Closing my AP chapter

[APhound]

Nobody justifies this stuff better than me I promise


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[BrunoMalik]

Originally Posted by macrowatch

My guess would be that most AP buyers have so many watches that they rarely wear the same watch back to back enough days to know there's a time keeping issue.

Guilty as charged


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[WatchEater666]

These brands are all shooting the selves in the foot by mistreating long time loyal customers that have bought before the watches were hype pieces. Sad.

[Armis]

Originally Posted by arbees319

I recently traded in a bmw M8 and when I thought about how much it cost to drive it each time it was pretty silly. Had it less than five months and took a wild beating.


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Was that because of the high gas prices?
The M8 is a beautiful beast.

[codecow]

I only own one AP (black ceramic diver) and I bought it from DavidSW back in the day. The AP dealer by my house lost the brand, and now I’d have to go to LA or presumably Vegas which is where I originally looked at ROOs.

Last time I looked at AP at my old local dealer several years ago they had Royal Oaks sitting in the case. At that time they also sold FPJ and Richard Mille. Now they don’t even sell a single brand I would buy.

I found out my main AD for Rolex and Patek recently lost Patek where I had enough clout with them to get a couple application pieces. So that’s great… So I feel for folks who invested in the brand and are getting shafted. I have application pieces and have toured Patek but I’m now the same to them as anyone walking in off the street asking for a steel sports watch. Fortunately I am kind of at my endgame with them anyway and really what I want is a perpetual chronograph which makes no sense to buy from an AD anyway unless you want access to application pieces.

It kind of bums me out. I almost forgot that in addition to Patek they also lost ALS, so another brand I like I’m now in the back of the line with them as well.

The good news is Grand Seikos seem easy to get haha.

[dauster]

Originally Posted by codecow

I only own one AP (black ceramic diver) and I bought it from DavidSW back in the day. The AP dealer by my house lost the brand, and now I’d have to go to LA or presumably Vegas which is where I originally looked at ROOs.

Last time I looked at AP at my old local dealer several years ago they had Royal Oaks sitting in the case. At that time they also sold FPJ and Richard Mille. Now they don’t even sell a single brand I would buy.

I found out my main AD for Rolex and Patek recently lost Patek where I had enough clout with them to get a couple application pieces. So that’s great… So I feel for folks who invested in the brand and are getting shafted. I have application pieces and have toured Patek but I’m now the same to them as anyone walking in off the street asking for a steel sports watch. Fortunately I am kind of at my endgame with them anyway and really what I want is a perpetual chronograph which makes no sense to buy from an AD anyway unless you want access to application pieces.

It kind of bums me out. I almost forgot that in addition to Patek they also lost ALS, so another brand I like I’m now in the back of the line with them as well.

The good news is Grand Seikos seem easy to get haha.

At least you can still get lunch at madera at the rosewood and check out some independents;)


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[codecow]

Originally Posted by dauster

At least you can still get lunch at madera at the rosewood and check out some independents;)


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Laurent Ferrier and?

The new brunch menu looks good though!

[dauster]

Originally Posted by codecow

Laurent Ferrier and?

The new brunch menu looks good though!

I think they have mb&f and roger dubuis. Idk about urwerk


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[The Londonist]

Originally Posted by arbees319

That’s a fabulous beach - whereabouts is it?

Thanks

[cascavel]

Originally Posted by codecow

I only own one AP (black ceramic diver) and I bought it from DavidSW back in the day. The AP dealer by my house lost the brand, and now I’d have to go to LA or presumably Vegas which is where I originally looked at ROOs.

Last time I looked at AP at my old local dealer several years ago they had Royal Oaks sitting in the case. At that time they also sold FPJ and Richard Mille. Now they don’t even sell a single brand I would buy.

I found out my main AD for Rolex and Patek recently lost Patek where I had enough clout with them to get a couple application pieces. So that’s great… So I feel for folks who invested in the brand and are getting shafted. I have application pieces and have toured Patek but I’m now the same to them as anyone walking in off the street asking for a steel sports watch. Fortunately I am kind of at my endgame with them anyway and really what I want is a perpetual chronograph which makes no sense to buy from an AD anyway unless you want access to application pieces.

