Messages: 230 Location: CT
Registered: January 2004
Have I been living under a rock!?!?
Sat, 26 January 2019 18:31
Am I one of the last people to know that AP is closing all of their AD's in the US! Two of my AD's told me today and, instead of a fire sale, they are actually selling pieces at retail or a tick below! I am talking about places that used to extend a large discount, now drawing a line in the sand and saying that they will not get any more watches and since everyone will have to visit a boutique, there is no reason to extend any discount. I am shocked. When did this happen?
Messages: 230 Location: CT
Registered: January 2004
Update
Sun, 27 January 2019 12:35
All US AD's were shuttered Jan 1st as AP will be Boutique ONLY in the United States. Even their best AD's, like Al Armstrong, have been closed down. I guess the writing has been on the wall for the past two years, with many AD's losing their status and any piece that we might be interested in becoming "boutique only" or just never making it into any AD's inventory.
Best of luck to AP with this strategy but I don't like it.
Messages: 197 Location: Abu Dhabi
Registered: April 2010
My sentiments exactly
Sun, 27 January 2019 15:31
This strategy can't possibly help a brand expand and, in spite of all their success, AP isn't 'above' needing to expand.
I am sticking with my AD (which happens to be the same guy that you mentioned) and will just look for other brands that aren't 'too good to work with ADs'. For instance, I personally would never consider buying the new CODE 11.59 line but if I did, it certainly wouldn't be from a boutique and at full retail price; it would have to be from an AD and at a sizable discount who would count my purchase as me doing them a favor and move me up the list for other highly-sought-after pieces.
I don't blame AP though; Rolex, Patek and FP Journe seem to be following the same strategy.
Messages: 230 Location: CT
Registered: January 2004
Apologies
Sun, 27 January 2019 22:36
I was texted today by a good friend who works at LA's largest AP dealer and have been informed that they are, at this moment, still an authorized dealer. This is the only AD that I have heard of that still retains their status with AP.
Messages: 230 Location: CT
Registered: January 2004
I agree but...
Sun, 27 January 2019 22:41
I think that Journe and Patek have serious service issues which might benefit from selling from less storefronts. Rolex, on the other hand, just do whatever they want because their product is in such demand. Plus, their product really is fantastic and just works.
Messages: 229 Location: London, UK
Registered: December 2008
In three to five years all AP multi-brand ADs sadly will cease operations
Mon, 28 January 2019 15:10
It is well known
AP will close down all authorised dealers around the world in order to take control of its entire distribution
At SIHH 2018, the CEO of Audemars Piguet gave an interview to Reuters confirming AP plans for the future regarding distribution
An extract of the interview:
ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss watch brand Audemars Piguet wants to totally control the distribution of its luxury watches, cutting out third-party multi-brand retailers, within three to five years, its head told Reuters, adding the integration would boost sales.
- A staff points at Audemars Piguet watches at the "Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie" (SIHH) watch fair, organised by the Richemont group, in Geneva, Switzerland, January 15, 2018.
REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
"We'll accelerate the consolidation process to arrive at a totally integrated retail network," Chief Executive Francois-Henry Bennahmias said in reply to emailed questions. "That should happen within three to five years.
"Since the beginning of the year, we've seen double-digit sales growth. We were already close to one billion Swiss francs in sales last year, we'll easily exceed it," he said, adding this was also a consequence of the retail integration.
Messages: 230 Location: CT
Registered: January 2004
Quick check on the AP website
Mon, 28 January 2019 19:40
I have been told there are three stores that remain tied to AP, along with Material Goods which always had special privileges. I believe they need to have separate store fronts, ie a Boutique.
