I hope you sold every model at its highest peak and drove by the boutique in a Lamborghini urus black on black Like “ I hate y’all I’m done with y’all but I gotta admit I do appreciate the fact that I spent maybe $100k and got about 250k+ back 😂 Even now your APs bring about $45k-60k ish , sell them Ridah , if they gave you a headache make $50-80k off it
I don't like the brand either, it seems like they want it all their own way and they're over-priced imo. I am in no position to purchase one of those watches, it has to be said but if I were, I w/d be going for something more than a chunk of steel that looks like you recently visited a scrap yard and took a piece with you... ;)
All your points seem valid, but you kept going after this brand for over 5 years. It looks like you were pissed that they wouldn't allocate you the 50th anniversary as promised and then found all these reasons why you're done with them. It doesn't take 5 years to realise the bracelet is uncomfortable, you don't like the design and that it's "too" expensive. I mean you bought 4 AP's within this period if I'm not mistaken, it's a weird way to show you don't like the Royal Oak, I hope you get my point. It's like you're in love with a girl, you like everything about her etc, one day she cheats on you with your best friend, she dumps you, it's over, you're sad. And then in public you would say, I was never in love with her, she had all these defaults, I'm glad it's over blablabla but the truth is that you're hurt but find these reasons to heal faster and not lose face in public. I think it's also why it took so long for you to release this video, cause you tried to solve this by directly reaching AP and get your 50th anniversary. Unfortunately for you it didn't work and then you realised it's over, you're blacklisted from this brand and will never get another watch from them. So you act in public like it's your choice to stop with this brand to save face but we ALL know that if you got your 50th anniversary as promised you would still praise AP... Sorry for you though, but try to be a bit more honest, all your followers are not fools...
Sounds like in the beginning You are a good AP puppy and did everything they ask Then they gave you some APs Suddenly you don’t want to be their puppy They refuse to give you 50 years anniversary one then you are done with them I think that’s the whole story… This teaches us that we need to be ourselves We are the customer and it’s the brand needs to appreciate us
AP Royal Oak is just a 20k$ watch, it's just the symbol of current speculation about watches... and people make this kind of video, talking about more like a "luxury thing to show off" strengthen it. I will never buy a AP RO more than 30k ..
Thanks Ridah for putting this out there! This is absolutely my experience with a 15450. I EOIed for one in late 2017 and was promised to be the first to get one in 2018. Months went by and I got in touch only to be asked why I wanted a ladies' watch and there was no response from there on. Fortunately I got their word on writing so I emailed AP headquarters and they finally got a piece for me in 2020. I put in my interest for a RO Chrono, the boutique manager left and an interview was conducted for my profile to be 'complete'. I followed up periodically since and there was either cold or no response from the salesperson. So this is what it is now which is a huge contrast to how a VC boutique is doing things.
Similar story here: visited the newly opened boutique in Zürich on a slow Tuesday morning only to be told "only by appointment". Sent a request for an appointment to the email address I was given. No response for 10 days. After 10 days I re-sent the message and asked for an appointment, maybe my initial message had gotten lost. Within 2 hours I got a response with an apology and asking me for a date at which I would like to visit. Sent them a message with a date 2 weeks into the future. No response for another 10 days. Sent them another message asking if my message had got lost, again. Angrily I added that this wasn't the kind of customer support I would expect from a company I am planning to spend my money on. Got the response another 7 days later stating "oh we don't accept new meetings until end of Mai (it was March by that time). Sent them a response asking why they would let me suggest a date without any frame of reference, only to ignore me and then eventually telling me there's a 2-months wait time? Never got a response from them.
Many thanks for sharing Micro, its really sad whats happening to this brand! The further the message gets away from Le Brassus the less effective it is! ❤️
Other issues include but are not necessarily limited to: 👉🏻 in house movements dry up and need service frequently vs. former JLC movements. 👉🏻bezel is a scratch magnet and no one can properly restore it, even AP. It needs to be replaced if scratched. 👉🏻non-complicated RO’s (41mm) are too much dial vs. bezel width. Only the 39mm are proportionally correct. I’ve owned a half-dozen over the years and ended up bailing out of each one. Good video 🙌🏻
Finally someone with cajones came out and called out the brand for what it is! I can't agree with you more on this. I'm about to sell my Offshore, because I can't stand how they treat their actual repeat customers. They also lost another watch lover and collector.
You guys aren't watch lovers. You're hype lovers. What makes a fool spend that much on a steel 'sports' watch which took 5 minutes to design on the back of a napkin? Do you know anything of quality that was made in 5 minutes?
Love the brutal honesty, and to think this is coming from an existing customer! I've been patiently waiting for the same 15500 in black since 2020. (they flat-out told me I could never get the blue) I try to follow up with regular intervals (not too annoying, but still keeping me in their radar) and there is no indication I will ever be allocated a watch. Their replies have been inconsistent - sometimes sounding positive while other times complete radio silence. I can't imagine ever being allocated a watch as I do not have any social media presence. It's all about the customer experience. Right across the street from my closest AP boutique is Vacheron, and they are so respectful and friendly. A high-end brand without coming across as snobbish. They know what they are and don't need social media influencers as their only customers.
I’ll be honest I have a opinion up about AP which is horrid.with vacheron I was in store once in California in 2020 and I didn’t but the blue overseas they offered me.( stupid I know) but ever since I made that mistake I been calling vacheron and putting my name in there customer service portals that they ask you to on the website and through Instagram. I’ve even called the New York store. The California store was great but since then vacheron has not tried to help.
I think that just like with any other luxury brand the experiences vary drastically. I had my 15500 about 5-6 months after talking to them. Did not have to follow up or anything. I am not rich or a celebrity type of client either. Just a guy that loves watches.
@@chrmez wow congrats. I don’t understand the inconsistencies in who gets allocated what, but at the end of the day demand exceeds supply so AP decides who’s in and who’s out. I’ve been ‘out’ for over 2 years now…
Same here, very bad experience with AP boutique in HK that only deal with a small bunch of customers/flippers (with many watches ended up in grey market). On the other side, wonderful experience with Vacheron so this influenced my collection and my last 4 watches purchases are VC.
I don't know. Enjoy your vids but it feels like you don't rock with them anymore primarily because of how you were treated so this video doesn't feel genuine. If they treated you like a king, and gave you the watches you wanted, would you still be done with them and made this video or would you have overlooked the flaws you're mentioning? Just feels like a wake-up call. Welcome to the watch shopping experience many of your viewers without stacks of cash have, unfortunately.
Bro, you don't treat a $35k watch like a $150 watch. You should and would have higher expectations when you are spending that much. When you are extremely overpaying for a particular type device, you are doing it because of the brand--usually a higher brand means higher expectations. Nevertheless, I have the issue with mine wear it's either too tight or too loose. So I wear it slightly too loose and then it slides around and if it slides too much, then my hand hits the clasp which opens it super easy. 🤦🏾♂️
@@apathy11303 Again I don't believe he would be done with the brand if they treated him like a king. So it seems like he got his feelings hurt and as a result, is coming for the brand. Just one opinion of many, I'm sure.
If the watch isn't comfortable then why buy it? This just proves he bought it for hype and prestige of the watch, not even necessarily because of the brand, just that particular model. Wake up losers. AP does make other models. Do you'll have to buy RO? You are the reason why the price is so artificially inflated. You deserve to be treated a fool that you are. The RO was never designed to be comfortable. It was designed to look industrial. Genta was an Italian. Do you know that anything Italian designed usually adopts the principle of form over function? It's an object of beauty but impractical. All you idiots have been buying into the hype for 50 years! I bet 90% of AP RO owners never heard of Gerald Genta or AP before social media. They like it because it's a trend. It means you don't have individual taste. AP will suffer like Panerai did. The collectors aren't real enthusiasts. They just follow the hype.
The familiar playbook - all good and nice video endorsement / influencing if you are treated well and all bad and hate video endorsement if you are not treated well. Haha
Agree with you 100%. The customer experience I've got at AP are horrible. Got invited to my local AP store for their "Grand Opening" of the new boutique, I got there and they only had straps to show. The former dreams and hunger to own an AP are gone- my focus has shifted to Vacheron Constantine. Always a nice customer experience, they are straight up with waiting times and it's less "games"...
Great video and I couldn’t agree with your more. History aside and what AP brings which can’t be denied the Royal Oak is a very boring watch in design. It’s gets old real quick and other then dial colours there is absolutely nothing unique or exciting about them. I own a openworks and bought it purely for the beauty and it being different from the normal and also because Patek and Rolex don’t do a skeleton and are not known for it. But I agree as beautiful as it is appearance wise it is uncomfortable. I wish I would have got the Vacheron skeleton which is stunning. But for now it stays in the collection and my wife actually has the open works in the 37. But I don’t ever see myself buying another AP. They really need to get going on some new designs and maybe even a new line. The Royal Oak is basically all they have. Keep up the great content.
