managed to order in a new white strap for my AP Diver. On that note, the range of available straps has significantly increased to approximately 15 different straps including bright orange, green, red, white and many more.

Any AP lovers in the North of the UK, I’d highly recommend you arrange an appointment.

Sorry the above is my only photo, will be sure to take more when I call in to collect my new strap.

Niki


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White and orange straps are for the 15720st?

[ikincooper]

Originally Posted by In-N-Out

White and orange straps are for the 15720st?

Yes indeed, and yellow, bright green and more


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[7sins]

Is there a strap catalog now? Or would that make things too easy for us collectors lol

[ikincooper]

Originally Posted by 7sins

Is there a strap catalog now? Or would that make things too easy for us collectors lol

Haha, don’t be daft!


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[In-N-Out]

Originally Posted by ikincooper

Yes indeed, and yellow, bright green and more


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Thanks…might pick up an orange strap for my khaki. Hope the Taipei boutiques have them

[Vivalas]

Hadn’t realised it was open yet Niki, thanks for sharing. Hopefully get up there myself some time.

[grahammackay86]

Thanks for sharing Niki, sounds like a great visit. I haven’t managed to get into APH London in absolute ages, so definitely need to try and get a visit there and now also the new APH Manchester this year.

How does this AP House work if it’s a joint venture between AP and WOS? Do they take your previous spend history at both and add them together… that’d be ideal!

[ikincooper]

Originally Posted by grahammackay86

How does this AP House work if it’s a joint venture between AP and WOS? Do they take your previous spend history at both and add them together… that’d be ideal!

From the conversation I had on this topic, the staff are actually AP employees and WOS have just jointly funded the venture and have no/limited involvement beyond that. I didn’t specifically ask about WOS spend history but doubt it’d be relevant (unfortunately).

If you enjoy the technical aspects of watches, then I’d highly recommend asking to meet with Ritchie as he’s a qualified watchmaker who’s transitioned to be customer racing via his new role with AP. Top bloke.


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[grahammackay86]

Originally Posted by ikincooper

From the conversation I had on this topic, the staff are actually AP employees and WOS have just jointly funded the venture and have no/limited involvement beyond that. I didn’t specifically ask about WOS spend history but doubt it’d be relevant (unfortunately).

If you enjoy the technical aspects of watches, then I’d highly recommend asking to meet with Ritchie as he’s a qualified watchmaker who’s transitioned to be customer racing via his new role with AP. Top bloke.


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Ah okay, so very little WOS involvement at all then. Yeah wishful thinking, that would’ve bumped the spend history up a bit!

Sounds awesome, definitely something I’m interested in - particularly over a beer! Visiting a friend in Manchester this summer so will get in for a visit.

Off out to Mexico City tomorrow and the AP House there is supposed to be fantastic so will get booked in for a look around.

[ikincooper]

Originally Posted by ikincooper

Haha, don’t be daft!


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Here are some of the new straps available for the 15720 Divers…


There were others too


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[Tallbark]

Originally Posted by ikincooper

Here are some of the new straps available for the 15720 Divers…


There were others too


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Really nice. If you have the pre-change-straps-yourself-diver, is it possible to convert to this new system? If not, do you know if the colors are available for the old system?

[ikincooper]

Originally Posted by Tallbark

Really nice. If you have the pre-change-straps-yourself-diver, is it possible to convert to this new system? If not, do you know if the colors are available for the old system?

Yes you can convert to the new self changing straps to allow for fitment of these straps to older divers via quick change.

In terms of older strap availabilities I’m afraid I have no idea, sorry


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[Tallbark]

Originally Posted by ikincooper

Yes you can convert to the new self changing straps to allow for fitment of these straps to older divers via quick change.

In terms of older strap availabilities I’m afraid I have no idea, sorry


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Thanks! Will contact the AP Service Center.

[gretch6364]

Those are great! I feel like a new diver is coming this year. Hopefully thinner and with ceramic bezel options that are Ti or SS cases.

[Tallbark]

Originally Posted by gretch6364

Those are great! I feel like a new diver is coming this year. Hopefully thinner and with ceramic bezel options that are Ti or SS cases.

Are there any indications around a new diver on the horizon?

[ikincooper]

Originally Posted by gretch6364

Those are great! I feel like a new diver is coming this year. Hopefully thinner and with ceramic bezel options that are Ti or SS cases.

A ceramic bezel would be


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[gretch6364]

Originally Posted by Tallbark

Are there any indications around a new diver on the horizon?

I don't have any inside info...but lots of strap options that don't really match any of the current collection of production watches. The diver is long in the tooth, and there is a lot of opportunity there now that the ROO pricing has been pushed so high.

Can't get ROs and CODE doesn't fill the niche of a sports watch.

[ikincooper]

My new white strap is now where it belongs…



And also got to try on what is hopefully my next AP addition whilst at AP House Manchester again today…




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[Vivalas]

Originally Posted by ikincooper

My new white strap is now where it belongs…



And also got to try on what is hopefully my next AP addition whilst at AP House Manchester again today…




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Very nice Niki, been wearing my white dial last few days - pure classic.

Am I right in thinking James is the new manager at Manchester?

[ikincooper]

Originally Posted by Vivalas

Very nice Niki, been wearing my white dial last few days - pure classic.

Am I right in thinking James is the new manager at Manchester?

Thanks Stephen mate.

Tbh, I’m not sure who the manager is. My account has been moved from Ritchie to Jake and whilst I only spent 30 mins or so with Jake today he seemed great; as was Ritchie and everyone else who I’ve interacted with.

When asked, I indicated that Q4 of this year would be good for my next incoming, so fingers crossed . I’ve always been mesmerised with the silver/white dialed RO and the way they play with the light.

I’ll likely add another more brightly coloured strap for my Diver over the Summer too.

Hope you’re well


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[1William]

Very nice.

[GW44]

Originally Posted by ikincooper

My new white strap is now where it belongs…



And also got to try on what is hopefully my next AP addition whilst at AP House Manchester again today…




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Hey Niki

That White strap on your Diver looks incredible. Enjoy that this summer.

Hope you get the RO 15510ST with the Silver dial soon. It's just a fantastic dial that I have in my ROC 50th Anniversary. But get your tan topped up for the Silver dial to look it's best!!

I'd certainly seek out James at APH Manchester when you are next there as he's a great guy and AP hold him in very high regard.

[Bucksfizz]

Seconded, I've had a really good experience with AP House Manchester so far, acquired my first AP in under three weeks from first visit!