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

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 behaviour may be bad service, but honestly there is a lot of flipping and grey market dealing going on that the brands want to build a long term relationship. Don't forget these companies could make more money simply by raising their prices for more desirable models to grey market prices, but they don't on purpose to create this artificial demand. For instance - Practically any AP RO in stainless or Gold is selling at equal or higher than retail (even some CODE models much to chagrin of detractors) so I can get where they come from.

Furthermore, if you speak about AP and/or Patek - I've found that depending on Region, supply of models has been either extremely good, or extremely bad given the disruptions in watchmakers and suppliers actually being able to go to work.

If value or supply is your thinking, the grey market could be a suggestion to start - and then use that as a way to strike a real interest in a brand when you meet them. Sometimes it's good to enter a branded shop with a brand on your wrist!

Good luck

Peter

💰228 Marketplace Listings for Richard Mille›

Bit of a long read. Sorry

By: StanWok : April 22nd, 2021-00:59

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 certa...

.

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

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

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

Bit of a long read. Sorry

.

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

..

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

I cannot confirm nor deny :)

Nor deny 😂

Counselor Vlad

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

Personally I felt more warmth with

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

😂 😂

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.

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...

perhaps because its designed to capture different

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.

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

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

No way

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

This is good advice

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

To get one, must buy two?

Buy three Patek still not get a Nautilus...

Luxury, they say.

Indeed...these days priorities are family and health...

Outside VC these are not worthy alternatives to a RO

Can you explain why?

Bulgari and GP are not considered brands on the same level

Caveat Emptor

I have a story, too!