Great comment. They really tried a new design with the code1159. And they almost had it too but let themselves down on the weirdly under designed dials in my opinion. If they had fantastic well balanced dials out of the gate the Code would have been a great edition. I think they should reboot the code with better dials. I also think the pricing is an issue. There are companies creating fantastic watches at a similar or even lesser price. AP should look to take the feedback and improve or they could bubble along as they are…
@@WatchSociety Have you tried on the 50th anniversary 15510 or the 15550? They updated the bracelet and there is taper in the thickness of each link. It’s more comfortable
The fact that AP leaped over Patek in revenue last year despite making significantly less watches shows you how they have milked out their customers with their multiple price increases over the last 3 years, especially on their pedestrian stainless steel Royal Oaks. Their movements for the most part are CNC finished, barely a step above Rolex with none of the toughness and accuracy from the Crown. You are right about the customer service as well, it's basically non existent where I live because they cut their association with their AD network but didn't even bother opening a boutique haha. So I guess it's a very easy decision for me to spend my hard earned money on another brand like Patek or Vacheron, they at least have the decency of having at least one location in my country to sell me something, anything.
@@WatchSocietyAs i know there’s only a Patek Philippe AD among Trilogy of Horology brands in my country. I am talking about Turkey, a significant country, not a small micro nation.
I've had the exact same disappointing experience. After going through a 2 Hour Interview process and being told I qualify given my collection, nothing after 1 year despite multiple follow ups and then I am told "sorry we focus on our local clients first". This buyers boom is coming to an end soon so they should understand and service their client and new clients base.
Appreciate the honesty. I parted with my 15202 earlier this year and while I very much enjoyed the watch, I don’t miss it at all. The sad thing is that while you had this experience with AP, I know plenty of people who have had similar experiences with other brands. I’m thankful for your bully pulpit to call it our in this circumstance and I’m sure others would love to be able to do the same for other brands. Keep up the content!
Is this issue of sour grapes? Come on have not owned few ROs already. Just realized how bad watches they are? Do not abuse your social media power for personal experience.
@@chakarinkomolsiri5671 but they are bad. why do you think the date is not on the margin of the dial? because they used ultra slim movements that aren't for 41 for then to break easily
Every interaction I've had with their boutiques have been negative and elitist. I have visited the boutique a few times expressed my interest, they quizzed me on why I like the brand and what I do for work and literally asked why I don't dress nicer. I held my tongue and was polite, after 3 years I've given up as well. I'll stick with my Vacheron, Patek, and Rolex.
I am in no shape or form influencing your decision, but can tell you ever since the new management was brought in customer experience went down the drain! An ex employee of AP once told me they are the most unprofessional and unreliable company to work for and that’s why people do not tend to stay long! Sounds like a nasty culture, ruled by fear as reflected today in Audemars Piguet customer service!
If that’s what a boutique experience is like at AP, then it’s really sad. I’m surprised AP did not even bother to reach out after your escalation, it’s the least they could do. Key point of the video for me is the price of APs now and how it’s become unreachable for most of us, really sad. I used to love the RO too. Lusted over it for more than a decade but not so much now… actually might drop off my GRAIL List
Lusted for it for a decade? They threw them at you 5 years ago. Why didnt you buy it then. You wanted it for free? And now it drops off your grail list... what a joker
@@rogerstrough3586 Maybe he couldn’t afford it 5 years ago and now he can. 🤔 That’s the case with myself. Not a joker, but I smartened up and went VC!! The Overseas bracelet is AMAZING and I don’t feel like a sheep in the herd.
@@alc1824 I Own a VC Traditionelle World Time, class watches, im not just a Rolex fanboy. Omega is great too. But back to our guy here - he said he lusted after the RO for a decade..when it was cheap. And now its triple retail its off his grail list. Dont know how cheap he wanted it but come on, they went for 20k ish a few years back ;)
I had the EXACT SAME EXPERIENCE my man! Im very lucky their bracelets fit me just perfectly. They are impossibly to deal with and all my AP purchases have unfortunately come from Grey Market dealers.
Offshores are available on the secondary market below retail, steel royals oaks not very far from retail, if the market continues this way, I see them more accessible directly from boutiques!
Fair. I like the blue dial one specifically. After listening to your full explanation, I see where you are coming from. That salesperson crossed the line.
I'm a previous owner of 16 different AP (Offshore and Oaks), and today proud to say I no longer own a single AP watch. Their customer service is blatantly distasteful, and the brand has come from one that prides themselves on service to one that simply can't cut it. How the mighty fall. I used to absolutely love this brand. Had APs and only APs. No other brands. Not anymore. Soon, I think most watch guys will notice that all AP are doing is recycling colors and ceramic and spraying them on every single Royal Oak. Maybe they just aren't that special anymore. Hell, they can't keep an existing customer happy. How can they make new ones?
@@bryanng80 I am considering to buy an AP but not a RO or Offshore. Just wanted to know your opinion of AP dress watches but I guess my question is redundant since you only owned ROs. Considering you owned so many variants of the same model, I would say you have brand fatigue more than anything else. I think it's time you moved on to another manufacturer or try a different model and let someone else who appreciates the RO have a chance to buy it. Same goes for Ryder doing this review. Why did he even buy the RO of he doesn't appreciate the design? He's complained about the bracelet being ill fitting. If it's not comfortable why did you buy it?? I think you guys are in it for nothing more than hype. You probably just buy and sell them for profit. When you say you owned several, I can only imagine you flipped them. The other thing I want to mention is the quality of the watch is irrelevant to the customer service. Two separate issues. I had a customer service complaint against JLC but that was one store. I can't judge my opinion of the brand based on the attitude of one boutique or AD who isn't even a watchmaker and just as salesperson. Otherwise I'd shop at Hublot, having experienced the best customer service from them when I accidentally walked into the wrong boutique.
@@oysterman962 i believe we own AP because we used to love this brand. I also believe we start to dislike this brand because we don't feel like to be treated like a fool. And AP's current sales model is treat their customers like a begger. i think purchase experience is important when it comes with luxury goods
@@mygift28 Yes you're right. Purchase experience is important when you are paying for the privilege to own something exclusive. I had put my name down on several AD waitlists but if I finally do get the call I'm going to reject the offer. Not just AP but any brand that makes you beg and discriminates their customers should not be given the satisfaction to receive your business. People should stop feeding this unhealthy industry of false luxury. It's only perceived rarity. If AP or Rolex wanted to mass produce these obsolete objects of frivolous desire they could easily open more factories and employ more people. It's a manufactured good. It's not a rare commodity or a non renewable naturally occurring mineral. Anything man made can be replicated and replaced. STOP being a sucker.
I agree with your comfort comment. AP RO had one of the most uncomfortable bracelets I ever tried on. I thought it was a joke for a watch that cost so much. More so today. My RO Offshore on leather is more comfortable. I don’t understand why people chase brands. So many great watches out there! AP only sells cufflinks now lol
💯% Size side, I actually think the ROO is better value for the buck! RO pricing vs actual cost is a joke and so do their customer service! Wait and see what will happen to this brand! A lot of watch enthusiasts are paying more attention than ever to Lange, Vacheron, IWC, and JLC. And yes it’s sticky cuff links now 😂
Your so right but I have ap watch past down to me. I don’t k ow how to use it. Do you have video on this. I’m the watch wasn’t use for long to time. Just watch use it. I only have the watch. Or what I need. Ap don’t want to help me . Help and thank you
Reda, totally agree with you. great video. I can not tell you how many times I visited the AP boutique store in Dubai, I went through exactly the same ordeal as you. I've bought two offshores and was waiting for one Royal oak. It's been two years and salespeople are the worst, they never get your profile right and there are so many issues. Yet, I see so many people getting these watches which makes me wonder.... I was at the boutique and saw one guy pickup 4 watches, 4 watches, this is in Dubai mall! And we can't pick up even 1! I'm also done with the brand! My VC is overseas I love and wear everyday; the Gold piece is even better... Thank you for sharing
Rez, thank you for watching brother, truly appreciate it and can relate to you. I've seen guys walk into AP dubai mall boutique in Messka (luxury brand) bags and walk out with them full of watches! Where is it going? How? I am not sure and that remains a mystery, but i can tell you one thing, their is always a back-door that is not open for people like you and I. At the end of the day, let me put it this way, sometimes we can feel like we are always chasing something just because we can't have it. I use to think its partly due to our vanity and self-esteem, and partly due to our warped sense of that thing's value. But when you actually get it, you realize that you never wanted it in the first place. Thats maybe why i didn't care for the outcome and refused to remove the video! This is turning into a therapy session 😂 but hope you got my point. Stay well and safe ❤️
@@WatchSociety I'm down with your therapy session; for me the same! You took all of my frustrations and summed it up in your video. Anyway, at the end of the day AP doesn't care; they have people "who are chasing" buying their product regardless. But they are giving it to flippers and they know it! Keep making great videos! They are real!! Real is great!
Hi man!! Thanks for sharing your experience, why you're expecting any heat? All of us watch collectors enjoys the watch and the buying experience, it's part of the deal, and if you got insulted what do they think would happen? Anyway, great hearing your honest opinion. For a sec I thought they delivered you the 50th anniversary chrono...lol 🤣 take care my friend and keep safe!!
Well said my friend , similar experience with the brand. My believe is that this strategy is not going to end well with their brand. Selling to grey market and not to the ones appreciating the brand for what it is will have adverse effects when the financial crisis will hit the global markets.
It’s interesting to hear how you feel about the overall look & comfort of AP watches. I have four AP watches & kinda do find them boring, industrial feeling as well. I don’t wear them nearly as much as my Rolex models. Thanks for your honesty & experience.
