DC's last AP AD to close

[phalen302]

Originally Posted by psv

DC Metro area is extremely conservative and "small town-ish" when it comes to watches, or pretty much anything that can be construed as a display of wealth/success - apart from houses! The bigger, the better!

I owned a gold GMT for a short while - my wife hated it, it just doesn't work in DC.

+1 DC Metro is very conservative. I have seen PP around (fits the town culture). I think I am the only one with Gold Sub in Loudoun county and i love it could be wrong

[improviz]

Originally Posted by phalen302

AP I series are sitting on AD shelf or on sale on various websites w/ good discounts. Have you seen any one purchasing an AP at face value? or 5-10% discount? Discounts are more like 25-30% range for new on sale by trusted sellers i.e. Davidsw...wonder what they pay for it?

Expensive watches always get heavier discounts, even Rolexes. Very very few watches are sold at MSRP, some of the Rolex SS models and PP SS Nautilus being the rare exception to this. Higher-priced Rolexes are discounted as well, did you pay full MSRP for your gold piece? If so you got ripped off bigtime.

For example, here's a BNIB Rolex 116118LB Sub, MSRP = $34,250, selling for $25,525, a hefty discount of 25%. Wonder what he paid for it?
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=517841

Here's a BNIB Skydweller 326925, MSRP = $48,850, selling for $34,975, a discount of 28.5%. Etc...plenty of examples, so please, singling out AP as a brand is lame.
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f30/fso...d-3625450.html

[phalen302]

Originally Posted by improviz

Expensive watches always get heavier discounts, even Rolexes. Very very few watches are sold at MSRP, some of the Rolex SS models and PP SS Nautilus being the rare exception to this. Higher-priced Rolexes are discounted as well, did you pay full MSRP for your gold piece? If so you got ripped off bigtime.

For example, here's a BNIB Rolex 116118LB Sub, MSRP = $34,250, selling for $25,525, a hefty discount of 25%. Wonder what he paid for it?
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=517841

Here's a BNIB Skydweller 326925, MSRP = $48,850, selling for $34,975, a discount of 28.5%. Etc...plenty of examples, so please, singling out AP as a brand is lame.
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f30/fso...d-3625450.html

Good point. Almost every AP is discounted by 15-20% or greater, and only few Rolex are. Thought it was common sense, we are all adults and smart gentlemen here. This is not new stuff and I will end it there.

[improviz]

Originally Posted by phalen302

Good point. Almost every AP is discounted by 15-20% or greater, and only few Rolex are. Thought it was common sense, we are all adults and smart gentlemen here. This is not new stuff and I will end it there.

Umm, no, I just don't have the time nor the inclination to go find data on every Rolex that sells for less than MSRP. But aside from Subs, Daytonas, and GMTIIs, pretty much everything in the lineup can be had at a discount.

Here are a few more examples, and I'll call it a day.
BNIB Yachtmaster II 116680, MSRP = $18,750, selling at $14,355. Discount = 24%.
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=515714

Since I'm limited on time, I'll just provide stuff from Swissluxury.com's site on Rolexes. Basically every model I list below is in the 15% range for SS models, and closer to 20% for TT and Gold models.
Sea-Dweller: 14%
https://www.swissluxury.com/rolex-wa...ea-dweller.htm

Sea-Dweller Deepsea: 11%:
https://www.swissluxury.com/rolex-wa...ea-dweller.htm

Sky-Dweller: 19%:
https://www.swissluxury.com/rolex-wa...ky-dweller.htm

Milgauss: 16%:
https://www.swissluxury.com/rolex-watches-milgauss.htm

Yacht-Master: 18%+ on SS, 14% on TT, and 17% on gold models:
https://www.swissluxury.com/rolex-wa...d-platinum.htm

Date-Just II: 9% SS, 11% TT, and this is a relatively new model:
https://www.swissluxury.com/rolex-wa...st-ii-41mm.htm

Day-Date: 18%:
https://www.swissluxury.com/rolex-wa...ay-date-40.htm

Note that these are at an online retailer, whose discounts are not as good as what can be had here from trusted sellers, so all of these could be had at deeper discounts in our forum, but I'm not going to waste any more time proving you wrong. It is not a "select few" Rolexes that are discounted, it is all of them except for Sub, GMTIIc blue, and Daytona SS.

