FC is here to stay!!!

[orangedial]

Howard from TZ has done a nice interview with AP's new CEO to clarify many post-SIHH doubts and speculations circulated in the Web lately. Amongst all doubts, it is confirmed that FC will NOT be discontinued (YES!!), and the blue dial 15400 & ROC will go boutique-only, which will make them very exclusive! We will also see some changes to the RC in the near future as it will be 're-imagined'... Very interesting! There is also a clearer insight about AP's short & long term strategy towards pricing and retailer network.

Overall a great interview... and I believe AP is in good hand for better sustainable growth

[S``]

The ROC move is kind of surprising to me....

[thomaspp]

Damn should have bought blue 15400!!! love my white dial. Thanks for update.

[kilyung]

Sure clears up a lot.

[breitlingherst]

if i was an AD, I would be shaking in my pants. buying back stock, bringing some dial variations in boutique ONLY. sounds like significantly thinning ADs out and bringing sales IN HOUSE. the interview also says AP isn't going to make significant changes until 2015. going to be a lot of ADs going out of business and straight MSRP sales are the way of the future.

[orangedial]

Originally Posted by breitlingherst

if i was an AD, I would be shaking in my pants. buying back stock, bringing some dial variations in boutique ONLY. sounds like significantly thinning ADs out and bringing sales IN HOUSE. the interview also says AP isn't going to make significant changes until 2015. going to be a lot of ADs going out of business and straight MSRP sales are the way of the future.

Straight but lower MSRP sales with limited controlled discount perhaps, much like Rolex's practice. It may be the right strategy to preserve the value of the watches in long run, as the pricing is more predictable for both the new and preowned pieces.

[singe89]

Love to hear the FC is here to stay.

[Submarino]

Great news and thanks for the update Wayne.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Watches are the new currency!

[thomaspp]

Any more information on drop in price? Is it only for precious metals or are they goin for SS to? Thanks.

[S``]

Originally Posted by thomaspp

Any more information on drop in price? Is it only for precious metals or are they goin for SS to? Thanks.

Mb23 has already confirmed... only on precious metal...this interview literally just hit the final nail to the coffin

[thomaspp]

Originally Posted by S``

Mb23 has already confirmed... only on precious metal...this interview literally just hit the final nail to the coffin

Tks. Interesting.

[orangedial]

Originally Posted by S``

Mb23 has already confirmed... only on precious metal...this interview literally just hit the final nail to the coffin

Only precious metal pieces Excluding LE, to be exact... So it is OK to go ahead to get that shiny gold Schumi, Messi, etc without fear of losing value

[S``]

Originally Posted by orangedial

Only precious metal pieces Excluding LE, to be exact... So it is OK to go ahead to get that shiny gold Schumi, Messi, etc without fear of losing value

[mspeed76]

it never made any sense to me to completely discontinue FC since they have to supply replacement parts forever, and some of their most expensive watches use FC..

but fact remains that they did release 2 ceramic models to replace the FC respective versions..

[lig]

Glad I picked blue

[Hairdude1]

Thanks for sharing

[TSW]

Thanks for sharing!

Do you have a link for that interview?

[kilyung]

AP CEO interview on TZ

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...45#msg_6430366

[dsk28]

Originally Posted by S``

Mb23 has already confirmed... only on precious metal...this interview literally just hit the final nail to the coffin

Thanks for sharing

[Soly20]

Thanks for sharing.

RC to be changed? Maybe I should hold off buying the Panda since the whole collection will change?

[Cru Jones]

great interview, thanks.

[Zymol]

Originally Posted by mspeed76

it never made any sense to me to completely discontinue FC since they have to supply replacement parts forever, and some of their most expensive watches use FC..

but fact remains that they did release 2 ceramic models to replace the FC respective versions..

So can we assume that the 44mm FC remains in production for 2013 and still remains to be seen next year if it gets replaced by its ceramic brother ?

My guess is that it will be discon soon. 2 similar models made with different materials aint a good way to keep the inventory lean

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Zymol

So can we assume that the 44mm FC remains in production for 2013 and still remains to be seen next year if it gets replaced by its ceramic brother ?

My guess is that it will be discon soon. 2 similar models made with different materials aint a good way to keep the inventory lean

Sounds like FC is staying according to the interview. My guess is FC and ceramic will take their place alongside steel and gold as model options. It's likely ceramic will replace rubber.

[Manofsteelpt]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Sounds like FC is staying according to the interview. My guess is FC and ceramic will take their place alongside steel and gold as model options. It's likely ceramic will replace rubber.

The newly imagined "CeramicClad"!!!

[Zymol]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Sounds like FC is staying according to the interview. My guess is FC and ceramic will take their place alongside steel and gold as model options. It's likely ceramic will replace rubber.

Sorry, probably I didn't phrase it correctly. Understood that FC stays, just that will they discon the FC 44mm divers and ROO to allow the ceramics to sell ?

Personally never been a fan of ceramics. The FC is dame cool material that I hoped I will be used in more of their watches

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Zymol

Sorry, probably I didn't phrase it correctly. Understood that FC stays, just that will they discon the FC 44mm divers and ROO to allow the ceramics to sell ?

Personally never been a fan of ceramics. The FC is dame cool material that I hoped I will be used in more of their watches

No the 44mm and ROO FCs are reportedly staying alongside the ceramic versions.

[mb23]

I was thinking a Rubber Clad, but in Ceramic.... Hmm Ceramic Clad!

or

A 44 mm version of the Rubber Clad! Seems doable since the shift in larger size.

Both interest me!

[boursachi]

1. awesome that FC is staying
2. cool about how he wants to bring the WATCH back to the brand, and not the BRAND to the watch. let them sponsor as many people they want but not necessarily punch out LEs for everyone!
3. with the whole pricing issue, i think buying from an AD will be a waste of money to pay the premium for the "experiece" or whatever. would much rather go to the 2ndary market!

[iLLGT2]

Awesome info and interesting since all of the speculations..

I kind of liked the notion of them discontinuing it lol made it more special ! However it still is regardless and I bought it for ME not for future values