Been on the "wish list" for 2 years for a black dial 15500ST - still waiting... Was on the list for a VC Overseas 4500V black for 6 months and it is currently on my wrist.
I can say customer service in the UK was great with me and didn't had to pay for the extra 2 extra links that was need it to fit my wrist! Also the watch feels very comfortable. I guess everyone has diferent experiences and wrists :) sorry to hear about your experience
I totally agree with you. After a 5 year wait with AP I went the VC route. Had to wait but the service was second to none. In the end got the blue dial Overseas 4500v. So glad AP never actually worked out for me!
Future will tell... but lots of succesfull brand make these mistakes.... they will only realize it when it is to late... new sub from Spain, thanks for the video
Nice video overall and very clear ! But I just say my experience with AP has been outstanding out of HK here. I only first came in touch with the brand last year 2021 April. And their sales is extremely friendly and really take my requests seriously. I have been allocated two RO in just over a year, one steel one gold RO; and the dial colors I wanted too!! And every time I roll my wrist, my watch just screams wow to me after all this time. I have bought PP, VC, Rolex in the last year too, so just wanted to make a fair comment about my experience.
I dont blame you. The hype is dying down very quickly and brands like AP are a one trick pony. People are getting tired of it for the most part. A steel AP is underwhelming even at retail let alone 2 or 3 times retail. I find it comical that AD"s feel that they are doing their customers a "favour". Watches from most hype brands will be sitting in display cases in the no too distant future.
They do make other watches apart from RO & Off Shore. Maybe if people stop buying into the hype & start discovering other offerings of the brand then they might get a different experience. Saying AP is a one trick pony because you only like that model is unfair. Like saying McDonalds only makes Big Macs.
I have only had the pleasure of owning one AP in the 15300st. I purchased it pre-owned and the bracelet is "broken in". I love this watch honestly. The 38-40mm case size is my sweet spot and I really don't like the 15400 or the 15500. Also your AP experience is very similar to mine as far as the AP boutiques. They are rude and they are too important to deal with any of our inquiries lol.
My watchmaker always tells me he is tired of fixing so many AP . Apparently the don’t withstand daily or regular wear . Conclusion they are delicate so watch out if you are going to use it.
AP boutiques in Singapore are the worst watch boutiques i have ever experienced. Despite the shops are often as empty as a graveyard, still they disallow walk in customers. Shame on them really.
Yes indeed, AP seem to forget that customer service is important! leveraging consumerism with a degree of limitation on supply is understandable for any luxury brand's growth. However, to create a unique trustworthy customer experience you also want to spread brand's positivity, something that is extremely hard for AP to establish and demonstrate when their front facing employees are unqualified, rude and completely disconnected from the brand's message. I personally see the royal oaks coming back on display should AP continues this way!
I had a bad experience at the Dubai mall as well in March during the Dubai expo. The sales people were letting me know that I am not welcomed into the shop. I was just laughing at them and left.
Let’s not forget that you are dealing with overworked retail staff that are literally ruled by fear from AP’s new management! Your experience is unacceptable, period! I would however point at APs strategy, management as opposed to these guys. As a result, AP today are years/miles far away from what are soon to be “no longer customers” what a shame destroying a historical brand.
Great video. This answers some questions for me. I was thinking about getting the royal oak chronograph but I’ve never actually tried one on. But I love the looks of it. However I did wonder about the bracelet and the fact that there are new micro adjustments on the clasp. I have had various watches like that before and it’s always a pain trying to adjust it to fit your wrist swelling at different times. I have owned over 70 high-end watches including Rolex, Breitling etc. and I was thinking about stepping out on a limb and buying the a P but now based on your review in this information I think I will have to think about that. I would definitely need to try one on first. It is definitely a unique looking watch but not worth it if it does not fit comfortably
Thank you for watching David 🙏 Having owned a few watches myself, I can say it came down to how your collation matures with you? What are you really paying for? And how does it make you feel? The answer to me was really a.Langa & Söhne! The Lange 1 in specific. Outside of look and feel, and wither it can handle a beat or not, to me AP is a young man’s movement! 😂 Seriously, once your get past the bracelet, there is really nothing there unless you go vintage!
Sad to hear that but I beleive it’s certainly boutique dependent. My experience in Madrid has been nothing short of superb Frequent events, matches to Real Madrid games, VIP golf tickets, Cocktail evenings, dinners and even a trip to switzerland to the manufacturer If you get a chance, meet with Pamela and Soon at the boutique. The upmost professionalism, honesty and superb hospitality. Was lucky enough to get a 50th anniversary RO in rose gold My advice to anyone new, try not to be just another customer pestering for a RO. They have limited pieces per boutique and fighting for that will be futile. Instead take time to learn from them about the brand with genuine enthusiasm, show you’re willing to build a diverse collection and most of all, be patient! Good luck to everyone out there!
I visited an authorized AP Boutique in Dubai last May. I have put my name on the waiting list for a Royal Oak stainless steel white dial. Even though the white dial is not the most desired one, the sales lady told that I will be probably waiting for 11 years!!! 😂😂😂 And no, she was not joking… 11 years 😂😂😂
Very curious how they come up with that time frame. And if AP manager actually think any logical person will wait that long for a non-essential toy. We can bring our money elsewhere. And receive more enjoyment (i mean what are they really thinking???) i rather they tell customer that they can't sell you that model. Its better than tell you 11 years... Will they still produce that model 10 years from now? ...
I love the design of the RO but I am done with AP. I can’t describe how much I dislike the company from CEO down to the boutique employees. I don’t want to be associated with this brand and so I sold my watch. But I still love the design 😂
Sorry but I have to disagree with you, I have a 15400 41mm it’s a perfect fit and is a lot more comfortable than my Rolex, I’ve just bought a Day Date 40mm and I’m having that issue where it’s either too tight it too loose, Day Dates haven’t got the adjustable clasp as you know. So I know what you mean but I think it’s just your wrist size and not AP
I appreciate your experience at AP was not great and you have every right to not feel good about it. Having said that it's strange that the Royal Oak's bracelet is so unwearable yet you bought 3 of them and were trying to get a 4th one, no? You say how could AP not do anything about the bracelet, don't they know how uncomfortable it is? That's your opinion only, literally the best thing about Royal Oaks is the luxurious bracelet that I have yet to see anything come close to and I have owned an Overseas and tried on a Nautilus. The vast majority of people I know that have tried any of my Royal Oaks comment on the comfort of the bracelet when they try it on. You even have a whole segment in your video where you bought the blue 15450ST waxing lyrical about how comfortable the bracelet is and you say "there is absolutely nothing like a Royal Oak on the wrist". So again I understand your frustration and your experience with your boutique maybe enough to turn you completely off the brand but I find the firs few "reasons" of why you hate AP now kinda strange given your previous review of their watches and how many of them you bought and were still looking to get. I would be interested to hear your opinion again should they for whatever reason decide to allocate you one of their more desired pieces.
Wow passive aggressive much? Sorry his opinion changed, you know I know in the woke world we live in a human can’t ever make mistakes, or God forbid change an opinion.
Totally agree and im surprised nobody called him out on it. My RO 50th anniversary chrono was delayed by about a month and a half literally due to component shortages. Was a worldwide delay, for everyone, even VVIP. Yet this guy thought he was too important and antagonized them so they cut him off. He thought he could use his online influence to force their hand but obviously overestimated his impact. He knows he screwed up and is now salty. I dont understand how people dont see this.
When Riyadh loved AP so much, know he hates them! The truth revealed, you made a video on how to get an AP without going through the boutique! AP in Dubai asked you nicely to take it down, you refused! So your in the wrong, plus they declined to give the Chrono 26240 50th Anniversary! I like your video’s, but on this case your totally wrong, Riyadh!
Last year after only a 3 week wait I got my first RO. The 26240OR.OO.D315CR.02 from AP and I also found it uncomfortable at the start, they couldn’t be more helpful and we actually realised the strap had been put on backwards from the factory. They switched it round for me and actually gave me a dark blue rubber strap to also put on the watch. I now wear it as a daily and love it. Hoping to get an openworked model this year
I was fortunate to get an RO chronograph with blue dial in 2017 at my local AD. I was surprised when I saw it on the AD’s website. The AD was shocked to get it as well. The blue dial models were thought to be boutique only. I even got a nice discount. The AP world has sure changed since they went to a boutique only operating model.
David firstly congrats on getting your watch in a time when AP was still a like-able brand. Subsequently and in retrospective, their is no AP world, its one model line, the royal oak, thats it! What makes a certain dial color boutique exclusive? What does that even mean? All AP boutiques around the world are no longer associated with any authorised dealer!
So… basically you hate on AP because they wouldn’t allocate you a piece at retail? I understand your frustration but it just seems like you’re throwing a tantrum online.
To be fair, he was promised an allocation already and AP re-neg’d because they wanted him to take down a video. His response and outrage is totally justified.
