Possible to get a Royal Oak in Japan in a first time visit?

[Babalaas]

Visiting Tokyo soon. Know the answer to the question will most likely be no but is there a remote possibility AP Japan will sell a Royal oak (15510 or 15550st) or Royal Oak chrono? I ask this in the context of supposed rumors floating around on these forums that AP wants to dedicate half of their inventory to first time buyers.

[Tomas Eriksson]

Very unlikely unfortunately.

[DK7]

perhaps mid next year...if prices continue to fall and RO are available at list price.

[Potawatomi]

Just went into the Ginza boutique this evening. I was practically ushered out as soon as I stepped in.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Babalaas

Visiting Tokyo soon. Know the answer to the question will most likely be no but is there a remote possibility AP Japan will sell a Royal oak (15510 or 15550st) or Royal Oak chrono? I ask this in the context of supposed rumors floating around on these forums that AP wants to dedicate half of their inventory to first time buyers.

The supposed quota was 1/3. That coincided with the 50th anniversary and probably contributed to the large number of watches that were flipped. Also, "first time buyer" != "random tourist walking in from the street.". Good luck, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.

[LUDA]

Are you japanese? If the answer is not then don't even bother trying.

There are watches for first time buyers, but a first time buyer for a steel Royal Oak will be a local, not a random tourist. A random tourist might get some precious metal nobody wants to buy, maybe a Code 11.59, being very lucky a ROO, but that's about it.

[Vivalas]

I'm sure they will sell a RO to some people as their first watch, however I'd imagine that it won't be a walk in of any kind. Will take some time from expressing interest I would think.

Also (and I don't know this, so its just my thoughts and I know that people on here have bought watches in other countries, Japan being one in particular), why would they sell a RO in Japan to a British tourist? Knowing that it's not an easy watch to get, would they not be more inclined to be wanting to build a relationship with a local? Surely there's a lot of locals waiting?

[l_chissle]

First time visitor is very difffernt from first time buyer

There's zero chance.

[Atmwireless]

I’m sure they have a list of “first time buyers” they can call if someone passes on a piece.

A walk in… I would assume would be impossible.

[Napaswar]

As far as I know, the 1st time buyers are serious collectors owning heavy PP or VC collections (sure, not Nautilus or Oversea) or some pieces from independents. 1st-time visitors are required to put their names on the list to get a call to be 1st-time buyers.

[Michael1968]

I think you have zero chance

[fsprow]

Only if accompanied by a Japanese client of the store who does substantial business with them.

[jts278]

The AP cororate owned boutique/AP House policy is to sell to locals. They will require a local address from you before they decide to allocate you something. Even in HK, which has the most AP Houses/boutiques for any city, it’s near impossible to get a watch as a walk-in. You’ll need several visits for the SA to get to know you before an allocation. Royal oaks are definitely possible as a first piece but they will be very selective of the people in this group. At the very least, make an appointment with the boutique/house and convey your interest in the brand, they might put in a good word for your local boutique back home which may help with an allocation.

Btw if you have a profile with AP (e.g. you’ve bought a watch before directly from a boutique/house), all the boutiques/houses in the world can see that information via their centralized CRM system. They will usually look up this information before your visit if you made an appointment with them.

[impactplayer]

No chance of walking in and buying a RO on its own. But you may have a decent chance at buying an Offshore or Code. I purchased an Offshore at an AP House while on vacation a few months back. After I purchased that, they did offer me an ROC but I turned it down because it wasn't what I was looking for. That was probably a unique case, however, so I wouldn't count on being able to replicate it.

I also visited a couple of AP boutiques in different cities last week and they offered Offshores and Codes for purchase.

[Commandopat]

Originally Posted by Potawatomi

Just went into the Ginza boutique this evening. I was practically ushered out as soon as I stepped in.

Did you have an appointment? I’m not Japanese but was stationed in Okinawa… so semi local?
I’m surprised you were treated this way unless you didn’t have an appointment .

[Potawatomi]

Originally Posted by Commandopat

Did you have an appointment? I’m not Japanese but was stationed in Okinawa… so semi local?
I’m surprised you were treated this way unless you didn’t have an appointment .

I did not have an appointment. I didn't have an appointment with the other stores I visited and I was treated quite nicely at those places.

[In-N-Out]

Originally Posted by Potawatomi

I did not have an appointment. I didn't have an appointment with the other stores I visited and I was treated quite nicely at those places.

I was also treated very poorly by Ginza boutique when I visited too. Probably the worst AP location I’ve ever visited (probably visited more than 15 now worldwide). I suspect bc I am Korean and was wearing a very korean hat

[Commandopat]

Originally Posted by Potawatomi

I did not have an appointment. I didn't have an appointment with the other stores I visited and I was treated quite nicely at those places.

Ginza is appointment only so I’d offer that they weren’t rude but simply following their policy.

[jyaki]

Originally Posted by In-N-Out

I was also treated very poorly by Ginza boutique when I visited too. Probably the worst AP location I’ve ever visited (probably visited more than 15 now worldwide). I suspect bc I am Korean and was wearing a very korean hat

Lol, I doubt they gave two hoots about your hat. Just like the majority of ADs now, it's typically by appointment only. Also, every AD prioritizes their own local customers, there's simply not enough supply to allocate to tourists. Finally, with so many tourists visiting Japan right now, think of how many stragglers pop into the Ginza store asking for watch?

[Cease676]

You’re better off checking out the number of boutiques that carry pre-owned luxury watches (Shinjuku/Ginza).

When I was in Tokyo a few months back I came across a 15500 for less than US retail plus tax (after 10% tax refund)


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[m3tek44]

unlikely. boutique will give RO to locals first priority not to mention zero in stock.

[rcwatchcollector]

Originally Posted by jyaki

Lol, I doubt they gave two hoots about your hat. Just like the majority of ADs now, it's typically by appointment only. Also, every AD prioritizes their own local customers, there's simply not enough supply to allocate to tourists. Finally, with so many tourists visiting Japan right now, think of how many stragglers pop into the Ginza store asking for watch?

I have Korean friends in Tokyo. Their family had to change their last name to a Japanese last name because of the racism they experienced.


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[Commandopat]

Japanese are inherently racist - which is semi accurate, they’re really more nationalist and proud than racist, but people see it as racist. That’s obviously a generalization, but not something I experienced at all (openly). They may well have cursed me under their breath once I left but my wife and I never experienced it.

[GW44]

Originally Posted by Babalaas

Visiting Tokyo soon. Know the answer to the question will most likely be no but is there a remote possibility AP Japan will sell a Royal oak (15510 or 15550st) or Royal Oak chrono? I ask this in the context of supposed rumors floating around on these forums that AP wants to dedicate half of their inventory to first time buyers.

You’ve got Bob Hope mate

[In-N-Out]

Originally Posted by Commandopat

Japanese are inherently racist - which is semi accurate, they’re really more nationalist and proud than racist, but people see it as racist. That’s obviously a generalization, but not something I experienced at all (openly). They may well have cursed me under their breath once I left but my wife and I never experienced it.

lol I went to Korea for the first time last year and this is essentially what I’ve been told about their friendly (historically not so friendly) neighbors