AP - Why all the Marketing Gimmicks ?

[DK3]

Many people would consider AP and Patek to be the top watch manufactures.

Why does AP do so much limited editions and link with Athletes and events. Why can't they just let their watch stand by itself like Patek or Vacheron. APs are amazing watches and I fell all of the hype marketing lessens the brand.

The other day I saw an interview with Theiry Stern and he said, "we just want to make great watches with no gimmicks". It is true the Patek markets its company name, but it does not try to make each watch as a "fashion or hyped out" piece. AP seems more and more like Hublot to me these days. I am not referring to the style of the watch, but how they market themselves to brands such as Ferrari, Grand Prix, Swiss sailing team, athletes, etc.

I don't want an athletes name on the back of my watch. I think it is clear why we don't see Royal oaks and Royal oak offshores selling at auction houses for increased prices. Collectors want timeless pieces that are not based solely on the hype of the day. I wonder what would happen to AP if they stopped making hyped up watches and let their watches stand on their own? I think they would be respected more and others may say their sales would drop significantly.

Anyways, I don't want to seem disrespectful but it is frustrating to see such a great watch company with so much great history and pedigree act the way it does.

[koz123]

AP is perhaps my favorite brand, but the thing I hate the most is all the gimmicks they do. Reminds me of Hublot, I'm not a fan of it.

[simongpaez]

Love them but I have to agree a little bit on that one, i would rather see them as a brand on its with some ambassadors but not the name of the athlete on the watch, personally I wouln't buy it, specially in the 50k range

[kilyung]

With a new CEO maybe things will change.

[yyzpam]

I STRONGLY agree. I hold AP in a different league then Hublot, but the next time I see a Shaq edition, I'm going to scream !

I dont see anything wrong in aligning your brand with a FEW select sports and worthy brand ambassadors but to have 'special editions' that are really not that special seems to cheapen the image a bit.

[Shikar]

OP you have hit the nail on the head.

For a long time I stayed away from AP for purely that reason. It seemed like a gimmicky brand till you all finally convinced me of its pedigree.

Regards.

[FremStar]

Originally Posted by DK3

Many people would consider AP and Patek to be the top watch manufactures.

Why does AP do so much limited editions and link with Athletes and events. Why can't they just let their watch stand by itself like Patek or Vacheron. APs are amazing watches and I fell all of the hype marketing lessens the brand.

The other day I saw an interview with Theiry Stern and he said, "we just want to make great watches with no gimmicks". It is true the Patek markets its company name, but it does not try to make each watch as a "fashion or hyped out" piece. AP seems more and more like Hublot to me these days. I am not referring to the style of the watch, but how they market themselves to brands such as Ferrari, Grand Prix, Swiss sailing team, athletes, etc.

I don't want an athletes name on the back of my watch. I think it is clear why we don't see Royal oaks and Royal oak offshores selling at auction houses for increased prices. Collectors want timeless pieces that are not based solely on the hype of the day. I wonder what would happen to AP if they stopped making hyped up watches and let their watches stand on their own? I think they would be respected more and others may say their sales would drop significantly.

Anyways, I don't want to seem disrespectful but it is frustrating to see such a great watch company with so much great history and pedigree act the way it does.

Well said...

[Submarino]

Never dare to compare AP with Hublot. They just want to associate the brand to a lifestyle and image. Without all the ambassadors AP would still be what it is but perhaps just a little less popular among savvy watch collectors.

I've owned APs since 1998 and back then there were no ambassadors. I still feel the same way about the brand.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk.

[Hairdude1]

Well said!

[JorgeB]

Totally agree with you. That's why I see the original Royal Oaks with different eyes than the Offshores, while i'd love to own a ROO, they dont take my sleep because of the things you have described. While the RO's well, thats a whole other story

[kilyung]

Doesn't bother me at all. I just tune it all out. Besides I get APs that I like, not what I think is popular or limited/special/valuable.

[AshAP]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Doesn't bother me at all. I just tune it all out. Besides I get APs that I like, not what I think is popular or limited/special/valuable.