Also there are similar higher-demand, rarer models in AP lineup on which you won't find any discounts, do a bit of research before you come in here trolling with that junk.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by jem7v

Again as I said before. DC is very conservative. They don't buy AP. I think I've seen like 3 AP in the wild in my life in this area. One was 44RG, the very first one I saw was the previous openworked 39mm, and maybe 3 weeks ago I saw a guy with a safari.

We are the only area in the US where you pay 2m for a row house/condo that is an old piece of sh** and people actually prefer it to a modern/contemporary home.

And that goes for Bethesda and Potomac in Maryland as well. At least in VA if you pay that kind of money you get something nice.

Well actually in New York you can get an old piece of sh** condo for 2m, but at least in NY you make money on it. Where as in DC you make nothing unless you sit on it for 10 years.

Nah there are plenty of other markets where people pay that kind of money for row houses. Brooklyn, Chicago, SF to name a few.

[phalen302]

Originally Posted by improviz

Umm, no, I just don't have the time nor the inclination to go find data on every Rolex that sells for less than MSRP. But aside from Subs, Daytonas, and GMTIIs, pretty much everything in the lineup can be had at a discount.

Here are a few more examples, and I'll call it a day.
BNIB Yachtmaster II 116680, MSRP = $18,750, selling at $14,355. Discount = 24%.
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=515714

Since I'm limited on time, I'll just provide stuff from Swissluxury.com's site on Rolexes. Basically every model I list below is in the 15% range for SS models, and closer to 20% for TT and Gold models.
Sea-Dweller: 14%
https://www.swissluxury.com/rolex-wa...ea-dweller.htm

Sea-Dweller Deepsea: 11%:
https://www.swissluxury.com/rolex-wa...ea-dweller.htm

Sky-Dweller: 19%:
https://www.swissluxury.com/rolex-wa...ky-dweller.htm

Milgauss: 16%:
https://www.swissluxury.com/rolex-watches-milgauss.htm

Yacht-Master: 18%+ on SS, 14% on TT, and 17% on gold models:
https://www.swissluxury.com/rolex-wa...d-platinum.htm

Date-Just II: 9% SS, 11% TT, and this is a relatively new model:
https://www.swissluxury.com/rolex-wa...st-ii-41mm.htm

Day-Date: 18%:
https://www.swissluxury.com/rolex-wa...ay-date-40.htm

Note that these are at an online retailer, whose discounts are not as good as what can be had here from trusted sellers, so all of these could be had at deeper discounts in our forum, but I'm not going to waste any more time proving you wrong. It is not a "select few" Rolexes that are discounted, it is all of them except for Sub, GMTIIc blue, and Daytona SS.

Also there are similar higher-demand, rarer models in AP lineup on which you won't find any discounts, do a bit of research before you come in here trolling with that junk.

Ok. Don't mean to hurt your feelings, sorry. Why don't you list out AP examples as well while you at it. You are doing a great job of convincing me.

[jem7v]

Originally Posted by psv

DC Metro area is extremely conservative and "small town-ish" when it comes to watches, or pretty much anything that can be construed as a display of wealth/success - apart from houses! The bigger, the better!

I owned a gold GMT for a short while - my wife hated it, it just doesn't work in DC.

Even if the house is big the inside is usually old as hell lol.

[jem7v]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Nah there are plenty of other markets where people pay that kind of money for row houses. Brooklyn, Chicago, SF to name a few.

Brooklyn and Chicago though they update it and they are modern. Here the older the better!! Maybe the senators, lawyers, who ever that are paying for them think it makes them feel more American or in touch with old American culture haha.

[improviz]

Originally Posted by phalen302

Ok. Don't mean to hurt your feelings, sorry. Why don't you list out AP examples as well while you at it. You are doing a great job of convincing me.

