Recent experience w/ AP waiting time

[flal]

I finally gave up on Rolex. I love the pieces I have, but I can’t pay gray market markup for a Pepsi out of principle, and it looks like there is no end in sight for waiting with my AD who I’ve got solid history with.

I’ve wanted a black dial RO for a while now, and finally expressed interest at a local boutique for a 15500. The SA was quite pleasant and said he’d try to get me one before a fairly major life event I’m trying to commemorate in 6+ months. I’ve got no prior history with the boutique.

I posted about my predicament before, but never really explicitly asked what experiences have been like with AP wait times. I know the blue dial is hard to get, but is it a realistic expectation to get a black dial 15500 in 6 months or so? I’m not familiar with the AP market at all, so any insight would be helpful. Not sure if asking for the watch I want is like showing up fresh asking for a Pepsi or Daytona. Thanks!

[AshAP]

In the UK it would probably be doable but can’t comment on US market.


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[maciej]

It’s attainable, make sure your SA filled out your profile thoroughly as that will help immensely.

[flal]

Originally Posted by maciej

It’s attainable, make sure your SA filled out your profile thoroughly as that will help immensely.

That’s promising. What do you mean by thoroughly? Don’t quite follow.

[RHIII]

That is a watch that should be attainable with not much wait time.

No - it’s not like walking in and asking for a Daytona or a BLRO. That would be asking for a 15202 or perhaps a blue dial 15500.

The black dials are the ones that are quite a bit easier to source from and AD or boutique.

Not sure where you’re located - but I was chatting with my AP AD a cpl weeks ago and they were quite optimistic on inventory this new year.

Good luck!!


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[AshAP]

AP are increasing production by around 15% this year.


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[macrowatch]

Think odds are pretty good if east coast boutique. Not so sure with West Coast IMO.

[Patton250]

I put my name in the hat for a black dial 15500 at an AD. Within eight weeks I heard from them. I just can’t bring myself to pay 24K for a watch I literally paid 13K for 2 1/2 years ago. The AP 15500/15400/15300 is a stunning piece but not worth 20K+ IMHO. However if the AD knows you’re serious and you keep following up with them and stopping by from time to time I guarantee you will get one. Good luck.

[Skyrider01]

In February of last year, I asked to be put on the list for a grey 15500ST at the Bal Harbor boutique. I was told that it would be at least a year before I could get one and that they were taking care of their existing customers first. They asked for my contact info and said they would get back to me.

3 months later, I received an email saying they could allocate one for me and if I was still interested, to put down a deposit. I was told at that point it would take a month or two to get it. It arrived a week later.

What helped was the fact that I live locally, and the people ahead of me on the list whom they had called were not able to pick up the watch as many were away for summer vacation. And they need to move the pieces to get new stock.

Incidentally, they also had a black one available when I went to pick up my grey one.

[GB-man]

You should be good. Black/grey 15500 is more like asking for a 116610LN.

[PJ S]

Originally Posted by AshAP

AP are increasing production by around 15% this year.

That’s a hell of a jump, and would take them to 50K pieces.
I hope that as well as extra watchmakers/finishers, they’ll have also invested in extra QC assessors too.