How many AP boutiques have you visited?

[APWhale]

Anyone else try to visit AP whenever they travel? I have recently set out a goal of visiting every AP boutique in the world, including AP House, corporate owned, joint-ventures, and private AP boutiques (but not ADs). Currently at 14 out of 75 in the world. Timeframe is TBD as parts of Asia remain difficult to access but hopefully within the next 5 years. Also hoping for a special allocation on the occassion of the last visit

[macrowatch]

Pretty sure like in Dr. Strange's world of deciding where to put the sanctums against threats to earth, only HK/London/NY matter.

[dauster]

Originally Posted by macrowatch

Pretty sure like in Dr. Strange's world of deciding where to put the sanctums against threats to earth, only HK/London/NY matter.

lol this made me almost spit out my coffee - but at OP why is my number 1 questions????

[APWhale]

Originally Posted by messikens

Idea is interesting but not sure what you're getting out of it? Just for fun? Showing how serious you are about the brand (I.e. Hoping it gets logged in your profile?)

Otherwise I'd have to assume the conversation is about the same since none of th SAs know you at all, they'll have roughly the same thing to show / not show (I.e. I assume you get to try on a ROO but they won't pull our a tourbillon that you can't have anyway) and you leave after 45min...

Or can you shed some light if multiple one offs to different locations have actually been insightful etc? Genuinely curious!

I travel a lot as it is and most AP boutiques happen to be in locations that are fairly accessible and I would travel to regardless. Had I decided to do this challenger sooner, I would probably have hit half the boutiques already by now. I guess the inspiration came from reading travel blogs about certain people hitting million miler status on a flight, or reaching lifetime elite status during a hotel stay, which would generally result in some sort of celebration with the brand. Then there was also Austen Chu @horoloupe who essentially thanks to his social media following got the chance to collaborate with AP on the China edition Royal Oak QP in 2020. And since I hadn't heard of anyone visiting every single AP boutique I thought it would be a unique and fun challenge that suited my lifestyle and who knows what may come from it.

I am definitely not looking to buy anything during any of my boutique visits, as I have a great relationship already with my local boutique, but if ever I am offered a special piece on the spot I can't see myself saying no :)

And to answer your question, I've had only good experiences visiting AP boutiques, perhaps due to the fact that the SAs realize off the bat that I understand the current market situation and am not seeking something from them, and that somehow puts them at ease. I find that AP employees are generally proud to be part of the company and are passionate about the brand. And often a 45 minute conversation leads to some juicy insider tidbits that I can then share on the forums :)

Originally Posted by youthagainsttt

Also curious esp if you visit the AP boutiques in other countries do you usually wear your AP. I have to say I've never worn my AP when i go travelling, would love to but more safety issues

I travel with my Code and based on recent boutique visits in foreign countries the SAs have all shared my appreciation for how well it flies under the radar. They seem to prefer it to the rose gold version for that reason alone.

Originally Posted by SMD

The term boutique is being thrown around very loosely. Very big difference between Beverly Hills and NYC. Chicago and Bal Harbor. I would guess less than half of the "boutiques" and "houses" are actually owned by AP. If it's not owned by AP, in my mind, its not AP. It's a fancy AD with a tighter contract.

The customer experience is supposed to be the same whether corporate owned or JV. However, boutique allocations do not necessarily reflect that equality.

[supernova]

Only AP House and Sloane St in London.

Tried go into Frankfurt boutique last year but the guy at the door said they had nothing and wouldn’t let us in… so I’m weary of trying any where else I don’t have a relationship with now.


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[GS93108]

Originally Posted by supernova

Only AP House and Sloane St in London.

Tried go into Frankfurt boutique last year but the guy at the door said they had nothing and wouldn’t let us in… so I’m weary of trying any where else I don’t have a relationship with now.


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The way to do it is to get your AP House/boutique to arrange in advance with the other destination and thus they'll be expecting you. I wouldn't risk just turning up.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by supernova

Only AP House and Sloane St in London.

Tried go into Frankfurt boutique last year but the guy at the door said they had nothing and wouldn’t let us in… so I’m weary of trying any where else I don’t have a relationship with now.

Frankfurt has been appointment-only for a while. When I made an appointment last year, they indeed had nothing in store. I saw a few watches in the displays this summer.

[ExplorerI]

Just one in Aspen. Nice experience and they actually had an offshore and code available.

[GS93108]

The new AP House in New York is on my list, as is the Barcelona AP House. I had a chat with the Barcelona AP House manager a couple of years ago and he was really proud of the space and the location, really enthused about what they've done.

@APWhale, that's a lofty target, I now know I'm really not an AP enthusiast, I just think I am :) Enjoy your travels. Make sure that the mothership is your final stop (local to you anyway) and get your 'special' allocation from there.

p.s.

I'm also really keen to visit AP Paris, I hear the front door looks great!

