Fun afternoon at AP boutique

[VogelPhoenix]

Spent a couple of hours at AP chatting and trying recent releases. Selection included yellow gold Jumbo (16202BA), green dial 41mm ROC (26240ST), 41mm frosted WG ROC (26240BC.GG),"Gulf" 42mm ROO (26238ST), Titanium 42mm ROO (26238TI), Music edition 43mm Ceramic ROO (and 37mm Ti for wife), light blue/diamond bezel 38mm ROC (26715ST.ZZ), 37mm RG green dial diamond bezel RO (15551OR.ZZ) and a few others.

Unfortunately, the boutique has enacted a no-photography policy. Apparently they didn't like people flexing the exhibition pieces on Instagram. Still, I took away a few interesting lessons (well, interesting to me, at least):

- I was convinced that my next ROO should be a 43mm Chrono, either Taupe or TI/grey CE bezel. Instead, the Gulf 42mm ROOC is now at the top of my list (and that's despite already having a 2017 Beast re-edition). Nice in pictures, great in real life. Classic color scheme, perfectly executed.

- We're interested in a 38mm ROC for my wife, eventually. Reflexively, I had put the dark blue steel and dark blue RG on top of the list, followed by grey ST and light blue diamond bezel. In real life, the light blue/diamond bezel combo is stunning. Flashy, but still wearable (while the RG green dial diamond bezel 37mm is a bit too much for every day). Moved to top of that list by unanimous vote.

- Yellow gold Jumbo. What can I say - just as good as pictures suggest, and for the first time I've asked to join the endless queue of would-be Jumbo owners. Near-grail (just the tiniest of steps below the 41mm open-worked).

- Music edition. Haven't made up my mind entirely about the dial, but the black ceramic case is just delicious. Tall, of course, but eminently wearable. Hoping AP releases a 43mm ROOC and/or ROO diver in black ceramic for the 30th ROO anniversary next year; that would be fantastic.

It was also interesting to compare the 26240ST to my 26331 Panda. Pros and cons for both, but the new bracelet definitely makes the old one look a bit clunky in profile. Overall, don't feel the urge to update, but wouldn't say no to a 26240OR in any of the dark dials.

Will go back for more tomorrow

[Birch]

Did they give any hint as to a wait time on the Gulf?

[only1swami]

are there any boutiques in the US that have this many exhibition pieces to try on?

[macrowatch]

That’s a lot more fun than I had in London. Thanks for the impressions. Have been debating diamonds or no diamonds myself on that ladies piece

[Qngo516]

If you are on the fence. No diamond. 37/38mm has a unisex quality. With diamond, pushing it toward women.


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[thekman]

Must be nice to be able to experience these pieces in real life. I hope someday AP considers the US market worthy of exhibition pieces.


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[Reign]

I’m thinking about asking for the Gulf too. Great summer watch


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[jcatral14]

Originally Posted by only1swami

are there any boutiques in the US that have this many exhibition pieces to try on?

AP House in NY has a few pieces you can try on

[squall1]

Nice report, hoping for a full ceramic diver next year as well!

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Birch

Did they give any hint as to a wait time on the Gulf?

Didn't have that discussion yet. I guess that will be highly customer and location specific. In the past, I was always given some conservative timeframe for concrete asks (which mostly came much faster than expected), or we understood it was best effort and it comes when it comes (or not).

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Qngo516

If you are on the fence. No diamond. 37/38mm has a unisex quality. With diamond, pushing it toward women.

I tried the 38mm many times, and just find it too small for myself. So it's for the wife only, otherwise you'd be absolutely right!

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by thekman

Must be nice to be able to experience these pieces in real life. I hope someday AP considers the US market worthy of exhibition pieces.

I was blown away. Last visits before this were Boston (0 watches in 4 visits), Frankfurt (0 watches) and AP House Munich (41mm ROC in RG and ST, 37mm RO with light blue dial). Going in for a chat is always nice, but actually getting to see and try some watches is definitely more entertaining.

While I was there they had a constant stream of appointments, much busier than I have ever seen before (and that on a weekday afternoon). I've seen complaints about lack of responsiveness for phone or whatsapp inquiries - they are just swamped, even half a year after the 50th anniversary drop.

[Qngo516]

Sounds like a good time for any watch nerd. Any 50th allocation for you and Mrs yet?


