Audemars Piguet is Failing its Collectors / Terrible Service and QC Issues - Talking Clock E11 

This was the most honest interview I have seen reference AP and watch brands in general. I have been a long time client of AP and I mean first one purchased back in 2006. Quite frankly they don’t give a dam about client retention. I know so many people who have been given ceramic perpetual calendar after buying just one other watch so with very little history. I know people who get three to four watches a year but old long term clients who desire certain models don’t get a looking or a call. It is a disgrace how they treat clients and soon enough they will fall from grace as bad news spread ten times more than good.

Bruh please next time no background music like in the elevator or hotel restrooms. Your video content is dope 10/10 love it. Cheers

Visited the AP store in Harrods in London. Very rude and disrespectful SA who "greeted" me. Went across the aisle and bought a Lange 1. The service in the Lange boutique was on a different level. I am so done with AP 🖕

Very Knowledgable, well spoken & insightful collector ! Such a great interview, could hear this guy keep talking for so much longer!!! Can't wait for the second part.

AP boutique has been among my worst customer experience ever, I do live in Geneva, sales associate was rude and so arrogant that I almost laught before telling him that in fact I was making over 10 times the money he was making then left for good, I ended up buying a Vacheron Constantin Overseas and customer experience was really very special

This is happening across all brands. Even smaller brands are becoming very cocky when comes to pricing. Walk. No business for them let them starve

I also testify to AP worst costumer service ever, London boutique is the worst.

Same experience in Japan, it is sad to see what is happening with how AP treats its customers.

You hit a spot on point on their customer service and the unrealistic expectations they have of their customers.

Fully agree with the observations. I had 3 APs in the last 5 years and all sold it. I knew about the issues that AP chronos have but wanted to experience having one as esthetically they look damn good! After 1 week already the minutes subdial start to fail. I immediately brought it back to the dealer and got my money back. Never again an AP chrono in my life! Got a Patek chrono nowadays (5170), by faaaaar superior! The only AP I had for almost 5 years and was very happy with was the Dual Time. The movement is from JLC so I knew it was trustworthy and good. Never had any issues with it! If you consider buying an AP RO just stick to the time & date complication, anything more complicated you can generally expect troubles in the future. As for the boutique experience, not great at all. Hardly any pieces you can see in the flesh and the sales person is not very interested to show you either. Imagine you have to build up a spent history with such people..nah, I will take my $100k I want to spent on a watch somewhere else where I am appreciated and people are more passionate to sell you that watch..

Walked by Bucherer in Geneva today. Pricing for a regular GP at over 15K is just nuts. Same everywhere, like TAG. I started around 2007, preowned. The watch market is unsustainable. As for AP attitude, I have heard regularly it is synonymous to putting your finger in your back throat.

AP and many other Swiss brands need to be careful of losing loyal customers. I’ve owned 5 APs in my life. I still have 3 of them. But I have moved on to GP because when I was getting married,my in-laws wanted to get a watch as a wedding present and I asked AP for a 16202. Long story short, after interviews and such, I was told “cannot”. So I was cool, things have changed. And now, I have stopped buying ANY production watches. I only look at neo vintage (not vintage) models from GP and Minerva. Stuff from the 1990’s. No need to suck up to any ADs and consider “spend history” and such. And the neo-vintage era had such magnificent watches and often they are so much cheaper than production watches. Collector engagement is so important. I don’t many fancy dinner and such. I mean education GTG over pizza and such. What many Swiss watch brands don’t realize is that we collectors value what our peers say about the brand. No amount of direct brand fancy market can compete with what our fellow collectors say about the brand. Also many new collectors have become lazy. They don’t realize that collecting is 30 % research, 40% trying on fellow collectors watches over meet ups, and only 30% buying. With c24 and such gaining strength daily, we no longer have to rely on ADs. Anyway, just my humble thoughts ☀️🙏🏻

Wow, this was a great episode and guest. I'm glad I found this channel!

