Going Grey?

[HTXdev14]

Hey everyone!

Been wanting a 15500 - White Dial for a long time now. Have my name on a few lists and have been keeping in decent contact with those SA’s about my interest. However, I’m starting to think I might want to go to the grey market and purchase it there. This will be my first AP. Good idea? Or bad idea? Is it worth the extra money? Or should I just keep waiting?

Thanks as always!

[AshAP]

I’d be patient unless the difference in cost is negligible in which case bear in mind that AP tend to increase prices by 5-10% pa so it may work out cheaper to buy on the market right now.


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[HTXdev14]

Originally Posted by AshAP

I’d be patient unless the difference in cost is negligible in which case bear in mind that AP tend to increase prices by 5-10% pa so it may work out cheaper to buy on the market right now.


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Thanks! I didn’t know they increase that much.

[DJH1977]

Do you want more AP watches? The premium is not slight, and who knows if it is sustainable. Working with AP boutique is really very satisfying if you have eyes on others down the road.

[HTXdev14]

Originally Posted by DJH1977

Do you want more AP watches? The premium is not slight, and who knows if it is sustainable. Working with AP boutique is really very satisfying if you have eyes on others down the road.

I definitely have my eyes on others down the road. Looks like long run it will payoff to work with the boutique.

Thanks!

[enjoythemusic]

I'd be patient, but sure buy now as it's only currency. Not like that ever goes up in value.

[watchfan248]

be patient and keep checking in with all the boutiques where you are on the waitlist. You might even want to let them know you’re a serious buyer and offer to put down a deposit, if that helps at all. Good luck.

[Jaimmin]

Been waiting since Sept '19 and theres been two price increases. No prior purchase history. Visited the Singapore Boutique, info in the AP database, nice chat, and still in touch with my SA. But, the response is the same and dont have no more patience.

Went grey for White/Silver dial - 34K.

Will be picking up sometime next week. Pics incoming ofcourse.

[DJH1977]

I’d visit the boutique in Dallas in person, if you have not. I’m not sure if first watch 15500 is a possibility, but an in person boutique visit with appointment is advisable if you can. All this assumes you are in Houston.

[10XRolex]

Don't give into the sharks. Forget the AD in Houston unless you have purchased other items from them. Call the Dallas boutique and if anything take the road trip up there to see them in person.

[msm2]

I would try to build a relationship with a boutique. The white dial should not take that long. Long term it is better to build the relationship and be able to attend the events etc which will help with future requests.

[DJH1977]

And probably don’t mention 15500 on first visit. Let them get to know you.

[Jaypremium]

Go grey u will 99 years old before u get contacted back for your watch.


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[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Jaypremium

Go grey u will 99 years old before u get contacted back for your watch.

Is that really true? Proof?

[Jaypremium]

Ive been on the ap list for a royal oak 15400 since 2017. I was just exaggerating but as a first time buyer u better off playing lotto.


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[texasmade]

Originally Posted by 10XRolex

Don't give into the sharks. Forget the AD in Houston unless you have purchased other items from them. Call the Dallas boutique and if anything take the road trip up there to see them in person.

The AD in Houston doesn't really get any popular pieces now ever since AP RO's became ridiculously popular.

[Jaimmin]

Amen, and agree to All saying to go grey. “This is the Way.”

[DJH1977]

Originally Posted by Jaypremium

Ive been on the ap list for a royal oak 15400 since 2017. I was just exaggerating but as a first time buyer u better off playing lotto.


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The 15400 isn’t in production. This is not true. Perhaps not as a first watch, but 15500 is attainable. All you can do is explore. Of course if impatient, the secondary market thrives.

[Jaypremium]

Originally Posted by DJH1977

The 15400 isn’t in production. This is not true. Perhaps not as a first watch, but 15500 is attainable. All you can do is explore. Of course if impatient, the secondary market thrives.

I know it is out of production im talking about when i put ny name on the list in paris.


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[blacke90]

I think it depends on your proximity to visit the boutique every so often. 15500 is doable as first purchase. Since you’re going for the silver dial, I would wait. Definitely jump on a reputable deal if you do come across one in secondary market.

[AG_Watches]

I waited 18 months for the white/silver dial and was offered a 26331st panda essentially as a consolation prize because he said it would be another 6-12 months before he could get me the 15500st as they went from getting 6-8 silver 15500st per year to 3-4 at the Bal Harbor boutique.

I am 100% thrilled with my decision to go with the 26331 as I was extremely hesitant at first. Best of both worlds silver/white dial with a chrono.

If you can wait it is certainly possible to get it retail, but it certainly is a crapshoot. I would suggest calling Bal Harbor and NY boutique. They are very nice over phone and I just sent a monthly text to check in and keep my name top of mind for when pieces came in.

I live 30 minutes away from the new Dallas boutique and they pretty much just told me no to any steel RO without buying offshores/codes first.

[shkure]

Hi OP,

I had to wait 11 months for my white 15500. No prior purchase history with AP boutique. According to SA, the production limitations in 2020 have made the shortage worse but should improve in 2021.
I would suggest you keep in touch with the AP boutiques without bothering them. Visit them once in a while, try other models, discuss Marvel partnership etc. You should be able to get it once production is back at full tilt in 2021.


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[HTXdev14]

Originally Posted by texasmade

The AD in Houston doesn't really get any popular pieces now ever since AP RO's became ridiculously popular.

Yeah, I went in there once or twice to buy other items and it was a joke to say the least. I expected a Rolex style of having maybe one or two less loved pieces but they literally had nothing. Really caught me off guard.

[Jaypremium]

Originally Posted by HTXdev14

Yeah, I went in there once or twice to buy other items and it was a joke to say the least. I expected a Rolex style of having maybe one or two less loved pieces but they literally had nothing. Really caught me off guard.

This watch hobby gets harder each day man.


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[HTXdev14]

Originally Posted by blacke90

I think it depends on your proximity to visit the boutique every so often. 15500 is doable as first purchase. Since you’re going for the silver dial, I would wait. Definitely jump on a reputable deal if you do come across one in secondary market.

Yeah, even talking to the SA’s, they have made comments that the silver dial is way more obtainable than the other models. They keep mentioning that the COVID slowdowns are really effecting their production and that they expect to see some pieces start to trickle in this year. Everyone hearing about the same?

[youthagainsttt]

I have posted on another thread some tips for dealing with the AD's, if you search on my posts. Fyi my 1st AP was a blue 15400 from the boutique after waiting 2 weeks and my 2nd AP I waited 3 months for a black dial RO chrono.

[supernova]

Originally Posted by youthagainsttt

I have posted on another thread some tips for dealing with the AD's, if you search on my posts. Fyi my 1st AP was a blue 15400 from the boutique after waiting 2 weeks and my 2nd AP I waited 3 months for a black dial RO chrono.

The 15400 would have been a lot easier to get when it was available compared to SS RO now.

I visited AP house last year and chatted for an hour, told around year for black 15500ST. Went and bought grey a couple weeks later for 10% premium, although the premium does seem a lot more now.

If the grey price isn’t crazy, then save the headache and get instant gratification instead of playing the sucking up and waiting game.


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[tuan2195]

+1 for going grey, I was on the list for a 15500 for almost a year, then gave up and bought a 15300 in December. If they do call me for the 15500 now (big if) I won't have any problem moving the 15300 for what I paid for it (even making a profit).

[Waybach]

I would stay patient but even if you were to go grey, you could sell it off if/when you get the call from your boutique. Breaking even or coming out ahead a little bit could be possible, too, depending on your luck. I got my black 15500 in June of last year and waited about four months... no prior history and everything was done through text.