Bro, you know I am a big collector and have been for many years. Everything from seikos to haute horology, so I am not a watch snob. I just want to share my opinions with the brand and the royal oak. I know in this hobby, everyone has their own opinions which is a positive as it would be boring if everyone liked the same stuff and beautiful is in the eye of the beholder. I have never been attracted to the royal oak. Personally, to be honest it is very a dated design. The offshore to me is actually hideous. My customer experience with the boutique has only been once, and I got a reply and a promise and nothing materialised. That's was years ago. I have invested into this hobby long enough to not be wanting to playing this brands games. I didn't bother chasing up. At this price point, there are more innovative and better advanced watches that will want to entertain my enquiries. Happy collecting
Lol bro if u Weber attracted and thought the ap as you say was hideous and outdated then why would u bother to reach out to the ad and be upset if ever “materialized” capppp
@@williamf4229 I said the offshore is hideous. It was early in my collecting, I wanted to add a royal oak to the collection even if I was never that attracted to it. If you never brought one and tried it on you would never know if it works for you. At least i would have tried it and the worst case senerio, i would have part exchanged it for something else. If R never brought the 15500st he would have never have known the bracelet was uncomfortable. That's unfortunately what us hobbyist do.
Kept a blind eye and like everyone else went with it when i shouldn't have! You are right! The question about the taking the video down unleashed it all for me
Great video and i totally share your views. I received a horrible experience as well from an AD. I subsequently obtained the Royal Oak Chrono from the secondary market and guess what ? I was the least impressed with the finishing especially on the open back. Patek and Lange's finishing is way better. That will be my only and last AP.
So one year ago, after having acquired the royal oak, you called the bracelet a ‘work of art’ and said in multiple videos that it was ‘super comfortable’ but now it is your #1 reason to dislike the watch and you claim it was bugging you from the beginning?
Damn sorry to hear about your experiences man! Totally appreciate if the fit or look don't work for you. Sucks about the customer service, I guess i have been spoilt in Hong Kong with great service (of course not the allocations I want though...) Can't really blame HQ for one or two staff being rude. That happens everywhere.
I figured out RM ? You pay 500 k for a 50k watch, why ? I think RM holds the 450 k to be traded back for money laundering? They can take a 500k watch anywhere in the world without paying 1 dollar taxes. 10 trips saves 5 million without paying one penny in taxes ? Think about 400 bucks of carbon is worth 500 k ? BS. It is a brilliant tax scam. Neal
Great video as always. I am very sorry to hear about the negative experience with AP. Customer service is a dying art. I hope this is isolated to that specific boutique. Stay positive! Cheers, Jock
Nooooo! Ridah, you’re the reason I got into AP! Sorry your experiences haven’t been great. I’ve had really good experiences with them. Maybe it all depends on the specific boutique.
Hey Penny, i know! I thought about you when making this video 😂 It is indeed the local boutiques, but honestly i do not care for buying any more AP's for the 3 reasons, and just bored of the design 😂 i was thinking to trade all three for a nautilus and stay there!
I have a 15450, aquired grey market at a premium, but before things maxed out so still came out on top. We don't have any boutiques in Canada so grey is the only option for us. I wear my watches more on the loose side so the bracelet never bothered me. I appreciate it's unqiue history and design aesthetic, it's a timepiece that does feel special when I put it on the wrist. My gripes with AP are firstly the use of third party movements for their 34mm and now recently, 15550 37mm Royal Oaks. To me that's a complete sell-out and something they should be ashamed of. It's not even mentioned on their website so customers who think they're buying AP are actually getting Voucher-made movements. Secondly, AP has a rich history full of amazing timepieces, they should expand their line-up to include some of their historical pieces, in the same way Vacheron and Patek do. Focusing on the Royal Oak completely is really a disservice to their roots and history.
I personally have had a wonderful experience at my local AP boutique. Everything they have promised, they have delivered. You stepped on their toes with your offshore video and then you antagonised them about their shortage so you got cut off. Seems fair and square to me. Also, i see you complain about the AP bracelet, price etc which i never head from you on the AP videos your produced before the ban. Seems salty and disingenuous and makes me question the whole story....
ive been waiting for a 15500 for more than 2 years now. ive been back and forth with boutique but no call as of yet. if you're willing to sell your 15500 please do let me know. will be more than happy to discuss options
Great video and appreciate the honesty. I don’t get these brands that have that sell direct to the customer and have these types of practices. Thank you for helping he to decide not to even try getting an AP because my life history is none of their business unless it is part of a conversation, therefore I probably wouldn’t be successful in getting an allocation. Looking forward to picking up another Vacheron instead! Thanks again 🙏🏾
I love the ascetic of AP watches but I have never owned one. I just couldn’t buy an AP in steel, when I could have a comfortable solid gold Daydate for the same price.
Great video!! The AP Royal Oak used to be the #1 watch I wanted to go for as my starter watch out of grad school. Now I’m between a Rolex Day Date, or a Vacheron Historiques. I’m a much darker skin tone and have a small wrist so I usually like to stay in the 40mm range. I want to versatile watch I can wear in the office and to functions seamlessly. Any suggestions?
Very cool! You can't go wrong with either! Whilst pink or yellow gold would look nice on darker skin i just want to warren you that once you go gold its really hard to come back!
unfortunatelly i have to agree with most of the things he mentioned. i was a big ap fan too. but especially the customer experience is getting worse and worse. i had bad experiences in different locations :/
Here is my watch collecting journey, starts with Omega, then it grows to Rolex but unable to get one, it changed to higher trinity, then realizing that I overpaid and got bored, back to Rolex again for that one watch timeless design no BS. Life is just more simple with one Rolex for everyday.
Dude, I have to agree with you, my dealings with them in Australia have been very average. Luckily I prefer VC, its so nice to go into an AD and bit treated well by normal people. The VC people are just more down to earth genuine people. Some brands forget how important it is to have the right people as ambassadors for their brand. And one can only imagine the drama your video must have caused all the way to the top of AP, really WTF.
The 15500 bracelet is the most comfortable bracelet I’ve ever worn. I own 6 different modern Rolex watches, and my 2 AP’s 15500 in stainless and gold are super comfy.
@@WatchSociety Exactly the same bro. Watches of Switzerland being top of the food chain when it come to that Bs not all. But a hell of alot them branches.
glad you shared your story! Good to have an insider story of how they rejected you because of your social media presence and how shallow their business is
I totally agree with the bracelet issue as I have had the same problem. I have a chronograph and it has been sitting in my safety deposit more than anything else. I got it at the boutique in 2017 when they still had good customer service. Since the shortage in watches they stopped calling me back or emailing me back while I was on the list for a 15500. The sales person told me once that I was already lucky I had the blue dial Chrono.
Done with this brand! Go easy 🤦🏽♂️😂
I hope you sold every model at its highest peak and drove by the boutique in a Lamborghini urus black on black
Like “ I hate y’all I’m done with y’all but I gotta admit I do appreciate the fact that I spent maybe $100k and got about 250k+ back 😂
Even now your APs bring about $45k-60k ish , sell them Ridah , if they gave you a headache make $50-80k off it
I don't like the brand either, it seems like they want it all their own way and they're over-priced imo.
I am in no position to purchase one of those watches, it has to be said but if I were, I w/d be going for something more than a chunk of steel that looks like you recently visited a scrap yard and took a piece with you... ;)
All your points seem valid, but you kept going after this brand for over 5 years. It looks like you were pissed that they wouldn't allocate you the 50th anniversary as promised and then found all these reasons why you're done with them. It doesn't take 5 years to realise the bracelet is uncomfortable, you don't like the design and that it's "too" expensive. I mean you bought 4 AP's within this period if I'm not mistaken, it's a weird way to show you don't like the Royal Oak, I hope you get my point.
It's like you're in love with a girl, you like everything about her etc, one day she cheats on you with your best friend, she dumps you, it's over, you're sad. And then in public you would say, I was never in love with her, she had all these defaults, I'm glad it's over blablabla but the truth is that you're hurt but find these reasons to heal faster and not lose face in public.
I think it's also why it took so long for you to release this video, cause you tried to solve this by directly reaching AP and get your 50th anniversary. Unfortunately for you it didn't work and then you realised it's over, you're blacklisted from this brand and will never get another watch from them. So you act in public like it's your choice to stop with this brand to save face but we ALL know that if you got your 50th anniversary as promised you would still praise AP...
Sorry for you though, but try to be a bit more honest, all your followers are not fools...
One trick pony brand, im done too
@@bobbybobby3589 Yeah the sudden U-turn on AP seems to suggest he wasn't allocated something that he wanted and pissed him off.
Sounds like in the beginning
You are a good AP puppy and did everything they ask
Then they gave you some APs
Suddenly you don’t want to be their puppy
They refuse to give you 50 years anniversary one
then you are done with them
I think that’s the whole story…
This teaches us that we need to be ourselves
We are the customer and it’s the brand needs to appreciate us
all the brands could care less about you they dont even want you in there store ahaha
AP Royal Oak is just a 20k$ watch, it's just the symbol of current speculation about watches... and people make this kind of video, talking about more like a "luxury thing to show off" strengthen it. I will never buy a AP RO more than 30k ..
@@johnnyboy7115do you clean off your wife’s mouth after leaving the AD 😂😂😂, do you have to do tricks like a circus dog in there.
Exact experience people are having with every manufacturer ever be it Boutique or AD…you’ve been blessed this far with allocations my friend.
The youtube channel makes it easy…
Thanks Ridah for putting this out there!
This is absolutely my experience with a 15450. I EOIed for one in late 2017 and was promised to be the first to get one in 2018. Months went by and I got in touch only to be asked why I wanted a ladies' watch and there was no response from there on. Fortunately I got their word on writing so I emailed AP headquarters and they finally got a piece for me in 2020.
