The Watch Appreciation Thread (Reviews and Photos of Men's Timepieces by Rolex, Patek Philippe, Brei

[linstar]

In all seriousness, I think you should take the AD offer. Unless you would consider used anyway, chances are yoy could shave, say, a thousand bucks tops if you chase aruond the world. But that's a serious purchase, and I think if I were signing that cheque, I'd keep the warranty and the dealer relationship for the sake of, what, 7%?

Each to his own: I'd take a jump on a scruffy second hander for a big discount, but for a relatively small difference on a new beauty, I think the peace of mind has enough inherent value.

P.S. I really think it's stunning.

Well I would be searching for another watch from an AD as well, not from a sketchy source so would be looking for a brand new one with warranty. Forgot to mention that the offer from the current AD is not local as well, so the relationship isn't really pertinent. Assuming the retail price is the same as in the US in Tokyo, napkin math indicates a final price of somewhere between 11-12k USD assuming the same discount (20%) so would be a savings of 2-3k. This is however making a lot of assumptions about the price and willingness to negotiate there.

 

[Epaulet]

Pepsi.

@zippyh Congrats - it looks beautiful. Great shot too

 

[Dino944]

Well I would be searching for another watch from an AD as well, not from a sketchy source so would be looking for a brand new one with warranty. Forgot to mention that the offer from the current AD is not local as well, so the relationship isn't really pertinent. Assuming the retail price is the same as in the US in Tokyo, napkin math indicates a final price of somewhere between 11-12k USD assuming the same discount (20%) so would be a savings of 2-3k. This is however making a lot of assumptions about the price and willingness to negotiate there.

You can't necessarily presume the same discounts. I've traveled to places where the MSRP was less than in the US, but then the dealers would not discount as much and it ended up being cheaper in the US due to the discount. I haven't traveled to Asia, so I can't speak of the market for watches there or the discounts. Wishing you luck with your AP purchase.

 

[Epaulet]

Wearing the Coke bezel GMT today

 

[Journeyman]

Re: Buying a watch in Asia.

I don't have much experience with watch-purchasing in Asia, but I do frequently visit Tokyo and I can say that bargaining is not common there. If you're buying multiple items, you'll sometimes be offered a discount but it's more common to be offered something extra, instead of a discount. For example, when I bought a camera and a couple of lenses in Tokyo some years ago, the camera store threw in a compact tripod and a Canon camera bag as a thanks gift. The same applied when my wife made a very unusual (for her) purchase of a bag and ladies' wallet from an upmarket leather brand - no discount was offered and I'm sure that none would have been given if we asked for one, but she was given a key fob free of charge.

I could be wrong, but I think that the same would apply to watches in Tokyo.

With regard to HK, haggling used to be commonplace and HK people do commonly ask for discounts and are prepared to negotiate on price. However, with the massive influx of money from the mainland and with lots of mainland Chinese spending up on luxury goods, I'm not sure whether an AD would be prepared to drop the price on a popular watch model. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable about current-day HK could chime in?

 

[linstar]

Ah thanks for the insight. I've been to Tokyo before and while you are right that they throw in extras instead of discounting I thought watches would be in a separate category. I was under the assumption that watch discounting was a common practice worldwide like cars eg. discounts at ADs in the states. I can't think of anything else off the top of my head besides cars. I was assuming that Tokyo would mirror the U.S. in this regard, but guess I will just have to wait and see.

 

[TheWraith]

Never assume the way things are done in the US is mirrored in other parts of the world. I see this so often and I never fail to shake my head at this.

 

[Grammaton Cleric]

Bargaining is standard, even at high-end, watch shops in HK. Good discounts these days as well.

Note that company-owned boutiques will never discount.

 

[jeff13007]



You can't necessarily presume the same discounts.  I've traveled to places where the MSRP was less than in the US, but then the dealers would not discount as much and it ended up being cheaper in the US due to the discount.  I haven't traveled to Asia, so I can't speak of the market for watches there or the discounts.  Wishing you luck with your AP purchase. 

Singapore AD is 15% standard for audemars piguet

 

[hopkins_student]

Wired the money to PP London Monday morning, they got it today. Ships tomorrow. The waiting is killing me.

What are the odds it's sized correctly based on the wrist measurements I sent them? If it's off I'll have to drive to Atlanta to have it adjusted at Tiffany.

 

[culverwood]

Garrick Shaftesbury ordered I know it is not a TWAT favourite but it suited me. No pics for some time as they are not mass produced.

[VIDEO][/VIDEO]

 

[mimo]

Interesting brand; I like what they are doing with this iterative addition of their own parts to generic movements - and that they are open about what is what.

Which colour did you order?

 

[Tried and True]

On securing the best discounts from ADs: Deal directly with the decision maker, who in most cases will not be the person showing the watches.

 

[Dino944]

Singapore AD is 15% standard for audemars piguet

I did better than that with an AP AD here in the States.

 

[Steel28]



I did better than that with an AP AD here in the States. 

I'm with Dino. Personal deal from US AD for AP 15400 (silver or black dial) is $13600 BNIB.