It kind of bums me out. I almost forgot that in addition to Patek they also lost ALS, so another brand I like I’m now in the back of the line with them as well.

The good news is Grand Seikos seem easy to get haha.

I feel your pain. I knew it was over for me when my ALS boutique turned me down for a stainless Odysseus on the first day that they were taking applications for them, supposedly, even though I'd purchased 3 watches from them previously. But I feel good about having turned my watch collecting into a spectator sport, I no longer suffer injuries (to my pride).

[Armis]

Originally Posted by cascavel

I feel your pain. I knew it was over for me when my ALS boutique turned me down for a stainless Odysseus on the first day that they were taking applications for them, supposedly, even though I'd purchased 3 watches from them previously. But I feel good about having turned my watch collecting into a spectator sport, I no longer suffer injuries (to my pride).

…nor to the wallet.

At least ALS showed the courtesy of taking your application, I hope.

[SRG89]

Originally Posted by cascavel

I feel your pain. I knew it was over for me when my ALS boutique turned me down for a stainless Odysseus on the first day that they were taking applications for them, supposedly, even though I'd purchased 3 watches from them previously. But I feel good about having turned my watch collecting into a spectator sport, I no longer suffer injuries (to my pride).

Sorry to hear that. I love the Odysseus myself and have actually thought about purchasing an up down with the idea it would lead to an Odysseus. I don't see how you wouldn't be considered with 3 watches under your belt.

This is where I'm falling out of love with this hobby. We all work hard for our money, we can no longer save up and purchase a watch to celebrate an occasion or milestone. The milestone is now being allocated the watch as someone in this forum rightly said.
I'm tired of brands gatekeeping certain models. I'm willing to guess the residuals on the 3 ALS you've bought are not what you purchased them for.
How many more models do they want you to buy (which you wouldn't necessarily want) just to get offered an Odysseus?
I'm purposely looking at brands now where their models have no waitlist and no bs attached.
I'll get welcomed with a smile at least!

[cascavel]

Originally Posted by Armis

…nor to the wallet.

At least ALS showed the courtesy of taking your application, I hope.

Actually, they were very nice about it, not making me go through the effort of filling out a lot of paperwork, and explaining that I wouldn't make the cut, at that point. I had been showing some interest in buying one of the black dial 1815 chronographs and was told that if I bundled that with the Odysseus, that might do the trick. As a comfort, my AD explained that the boutique's annual allocation of the Odysseus was already spoken for before the official release had been made and that anyone who was allowed to order one would be waiting at least a year. At that point I gave up my interest in acquiring new watches.
It really worked out for the best until some guy named Screwly began posting pics of his new RG Continuum and I began to experience that familiar craving. Fortunately, that's unobtaniuum, also.

[ts3]

Originally Posted by cascavel

It really worked out for the best until some guy named Screwly began posting pics of his new RG Continuum and I began to experience that familiar craving. Fortunately, that's unobtaniuum, also.

Seems like it. Inquired on the RG website about the grey dial bracelet model. No response whatsoever.

[cascavel]

Originally Posted by ts3

Seems like it. Inquired on the RG website about the grey dial bracelet model. No response whatsoever.

That's been my experience over the past four or five weeks. I've left at least four inquiries and zip, zero, zilch, nada nothing in the way of a response.
But it's better this way, for me, at least. I feel like the watch industry has dumped me and it gets confirmed when I attempt to make contact with them. There's no way in without spending $500,000 as an opener with AP, PP, RG, ALS, FPJ. But I really want to be over it and move on to other stuff.

[codecow]

Originally Posted by cascavel

I feel your pain. I knew it was over for me when my ALS boutique turned me down for a stainless Odysseus on the first day that they were taking applications for them, supposedly, even though I'd purchased 3 watches from them previously. But I feel good about having turned my watch collecting into a spectator sport, I no longer suffer injuries (to my pride).