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by GS93108

The new AP House in New York is on my list

Made an appointment there for three weeks from now. Was amused to see that the reply was from their "Client Experience Coordinator". Should be fun.

[Reign]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

Made an appointment there for three weeks from now. Was amused to see that the reply was from their "Client Experience Coordinator". Should be fun.

They’ll run your email through their system and you’ll be treated well. Enjoy!

As for the OP question

AP House NY
NY boutique
Paris boutique
Milan boutique
London Sloane
London Harrods
AP House London
AP House HK
HK IFC boutique
HK central boutique
Saigon boutique
Dubai Mall boutique
Dubai Mall of Emirates boutique
Bangkok boutique
Taipei boutique

On the list are AP House Tokyo, Barcelona and Madrid

[youthagainsttt]

I believe I've been to 8, as I think HK did have 8 until they closed a couple down

Will go back to London in a few weeks, submitted a request for an appt for the AP House in London with no response - this was 2 weeks ago.

[macrowatch]

Originally Posted by youthagainsttt

I believe I've been to 8, as I think HK did have 8 until they closed a couple down

Will go back to London in a few weeks, submitted a request for an appt for the AP House in London with no response - this was 2 weeks ago.

My understanding is London house requests are so busy that the system they had to try to intake just completely broke down (tech and human processes). Best is for one boutique to use corporate communication channels to setup appointment.

[fatcows7]

Originally Posted by youthagainsttt

I believe I've been to 8, as I think HK did have 8 until they closed a couple down

Will go back to London in a few weeks, submitted a request for an appt for the AP House in London with no response - this was 2 weeks ago.

Hi - just call them and explain your situation. They won't respond to emails (too many) and they immediately picked up my call when I called. Or ask your SA to organise.

[aldyrifqi]

How mant ap boutique and house in the world?

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by aldyrifqi

How mant ap boutique and house in the world?

I read the NY was the 13th AP House to open. Total is probably about 80.

[oscarjhli]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

I read the NY was the 13th AP House to open. Total is probably about 80.

My AP boutique manager told me last month that there were ~110 boutiques including houses around the world. Not sure if this counts the JV as the number is substantially larger than yours.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by oscarjhli

My AP boutique manager told me last month that there were ~110 boutiques including houses around the world. Not sure if this counts the JV as the number is substantially larger than yours.

110 sounds a bit high, but I'm not bored enough to go to the AP site and count boutiques (again). There are a number of new ones (e.g., in Germany) that are opening soon - looking at the maps, it may well be that my number is outdated. For practical purposes, i.e., figuring out how many watches of a certain model the average boutique gets, using 100 total is probably close enough.

[oscarjhli]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

110 sounds a bit high, but I'm not bored enough to go to the AP site and count boutiques (again). There are a number of new ones (e.g., in Germany) that are opening soon - looking at the maps, it may well be that my number is outdated. For practical purposes, i.e., figuring out how many watches of a certain model the average boutique gets, using 100 total is probably close enough.

Agreed!

[thekman]

I would love to visit other AP boutiques when I travel but honestly only if they have display pieces of models i have never seen or stock to sell. I already have a great relationship with my local boutique and SA so there is no point in spending an hour talking to an SA in another country who will never sell me anything.

[youthagainsttt]

And I wonder which city has the most AP boutiques/houses? I don’t think it’s still Hong Kong as a couple closed down

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by youthagainsttt

And I wonder which city has the most AP boutiques/houses? I don’t think it’s still Hong Kong as a couple closed down

Taipei has two boutiques within 7min walking distance.

[thecrownprince]

For me it’s 7

Beverly Hills
Paris (all 3 including the House)
Capri
Florence
Frankfurt


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[ikincooper]

Lovely to see how well travelled some of you are!

I’m currently on a train journey (2.5 hours) travelling down to AP House London for my 2nd visit. I made my first visit whilst on holiday in Guildford earlier in the year but today is a specific day trip to help build my profile and demonstrate my interest in the brand.

Prior to COVID, I’ve previously visited AP House HK twice and a couple of AP HK Boutiques (IFC and Harbour City) multiple times over the past 5 years, since I became conscious and interested in AP.

I spent 3 years travelling the world a good 15 years ago, which in hindsight would have been a lovely opportunity to visit many of their sites but as a mid to late 20 year old I was interested in other things!

Super excited for today and will be sure to snap some photos to share with you all.

Happy weekend, Niki


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[Vivalas]

Originally Posted by ikincooper

Lovely to see how well travelled some of you are!

I’m currently on a train journey (2.5 hours) travelling down to AP House London for my 2nd visit. I made my first visit whilst on holiday in Guildford earlier in the year but today is a specific day trip to help build my profile and demonstrate my interest in the brand.

