AP bug

[SwissmadeTexan]

Yeah I saw that one on David’s site also! It’s definitely fairly priced. I might try to strike up a trade with him for my Wimbledon + cash. Not sure yet though. Closing on our first investment property soon too so gotta be careful moving money around right now too much. The way pricing is right now you gotta worry about market shifts monthly at this point.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Etschell

It's not far off. David just undercut chase by listing a silver dial for sub 29k.

Mark this post a change is coming. Might be slow but it is coming.

I'm unimpressed by the polishing job on the white/silver 15450. The grey one is better, if not quite perfect. Of course one could always get a new bezel.

[SwissmadeTexan]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

I'm unimpressed by the polishing job on the white/silver 15450. The grey one is better, if not quite perfect. Of course one could always get a new bezel.

Yeah definitely agree but doesn’t seem terribly bad. Maybe this is the reason for the lower price.

[RyanO]

FWIW I was able to get an allocation for a grey dial 15500st in NYC this year. I had visited several times in about 2.5 years, but they seemed genuinely interested in helping me secure an allocation and did not ask me to purchase anything else I wasn’t interested in.

Let us know how Boston goes.

I agree that the polishing on that white dial
15450 looks bad, I would avoid. That’s why the price is sub 29.


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[AG_Watches]

Originally Posted by SwissmadeTexan

Ahhh nice, I didn’t know there was a boutique in Boston! I’m actually headed there next weekend. Definitely will pop in and see while I’m in town. Will they deal with an out of towner? Ship me a watch if I get some kind of allocation in the future after introduction?

All of the boutiques will certainly deal with out of town owners and ship a watch to you. However, if you are not present in person to collect it when your allocation arrives the only form of payment they will accept is wire if its your first purchase from that specific location. So if you are looking to get a ton of airlines miles from your purchase its not really an option unless you fly to collect it. I had to wire for both purchases since different locations.

I spent 1-2 hours one day calling every boutique in US, Mexico. 75% were a waste of time, but Bal Harbor, Boston, and NY boutiques all had prolonged 20-30 min conversations. Took my current watch collection down as well as my wishlist from AP. Then Boston and Bal Harbor actually followed up with me consistently. Have not heard from NY as of yet.

During my phone calls the two rudest boutiques / unwilling to help at all were LA and Las Vegas. They were 30 sec conversations tops and practically hung up on me for even expressing interest.

[Rogerab]

I too caught the AP bug a few months back. Visited Boston and NYC boutiques who were very helpful. Did see and try a sold 15450 and a SAs personal 26331. For me, after this, I concluded the 15450 was too small despite wearing bigger than its stated size. I am sure this is not a unique suggestion, but see and try in person even if at a grey dealer. I was originally drawn to the 15450 for budget reasons but decided that would wear off too quickly. Taking my time to find a 15300 or 26331. AP is very impressive in person and another level from the handful of Rolex I presently own.

[macrowatch]

Originally Posted by AG_Watches

I’m in DFW and so far have enjoyed the Dallas boutique the least out of all of my AP experiences. I was able to Aquire a 15450 white dial from boston over the phone with a 2 week wait and a 26331st panda over the phone with Bal Harbor with a 1 year wait. The NY boutique was also receptive and took my info, but from my experiences within the last 12 months you don’t necessarily need to fly or visit unless you really want too. The Dallas boutique typically has 2-3 watches tops at anytime usually 2 codes and an offshore. The service in dallas is great but their willingness to not play favorites is awful.

Originally Posted by DJH1977

My experiences in the Dallas boutique have been uniformly positive, and I have bought from them several times. I stopped in yesterday to see a watch in fact. I am local, however. I know there are clients who fly in to town to do business with them. I wouldn’t write them off, but I do not know how they chose allocations other than knowledge and love of the brand.

To OP, I think both of these posts are instructive. Meaning, if only trying to get a single piece, then go Bal Harbor or NY. Maybe Boston. If getting multiple pieces, then put your hat in the ring with Dallas but I wouldn't expect it as the first piece.

Good luck either way, and good luck on your more important purchase of the investment property and excited for your first RO.

[huncho]

Originally Posted by Etschell

It's not far off. David just undercut chase by listing a silver dial for sub 29k.

Mark this post a change is coming. Might be slow but it is coming.