I put in my interest for a RO Chrono, the boutique manager left and an interview was conducted for my profile to be 'complete'. I followed up periodically since and there was either cold or no response from the salesperson. So this is what it is now which is a huge contrast to how a VC boutique is doing things.
Similar story here:
visited the newly opened boutique in Zürich on a slow Tuesday morning only to be told "only by appointment".
Sent a request for an appointment to the email address I was given. No response for 10 days.
After 10 days I re-sent the message and asked for an appointment, maybe my initial message had gotten lost.
Within 2 hours I got a response with an apology and asking me for a date at which I would like to visit.
Sent them a message with a date 2 weeks into the future.
No response for another 10 days.
Sent them another message asking if my message had got lost, again. Angrily I added that this wasn't the kind of customer support I would expect from a company I am planning to spend my money on.
Got the response another 7 days later stating "oh we don't accept new meetings until end of Mai (it was March by that time).
Sent them a response asking why they would let me suggest a date without any frame of reference, only to ignore me and then eventually telling me there's a 2-months wait time?
Never got a response from them.
Many thanks for sharing Micro, its really sad whats happening to this brand!
The further the message gets away from Le Brassus the less effective it is! ❤️
Other issues include but are not necessarily limited to:
👉🏻 in house movements dry up and need service frequently vs. former JLC movements.
👉🏻bezel is a scratch magnet and no one can properly restore it, even AP. It needs to be replaced if scratched.
👉🏻non-complicated RO’s (41mm) are too much dial vs. bezel width. Only the 39mm are proportionally correct.
I’ve owned a half-dozen over the years and ended up bailing out of each one. Good video 🙌🏻
Very true
Finally someone with cajones came out and called out the brand for what it is! I can't agree with you more on this. I'm about to sell my Offshore, because I can't stand how they treat their actual repeat customers. They also lost another watch lover and collector.
You guys aren't watch lovers. You're hype lovers. What makes a fool spend that much on a steel 'sports' watch which took 5 minutes to design on the back of a napkin? Do you know anything of quality that was made in 5 minutes?
Hi Spaniard here, little correction:
Cajones: _Drawers._
Cojones: _Balls._
🤣
Love the brutal honesty, and to think this is coming from an existing customer! I've been patiently waiting for the same 15500 in black since 2020. (they flat-out told me I could never get the blue) I try to follow up with regular intervals (not too annoying, but still keeping me in their radar) and there is no indication I will ever be allocated a watch. Their replies have been inconsistent - sometimes sounding positive while other times complete radio silence.
I can't imagine ever being allocated a watch as I do not have any social media presence.
It's all about the customer experience. Right across the street from my closest AP boutique is Vacheron, and they are so respectful and friendly. A high-end brand without coming across as snobbish. They know what they are and don't need social media influencers as their only customers.
I’ll be honest I have a opinion up about AP which is horrid.with vacheron I was in store once in California in 2020 and I didn’t but the blue overseas they offered me.( stupid I know) but ever since I made that mistake I been calling vacheron and putting my name in there customer service portals that they ask you to on the website and through Instagram. I’ve even called the New York store. The California store was great but since then vacheron has not tried to help.
Right on about Vacheron boutique and their good treatment of potential bew customers....same experience
I think that just like with any other luxury brand the experiences vary drastically. I had my 15500 about 5-6 months after talking to them. Did not have to follow up or anything. I am not rich or a celebrity type of client either. Just a guy that loves watches.
@@chrmez wow congrats. I don’t understand the inconsistencies in who gets allocated what, but at the end of the day demand exceeds supply so AP decides who’s in and who’s out. I’ve been ‘out’ for over 2 years now…
Same here, very bad experience with AP boutique in HK that only deal with a small bunch of customers/flippers (with many watches ended up in grey market). On the other side, wonderful experience with Vacheron so this influenced my collection and my last 4 watches purchases are VC.
The point on the price is a good one. At that price point there are some out of this world watches to chose from.
Waking up to it! Check out the JLC video I’ve just done on the Polaris, a fraction of the price!
I don't know. Enjoy your vids but it feels like you don't rock with them anymore primarily because of how you were treated so this video doesn't feel genuine. If they treated you like a king, and gave you the watches you wanted, would you still be done with them and made this video or would you have overlooked the flaws you're mentioning? Just feels like a wake-up call. Welcome to the watch shopping experience many of your viewers without stacks of cash have, unfortunately.
Bro, you don't treat a $35k watch like a $150 watch. You should and would have higher expectations when you are spending that much. When you are extremely overpaying for a particular type device, you are doing it because of the brand--usually a higher brand means higher expectations.
Nevertheless, I have the issue with mine wear it's either too tight or too loose. So I wear it slightly too loose and then it slides around and if it slides too much, then my hand hits the clasp which opens it super easy. 🤦🏾♂️
@@apathy11303 Again I don't believe he would be done with the brand if they treated him like a king. So it seems like he got his feelings hurt and as a result, is coming for the brand. Just one opinion of many, I'm sure.
If the watch isn't comfortable then why buy it? This just proves he bought it for hype and prestige of the watch, not even necessarily because of the brand, just that particular model. Wake up losers. AP does make other models. Do you'll have to buy RO? You are the reason why the price is so artificially inflated. You deserve to be treated a fool that you are. The RO was never designed to be comfortable. It was designed to look industrial. Genta was an Italian. Do you know that anything Italian designed usually adopts the principle of form over function? It's an object of beauty but impractical. All you idiots have been buying into the hype for 50 years! I bet 90% of AP RO owners never heard of Gerald Genta or AP before social media. They like it because it's a trend. It means you don't have individual taste. AP will suffer like Panerai did. The collectors aren't real enthusiasts. They just follow the hype.
@@patrick7228 Of course the customer service is part of the ownership experience! Entirely valid POV!
The familiar playbook - all good and nice video endorsement / influencing if you are treated well and all bad and hate video endorsement if you are not treated well. Haha
Agree with you 100%. The customer experience I've got at AP are horrible. Got invited to my local AP store for their "Grand Opening" of the new boutique, I got there and they only had straps to show. The former dreams and hunger to own an AP are gone- my focus has shifted to Vacheron Constantine. Always a nice customer experience, they are straight up with waiting times and it's less "games"...
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'Get the strap" #50cent.voice
Great video and I couldn’t agree with your more. History aside and what AP brings which can’t be denied the Royal Oak is a very boring watch in design. It’s gets old real quick and other then dial colours there is absolutely nothing unique or exciting about them. I own a openworks and bought it purely for the beauty and it being different from the normal and also because Patek and Rolex don’t do a skeleton and are not known for it. But I agree as beautiful as it is appearance wise it is uncomfortable. I wish I would have got the Vacheron skeleton which is stunning. But for now it stays in the collection and my wife actually has the open works in the 37. But I don’t ever see myself buying another AP. They really need to get going on some new designs and maybe even a new line. The Royal Oak is basically all they have. Keep up the great content.
❤️
Great comment. They really tried a new design with the code1159. And they almost had it too but let themselves down on the weirdly under designed dials in my opinion. If they had fantastic well balanced dials out of the gate the Code would have been a great edition. I think they should reboot the code with better dials.
I also think the pricing is an issue. There are companies creating fantastic watches at a similar or even lesser price. AP should look to take the feedback and improve or they could bubble along as they are…
@@WatchSociety Have you tried on the 50th anniversary 15510 or the 15550? They updated the bracelet and there is taper in the thickness of each link. It’s more comfortable
The fact that AP leaped over Patek in revenue last year despite making significantly less watches shows you how they have milked out their customers with their multiple price increases over the last 3 years, especially on their pedestrian stainless steel Royal Oaks. Their movements for the most part are CNC finished, barely a step above Rolex with none of the toughness and accuracy from the Crown. You are right about the customer service as well, it's basically non existent where I live because they cut their association with their AD network but didn't even bother opening a boutique haha. So I guess it's a very easy decision for me to spend my hard earned money on another brand like Patek or Vacheron, they at least have the decency of having at least one location in my country to sell me something, anything.
Well said Vince
@@WatchSocietyAs i know there’s only a Patek Philippe AD among Trilogy of Horology brands in my country. I am talking about Turkey, a significant country, not a small micro nation.
I've had the exact same disappointing experience. After going through a 2 Hour Interview process and being told I qualify given my collection, nothing after 1 year despite multiple follow ups and then I am told "sorry we focus on our local clients first". This buyers boom is coming to an end soon so they should understand and service their client and new clients base.
Appreciate the honesty. I parted with my 15202 earlier this year and while I very much enjoyed the watch, I don’t miss it at all. The sad thing is that while you had this experience with AP, I know plenty of people who have had similar experiences with other brands. I’m thankful for your bully pulpit to call it our in this circumstance and I’m sure others would love to be able to do the same for other brands. Keep up the content!
❤️❤️❤️ Thank you Yusef
Is this issue of sour grapes? Come on have not owned few ROs already. Just realized how bad watches they are? Do not abuse your social media power for personal experience.
@@chakarinkomolsiri5671 but they are bad. why do you think the date is not on the margin of the dial? because they used ultra slim movements that aren't for 41 for then to break easily
Every interaction I've had with their boutiques have been negative and elitist. I have visited the boutique a few times expressed my interest, they quizzed me on why I like the brand and what I do for work and literally asked why I don't dress nicer. I held my tongue and was polite, after 3 years I've given up as well. I'll stick with my Vacheron, Patek, and Rolex.