+1

[iLLGT2]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Doesn't bother me at all. I just tune it all out. Besides I get APs that I like, not what I think is popular or limited/special/valuable.

Agreed..
What's great is the really thorough aficionados still buy from the brand, just the exquisite pieces that aren't mainstream and true to it's horology..

Then there are the sportier more LE/flashy gimmicky pieces or whatever you want to call it, caters to a different crowd, but still sophisticated IMO!

I do agree SOMEWHAT! I do think AP is headed away from all of that though, or at least toning it down, I hope!

[Willygallardo]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Doesn't bother me at all. I just tune it all out. Besides I get APs that I like, not what I think is popular or limited/special/valuable.

x100000000000

[Submarino]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Doesn't bother me at all. I just tune it all out. Besides I get APs that I like, not what I think is popular or limited/special/valuable.

X2


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Watches are the new currency!

[psv]

PP will forever be the conservative choice (just look at their popularity among financiers).

AP used to be fairly conservative until they changed their strategy with the release of the Royal Oak Offshore series which was a very bold statement and they created a strategy with ambassadors and various limited editions in collaboration with stars of various sorts. Needless to say, the popularity and dare I say hype you are seeing around the brand today is in large thanks to that strategy (otherwise half of us wouldn't know about them...). Love it or hate it, it is part of their brand identity and image.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by psv

PP will forever be the conservative choice (just look at their popularity among financiers).

AP used to be fairly conservative until they changed their strategy with the release of the Royal Oak Offshore series which was a very bold statement and they created a strategy with ambassadors and various limited editions in collaboration with stars of various sorts. Needless to say, the popularity and dare I say hype you are seeing around the brand today is in large thanks to that strategy (otherwise half of us wouldn't know about them...). Love it or hate it, it is part of their brand identity and image.

Great point.


We'll just have to hope they won't let it get to the point where it does more harm than good.

[SubKing]

Originally Posted by psv

PP will forever be the conservative choice (just look at their popularity among financiers).

AP used to be fairly conservative until they changed their strategy with the release of the Royal Oak Offshore series which was a very bold statement and they created a strategy with ambassadors and various limited editions in collaboration with stars of various sorts. Needless to say, the popularity and dare I say hype you are seeing around the brand today is in large thanks to that strategy (otherwise half of us wouldn't know about them...). Love it or hate it, it is part of their brand identity and image.

Spot on Patrick. this is what works for AP and thus has gotten them where they are today. Every company has their ways..

If AP didn't create any hype, they would IMO still be up there with vacheron and PP, maybe not growing popularity as fast as they currently are.

I personally seem to think in terms of attention, I think today they get more attention on the wrist than PP and Vacheron which are very subtle watches but still highly regarded amongst collectors.

At the end of the day, Audemars doesn't create all this hype and limiteds to stay in biz, they do it because they want to. Either way they are here to stay and would sell watches just like vacheron and PP continue to do without the hype. Who knows what future plans the company has and if they want to move forward differently than these other company's.

I love the fact that AP, such a highly regarded brand makes watches for more of a wide variety of target age groups, they offer subtle watches, sporty dress watches and straight sports watches. Where's other brands that are held at the same regard are keeping to a more formal and classic design.
Someone in the big 3 has to make a louder statement than its competition sometime or another. I think some of us forget what AP has contributed to horology over the years, like they were first to make the worlds thinnest automatic watch, or created the worlds smallest minute repeater among other things.. Pretty impressive stuff. Correct me if I'm wrong but I also believe AP is one of the only few company's left that is still run by the original founding family's.

I hope one day PP would make a Larger sports watch. Because even PP sportier watches are still a little to dressy for my taste.

[Tony-GB]

There are two points to this discussion. The first is overlooked because people don't know AP's history.

1) Audemars Piguet has a strong history of raising money for charity. The Royal Oak had a model to raise money for a tree project. The Quincy Jones Millenary- a proportion of the sales are donated. Schwarzenegger models- charitable donations are made. There was one Schwarzenegger model you couldn't even buy without first making a donation. THEN you were allowed to buy the watch!