Originally Posted by yOyOYoo

I saw that one too. I believe it’s a 2015 watch, that’s why the price is much lower than the newer versions.

the bezel on the white dial one looks heavily polished so that explains the price

Originally Posted by AK797

If so then this seems a fair deal in today's market, I've not been following the ROs resales but had a look yesterday and saw 15202s selling for over £70K GBP! That is fast moving into 5711, even 5712, territory.

yeah agree, think the 15450s are still at good prices, the 15202s just went insane for the first half of this year. 15450s only recently started having some real price movement but now everything's cooled off for a bit

Originally Posted by SwissmadeTexan

Yeah I saw that one on David’s site also! It’s definitely fairly priced. I might try to strike up a trade with him for my Wimbledon + cash. Not sure yet though. Closing on our first investment property soon too so gotta be careful moving money around right now too much. The way pricing is right now you gotta worry about market shifts monthly at this point.

i would definitely shell out a bit more for a non polished example personally

[AG_Watches]

Originally Posted by macrowatch

To OP, I think both of these posts are instructive. Meaning, if only trying to get a single piece, then go Bal Harbor or NY. Maybe Boston. If getting multiple pieces, then put your hat in the ring with Dallas but I wouldn't expect it as the first piece.

Good luck either way, and good luck on your more important purchase of the investment property and excited for your first RO.

I would agree with this. Dallas hasnt been totally unwilling to work with me, but after 10+ visits and speaking with 3 different SA’s including the manager you have 0 chance at a steel piece from them unless its 34mm without purchasing a code and an offshore to put your hat in the ring. According to the manager he allows each SA to put 1 prospective clients name in the bucket for a highly sought after piece and then forwards client info and current collection to geneva to allow corporate to make the allocation. I don't know how true this is, but what he told me in the hour I was there. So long story short. If you are solely after a steel RO 37mm+ in size Dallas is not your best option. If you’re after several pieces including a code then I would consider Dallas.

[yOyOYoo]

You guys have good eyes. I really can’t tell that DSW’s silver 15450 has a heavily polished bezel. Any pointers?

[huncho]

Originally Posted by yOyOYoo

You guys have good eyes. I really can’t tell that DSW’s silver 15450 has a heavily polished bezel. Any pointers?

the edges of it are much more smooth/rounded whereas a new bezel is sharp



versus unpolished :

[yOyOYoo]

Originally Posted by huncho

the edges of it are much more smooth/rounded whereas a new bezel is sharp



versus unpolished :

I can’t miss it now, that first picture is so smooth and round. Thank you.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by huncho

the edges of it are much more smooth/rounded whereas a new bezel is sharp

The sharp transitions between the facets and the polished/brushed surfaces of the RO bezel make it easy to tell if/how much the watch has been polished - they are impossible to maintain in a freehand polishing job.

I would love to see some examples that are confirmed to have been polished by AP and only AP.

[strettyend]

That is what worries me about ever getting my Royal oaks polished - I can’t see how the ultra sharp edges can be maintained after a polish job. I wonder how much a new replacement bezel costs?

[Reign]

lukey77 had his jumbo polished by AP and you can’t tell. It entirely depends on who does it. The other good non AP servicer is overtimewatches, Jonathan, that knows what he’s doing

There are specific techniques to retain the sharp edges which require time and money and then there those that take shortcuts

Lukey77 photo

[macrowatch]

Originally Posted by strettyend

That is what worries me about ever getting my Royal oaks polished - I can’t see how the ultra sharp edges can be maintained after a polish job. I wonder how much a new replacement bezel costs?

About 800 for parts and labor (they have to pressure test) for SS. Had this done recently.

[csong825]

Stopped by the Boston boutique for the first time yesterday. I had made an appointment beforehand and when I showed up they acted like it was strange that I made an appointment to come in. They had 2 Codes. SA implied that I need to buy a Code if I wanted a 15450. He was nice but didn’t seem all that interested in helping me out. He didn’t ask what I did, what my current watch collection was, etc. We probably chatted for 10 minutes and I sort of had to force him to take my info. Overall pretty disappointing experience but not really surprising given the current market.