I am in no shape or form influencing your decision, but can tell you ever since the new management was brought in customer experience went down the drain! An ex employee of AP once told me they are the most unprofessional and unreliable company to work for and that’s why people do not tend to stay long! Sounds like a nasty culture, ruled by fear as reflected today in Audemars Piguet customer service!
If that’s what a boutique experience is like at AP, then it’s really sad. I’m surprised AP did not even bother to reach out after your escalation, it’s the least they could do. Key point of the video for me is the price of APs now and how it’s become unreachable for most of us, really sad. I used to love the RO too. Lusted over it for more than a decade but not so much now… actually might drop off my GRAIL List
i don't believe prices will stay that way. nothing last forever. remember that.
Lusted for it for a decade? They threw them at you 5 years ago. Why didnt you buy it then. You wanted it for free? And now it drops off your grail list... what a joker
@@rogerstrough3586 Maybe he couldn’t afford it 5 years ago and now he can. 🤔 That’s the case with myself. Not a joker, but I smartened up and went VC!! The Overseas bracelet is AMAZING and I don’t feel like a sheep in the herd.
@@alc1824 I Own a VC Traditionelle World Time, class watches, im not just a Rolex fanboy. Omega is great too. But back to our guy here - he said he lusted after the RO for a decade..when it was cheap. And now its triple retail its off his grail list. Dont know how cheap he wanted it but come on, they went for 20k ish a few years back ;)
I had the EXACT SAME EXPERIENCE my man! Im very lucky their bracelets fit me just perfectly. They are impossibly to deal with and all my AP purchases have unfortunately come from Grey Market dealers.
Appreciate your willingness to be transparent. I suspect your experience is shared among more than we hear about
Is it still possible in 2023 to purchase 15510ST as your first purchase from the boutique even for a least desirable colour?
Offshores are available on the secondary market below retail, steel royals oaks not very far from retail, if the market continues this way, I see them more accessible directly from boutiques!
@@WatchSociety awesome 🙏🏼☺️ thank you
Fair. I like the blue dial one specifically. After listening to your full explanation, I see where you are coming from. That salesperson crossed the line.
Well done. I’m tired of the crap from Authorised dealers.
I'm a previous owner of 16 different AP (Offshore and Oaks), and today proud to say I no longer own a single AP watch. Their customer service is blatantly distasteful, and the brand has come from one that prides themselves on service to one that simply can't cut it. How the mighty fall.
I used to absolutely love this brand. Had APs and only APs. No other brands. Not anymore. Soon, I think most watch guys will notice that all AP are doing is recycling colors and ceramic and spraying them on every single Royal Oak. Maybe they just aren't that special anymore. Hell, they can't keep an existing customer happy. How can they make new ones?
Did you own other APs apart from RO? They do make other watches. Did you try them.
@@oysterman962 Well, yes. My comment does in fact say so. 9 Offshores and 7 Oaks. What does this have to do with my comment though?
@@bryanng80 I am considering to buy an AP but not a RO or Offshore. Just wanted to know your opinion of AP dress watches but I guess my question is redundant since you only owned ROs. Considering you owned so many variants of the same model, I would say you have brand fatigue more than anything else. I think it's time you moved on to another manufacturer or try a different model and let someone else who appreciates the RO have a chance to buy it. Same goes for Ryder doing this review. Why did he even buy the RO of he doesn't appreciate the design? He's complained about the bracelet being ill fitting. If it's not comfortable why did you buy it?? I think you guys are in it for nothing more than hype. You probably just buy and sell them for profit. When you say you owned several, I can only imagine you flipped them. The other thing I want to mention is the quality of the watch is irrelevant to the customer service. Two separate issues. I had a customer service complaint against JLC but that was one store. I can't judge my opinion of the brand based on the attitude of one boutique or AD who isn't even a watchmaker and just as salesperson. Otherwise I'd shop at Hublot, having experienced the best customer service from them when I accidentally walked into the wrong boutique.
@@oysterman962 i believe we own AP because we used to love this brand. I also believe we start to dislike this brand because we don't feel like to be treated like a fool. And AP's current sales model is treat their customers like a begger.
i think purchase experience is important when it comes with luxury goods
@@mygift28 Yes you're right. Purchase experience is important when you are paying for the privilege to own something exclusive. I had put my name down on several AD waitlists but if I finally do get the call I'm going to reject the offer. Not just AP but any brand that makes you beg and discriminates their customers should not be given the satisfaction to receive your business. People should stop feeding this unhealthy industry of false luxury. It's only perceived rarity. If AP or Rolex wanted to mass produce these obsolete objects of frivolous desire they could easily open more factories and employ more people. It's a manufactured good. It's not a rare commodity or a non renewable naturally occurring mineral. Anything man made can be replicated and replaced. STOP being a sucker.
I agree with your comfort comment. AP RO had one of the most uncomfortable bracelets I ever tried on. I thought it was a joke for a watch that cost so much. More so today. My RO Offshore on leather is more comfortable. I don’t understand why people chase brands. So many great watches out there! AP only sells cufflinks now lol
💯% Size side, I actually think the ROO is better value for the buck! RO pricing vs actual cost is a joke and so do their customer service! Wait and see what will happen to this brand! A lot of watch enthusiasts are paying more attention than ever to Lange, Vacheron, IWC, and JLC. And yes it’s sticky cuff links now 😂
Your so right but I have ap watch past down to me. I don’t k ow how to use it. Do you have video on this. I’m the watch wasn’t use for long to time. Just watch use it. I only have the watch. Or what I need. Ap don’t want to help me . Help and thank you
Which watch companies give good customer service?
Reda, totally agree with you.
great video. I can not tell you how many times I visited the AP boutique store in Dubai, I went through exactly the same ordeal as you. I've bought two offshores and was waiting for one Royal oak. It's been two years and salespeople are the worst, they never get your profile right and there are so many issues. Yet, I see so many people getting these watches which makes me wonder.... I was at the boutique and saw one guy pickup 4 watches, 4 watches, this is in Dubai mall! And we can't pick up even 1! I'm also done with the brand! My VC is overseas I love and wear everyday; the Gold piece is even better... Thank you for sharing
Rez, thank you for watching brother, truly appreciate it and can relate to you. I've seen guys walk into AP dubai mall boutique in Messka (luxury brand) bags and walk out with them full of watches! Where is it going? How? I am not sure and that remains a mystery, but i can tell you one thing, their is always a back-door that is not open for people like you and I. At the end of the day, let me put it this way, sometimes we can feel like we are always chasing something just because we can't have it. I use to think its partly due to our vanity and self-esteem, and partly due to our warped sense of that thing's value. But when you actually get it, you realize that you never wanted it in the first place. Thats maybe why i didn't care for the outcome and refused to remove the video! This is turning into a therapy session 😂 but hope you got my point. Stay well and safe ❤️
@@WatchSociety I'm down with your therapy session; for me the same! You took all of my frustrations and summed it up in your video. Anyway, at the end of the day AP doesn't care; they have people "who are chasing" buying their product regardless. But they are giving it to flippers and they know it! Keep making great videos! They are real!! Real is great!
Hi man!! Thanks for sharing your experience, why you're expecting any heat? All of us watch collectors enjoys the watch and the buying experience, it's part of the deal, and if you got insulted what do they think would happen? Anyway, great hearing your honest opinion. For a sec I thought they delivered you the 50th anniversary chrono...lol 🤣 take care my friend and keep safe!!
Question: how was the accuracy on it?
Well said my friend , similar experience with the brand. My believe is that this strategy is not going to end well with their brand. Selling to grey market and not to the ones appreciating the brand for what it is will have adverse effects when the financial crisis will hit the global markets.
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Me too, simple from customer experience, can’t love a brand that don’t love you back.
It’s interesting to hear how you feel about the overall look & comfort of AP watches. I have four AP watches & kinda do find them boring, industrial feeling as well. I don’t wear them nearly as much as my Rolex models. Thanks for your honesty & experience.
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@Michael, get rid of those things and mainstream Rolex..
@@smm6526 Listen child I have thirty watches all heavy hitters. Stick to your swatch & Timex pieces
@@michaelcipriano5803 I don't give a rats bottom how many watches you have...live your life, just get rid of that AP shyt...
@@smm6526 Ok little child. LOL
Been on the "wish list" for 2 years for a black dial 15500ST - still waiting... Was on the list for a VC Overseas 4500V black for 6 months and it is currently on my wrist.
Congrats 🥳 I absolutely love Vacheron
I can say customer service in the UK was great with me and didn't had to pay for the extra 2 extra links that was need it to fit my wrist! Also the watch feels very comfortable. I guess everyone has diferent experiences and wrists :) sorry to hear about your experience
I totally agree with you. After a 5 year wait with AP I went the VC route. Had to wait but the service was second to none. In the end got the blue dial Overseas 4500v. So glad AP never actually worked out for me!
Future will tell... but lots of succesfull brand make these mistakes.... they will only realize it when it is to late...
new sub from Spain, thanks for the video
Nice video overall and very clear ! But I just say my experience with AP has been outstanding out of HK here. I only first came in touch with the brand last year 2021 April. And their sales is extremely friendly and really take my requests seriously. I have been allocated two RO in just over a year, one steel one gold RO; and the dial colors I wanted too!! And every time I roll my wrist, my watch just screams wow to me after all this time. I have bought PP, VC, Rolex in the last year too, so just wanted to make a fair comment about my experience.