When there was an earthquake in Japan, AP brought a model immediately, organised a charity fundraising event and donated money to help the rebuilding program.

Some of the "Limited Editions" are high profile, some aren't but are still for a damn good cause:

http://www.watchalyzer.com/magazine/...d-for-charity/



2) New materials and design: AP is an avant garde watch designer and innovator. They use and create materials other manufacturers wouldn't dare to. Others instead stick to gold or steel and if they're feeling brave, mix gold & steel together!

AP have chosen to move toward F1 and have integrated advanced motor engineering design and incorporated it into a watch.

When Richard Mille chose to create a new watch he didn't go to Hublot, Patek or Rolex. He chose Audemars Piguet and their exclusive development team of Renaud & Papi. They created something quite outrageous and very unique and collectable. So when someone is wearing a RM, they are in fact wearing an Audemars Piguet.


As we all know in today's modern electronic world celebrities have immense exposure, so Audemars Piguet use celebrities as a tool to showcase their quest. Their quest to continue raising money for charity and to continue in developing watch technology.

So please don't think they make a limited edition just for the sake of it. There's normally a just cause behind it.



.

[SubKing]

Originally Posted by Tony-GB

There are two points to this discussion. The first is overlooked because people don't know AP's history.

1) Audemars Piguet has a strong history of raising money for charity. The Royal Oak had a model to raise money for a tree project. The Quincy Jones Millenary- a proportion of the sales are donated. Schwarzenegger models- charitable donations are made. There was one Schwarzenegger model you couldn't even buy without first making a donation. THEN you were allowed to buy the watch!

When there was an earthquake in Japan, AP brought a model immediately, organised a charity fundraising event and donated money to help the rebuilding program.

Some of the "Limited Editions" are high profile, some aren't but are still for a damn good cause:

http://www.watchalyzer.com/magazine/...d-for-charity/



2) New materials and design: AP is an avant garde watch designer and innovator. They use and create materials other manufacturers wouldn't dare to. Others instead stick to gold or steel and if they're feeling brave, mix gold & steel together!

AP have chosen to move toward F1 and have integrated advanced motor engineering design and incorporated it into a watch.

When Richard Mille chose to create a new watch he didn't go to Hublot, Patek or Rolex. He chose Audemars Piguet and their exclusive development team of Renaud & Papi. They created something quite outrageous and very unique and collectable. So when someone is wearing a RM, they are in fact wearing an Audemars Piguet.


As we all know in today's modern electronic world celebrities have immense exposure, so Audemars Piguet use celebrities as a tool to showcase their quest. Their quest to continue raising money for charity and to continue in developing watch technology.

So please don't think they make a limited edition just for the sake of it. There's normally a just cause behind it.



.

Very well stated and better than I could sum it all up

Ap also the first to Pvd a watch with DLC coating. End of days was the first.
They take chances, they think outside of the norm. That's why I love them.

[DK3]

Tony,

The watches for charity are still a MARKETING tool. As a matter of fact Arnold would agree to AP only if they donated to his charity. It was not the other way around initially. The people who really care and donate without hidden agendas don't make it into a marketing game.

Most companies including AP use donations to charities as a business tactic to tie celebrities to their brand. It is really hared to believe that all of the athlete and celebrity special edition marketing is done by AP to save the world. They can donate without making a special edition watch that only PART of the proceeds go to charity. It is done as a marketing tactic there is no glory in it.

At the end of the day people will feel about AP as they do, but the great brand has turned into a fashion watch trying to play on trends IMHO and people will buy what they want. However once again IMHO this tactic will never let them gain the respect that serious long term investors and watch enthusiast have in the brand such as Patek or Vacheron. What a shame a such great history.

It is also important to note that many people want a watch that Lebron or Arnold wears and they don't buy the watch because they appreciate the craftsmanship. The next time you see a person wear an AP limited edition ask them what movement caliber the watch has. I am sure you will get lots of blank faces. Ask that same question to a patek or vacheron enthusiast and you may be blown away about the details.

