FHB’s legacy discussion

[In-N-Out]

What are some of the positives and negatives that he will be known for? And your overall grade?

Positives:
1) Opening up boutiques and phasing out AD’s
2) Embracing collabs with Hip Hop, Hollywood, and athletes to broaden the audience to the younger generation (although some of them are arguable terrible)
3) RD#4; what a masterpiece in engineering and artistry
4) CODE 11.59…mocked by all upon release, but AP didn’t give up. Latest releases with the starwheel and SS chrono have turned the discussion drastically and quickly and many collectors want a code in their collection. Unthinkable scenario even 2 years ago. Huge future for the code imo

Negatives:
1) inconsistent client experience across boutiques worldwide. Some have a world class experience, others are treated like trash. AP is better than most, including PP and Rolex, but still needs improvement
2) inconsistent policy regarding selling / flipping. Very frustrating to see heavy hitters hit the grey market days after release that presumably went to VVIPs who probably didn’t get banned. Need some real and consistent banning for flippers regardless of their spend history
3) Ladies collection. AP is far behind PP, Rolex, and Cartier when it comes to ladies pieces. Bucci collabs were great, but there needs to be another line for ladies. 38 CODE may or may not be enough…
4) Still no dress pieces. It doesn’t get serious until you have leather as JM would say.
5) AP is still known as a one watch company. I don’t think the brand marketing did a good job to change this perception. It’s an unfair and inaccurate thing to say, since ROO and CODE are great lines, but people still believe it. One can argue that Rolex uses the same case design for all their watches as well, but AP gets slammed the most for using the iconic octagonal case in many of their lines.

Overall a solid A- for me.