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[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Qngo516

Sounds like a good time for any watch nerd. Any 50th allocation for you and Mrs yet?

No, and I don't think it's likely we'll get one. In the past, I had most luck when asking for a specific reference. For my wife, we have settled on the 34mm CE Bucci LE, and I am hoping for a YG Jumbo. Chances, if any, for the latter are probably better next year than this, and that's fine with me.

I don't feel the urge to upgrade our 15450/15500/26331 to a 15550/15510 or 26240 in steel, and with a RG RO or ROC I would be draining both watch fund and favors from the boutique

[Qngo516]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

No, and I don't think it's likely we'll get one. In the past, I had most luck when asking for a specific reference. For my wife, we have settled on the 34mm CE Bucci LE, and I am hoping for a YG Jumbo. Chances, if any, for the latter are probably better next year than this, and that's fine with me.

I don't feel the urge to upgrade our 15450/15500/26331 to a 15550/15510 or 26240 in steel, and with a RG RO or ROC I would be draining both watch fund and favors from the boutique

BIG ASKs. I hope you get them. 34Bucci is the coolest women piece ever! With your current stash of APs, + enthusiasm, I imagined your boutique is hitting the gas for approval. Looking forward to your incomings.

[Bpan]

Originally Posted by only1swami

are there any boutiques in the US that have this many exhibition pieces to try on?

I just visited the NYC boutique today and was able to try on the 26715 in Rose Gold and the Code QP.

[Cease676]

Originally Posted by only1swami

are there any boutiques in the US that have this many exhibition pieces to try on?

Had a chance to try on a few pieces at the boutique two months ago










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[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Cease676

Had a chance to try on a few pieces at the boutique two months ago

Nice to be able to take pictures! This was my absolute favorite. Only Jumbo I want (blasphemy, I know). Unfortunately, zero chance this year and miracle/act of God level likelihood in the future.

[thekman]

Originally Posted by Cease676

Had a chance to try on a few pieces at the boutique two months ago










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Which boutique and is this the ceramic case Code?


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[noobs]

Originally Posted by Cease676

that's the model i'd like to get in order to build a relationship but now i'm not so sure anymore, this looks a bit underwhelming...

[gretch6364]

Originally Posted by noobs

that's the model i'd like to get in order to build a relationship but now i'm not so sure anymore, this looks a bit underwhelming...

Gotta see it in person. The Codes are better on the wrist then I ever expected.

[Gandor]

I was offered that exact 11.59 a few weeks ago. It's a stunning watch in person, although at 50k it's a tough pill to swallow as there's so many good watches at that price point. You're talking patek world-timers and annual calendars with proven designs that will last a lifetime. I'm not quite sure how the 11.59 will fare after 20 years.

[thekman]

Originally Posted by noobs

that's the model i'd like to get in order to build a relationship but now i'm not so sure anymore, this looks a bit underwhelming...

Every watch looks underwhelming in AD/Boutique lighting and phone camera. Code even more so. Check it out in person before you write it off.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by noobs

that's the model i'd like to get in order to build a relationship but now i'm not so sure anymore, this looks a bit underwhelming...

Tried the same one yesterday - picture does it no justice whatsoever.

[jts278]

Code with the ceramic middle case is one of the best in the lineup, I have the WG ceramic one and it wears great even on my smaller wrist, the heft is just right and the textured strap makes it a great weekend watch.

[Cease676]

Originally Posted by thekman

Every watch looks underwhelming in AD/Boutique lighting and phone camera. Code even more so. Check it out in person before you write it off.

Agreed, picture and lighting does not do the watches justice unless seen in person


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[Mini2]

Originally Posted by Gandor

I was offered that exact 11.59 a few weeks ago. It's a stunning watch in person, although at 50k it's a tough pill to swallow as there's so many good watches at that price point. You're talking patek world-timers and annual calendars with proven designs that will last a lifetime. I'm not quite sure how the 11.59 will fare after 20 years.

Serious question, if this watch was selling for double over list would it be a tough pill to swallow ?

[Mini2]

I think they need a code in steel - great entry price point

[eiesh]

Originally Posted by Mini2

I think they need a code in steel - great entry price point

I agree with this.

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[Mini2]

Originally Posted by eiesh

I agree with this.

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How would you price it?
Non chrono 16k
chrono 22k