AP has become a fashion watch and many collectors buy them because of that exclusively. People want the octagon shape to let people know they have a cool watch that cool people wear due to AP marketing. IMHO the new AP crowd has become the new Rolex crowd and the royal oak shape is the new rolex president bracelet status symbol.

That being said it is ok to buy a watch a person wants for whatever reason. I am just pointing out that when a company has been around for so long with such a well-respected and classy history why spoil it to make a sale. It would be as if Rolls Royce started making special editions Phantoms with outrages colors and materials for athletes and celebrities. They may donate some of the the funds to charity when making the car, but Rolls Royce's brand name is now tarnished.

[FremStar]

Originally Posted by DK3

Tony,

The watches for charity are still a MARKETING tool. As a matter of fact Arnold would agree to AP only if they donated to his charity. It was not the other way around initially. The people who really care and donate without hidden agendas don't make it into a marketing game.

Most companies including AP use donations to charities as a business tactic to tie celebrities to their brand. It is really hared to believe that all of the athlete and celebrity special edition marketing is done by AP to save the world. They can donate without making a special edition watch that only PART of the proceeds go to charity. It is done as a marketing tactic there is no glory in it.

At the end of the day people will feel about AP as they do, but the great brand has turned into a fashion watch trying to play on trends IMHO and people will buy what they want. However once again IMHO this tactic will never let them gain the respect that serious long term investors and watch enthusiast have in the brand such as Patek or Vacheron. What a shame a such great history.

It is also important to note that many people want a watch that Lebron or Arnold wears and they don't buy the watch because they appreciate the craftsmanship. The next time you see a person wear an AP limited edition ask them what movement caliber the watch has. I am sure you will get lots of blank faces. Ask that same question to a patek or vacheron enthusiast and you may be blown away about the details.

AP has become a fashion watch and many collectors buy them because of that exclusively. People want the octagon shape to let people know they have a cool watch that cool people wear due to AP marketing. IMHO the new AP crowd has become the new Rolex crowd and the royal oak shape is the new rolex president bracelet status symbol.

That being said it is ok to buy a watch a person wants for whatever reason. I am just pointing out that when a company has been around for so long with such a well-respected and classy history why spoil it to make a sale. It would be as if Rolls Royce started making special editions Phantoms with outrages colors and materials for athletes and celebrities. They may donate some of the the funds to charity when making the car, but Rolls Royce's brand name is now tarnished.

I like this guys style! Saying things I've stated offline in a tasteful manner on this forum... I like where this is going...

Mike Kilyung,

When was the last time you saw a Rolex timepiece with Jay-Z or Arnold's name etched on the back? ;-)

To be honest the day Rolex does this is the day I will forever give up collecting timepieces!

[jenniferjanef]

Originally Posted by DK3

Tony,

The watches for charity are still a MARKETING tool. As a matter of fact Arnold would agree to AP only if they donated to his charity. It was not the other way around initially. The people who really care and donate without hidden agendas don't make it into a marketing game.

Most companies including AP use donations to charities as a business tactic to tie celebrities to their brand. It is really hared to believe that all of the athlete and celebrity special edition marketing is done by AP to save the world. They can donate without making a special edition watch that only PART of the proceeds go to charity. It is done as a marketing tactic there is no glory in it.

At the end of the day people will feel about AP as they do, but the great brand has turned into a fashion watch trying to play on trends IMHO and people will buy what they want. However once again IMHO this tactic will never let them gain the respect that serious long term investors and watch enthusiast have in the brand such as Patek or Vacheron. What a shame a such great history.

It is also important to note that many people want a watch that Lebron or Arnold wears and they don't buy the watch because they appreciate the craftsmanship. The next time you see a person wear an AP limited edition ask them what movement caliber the watch has. I am sure you will get lots of blank faces. Ask that same question to a patek or vacheron enthusiast and you may be blown away about the details.

AP has become a fashion watch and many collectors buy them because of that exclusively. People want the octagon shape to let people know they have a cool watch that cool people wear due to AP marketing. IMHO the new AP crowd has become the new Rolex crowd and the royal oak shape is the new rolex president bracelet status symbol.