I remember going to a Zoom announcement thing with ALS through my AD. Could have ordered one but with the round case to me it seemed like a trying to hard kind of cash in piece. I should have bought one anyway and stuck it in the bank safe.

[SRG89]

Originally Posted by cascavel

That's been my experience over the past four or five weeks. I've left at least four inquiries and zip, zero, zilch, nada nothing in the way of a response.
But it's better this way, for me, at least. I feel like the watch industry has dumped me and it gets confirmed when I attempt to make contact with them. There's no way in without spending $500,000 as an opener with AP, PP, RG, ALS, FPJ. But I really want to be over it and move on to other stuff.

PP is particularly annoying the way every single model seems pretty unobtainable.
I prefer steel Patek's in their dress models - partly due to the price being more accessible also. The new salmon dial world timer is approx £50k and i've been told no chance so what's the point!

What is the 'other stuff' you're looking at out of interest? JLC seems a no hype / wait brand. They do frustrate me with their finishing however

[codecow]

Originally Posted by cascavel

That's been my experience over the past four or five weeks. I've left at least four inquiries and zip, zero, zilch, nada nothing in the way of a response.
But it's better this way, for me, at least. I feel like the watch industry has dumped me and it gets confirmed when I attempt to make contact with them. There's no way in without spending $500,000 as an opener with AP, PP, RG, ALS, FPJ. But I really want to be over it and move on to other stuff.

I was pretty much out of it except I was in my AD buying jewelry and they showed me a DD40 I couldn’t pass on. Now after having been off the site here for a couple years I’m right back in.

[codecow]

Originally Posted by SRG89

PP is particularly annoying the way every single model seems pretty unobtainable.
I prefer steel Patek's in their dress models - partly due to the price being more accessible also. The new salmon dial world timer is approx £50k and i've been told no chance so what's the point!

What is the 'other stuff' you're looking at out of interest? JLC seems a no hype / wait brand. They do frustrate me with their finishing however

+1. I really want to like JLC but when I have tried them on there’s always something not quite right about them.

[SRG89]

Originally Posted by codecow

+1. I really want to like JLC but when I have tried them on there’s always something not quite right about them.

What frustrates me most is they can make stuff that blows most brands out of the water and it doesn't make it's way into their regular production models.
They're showing us Ferrari's and selling us Fiat's

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by cascavel

I feel like the watch industry has dumped me and it gets confirmed when I attempt to make contact with them. There's no way in without spending $500,000 as an opener with AP, PP, RG, ALS, FPJ.

For this, and some of the other "Goodbye AP" post in this thread, I'm curious what the goal was? Certainly one doesn't need to spend $500k to secure an allocation of a standard production RO or ROC. At that level, and with some patience (measured in years, not weeks), a steel Jumbo or open worked or a somewhat limited few-hundred piece LE, would be in the cards. If on the other hand the object of desire is something truly low production (like an RD3, tourbillon openworked or ceramic openworked QP), one needs to be realistic about one's place in the food chain. If a boutique get's one piece a year for a watch that 10 of their best customers with 7-figure+ spent have asked for, then not being considered for it is not a personal slight.

[codecow]

Originally Posted by SRG89

What frustrates me most is they can make stuff that blows most brands out of the water and it doesn't make it's way into their regular production models.
They're showing us Ferrari's and selling us Fiat's

Yeah. I really wanted to like the black dial perpetual they put out a couple years ago at a good price point. I forget where I was when I handled it but you could feel the price point in the dial finishing especially. There are plenty of $3000 watches with nicer looking dial finishes IMHO.

Back on AP I checked a couple gray market spots and man it’s not like it used to be. Super inflated prices for stuff that used to go under MSRP new in box sealed.

