AP boutique visit

[HK Islandboy]

Thanks to an appointment being unexpectedly cancelled, I found myself with some time to swing by the AP boutique in Central.

The staff there were marvellous and happy to indulge me as I tried on a few pieces.





While the yellow gold ROO didn’t entirely do it for me, the dial is awesome.










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[tng11]

Love the IFC HK boutique. Great inventory and staff who provide a personal touch. Bought my 15202 from there, and they had plenty of great pieces like the 44 CE, 44 RG, 42 all-Platinum, Openworked SS Tourbillon, Concepts, etc all for me to try on at my leisure and take plenty of wristies while chatting about watches in general even though they knew I wasn't buying another piece so soon.

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by tng11

Love the IFC HK boutique. Great inventory and staff who provide a personal touch. Bought my 15202 from there, and they had plenty of great pieces like the 44 CE, 44 RG, 42 all-Platinum, Openworked SS Tourbillon, Concepts, etc all for me to try on at my leisure and take plenty of wristies while chatting about watches in general even though they knew I wasn't buying another piece so soon.

This was actually the “boutique” in Central. Notnowned by AP, but listed as a Boutique on the AP website.

I agree that the AP-owned boutique at IFC is amazing also. Whenever I have been in there, they have treated me extraordinarily well - and they have amazing stock

[tng11]

Originally Posted by HK Islandboy

This was actually the “boutique” in Central. Notnowned by AP, but listed as a Boutique on the AP website.

I agree that the AP-owned boutique at IFC is amazing also. Whenever I have been in there, they have treated me extraordinarily well - and they have amazing stock

Ah okay. I've been in there once - the service was pretty mediocre (i.e. the standard in HK).

My understanding in HK is that the other boutiques (Central Pedder Street, Causeway Bay, Elements, Ocean Centre, TST East) are just "boutiques" run by ADs - and they don't get stock of boutique-only pieces any more. When I was looking for a 15202 all 5 told me they weren't getting them, and the other 2 ADs (Carlson and Prince) also told me no chance. The 2 "boutiques" in Macau at the City of Dreams and the Parisian also told me no chance of getting a 15202.

IFC and Macau Wynn (both of which are AP-owned) had them (albeit sealed in the back and not in the display case), go figure.

PS: In my search I remember visiting the boutiques at Festival Walk and Star House... now they're no longer on the AP site, did they have their AD status revoked?

[AK797]

The first two look great on you.

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by AK797

The first two look great on you.

They are great pieces.

I’m not that taken by either of the gold ROO 42s - not fond of the dial on the RG and don’t love the YG colour, though the dial is great. I’m surprised that AP hasn’t got a solid gold ROO 42 piece “right” - to my eyes at least

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by tng11

Ah okay. I've been in there once - the service was pretty mediocre (i.e. the standard in HK).

My understanding in HK is that the other boutiques (Central Pedder Street, Causeway Bay, Elements, Ocean Centre, TST East) are just "boutiques" run by ADs - and they don't get stock of boutique-only pieces any more. When I was looking for a 15202 all 5 told me they weren't getting them, and the other 2 ADs (Carlson and Prince) also told me no chance. The 2 "boutiques" in Macau at the City of Dreams and the Parisian also told me no chance of getting a 15202.

IFC and Macau Wynn (both of which are AP-owned) had them (albeit sealed in the back and not in the display case), go figure.

PS: In my search I remember visiting the boutiques at Festival Walk and Star House... now they're no longer on the AP site, did they have their AD status revoked?

I’ve been well served at pretty much all the AD-run “boutiques” - even when I’ve trundled I’m wearing sports gear - very much agree that the stock they get does not compare to the AP-owned boutique.

I went into one of the ADs not dedicated to selling APs and, beyond finding the staff totally indifferent with limited to no enthusiasm for the brand, had to endure one of the salesmen clipping his nails in the background whim I tried to have my conversation - not pleasant!

[HL65]

Love the SS ROC with blue dial!

[Hairdude1]

Nice!!!

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by HL65

Love the SS ROC with blue dial!

I think it has to go onto the target list. It is very nice

[bluebeamer]

i like the black-red ROO on you best.

[Jowatch]

They are all nice. Yellow ROC is hot!

[benlee]

One thing I find annoying is their new policy to insist that all watches must be wrapped when show to customers and they are no longer allow to unwrapped it, thus not able to admire the watch in it's original form. Visually there is a big difference.

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by Jowatch

They are all nice. Yellow ROC is hot!

It’s the ROO ...weighs about 1kg!

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by benlee

One thing I find annoying is their new policy to insist that all watches must be wrapped when show to customers and they are no longer allow to unwrapped it, thus not able to admire the watch in it's original form. Visually there is a big difference.

You really can’t appreciate the subtlety of the brushed steel with the wrapping. It actually made the 33mm women’s watches look like cheap fashion watches

[kearez]

I tried on the same SS ROC on Tuesday. It’s beautiful would love to see the white dial with black sub dials in person. Funny enough I thought I could make it work on my small wrists!

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by kearez

I tried on the same SS ROC on Tuesday. It’s beautiful would love to see the white dial with black sub dials in person. Funny enough I thought I could make it work on my small wrists!

What size are your wrists?

[Star Ferry]

I'm surprised at how nice the steel non-offshore chrono (26331ST ?) looks with a suit

That's a great reference

[LAFLARE]

Always love unexpected trips to the AD, but if you're not careful that mustard might spill on your cuffs.

[5Matches]

Originally Posted by HK Islandboy

I think it has to go onto the target list. It is very nice

I definitely agree, the ss roc is really nice in person. Did you by any chance remember the price for it in hkd?


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[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by 5Matches

I definitely agree, the ss roc is really nice in person. Did you by any chance remember the price for it in hkd?


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I recall HKD193k (USD25k), but could be off on that.

I was taken enough by it that I need to start doing some (fun!) work understanding the dial colours and combinations that are out there

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by LAFLARE

Always love unexpected trips to the AD, but if you're not careful that mustard might spill on your cuffs.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by HK Islandboy

I recall HKD193k (USD25k), but could be off on that.

I was taken enough by it that I need to start doing some (fun!) work understanding the dial colours and combinations that are out there

that sounds about right... UK pricing is right around $27k (£20,500) including VAT and US pricing is almost the same as UK pricing once you add US sales tax.

US retail is $24,300 not including tax so effectively right around $26,500.

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

I'm surprised at how nice the steel non-offshore chrono (26331ST ?) looks with a suit

That's a great reference

It does look great. Now squarely in my sights!