I concur and I can hardly think of any other watch brand provides better service here in HK….
Sick purchase story! Did you buy from the AP House in Central? Would love to connect as I’ve been waiting for mine as well!
wow.. good to know that. i thought they are all the same. Glad to hear that HK store provide good service as they are suppose to in the first place
Man good for you! Tell AP to stick it if you’re not happy with them. Been following you for year and proud of you man!
❤️
I dont blame you. The hype is dying down very quickly and brands like AP are a one trick pony. People are getting tired of it for the most part. A steel AP is underwhelming even at retail let alone 2 or 3 times retail. I find it comical that AD"s feel that they are doing their customers a "favour". Watches from most hype brands will be sitting in display cases in the no too distant future.
They do make other watches apart from RO & Off Shore. Maybe if people stop buying into the hype & start discovering other offerings of the brand then they might get a different experience. Saying AP is a one trick pony because you only like that model is unfair. Like saying McDonalds only makes Big Macs.
I have only had the pleasure of owning one AP in the 15300st. I purchased it pre-owned and the bracelet is "broken in". I love this watch honestly. The 38-40mm case size is my sweet spot and I really don't like the 15400 or the 15500. Also your AP experience is very similar to mine as far as the AP boutiques. They are rude and they are too important to deal with any of our inquiries lol.
I too would prefer the 15300 to the 15400 and the 15400 to the 15500.
why did you buy 3 royal oaks if you don't like it? At least made some good profit on them now?
Well done, I need to hear that. I have been on the fence about AP, now I am sure it is not the watch for me. Thank you.
My watchmaker always tells me he is tired of fixing so many AP . Apparently the don’t withstand daily or regular wear . Conclusion they are delicate so watch out if you are going to use it.
Yes indeed, i've heard the same from watch technicians who actually use to work for AP. Totally agree!
AP boutiques in Singapore are the worst watch boutiques i have ever experienced. Despite the shops are often as empty as a graveyard, still they disallow walk in customers. Shame on them really.
I’ve been through 3 AP Boutiques in Asia, all have great customer experience although no stock available. Hoping for a call soon.
Great review. Wow, somewhere along the way these brands have got it twisted. The tides will turn and we will not forget.
Yes indeed, AP seem to forget that customer service is important! leveraging consumerism with a degree of limitation on supply is understandable for any luxury brand's growth. However, to create a unique trustworthy customer experience you also want to spread brand's positivity, something that is extremely hard for AP to establish and demonstrate when their front facing employees are unqualified, rude and completely disconnected from the brand's message. I personally see the royal oaks coming back on display should AP continues this way!
I had a bad experience at the Dubai mall as well in March during the Dubai expo. The sales people were letting me know that I am not welcomed into the shop. I was just laughing at them and left.
Let’s not forget that you are dealing with overworked retail staff that are literally ruled by fear from AP’s new management! Your experience is unacceptable, period! I would however point at APs strategy, management as opposed to these guys. As a result, AP today are years/miles far away from what are soon to be “no longer customers” what a shame destroying a historical brand.
Great video. This answers some questions for me. I was thinking about getting the royal oak chronograph but I’ve never actually tried one on. But I love the looks of it. However I did wonder about the bracelet and the fact that there are new micro adjustments on the clasp. I have had various watches like that before and it’s always a pain trying to adjust it to fit your wrist swelling at different times. I have owned over 70 high-end watches including Rolex, Breitling etc. and I was thinking about stepping out on a limb and buying the a P but now based on your review in this information I think I will have to think about that. I would definitely need to try one on first. It is definitely a unique looking watch but not worth it if it does not fit comfortably
Thank you for watching David 🙏
Having owned a few watches myself, I can say it came down to how your collation matures with you? What are you really paying for? And how does it make you feel? The answer to me was really a.Langa & Söhne! The Lange 1 in specific. Outside of look and feel, and wither it can handle a beat or not, to me AP is a young man’s movement! 😂 Seriously, once your get past the bracelet, there is really nothing there unless you go vintage!
Sad to hear that but I beleive it’s certainly boutique dependent. My experience in Madrid has been nothing short of superb
Frequent events, matches to Real Madrid games, VIP golf tickets, Cocktail evenings, dinners and even a trip to switzerland to the manufacturer
If you get a chance, meet with Pamela and Soon at the boutique. The upmost professionalism, honesty and superb hospitality. Was lucky enough to get a 50th anniversary RO in rose gold
My advice to anyone new, try not to be just another customer pestering for a RO. They have limited pieces per boutique and fighting for that will be futile. Instead take time to learn from them about the brand with genuine enthusiasm, show you’re willing to build a diverse collection and most of all, be patient!
Good luck to everyone out there!
I visited an authorized AP Boutique in Dubai last May.
I have put my name on the waiting list for a Royal Oak stainless steel white dial.
Even though the white dial is not the most desired one, the sales lady told that I will be probably waiting for 11 years!!! 😂😂😂
And no, she was not joking…
11 years 😂😂😂
Very curious how they come up with that time frame. And if AP manager actually think any logical person will wait that long for a non-essential toy. We can bring our money elsewhere. And receive more enjoyment (i mean what are they really thinking???) i rather they tell customer that they can't sell you that model. Its better than tell you 11 years... Will they still produce that model 10 years from now? ...
I love the design of the RO but I am done with AP. I can’t describe how much I dislike the company from CEO down to the boutique employees. I don’t want to be associated with this brand and so I sold my watch. But I still love the design 😂
i think many people like the watch. But dislike the purchase experience
Sorry but I have to disagree with you, I have a 15400 41mm it’s a perfect fit and is a lot more comfortable than my Rolex, I’ve just bought a Day Date 40mm and I’m having that issue where it’s either too tight it too loose, Day Dates haven’t got the adjustable clasp as you know. So I know what you mean but I think it’s just your wrist size and not AP
Wow imagine paying all that money for an AP watch just to have that type of disrespect courtesy of customer service. Unbelievable.
Tell me about it!
@@WatchSociety take your hard earned money somewhere else bro!
I appreciate your experience at AP was not great and you have every right to not feel good about it. Having said that it's strange that the Royal Oak's bracelet is so unwearable yet you bought 3 of them and were trying to get a 4th one, no? You say how could AP not do anything about the bracelet, don't they know how uncomfortable it is? That's your opinion only, literally the best thing about Royal Oaks is the luxurious bracelet that I have yet to see anything come close to and I have owned an Overseas and tried on a Nautilus. The vast majority of people I know that have tried any of my Royal Oaks comment on the comfort of the bracelet when they try it on. You even have a whole segment in your video where you bought the blue 15450ST waxing lyrical about how comfortable the bracelet is and you say "there is absolutely nothing like a Royal Oak on the wrist". So again I understand your frustration and your experience with your boutique maybe enough to turn you completely off the brand but I find the firs few "reasons" of why you hate AP now kinda strange given your previous review of their watches and how many of them you bought and were still looking to get. I would be interested to hear your opinion again should they for whatever reason decide to allocate you one of their more desired pieces.
Wow passive aggressive much? Sorry his opinion changed, you know I know in the woke world we live in a human can’t ever make mistakes, or God forbid change an opinion.
@@PGoh440 I just found it interesting that he only changed his opinion of the watch after the sales guy told him he wouldn't be allocated one.
Totally agree and im surprised nobody called him out on it. My RO 50th anniversary chrono was delayed by about a month and a half literally due to component shortages. Was a worldwide delay, for everyone, even VVIP. Yet this guy thought he was too important and antagonized them so they cut him off. He thought he could use his online influence to force their hand but obviously overestimated his impact. He knows he screwed up and is now salty. I dont understand how people dont see this.
@@karimhanis yup
When Riyadh loved AP so much, know he hates them! The truth revealed, you made a video on how to get an AP without going through the boutique! AP in Dubai asked you nicely to take it down, you refused! So your in the wrong, plus they declined to give the Chrono 26240 50th Anniversary! I like your video’s, but on this case your totally wrong, Riyadh!
Last year after only a 3 week wait I got my first RO. The 26240OR.OO.D315CR.02 from AP and I also found it uncomfortable at the start, they couldn’t be more helpful and we actually realised the strap had been put on backwards from the factory. They switched it round for me and actually gave me a dark blue rubber strap to also put on the watch. I now wear it as a daily and love it. Hoping to get an openworked model this year
I was fortunate to get an RO chronograph with blue dial in 2017 at my local AD. I was surprised when I saw it on the AD’s website. The AD was shocked to get it as well. The blue dial models were thought to be boutique only. I even got a nice discount. The AP world has sure changed since they went to a boutique only operating model.
David firstly congrats on getting your watch in a time when AP was still a like-able brand. Subsequently and in retrospective, their is no AP world, its one model line, the royal oak, thats it! What makes a certain dial color boutique exclusive? What does that even mean? All AP boutiques around the world are no longer associated with any authorised dealer!
So… basically you hate on AP because they wouldn’t allocate you a piece at retail? I understand your frustration but it just seems like you’re throwing a tantrum online.
To be fair, he was promised an allocation already and AP re-neg’d because they wanted him to take down a video. His response and outrage is totally justified.
Thanks for your honest views. There are plenty of customers that will gladly jump hoop for AP. You have to much self respect.
