Bit of a long read. Sorry

So I’ve always read those stories about sales staff pushing towards certain watches that they either get the best commission from, or you bu to start the relationship with the brand/AD.
Yesterday it happened to me.

I went to a flagship boutique by a certain brand from the Holy Trinity, having secured appointment about 4 months ago (covid etc).
I went there to talk about possibly getting a watch from them, of course not the top one, but a mid range from their brand.

The sales person came in with 2 watches that she only had to sell. One was a bi-metal, the other one was the very “marmite”kind of watch that has divided the whole #watchfam

After exchanging maybe 3 words with me, she told me that the watch I’ve described was that “marmite” one, that was way too large for my skinny wrist (41mm that wore much bigger) even though I told her that it looked quite hideous on my wrist.

I know my place in the food chain and I know that I need to build up a relationship with the AD. But clearly sales people have been given a task of showing max 2 pieces to a customer and forcing them to buy one of them...

Felt really forced and to be honest with the brand cancelling their Authorised Dealerships, I think within few years I’d have to go back to them as that would be the only way of getting their pieces.

Are they aware that it is more financially savvy to actually buy the stuff I like from a grey dealer? Why would I buy something that I don’t like and take a hit of at least £15k?

.

By: PalmSprings : April 22nd, 2021-01:08

Which watch? It's the internet.

I know it’s the internet, but I don’t think the name of the brand is relevant. It’s the behaviour of the staff that is important

By: StanWok : April 22nd, 2021-01:23

..

By: PalmSprings : April 22nd, 2021-05:09

I was just wondering in regards to the brand, I had no idea which type of watch was discussed. If it's AP it makes sense.

Size wise, marmite, Holy Trinity?, seems like it's the AP 11.59😉

By: Gelato Monster : April 22nd, 2021-01:30

No message body

Please advise and concur, Nor deny here 😉. (To not deny something exact specific)

I didn’t look at that watch too closely as it was nearly a midday.

By: StanWok : April 22nd, 2021-02:15

Personally I felt more warmth with

By: Gelato Monster : April 22nd, 2021-02:22

PP and VC. Just my 2 cents Please dont get me wrong their original is absolutely awesome and eternally beautiful

Ah, I will ask to my lawyer, then. ;)

By: amanico : April 22nd, 2021-03:52

😂 😂

By: Gelato Monster : April 22nd, 2021-04:43

I had the odd experience of visiting a boutique on Sunday on the grounds of looking to secure some of the new Rolex allocations only for the sales guy to initially push a steel Seadweller and a white gold Yachtmaster as immediately available.

By: CGJ0 : April 22nd, 2021-01:12

You do sometimes wonder if these sales people actually listen to their clients.... if they were so keen to shift those models you would have thought they’d have placed in the window....

I think they have a sales plan. That’s all they worry about. Telling me how lucky I was to even try that monstrosity of a watch...

By: StanWok : April 22nd, 2021-01:57

perhaps because its designed to capture different

By: Gelato Monster : April 22nd, 2021-02:20

type customer who likes round case while maintaining its character of maximalist with touch of extroversion .

I totally agree with you. The last time I bought something from a Boutique was at least ten years ago. I prefer dealing with some watch dealers or even better, collectors.

By: amanico : April 22nd, 2021-01:40

Nothing new under the sun, mon ami... alas. Best, Nicolas

I do agree the best experience is to transact with another proper collector...

By: pfang56 : April 22nd, 2021-05:30

How do you deal with newly released models? Sadly it seems newly released models go sometimes to the wrong hands. But it's always a thrill to see some collectors posting here being one of the first to receive the new piece, who have built history with a m...

Well, for new models, I am waiting... As for the collectors network, we have a good one, here.

By: amanico : April 22nd, 2021-18:14

No way

By: xxcesar : April 22nd, 2021-02:47

In business, I do not befriend people for business, that I do not like. Why on earth would I do that in my private life to buy a watch? Tricky trade off for me: is this set of rules from the maker bad enough, so that I do not want to buy one of their prod...

I think for PP and AP this dilemma is consistent...

By: pfang56 : April 22nd, 2021-04:02

The watches that are available - are typically ones that are less desirable on the secondary market or on the wrists of people. Not so different for desirable items from Ferrari, Hermes, RM, and other Companies that have this kind of stock. Part of the be...

This is good advice

By: jmpTT : April 22nd, 2021-04:21

Grey market or secondary market are not bad things. Paying above MSRP for something that you cannot buy otherwise is fine. Your time is worth something.

There are a lot of people who derive utility from this type of purchasing experience

By: jmpTT : April 22nd, 2021-04:09

There are lots of us who will buy models we don’t particularly like, in order to earn the favour required to purchase models we do like. We often do consider the challenge of acquisition and a watch having surplus value on the grey market to be desirable ...

To get one, must buy two?

By: piccolochimico (aka dsgalaxy1) : April 22nd, 2021-04:15

Likely one (of two) that I don't like either? Apparently this is the new commercial policy for several brands, as it comes from purists tales. Buy a code to get a Royal Oak. Spend tons of money if you want an Odysseus. Etc etc Are you looking for a Royal ...

Buy three Patek still not get a Nautilus...

By: pfang56 : April 22nd, 2021-04:33

Buy a preowned and a Ferrari Roma, get a SF90? Buy 10 scarves, 10 ties, get a Birkin? This is the norm for better or worse... I do agree wholeheartedly - I've been looking a lot more at VC and Bvlgari, and even better - MB and F or Urwerk If I don't hear ...

Luxury, they say.

By: piccolochimico (aka dsgalaxy1) : April 22nd, 2021-05:21

Just expensive items, I reply. Never forget that they don't make us a favor by selling their stuff, I need to work had to pay my toys. Life is short (not too short hopefully) and I think it's a waste of time just following trends and tide. Of course anyon...

Horological Meandering