Prior to COVID, I’ve previously visited AP House HK twice and a couple of AP HK Boutiques (IFC and Harbour City) multiple times over the past 5 years, since I became conscious and interested in AP.

I spent 3 years travelling the world a good 15 years ago, which in hindsight would have been a lovely opportunity to visit many of their sites but as a mid to late 20 year old I was interested in other things!
Super excited for today and will be sure to snap some photos to share with you all.

Happy weekend, Niki


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Hope your trip to AP House goes/went well - similar train journey for me plus and hours drive, but worth it. Started my relationship with them by making that trip.

As to the OP, can’t compete with many but AP House, Harrods and a very brief visit to the boutique on the Ponte Vecchio a couple of months ago.

[ts3]

Surprised by the responses in this thread.

Visiting every AP boutique in the world has got to be one of the weirdest goals I have ever heard of. SMH

[TunaTuna]

I've been to one, where I buy my watches, but would like to see an AP house if it were convenient

[wirru]

I’ve been to the Beverly Hills and Costa Mesa boutiques. And the AP House in NYC (which was a lovely experience).

Nearly stopped by the Boston boutique, but ran out of time on my trip. I definitely plan on swinging by as many as I can while on my travels!


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[APWhale]

Originally Posted by GS93108

The new AP House in New York is on my list, as is the Barcelona AP House. I had a chat with the Barcelona AP House manager a couple of years ago and he was really proud of the space and the location, really enthused about what they've done.

@APWhale, that's a lofty target, I now know I'm really not an AP enthusiast, I just think I am :) Enjoy your travels. Make sure that the mothership is your final stop (local to you anyway) and get your 'special' allocation from there.

p.s.

I'm also really keen to visit AP Paris, I hear the front door looks great!

Thanks, as long as you think you are an enthusiast, you are! And there are many nice doors in Paris

Originally Posted by aldyrifqi

How mant ap boutique and house in the world?

By my latest count, 10 Houses and 65 boutiques for 75 total.

Originally Posted by youthagainsttt

And I wonder which city has the most AP boutiques/houses? I don’t think it’s still Hong Kong as a couple closed down

Still HK with 5. Followed by London and NYC with 3 each.

Originally Posted by thecrownprince

For me it’s 7

Beverly Hills
Paris (all 3 including the House)
Capri
Florence
Frankfurt

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Paris had 2 boutiques and 3 ADs last year, but now there's only 1 boutique left. House hasn't opened yet?

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

110 sounds a bit high, but I'm not bored enough to go to the AP site and count boutiques (again). There are a number of new ones (e.g., in Germany) that are opening soon - looking at the maps, it may well be that my number is outdated. For practical purposes, i.e., figuring out how many watches of a certain model the average boutique gets, using 100 total is probably close enough.

For the sake of my goal, I went through the trouble of counting

There will likely be openings along the way, but potentially more closings too which wouldn't hurt my cause lol.

Originally Posted by Reign

They’ll run your email through their system and you’ll be treated well. Enjoy!

As for the OP question

AP House NY
NY boutique
Paris boutique
Milan boutique
London Sloane
London Harrods
AP House London
AP House HK
HK IFC boutique
HK central boutique
Saigon boutique
Dubai Mall boutique
Dubai Mall of Emirates boutique
Bangkok boutique
Taipei boutique

On the list are AP House Tokyo, Barcelona and Madrid

Had to look up Saigon, don't think it's technically considered a boutique, but looks like AP has a corner in the store? Would love to hear about your visit, thanks.

Originally Posted by ikincooper

Lovely to see how well travelled some of you are!

I’m currently on a train journey (2.5 hours) travelling down to AP House London for my 2nd visit. I made my first visit whilst on holiday in Guildford earlier in the year but today is a specific day trip to help build my profile and demonstrate my interest in the brand.

Prior to COVID, I’ve previously visited AP House HK twice and a couple of AP HK Boutiques (IFC and Harbour City) multiple times over the past 5 years, since I became conscious and interested in AP.

I spent 3 years travelling the world a good 15 years ago, which in hindsight would have been a lovely opportunity to visit many of their sites but as a mid to late 20 year old I was interested in other things!

Super excited for today and will be sure to snap some photos to share with you all.

Happy weekend, Niki

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Good luck, please let us know how it goes.

Originally Posted by ts3

Surprised by the responses in this thread.

Visiting every AP boutique in the world has got to be one of the weirdest goals I have ever heard of. SMH

You must not like traveling. Or fun.

[thecrownprince]

Originally Posted by APWhale

Paris had 2 boutiques and 3 ADs last year, but now there's only 1 boutique left. House hasn't opened yet?




:

Sorry need to clarify:

I believe in 2019 when I went both times it was AD stores (2) - not sure they own own it back then but it was definitely AP only in a single store - and one boutique (company owned) very large stores - doenst matter anyways because they didn’t have anything and basically greeted customers from the sidewalk


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