Staying what should be obvious: I didn't post that to convince you of anything, I posted it to show that you are very factually challenged.

[dchang81]

Originally Posted by improviz

Staying what should be obvious: I didn't post that to convince you of anything, I posted it to show that you are very factually challenged.

not sure why you are even bothering. credibility out the window saying that AP is an expensive breitling. and followup posts with false claims.

[soundserious]

Originally Posted by phalen302

AP overall is becoming an expensive Breitling, consumers don't buy it till it is heavily discounted.

No surprise that they are losing the AP license, demand is weak and incentives are not that great.

Interesting observation actually.

[improviz]

I guess if you consider trolling to be interesting, it would qualify...

[jem7v]

Originally Posted by soundserious

Interesting observation actually.

Not sure I'd compare a company that has been around for as long or has the history in watchmaking as AP has with breitling and their tacky designs.

I'd say rolex is more appropriate to say is an expensive breitling. This guy just seems bitter towards AP. Maybe the price point is too high to play?

[Rmoor]

Breitling has been around for almost as long as AP as far as I know. I may be wrong but that wouldn't be the first time lol

Originally Posted by jem7v

Not sure I'd compare a company that has been around for as long or has the history in watchmaking as AP has with breitling and their tacky designs.

I'd say rolex is more appropriate to say is an expensive breitling. This guy just seems bitter towards AP. Maybe the price point is too high to play?

[phalen302]

boom! (with my old TT) waiting for ghini to return from service...gold sub pic coming soon.

Guys don't be so sensitive. I don't give a 2cents.

[phalen302]

And it was a beautiful day in DC yesterday...with the Solid Gold Sub

[dchang81]

keep up the stereotypes

[jem7v]

Originally Posted by phalen302

boom! (with my old TT) waiting for ghini to return from service...gold sub pic coming soon.

Guys don't be so sensitive. I don't give a 2cents.

Did you just call a lamborghini a ghini? Yea........you sure you didn't just snap this in the dealership service bay of someone else's car?

[improviz]

Tai? Tai Lopez, is it really you?

[phalen302]

Originally Posted by jem7v

Did you just call a lamborghini a ghini? Yea........you sure you didn't just snap this in the dealership service bay of someone else's car?

Lol God bless you.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by phalen302

AP overall is becoming an expensive Breitling, consumers don't buy it till it is heavily discounted.

No surprise that they are losing the AP license, demand is weak and incentives are not that great.

A bit harsh perhaps?

[bayerische]

The problem with never having any "decent" stock to sell is also true for the AP AD in Helsinki. Never any true sports models, say Divers. And very rarely even ROO. Some lady models (poor sellers) and PM RO's. It has come to the point AP's display is at the very back of the store, and I walk by the store 99 times out of a hundred, because I know what is in stock.

This indicates to me AP is going more the way of Patek. They try to eliminate huge pileups of watches at AD's who get strung for cash and liquidate with hefty discounts just to free up cash and get rid of inventory.

I do not see any similarities with Breitling.

[911Cab]

Originally Posted by psv

Thanks for filling that in, Daniel. Yes, inventory on the sought-after model was always a challenge for Lenkersdorfer.

I wonder who could fill their shoes? Tiny Jewel box just got Patek to round out their Rolex, Cartier, JLC, and IWC collection. Tourneau is up for sale and doing really poorly so that would be out of the question. Maybe Radcliffe up in Towson, MD?

Come to think of it, there is Blancpain AD in the area either...

The business plan is to open boutiques, either owned by AP or in partnership, like they've done in LV with Westime. This way they control discounts & allocations.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[psv]

Guys, let's play nice with each other. Respect!