That being said it is ok to buy a watch a person wants for whatever reason. I am just pointing out that when a company has been around for so long with such a well-respected and classy history why spoil it to make a sale. It would be as if Rolls Royce started making special editions Phantoms with outrages colors and materials for athletes and celebrities. They may donate some of the the funds to charity when making the car, but Rolls Royce's brand name is now tarnished.

LIKE!!

[psv]

Originally Posted by DK3

Tony,

The watches for charity are still a MARKETING tool. As a matter of fact Arnold would agree to AP only if they donated to his charity. It was not the other way around initially. The people who really care and donate without hidden agendas don't make it into a marketing game.

Most companies including AP use donations to charities as a business tactic to tie celebrities to their brand. It is really hared to believe that all of the athlete and celebrity special edition marketing is done by AP to save the world. They can donate without making a special edition watch that only PART of the proceeds go to charity. It is done as a marketing tactic there is no glory in it.

At the end of the day people will feel about AP as they do, but the great brand has turned into a fashion watch trying to play on trends IMHO and people will buy what they want. However once again IMHO this tactic will never let them gain the respect that serious long term investors and watch enthusiast have in the brand such as Patek or Vacheron. What a shame a such great history.

It is also important to note that many people want a watch that Lebron or Arnold wears and they don't buy the watch because they appreciate the craftsmanship. The next time you see a person wear an AP limited edition ask them what movement caliber the watch has. I am sure you will get lots of blank faces. Ask that same question to a patek or vacheron enthusiast and you may be blown away about the details.

AP has become a fashion watch and many collectors buy them because of that exclusively. People want the octagon shape to let people know they have a cool watch that cool people wear due to AP marketing. IMHO the new AP crowd has become the new Rolex crowd and the royal oak shape is the new rolex president bracelet status symbol.

That being said it is ok to buy a watch a person wants for whatever reason. I am just pointing out that when a company has been around for so long with such a well-respected and classy history why spoil it to make a sale. It would be as if Rolls Royce started making special editions Phantoms with outrages colors and materials for athletes and celebrities. They may donate some of the the funds to charity when making the car, but Rolls Royce's brand name is now tarnished.

yes

[Tony-GB]

Originally Posted by DK3

Tony,

The watches for charity are still a MARKETING tool. As a matter of fact Arnold would agree to AP only if they donated to his charity. It was not the other way around initially. The people who really care and donate without hidden agendas don't make it into a marketing game.

Most companies including AP use donations to charities as a business tactic to tie celebrities to their brand. It is really hared to believe that all of the athlete and celebrity special edition marketing is done by AP to save the world. They can donate without making a special edition watch that only PART of the proceeds go to charity. It is done as a marketing tactic there is no glory in it.

At the end of the day people will feel about AP as they do, but the great brand has turned into a fashion watch trying to play on trends IMHO and people will buy what they want. However once again IMHO this tactic will never let them gain the respect that serious long term investors and watch enthusiast have in the brand such as Patek or Vacheron. What a shame a such great history.

It is also important to note that many people want a watch that Lebron or Arnold wears and they don't buy the watch because they appreciate the craftsmanship. The next time you see a person wear an AP limited edition ask them what movement caliber the watch has. I am sure you will get lots of blank faces. Ask that same question to a patek or vacheron enthusiast and you may be blown away about the details.

AP has become a fashion watch and many collectors buy them because of that exclusively. People want the octagon shape to let people know they have a cool watch that cool people wear due to AP marketing. IMHO the new AP crowd has become the new Rolex crowd and the royal oak shape is the new rolex president bracelet status symbol.

That being said it is ok to buy a watch a person wants for whatever reason. I am just pointing out that when a company has been around for so long with such a well-respected and classy history why spoil it to make a sale. It would be as if Rolls Royce started making special editions Phantoms with outrages colors and materials for athletes and celebrities. They may donate some of the the funds to charity when making the car, but Rolls Royce's brand name is now tarnished.

