Audemars Piguet

I usually visit London at least two times a year, however I have never deared to contact the boutique. I have been on the outside of the establishment several times but my Scandiavian mind hindered me from taking action as I am not overly fond of glamour or feeling "special" with being served champagne, chocolate and all that nonsense. 
However this time around I sent an email and started a dialog before arriving in London this october. The sales associate could of course not guarantee any time piece, but I voiced my interested in the khaki green Offshore Diver collection and the highly coveted 15500 in grey, and he booked my appointment. 

When I arrived at the boutique, it was the boutique manager and not the sales associate who greeted me. Now, I am not sure who makes the decisions between the sales associate and boutique manager, but I hope and think I made an impression on her. I should mention that my girlfriend accompanied me and without her I would be a stressed mess. 
The boutique manager informed me that they had one time piece, the 26238TI but there was a client who had been offered this piece beforehand. She told me that if he declined the offer, they would contact me. I appreciated the courtesy but I gathered that there was zero to no chance in hel that it would happen. Besides, we were leaving in three days so I didnt feel like luck would be on my side. 

We left the boutique and I put the idea of owning a Audemars Piguet out of my mind. 

Next day the sales associate called and urged me to come to the boutique. Safe to say we hurried to the boutique where I was offered the 26238TI and 26420TI. Having an affinity for green but also a love for anything red, white and blue(my nations colours), it was a hard choice. The associate said I could take both of them, however my bank allows be only a finite sum to be paid per day. It was the khaki green dial that won out and I do not regret it. Only regret was not getting the 26420TI as well. 

The associate registered my other interests as well and said he would be in touch. This being in London, I do think the chance is quite slim that I would be allocated a Diver or Royal Oak, so I want to branch out a bit with other boutiques. However, my experience with this boutique and the manager and associate was beyond my wildest dreams. They were genuine, kind and down to earth. 

During my conversation with both of them I pointed out that I am not going to buy to sell, which is true. I wish to build a collection I can pass on to my future children. I also mentioned that I have had the opportunity to buy used time pieces on the marked, but I refrained from doing so as I first off do not want to pay a premium and I want unused and clean - not that this is the case with ever markedbought time piece, but I want to establish a relationship with a boutique and become a customer, a client. 

General thoughts and future collectables:

The watch itself is restrained and subtle yet powerful. The dial is outstanding, the tapered lines are immaculate, shape, mega tapisserie and the weight of it all is just magnificent. Speaking of weight, you can barely feel it. And I absolutely adore the fact that it has interchangeable strap system which is a clever move by AP. The subdials at 6, 9 and 12 does not bother me at all but I do see the harmony in having them at 3,6 and 9. The pushers are rounded plastic which works fine but I do wish they had changed it to chamfer as I think it is a better look for the Offshore. Something akin to the pushers used on the Royal Oak Chronograph would be a great look too. 

I must confess that the Royal Oak is not that high on my list as it once were. Sizing wise and the overall look of the Offshore is just right for me but dont get me wrong - I still want a grey Royal Oak, however the Diver is still on the very top of my list in either in blue or grey. Following is the 26420TI which was magnificent. And I would love to get the 26480TI as I do think this watch is the progenitor for the current Offshore collection, sizing and titanium casing-wise. 

I must confess that I was not one for chronographs beforehand and that has now changed. I enjoy how the subdials helps out fill the entire dial to make it a bit more busy. And speaking of busy - I think the 15500 looks a bit empty compared to the 15400 without the redundant "automatic". Maybe controversial but its how I feel. 

I also have a newfound appreciation for the Royal Oak Chronograph collection - I think I might prefer it to the 15500 if I am honest. The pusher/screws just gives it this industrial look that is just marvelous!

I came expecting nothing yet I left with a good experience, memory and an outstanding time piece that I shall never part with.