I think AP is moving towards boutiques as well, I just don't see one coming to the DC area any time soon so it is a bit odd to close down the only AD in the area covering over 5M people and some of the richest areas in USA (Arlington, VA; Great Falls, VA, McLean, VA; Louden, VA; Potomac, MD, Bethesda, MD, Northwest DC; etc
http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/r...ed-states.html

[benlee]

Originally Posted by bayerische

The problem with never having any "decent" stock to sell is also true for the AP AD in Helsinki. Never any true sports models, say Divers. And very rarely even ROO. Some lady models (poor sellers) and PM RO's. It has come to the point AP's display is at the very back of the store, and I walk by the store 99 times out of a hundred, because I know what is in stock.

This indicates to me AP is going more the way of Patek. They try to eliminate huge pileups of watches at AD's who get strung for cash and liquidate with hefty discounts just to free up cash and get rid of inventory.

I do not see any similarities with Breitling.

Originally Posted by psv

Guys, let's play nice with each other. Respect!

I think AP is moving towards boutiques as well, I just don't see one coming to the DC area any time soon so it is a bit odd to close down the only AD in the area covering over 5M people and some of the richest areas in USA (Arlington, VA; Great Falls, VA, McLean, VA; Louden, VA; Potomac, MD, Bethesda, MD, Northwest DC; etc
http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/r...ed-states.html

This has already taken place long ago over here in Asia. Boutique gets all the best sought after pieces while AD gets all the unpopular ones.

[psv]

Originally Posted by benlee

This has already taken place long ago over here in Asia. Boutique gets all the best sought after pieces while AD gets all the unpopular ones.

Exactly. Omega does the same thing, sending unwanted mass-produced cr-p to the ADs while keeping the Snoopy and #SpeedyTuesday to boutiques, and now online (after the Snoopy fiasco).

[racer24]

I agree. from the conversations I had with my sales guy, seems like AP is definitely moving towards boutiques. that way, they will have much better control of pricing/discount. I personally like this approach. I don't mind spending 30+K on a watch I love, but it bothers me when I am told that so and so got the same watch 20+K. to me, moving towards boutiques will be better for both new owners and existing owners. also, I will be shocked if AD will eliminate its presence completely between north carolina and phil. as Patrick stated, we have 2 of the top ten richest counties in the states, montgomery and fairfax county, plus huge amount of foreign money.

[racer24]

Originally Posted by psv

Guys, let's play nice with each other. Respect!

I think AP is moving towards boutiques as well, I just don't see one coming to the DC area any time soon so it is a bit odd to close down the only AD in the area covering over 5M people and some of the richest areas in USA (Arlington, VA; Great Falls, VA, McLean, VA; Louden, VA; Potomac, MD, Bethesda, MD, Northwest DC; etc
http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/r...ed-states.html

OMG. Loudoun is the #1 and Howard is #3 ? this gotta be a huge mistake. LOL where is orange county CA?

[jem7v]

Originally Posted by racer24

I agree. from the conversations I had with my sales guy, seems like AP is definitely moving towards boutiques. that way, they will have much better control of pricing/discount. I personally like this approach. I don't mind spending 30+K on a watch I love, but it bothers me when I am told that so and so got the same watch 20+K. to me, moving towards boutiques will be better for both new owners and existing owners. also, I will be shocked if AD will eliminate its presence completely between north carolina and phil. as Patrick stated, we have 2 of the top ten richest counties in the states, montgomery and fairfax county, plus huge amount of foreign money.

I like this approach assuming they aren't greedy little f**kers. Because I really hate it when I buy a watch and someone else gets a significantly better deal.

That's why I always end up bargain hunting since I trade out of my stuff often. It's just a waste of money if I don't.

In an ideal world I'd like majority of AP/Patek watches to be like the nautilus or the SS daytona. Essentially you may get 1-5% discount if any at all, and when you go to resell you maybe lose another 5% on top. Keep supply low, demand high, price reasonable and you'll sell the watches forever. And there isn't a single person on this planet who will not become more attracted to the brand because they know value is always in it.

[phalen302]

Originally Posted by racer24

OMG. Loudoun is the #1 and Howard is #3 ? this gotta be a huge mistake. LOL where is orange county CA?

I'm trying to generate some excitement in Loudoun County Too conservative here