[SRG89]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

For this, and some of the other "Goodbye AP" post in this thread, I'm curious what the goal was? Certainly one doesn't need to spend $500k to secure an allocation of a standard production RO or ROC. At that level, and with some patience (measured in years, not weeks), a steel Jumbo or open worked or a somewhat limited few-hundred piece LE, would be in the cards. If on the other hand the object of desire is something truly low production (like an RD3, tourbillon openworked or ceramic openworked QP), one needs to be realistic about one's place in the food chain. If a boutique get's one piece a year for a watch that 10 of their best customers with 7-figure+ spent have asked for, then not being considered for it is not a personal slight.

One example I could give is with Patek - I know of multiple people being quote 5-6 years for a 6119 Calatrava at the London Boutique. Bearing in mind you're only allowed to register for one watch at a time with them - where do you go with that?

[cascavel]

Originally Posted by SRG89

PP is particularly annoying the way every single model seems pretty unobtainable.
I prefer steel Patek's in their dress models - partly due to the price being more accessible also. The new salmon dial world timer is approx £50k and i've been told no chance so what's the point!

What is the 'other stuff' you're looking at out of interest? JLC seems a no hype / wait brand. They do frustrate me with their finishing however

The other stuff is antique firearms which were not doable when I lived in NYC. In New Mexico it's a different story. I've sold a few of my watches to pay for them and it's been a pleasure taking advantage of the disparity between the prices of wrist watches and everything else. Some of the people I've met in the antique firearms biz complain vociferously because the prices of some of the things they want to buy are up 15-20% over the last three years.

[mykii]

Originally Posted by SRG89

One example I could give is with Patek - I know of multiple people being quote 5-6 years for a 6119 Calatrava at the London Boutique. Bearing in mind you're only allowed to register for one watch at a time with them - where do you go with that?

Simple - request a watch you actually want. If you're not into a Calatrava, Patek probably isn't the brand for you. A Calatrava is the quintessential, one and done, Patek.

But yes, I hear you, and feel similarly, albeit more about other brands - including AP if I am to be frank.

[cascavel]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

For this, and some of the other "Goodbye AP" post in this thread, I'm curious what the goal was? Certainly one doesn't need to spend $500k to secure an allocation of a standard production RO or ROC. At that level, and with some patience (measured in years, not weeks), a steel Jumbo or open worked or a somewhat limited few-hundred piece LE, would be in the cards. If on the other hand the object of desire is something truly low production (like an RD3, tourbillon openworked or ceramic openworked QP), one needs to be realistic about one's place in the food chain. If a boutique get's one piece a year for a watch that 10 of their best customers with 7-figure+ spent have asked for, then not being considered for it is not a personal slight.

The truth is, I'm happy not to be in the scrum trying to get any watch at all. My recent flirtation with the Continuum, although brief, reminded me of how much I dislike having to pursue a particular piece. Figuring out how to open the door to a watchmaker is draining. I like simple, low complication watches from high end brands and those have become the "loyalty reward" pieces.
Participating on the Forum is enough wrist watch entertainment for me at the moment.

[dauster]

Originally Posted by cascavel

The truth is, I'm happy not to be in the scrum trying to get any watch at all. My recent flirtation with the Continuum, although brief, reminded me of how much I dislike having to pursue a particular piece. Figuring out how to open the door to a watchmaker is draining. I like simple, low complication watches from high end brands and those have become the "loyalty reward" pieces.
Participating on the Forum is enough wrist watch entertainment for me at the moment.

What’s the Continuum ?


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[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by dauster

What’s the Continuum ?

This, presumably: https://www.romaingauthier.com/continuum

[Screwly]

Originally Posted by cascavel

The truth is, I'm happy not to be in the scrum trying to get any watch at all. My recent flirtation with the Continuum, although brief, reminded me of how much I dislike having to pursue a particular piece. Figuring out how to open the door to a watchmaker is draining. I like simple, low complication watches from high end brands and those have become the "loyalty reward" pieces.
Participating on the Forum is enough wrist watch entertainment for me at the moment.

What happened with your continuum quest?


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[dauster]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

This, presumably: https://www.romaingauthier.com/continuum

Got it thanks never heard of it - interesting


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