Hi DK3

Arnold had no idea who AP were initially. I believe he was approached in a hotel by the then head of AP who asked if there could be a tie in between the two. The persuading argument being Arnold's nickname when bodybuilding was "Oak". This was for the End of Days which was a showcase for blacking out steel and it was this piece that actually created the "Limited Edition" buzz and collectability that other brands have since followed. Arnold has never signed an official agreement with AP. It's always done on a gentleman's handshake. I have no idea what (if any) fee he received for the EOD piece.

My only gripeabout one Arnold model is when a T3 drops down from a sun visor in Terminator 3. Who the hell would leave an expensive watch in a pick up truck...?

Of course AP have to market their product. Marketing in essential to keeping a business thriving and growing. But the celebrities are a simple tool for this. If a particular celebrity is seen winning a tournament wearing an RO, is that a bad thing...?

I understand Rolex are supposed to be a non profit making organisation but how much of each watch actually goes to charity? AP do appear to be a bit more "showy" with their charity events but as I said, they are avant garde as was Salvador Dali and he was quite a showy character, too. So I think being flamboyant goes with the territory.

Yes, some AP designs are not to everyone's taste. But then most companies evolve with their designs. Look at Zenith. They had a period that absolutely pushed the levels of what was thought to be taste in a watch design. Some liked it, some loathed it. I seem to remember the Deep Sea was ridiculed for it's chapter ring text.

I'm sure most AP owners have no idea what movements or calibre's are in their watches. I'm sure if you were to ask the 900,000 people who buy a Rolex each year what movement is in their watch, they wouldn't have a clue either.

I have asked Patek owners about their watches and I kid you not, all have no clue apart from what it cost to buy. So no, I have yet to be blown away by someone wearing any watch apart from at GTG's or email correspondence.

As far as I know it seems the WIS community that have labelled AP a fashion watch much like I've often read Panerai is a fashion watch but both have a strong following and interesting history. And long may they continue to do so.



.

[SubKing]

Originally Posted by DK3

Tony,

The watches for charity are still a MARKETING tool. As a matter of fact Arnold would agree to AP only if they donated to his charity. It was not the other way around initially. The people who really care and donate without hidden agendas don't make it into a marketing game.

Most companies including AP use donations to charities as a business tactic to tie celebrities to their brand. It is really hared to believe that all of the athlete and celebrity special edition marketing is done by AP to save the world. They can donate without making a special edition watch that only PART of the proceeds go to charity. It is done as a marketing tactic there is no glory in it.

At the end of the day people will feel about AP as they do, but the great brand has turned into a fashion watch trying to play on trends IMHO and people will buy what they want. However once again IMHO this tactic will never let them gain the respect that serious long term investors and watch enthusiast have in the brand such as Patek or Vacheron. What a shame a such great history.

It is also important to note that many people want a watch that Lebron or Arnold wears and they don't buy the watch because they appreciate the craftsmanship. The next time you see a person wear an AP limited edition ask them what movement caliber the watch has. I am sure you will get lots of blank faces. Ask that same question to a patek or vacheron enthusiast and you may be blown away about the details.

AP has become a fashion watch and many collectors buy them because of that exclusively. People want the octagon shape to let people know they have a cool watch that cool people wear due to AP marketing. IMHO the new AP crowd has become the new Rolex crowd and the royal oak shape is the new rolex president bracelet status symbol.

That being said it is ok to buy a watch a person wants for whatever reason. I am just pointing out that when a company has been around for so long with such a well-respected and classy history why spoil it to make a sale. It would be as if Rolls Royce started making special editions Phantoms with outrages colors and materials for athletes and celebrities. They may donate some of the the funds to charity when making the car, but Rolls Royce's brand name is now tarnished.

I don't agree with any of this what so over.. Rolex pres bracelet is still considered status symbol.. Nothing has changed in that area. Btw AP is closing ADs not opening more. Big deal, they are more of the "wild child" out of the big 3 with their designs and size. You think this cheapens the brand in a way? No way.
Every brand uses some kind of stupid gimmick to market their watches.

At this rate you could call marketing a gimmick in itself.

