Watches available in Asia?

[value.target]

I am planning a long trip to Asia. Just curious if there is a chance to acquire RO in Asia, such as Korea, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam?

[huncho]

at msrp? no

[value.target]

Originally Posted by huncho

at msrp? no

Yes, at AP boutiques?

[huncho]

Originally Posted by value.target

Yes, at AP boutiques?

almost 0% chance

[VogelPhoenix]

Not sure why one would expect the situation to be any different in Asia, compared to the rest of the world? More than enough HNWIs in the countries mentioned, and if there weren't, AP would certainly rebalance their distribution.

[messikens]

Yes because flying to Asia means you're automatically in a dirt poor country without any rich people and where boutiques are desperate to hand them to visitors...

Which is why AP established a boutique there to begin with...

[m3tek44]

chance are slim. There are soo many wealthy rich people in Asia (Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Thai) they already have solid relationship with AP boutique.

[Steve Stifler]

Yeah, try the boutique in Mongolia.

[value.target]

Originally Posted by Steve Stifler

Yeah, try the boutique in Mongolia.

have you been there? please share your experience!

[Audemars Enjoyer]

Originally Posted by Steve Stifler

Yeah, try the boutique in Mongolia.

One of my fav boutiques in Asia, I heard Jumbos are available for walk-ins


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[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Audemars Enjoyer

One of my fav boutiques in Asia, I heard Jumbos are available for walk-ins

Are you sure it's not buy one, get the 2nd one 50% off

[Audemars Enjoyer]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

Are you sure it's not buy one, get the 2nd one 50% off

Ahh must be a VVIP thing


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[In-N-Out]

15407ST was available in Korea boutique last week. I passed on it bc I’m looking for the new version releasing later this year

[l_chissle]

Originally Posted by In-N-Out

15407ST was available in Korea boutique last week. I passed on it bc I’m looking for the new version releasing later this year

Similarly Bangkok offered me a 15416CE, but I had to turn it down because I already have one

[supernova]

If you mean "long trip" as in years then yes you can build a relationship to acquire a RO. If you mean walk in as a tourist and walk out with a RO there and then, no chance. Same as with any other AP boutique globally.

[value.target]

Originally Posted by In-N-Out

15407ST was available in Korea boutique last week. I passed on it bc I’m looking for the new version releasing later this year

Hah... do you know if they only offer this 15407ST for long term client? or anyone local at your boutique?

[value.target]

Originally Posted by l_chissle

Similarly Bangkok offered me a 15416CE, but I had to turn it down because I already have one

Wow... I wish I lived in Bangkok. Can you share some info? Is that because the demand for ROs where you live is not that high compared to the States and Europe?

[mickyd329]

Originally Posted by value.target

Wow... I wish I lived in Bangkok. Can you share some info? Is that because the demand for ROs where you live is not that high compared to the States and Europe?

You're not really believing this are you? You're not going to be able to walk into any boutique in Asia and walk out with an RO. Demand there is no different than here in the U.S.

[value.target]

Originally Posted by mickyd329

You're not really believing this are you? You're not going to be able to walk into any boutique in Asia and walk out with an RO. Demand there is no different than here in the U.S.

lol... so it is a joke?

joke is fun! but I am genuinely curious, guys!

[huncho]

Originally Posted by value.target

lol... so it is a joke?

joke is fun! but I am genuinely curious, guys!

you got the real answer many times already, that's why people have moved on to trolling. you won't be getting a RO at a boutique in another country. it's gonna be even harder than getting one as a local

[messikens]

Originally Posted by huncho

you got the real answer many times already, that's why people have moved on to trolling. you won't be getting a RO at a boutique in another country. it's gonna be even harder than getting one as a local

That's not true! I went to the boutique in North Korea and they offered me a blue QP and a Travis Scott QP as a bundle at 20% off list if I take both.

I told them no - it's either a Piece Unique or nothing for this cat!

[Octagon Guy]

Originally Posted by messikens

That's not true! I went to the boutique in North Korea and they offered me a blue QP and a Travis Scott QP as a bundle at 20% off list if I take both.

I told them no - it's either a Piece Unique or nothing for this cat!

North Korea???

[messikens]

Originally Posted by Octagon Guy

North Korea???

Have you never been to that boutique? It's one of the best! Definitely worth going if you visit Asia

[crispyness87]

Originally Posted by messikens

Have you never been to that boutique? It's one of the best! Definitely worth going if you visit Asia

Agreed! I cold called that boutique and they offered to do me a piece unique. But I already promised my kid a new bicycle, so I had insufficient funds. I’ll call back when this week’s pay check comes in.

[seccone]

Setting aside the humorous replies for a second, I agree with the general consensus that it is a dynamic global market and between local demand and international buyers in destinations with a particularly high influx of visitors, as a rule there are no “secret” location where one can easily find the more sought after references.

That said, it is possible sometimes to be in the proverbial right place at the right time. I had one such experience approximately 6 months ago traveling in Thailand. While the OP is inquiring about AP availability my experience relates to Patek Philippe, but it applies as an example as the scarcity of supply is similar between those two manufacturers.

While in Bangkok in early December I walked into the Patek authorized dealer at the EmQuartier shopping center, TKI Perpetual Co. They had in the display cases inside the boutique two Aquanuat 5168G, one green and one blue, and a 5167R in rose gold. I inquired about the blue 5168G in blue and was offered it for sale, with the clerk translating the purchase amount from Thai Baht to USD including the duty free rebate.

This is a watch that on the secondary market trades for roughly 2X it’s list price.

It was my last night in Bangkok before returning to the U.S, I wasn’t planning on purchasing the watch (I am patiently waiting for a 5167/A), it was late in the day, I was on the way to dinner with some people, and I struggled with how I could that same night find a way to pay for the watch without time to arrange a wire transfer.

For a few days afterward I kicked myself for not having bought the watch even if only to flip it once back in the States.

I relayed this story to my Patek AD back in the States and he was very surprised to hear it. He said he has long time Patek clients of his that have been waiting for that watch ever since it came out. We speculated perhaps the retailer were given an unexpected allocation, or possibly they may be losing their authorized retailer status as Patek looks to reduce the number of non-boutique retailers much like AP has already done.

The moral of the story is: surprises like the one I experienced are rare and should not be counted upon. I would not plan to travel to a far flung manufacturer retail location thinking you will hit the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But sometimes, you can get lucky.

[kopi-c]

Originally Posted by value.target

I am planning a long trip to Asia. Just curious if there is a chance to acquire RO in Asia, such as Korea, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam?

Why not buy in the US?

[Octagon Guy]

Originally Posted by messikens

Have you never been to that boutique? It's one of the best! Definitely worth going if you visit Asia

[worldofoyster]

yes, for the right price

[iten]

The boutique I go to in Hong Kong has a store front around 500 sqft, but it is also ranked no. 1 in sales globally...They don't sell to foreigners....