In this candid post, WatchProSite member sham1 shares his recent experience navigating the challenging acquisition process for an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. His journey, which involves considering a Code 11.59 to build a purchase history, offers a fascinating look into the current luxury watch market dynamics and the lengths collectors may go to secure a coveted timepiece. sham1's reflections on personal values versus market realities provide valuable insights for both seasoned collectors and newcomers alike.
Today I dropped by at the Audemars Piguet boutique in Kuala Lumpur in hope of meeting the sales person who has not replied my whatsapp messages or phone calls since the launch of the 50th anniversary models. I did not have the required appointment but I did manage to meet him and he managed to squeeze me in before his next appointment. After apologising profusely for his non communication (the usual dead busy excuse was used more than once), I went on to ask him what the possibility was to secure a Royal Oak in 37mm with the light blue dial. Now it is worth noting here that not only have I never owned an Audemars Piguet but I have never even owned a bracelet watch as I tend to be partial to dress watches with a leather strap. So me wanting a Royal Oak would be an acquisition of mega proportions. The salesman said it might be years before I was allocated a piece unless I built a profile with the company. Now ordinarily, I would frown on having to purchase a watch before being allowed to buy another. This practise just does not seem right or fair to the customer. But for once, I decided to bend my own rules and after viewing a couple of watches - a Royal Oak off shore and a Code 11.59 with a blue dial, I decided to place an order for the latter and also for the coveted Royal Oak with the light blue dial.
To be honest the Code 11.59 is not an unattractive watch and apparently, it too has a waiting list. It seems strange, does it not, that one has to wait for the watch that will allow one to be fast tracked to buy what one really wants! Perhaps one can argue that Audemars Piguet do not really have slow moving stock so they are asking the customer to build a profile not because they need to sell a particular range. Anyway, I hope the wait for both watches will not be too long (too long for me is anything more than 3 years). I guess the moral of the story here is that we all have values but sometimes, we might need to be flexible with these values to attain a certain goal.
The Code 11.59 in my chosen colour.
My dream Royal Oak
The movement now has a 70 hour power reserve
Fits perfectly I think!