I respect the big 3 to no end even if I don't care for the looks and style of some, at the end of the day what they do and have done over the years is amazing. Not going to judge a brand based on the way they market themselves.

Like I said before, I think AP makes their LE watches because they like to make them, not because they have to. A LE AP gives them a way to create something very wild and outside if the box without having to make it a regular production watch.

IMO if they didn't market the way they did and didn't appoint any ambassadors,
They would still be right up there with vacheron and PP

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by DK3

... The watches for charity are still a MARKETING tool.

Most companies including AP use donations to charities as a business tactic to tie celebrities to their brand. It is really hared to believe that all of the athlete and celebrity special edition marketing is done by AP to save the world. They can donate without making a special edition watch that only PART of the proceeds go to charity. It is done as a marketing tactic there is no glory in it.

AP has become a fashion watch and many collectors buy them because of that exclusively. People want the octagon shape to let people know they have a cool watch that cool people wear due to AP marketing. IMHO the new AP crowd has become the new Rolex crowd and the royal oak shape is the new rolex president bracelet status symbol.

... I am just pointing out that when a company has been around for so long with such a well-respected and classy history why spoil it to make a sale. It would be as if Rolls Royce started making special editions Phantoms with outrages colors and materials for athletes and celebrities. They may donate some of the the funds to charity when making the car, but Rolls Royce's brand name is now tarnished.

AP released a unique edition skeleton RO for a Kidz Horizon auction last year. This was a charity offering with no celebrity association and 100% of proceeds went to the charity. Lange did the same thing the year previous. Sure many companies use charities as an extension of their marketing strategy but to claim that it's solely a marketing tool is a little cynical IMO. I still believe that most people want to do the right thing. If AP or Lange want to use its brand image/reputation to help increase an auction price for charity, I don't see the negative - it's a win-win.

AP makes many other watches besides the RO/ROO lines. Calling AP a jeweller diminishes the work and innovation they put into all their watches. Yes they have sports bling for a small market segment but the RO/ROO models are not representative of the company as a whole.

IMO a brand is not tarnished by its offerings so much as it is by the tastes of its clients. If you don't sell what people want, then you'll be out of business soon - design ethics and history/tradition be damned. Oh and RR does make (IMO ugly) custom color cars for the rich.

[BgJoe79]

First I would say that I am new to the brand got my first ap diver an love it and I would never compare it to hublot the history of the company is in a whole other level. I love watches an we all live in a society of status an hype but I think you should buy what you like whether it's a $10 dollar watch to $1 million its all preference I guess just buy what you like I don't like to follow all that hype with athletes an celebrity's ap is a great watch

[orangedial]

I wouldn't compare AP with Hublot. AP ROO is always the pioneer in the large sports watch category, with an iconic design anchored on the legendary RO. In many ways, I feel that Hublot is a follower instead, and somewhat overdoing it. Personally, I'm not against the idea of associating the branding with ambassodors or successful personalities or institution. But how it is done is a different matter. For those limited edition AP ROO, eg. Montoya, RB2, JT, MS, EOD, Legacy, even Shaq, etc. you don't see any sign of the association on the dial or casing, but only at the case back which is not 'in the face', unlike many of the Hublot's limited editions. I feel that AP's implementation of LE is rather trendy with daring use of different materials and colours, but subtle in a way that it doesn't shout 'limited edition' even with close inspection on the wrist. AP does have a series of very established regular production ROO, such as the Diver, Themes, Panda, BB, Volcano, Safari, Navy, 44mm, etc. for consumers who enjoy more subtlety. Together with those LE, AP has provided a great variety of ROO to cater for many different tastes and needs. With its subtle implementation of the LE, I don't find it cheapens the brand. Instead, it inspires more design ideas and some even form future design trends (like black from EOD, case and pushers of Montoya, etc). I believe with the new CEO, AP will see some fundamental change to consolidate it's ROO lines. And with ROO coming to its 20th anniversary, I certainly hope to see more exciting additions to its regular production line.

[Rolex Freak]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Doesn't bother me at all. I just tune it all out. Besides I get APs that I like, not what I think is popular or limited/special/valuable.

Exactly.