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[yOyOYoo]

Originally Posted by csong825

Stopped by the Boston boutique for the first time yesterday. I had made an appointment beforehand and when I showed up they acted like it was strange that I made an appointment to come in. They had 2 Codes. SA implied that I need to buy a Code if I wanted a 15450. He was nice but didn’t seem all that interested in helping me out. He didn’t ask what I did, what my current watch collection was, etc. We probably chatted for 10 minutes and I sort of had to force him to take my info. Overall pretty disappointing experience but not really surprising given the current market.


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That’s unfortunate that you had such a poor and disappointing experience at the boutique. Maybe that SA was having a bad day. I can imagine that having people constantly call/come in to ask for unavailable watches gets tiresome. Still that’s no excuse for poor customer service.

My experience was completely opposite of yours. I submitted an online appointment request, then received an email back with some questions about my interest in the brand as well as asking if I am a current AP client. After a little back and forth I was invited to schedule a time to come into the boutique to talk watches and “put a face to my name”.

When I arrived at the boutique, security had to unlock the door to let me inside. I had a nice and friendly conversation with the sales associate that felt more like 2 people getting to know each other than an “interview to gauge my worthiness” to own an AP. My SA wanted to know some more about me personally such as my collection, where I lived, my occupation, and my thoughts on this current crazy luxury watch market.

There were barely any watches in stock, but the SA did take out a gold RO that was already sold from the safe for me to get a look at the watch up close (without trying on). I also got to handle a few non-functional demo models. At no time did I feel any pressure to buy a Code or any other watch I had zero interest in.

At the end of our conversation, my SA told me that I would be added to the list for a 15450. I was recommended not to go grey at current prices. There were no guarantees on my timeline though. I was told that the demand was insane right now, with very limited production. My SA told me to check back in occasionally over time. I’m willing to be patient for now.

[csong825]

Originally Posted by yOyOYoo

That’s unfortunate that you had such a poor and disappointing experience at the boutique. Maybe that SA was having a bad day. I can imagine that having people constantly call/come in to ask for unavailable watches gets tiresome. Still that’s no excuse for poor customer service.

My experience was completely opposite of yours. I submitted an online appointment request, then received an email back with some questions about my interest in the brand as well as asking if I am a current AP client. After a little back and forth I was invited to schedule a time to come into the boutique to talk watches and “put a face to my name”.

When I arrived at the boutique, security had to unlock the door to let me inside. I had a nice and friendly conversation with the sales associate that felt more like 2 people getting to know each other than an “interview to gauge my worthiness” to own an AP. My SA wanted to know some more about me personally such as my collection, where I lived, my occupation, and my thoughts on this current crazy luxury watch market.

There were barely any watches in stock, but the SA did take out a gold RO that was already sold from the safe for me to get a look at the watch up close (without trying on). I also got to handle a few non-functional demo models. At no time did I feel any pressure to buy a Code or any other watch I had zero interest in.

At the end of our conversation, my SA told me that I would be added to the list for a 15450. I was recommended not to go grey at current prices. There were no guarantees on my timeline though. I was told that the demand was insane right now, with very limited production. My SA told me to check back in occasionally over time. I’m willing to be patient for now.

Wow was this at the Boston boutique recently? It’s like I went to a completely different place. Nobody was particularly rude but it wasn’t too different from walking into a Rolex AD for the first time. Maybe I’ll try going again to speak to a different SA…


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[yOyOYoo]

Originally Posted by csong825

Wow was this at the Boston boutique recently? It’s like I went to a completely different place. Nobody was particularly rude but it wasn’t too different from walking into a Rolex AD for the first time. Maybe I’ll try going again to speak to a different SA…


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Beverly Hills, California

[RealMadrid1988]

I’m in a similar boat, OP. I’ve had the Royal Oak bug for quite a while, but only recently did I seriously begin the quest to get one. I’ve stopped by the NYC boutique a few times and they’ve been very friendly, though they have basically no inventory to show. I feel like the quest is a total crapshoot: I don’t doubt that NYC gets a much larger number of watches than Dallas, but I’m sure there’s also a lot more competition. I also question how effective calling boutiques out of one’s area can be — I feel like one would always be at a disadvantage to local customers who can stop in and chat to show their interest.

All this is to say I’m really not sure what the best approach is. Undoubtedly some of it is dumb luck. Good luck to you!