Honestly, I can't entirely agree with what you said about the bracelet. I have AP, and I don't have any inconvenience with it
You were strait and to thee point. please keep it UP !!!!!!
Bro, you know I am a big collector and have been for many years. Everything from seikos to haute horology, so I am not a watch snob. I just want to share my opinions with the brand and the royal oak. I know in this hobby, everyone has their own opinions which is a positive as it would be boring if everyone liked the same stuff and beautiful is in the eye of the beholder. I have never been attracted to the royal oak. Personally, to be honest it is very a dated design. The offshore to me is actually hideous. My customer experience with the boutique has only been once, and I got a reply and a promise and nothing materialised. That's was years ago. I have invested into this hobby long enough to not be wanting to playing this brands games. I didn't bother chasing up. At this price point, there are more innovative and better advanced watches that will want to entertain my enquiries. Happy collecting
Lol bro if u Weber attracted and thought the ap as you say was hideous and outdated then why would u bother to reach out to the ad and be upset if ever “materialized” capppp
Were never*
@@williamf4229 I said the offshore is hideous. It was early in my collecting, I wanted to add a royal oak to the collection even if I was never that attracted to it. If you never brought one and tried it on you would never know if it works for you. At least i would have tried it and the worst case senerio, i would have part exchanged it for something else. If R never brought the 15500st he would have never have known the bracelet was uncomfortable. That's unfortunately what us hobbyist do.
Even if ok I’m sure. got it smh
Well said @RichardMan ❤️
You said is uncomfortable, fragile, why would you order an other one?
Kept a blind eye and like everyone else went with it when i shouldn't have!
You are right! The question about the taking the video down unleashed it all for me
These luxury brands are coming down to Earth 🌍 with a bump soon, and they probably know it.
Are the AP rubber bracelets OEM? How can I buy one? 👀
Great video and i totally share your views. I received a horrible experience as well from an AD. I subsequently obtained the Royal Oak Chrono from the secondary market and guess what ? I was the least impressed with the finishing especially on the open back. Patek and Lange's finishing is way better. That will be my only and last AP.
Is it the same bracelet feel for the 15202 jumbo? Those are thinner in profile
The jumbo is thinner
So one year ago, after having acquired the royal oak, you called the bracelet a ‘work of art’ and said in multiple videos that it was ‘super comfortable’ but now it is your #1 reason to dislike the watch and you claim it was bugging you from the beginning?
He took his ball and is going home.
Damn sorry to hear about your experiences man! Totally appreciate if the fit or look don't work for you. Sucks about the customer service, I guess i have been spoilt in Hong Kong with great service (of course not the allocations I want though...) Can't really blame HQ for one or two staff being rude. That happens everywhere.
Well done and thanks for sharing this experience. I hope more people can see what this brand is all about.
You and me both! ❤️
I figured out RM ? You pay 500 k for a 50k watch, why ? I think RM holds the 450 k to be traded back for money laundering? They can take a 500k watch anywhere in the world without paying 1 dollar taxes. 10 trips saves 5 million without paying one penny in taxes ? Think about 400 bucks of carbon is worth 500 k ? BS. It is a brilliant tax scam. Neal
Great video as always. I am very sorry to hear about the negative experience with AP. Customer service is a dying art. I hope this is isolated to that specific boutique. Stay positive! Cheers, Jock
Nooooo! Ridah, you’re the reason I got into AP! Sorry your experiences haven’t been great. I’ve had really good experiences with them. Maybe it all depends on the specific boutique.
Hey Penny, i know! I thought about you when making this video 😂
It is indeed the local boutiques, but honestly i do not care for buying any more AP's for the 3 reasons, and just bored of the design 😂 i was thinking to trade all three for a nautilus and stay there!
Exactly! i have the same issue on the 14500 always its too tight or too big!
❤️
I have a 15450, aquired grey market at a premium, but before things maxed out so still came out on top. We don't have any boutiques in Canada so grey is the only option for us.
I wear my watches more on the loose side so the bracelet never bothered me.
I appreciate it's unqiue history and design aesthetic, it's a timepiece that does feel special when I put it on the wrist.
My gripes with AP are firstly the use of third party movements for their 34mm and now recently, 15550 37mm Royal Oaks. To me that's a complete sell-out and something they should be ashamed of. It's not even mentioned on their website so customers who think they're buying AP are actually getting Voucher-made movements.
Secondly, AP has a rich history full of amazing timepieces, they should expand their line-up to include some of their historical pieces, in the same way Vacheron and Patek do. Focusing on the Royal Oak completely is really a disservice to their roots and history.
I just bought a Selfwinding and honestly I felt the same disappointment in wearing it: too loose (uncomfortable) or too narrow (uncomfortable too).
I personally have had a wonderful experience at my local AP boutique. Everything they have promised, they have delivered. You stepped on their toes with your offshore video and then you antagonised them about their shortage so you got cut off. Seems fair and square to me. Also, i see you complain about the AP bracelet, price etc which i never head from you on the AP videos your produced before the ban. Seems salty and disingenuous and makes me question the whole story....
Sorry to burst your bubble, but youre salty. Not him
ive been waiting for a 15500 for more than 2 years now. ive been back and forth with boutique but no call as of yet.
if you're willing to sell your 15500 please do let me know. will be more than happy to discuss options
I wish i knew earlier ❤️
Thank you. I appreciate your video and your viewpoint.
Great video and appreciate the honesty. I don’t get these brands that have that sell direct to the customer and have these types of practices. Thank you for helping he to decide not to even try getting an AP because my life history is none of their business unless it is part of a conversation, therefore I probably wouldn’t be successful in getting an allocation. Looking forward to picking up another Vacheron instead! Thanks again 🙏🏾
I love the ascetic of AP watches but I have never owned one. I just couldn’t buy an AP in steel, when I could have a comfortable solid gold Daydate for the same price.
Facts! ❤️
Great video!! The AP Royal Oak used to be the #1 watch I wanted to go for as my starter watch out of grad school. Now I’m between a Rolex Day Date, or a Vacheron Historiques. I’m a much darker skin tone and have a small wrist so I usually like to stay in the 40mm range. I want to versatile watch I can wear in the office and to functions seamlessly. Any suggestions?
Very cool! You can't go wrong with either! Whilst pink or yellow gold would look nice on darker skin i just want to warren you that once you go gold its really hard to come back!
unfortunatelly i have to agree with most of the things he mentioned. i was a big ap fan too. but especially the customer experience is getting worse and worse. i had bad experiences in different locations :/
Indeed
I've never been a fan of AP, when I go to their boutiques anywhere...they're just one of the most unwelcoming folks ever
Here is my watch collecting journey, starts with Omega, then it grows to Rolex but unable to get one, it changed to higher trinity, then realizing that I overpaid and got bored, back to Rolex again for that one watch timeless design no BS. Life is just more simple with one Rolex for everyday.
Dude, I have to agree with you, my dealings with them in Australia have been very average.
Luckily I prefer VC, its so nice to go into an AD and bit treated well by normal people. The VC people are just more down to earth genuine people.
Some brands forget how important it is to have the right people as ambassadors for their brand. And one can only imagine the drama your video must have caused all the way to the top of AP, really WTF.
I agree with you. I had a blue jumbo and sold it 2 years ago. Wasn’t happy with the customer service and the watch was very erratic.
Makes the two of us Audiman
When a sales person tells you that a stainless steel bracelet will stretch in time you need to leave that store and never return.
are the watches really that delicate?
Love the video! I’ve always thought AP was slightly overrated and mostly for the reasons you pointed out.
Not visible at first but then with your experience your star to notice that its overrated which tells me you know your watches well ❤️
Would you consider the Laureato as a RO contender ? I love it on my side
AP is just such a one trick pony. royal oak is like their only model worth its salt.
So true, you know how i feel about AP
You're so spot on mate... Terrible experience I recently had, beyond words... They lost me too 😅. But I'm a sure they're fine 🤘🏽
The 15500 bracelet is the most comfortable bracelet I’ve ever worn. I own 6 different modern Rolex watches, and my 2 AP’s 15500 in stainless and gold are super comfy.
$400 per link seems about right?
Been waiting for this so they tried to blackmail you wow! Thanks for the honesty. I feel the same about Rolex ADs games here in UK. 👊🏾
Ma' Man! I've not had any experience with Rolex in UK, but are they comparable to what i've described for AP?
@@WatchSociety Exactly the same bro. Watches of Switzerland being top of the food chain when it come to that Bs not all. But a hell of alot them branches.
A shame you feel this way. AP makes some fantastic timepieces
If fantastic doesn't include reliability, then without a question!
However, thats 20% of the job!
Thank you for sharing. Now AP has Minus 2 customers!
I try one in AP Beverly hill, the gold royal oak chronograph with leather strap and its not confort at all
glad you shared your story! Good to have an insider story of how they rejected you because of your social media presence and how shallow their business is
I totally agree with the bracelet issue as I have had the same problem. I have a chronograph and it has been sitting in my safety deposit more than anything else. I got it at the boutique in 2017 when they still had good customer service. Since the shortage in watches they stopped calling me back or emailing me back while I was on the list for a 15500. The sales person told me once that I was already lucky I had the blue dial Chrono.
I hear you Mehdi, AP was lucky to have your business. Lets see what happens when this luck runs out! It already started!