The whole luxury industry start to treat their customers as foolish,like Hermes Chanel,if you want to quota bags you need buy lots of garbage from the store to have a chance to be offered.Same like luxury watches market too,like Rolex or AP.😢

Is AP even listening?? Product quality in today’s technologically super-advanced world, product quality or even design per se, can NEVER sustain differentiation. The essential differentiator will always be customer experience. The rule that all businesses should heed is this: people like people who like them. Love your customers & your customers will live you in return - & (over time) become your biggest fans AND ambassadors..

AP staffs is so arrogant n unfriendly...

Excellent video and glad that Nop called AP out. Not sure if they’ll care but more people should know before they sink their money into the brand.

AP customer service is 👎🏻. They need need to seriously clean house with their arrogant and self serving sales staff and management.

My personal experience. I have a blue 15400 and an OR. Firstly, the former is ALWAYS off. It barely could register correct time. I have sent it in for servicing several times and every single time they tell me it is magnetised. None of my watches sit on any winder so the AP must have an internal magnet. Interestingly none of my other watches sitting right next to it ever got "magnetised". Another instance was similar to Nop's, terrible customer service that left me with much embarrassment. The last straw was this particular sales person who would rather play with his phone than engage me in a conversation when I was looking for a diver - any diver. Never in my two decades of watch collecting have I been so upset with a brand. Never again. Thanks for bringing this up.

Same with Rolex. Rude sales people so went next door to omega and sales rep was very nice and bought a ceramic Seamaster

Nice to see Nop! I've had the pleasure of meeting with him in the past and yes, his love for AP is infectious. My journey into AP started towards 2011 and back then I collected 2x pieces from the 15300 reference, one ST and the other an OR. During the time that I had them, I too had issues. The 15300 needed servicing and repair on more than one occasion. During one trip, I took my Steel AP to the flagship boutique in Geneva and they also performed a repair/service, but I also recall back then many on the forums claiming the movement reference had known issues. It also randomly stopped working once (ceased to run, and the crown felt like it was binding), and since I live in Sri Lanka, this meant flying into Singapore each time to get to the (closest) service centre. Since then my tastes gravitated towards Patek and Rolex more, and so far I've yet to have any serious issues with either manufacture; my most recent PP being a 5170G from the ION boutique, and a RG 36mm DayDate on President bracelet. The level of service and support from the Geneva Master Time team at Wheelock is an example to everyone else, and it is another reason I find myself more partial to considering another PP down the road. Edit: Nop makes an excellent point re. that we shouldn't feel "grateful" that brands like AP 'take the time' to even meet us as lowly customers. One time I connected with my usual contact at AP (at their Liyat tower boutique) and I wanted to look at a Royal Oak Chrono. I was going to buy this on sight, no questions asked, but the store manager wanted me to "wire transfer" funds in advance of my even seeing the watch. Honestly, this just killed AP for me. I feel more comfortable with PP in general, because I haven't had any bad experiences and conversing with them over the years, you immediately get a sense that they have a sense of respect for their customers. It's not the money transaction alone that drives them and this is a stark comparison with AP Singapore.

Twice now I’ve sold watches that had unpleasant buying experiences attached to them. The brands have to understand that those of us who love watches and have some connections we always have options. The difference between a luxury experience and plain vanilla consumer experience is the quality of the service and their desire to keep you as a customer. Compare the experience of buying a watch at Lange to buying something at AP

I had a bad customer experience the first time at AP but it was good the 2nd and 3rd time I went back. At the end of the day, I love AP watches

Happy to wait it out; I agree (retail) prices are quite silly these days.

Went to the AP boutique at MBS Singapore a few days ago at around 815pm. The first thing the SA did when I went in was to look at his watch as if he is rushing to close shop. Then when I wanted to register my interest for a model, he didn’t even bother to check or verify my details on the card he told me to complete. It’s like I have to beg him to take my money? Haha. Wont go back to AP again.

I'm one of those clients who had a relationship with AP, who after I gifted my son a RO and he sold it afterwards was treated like shit, even though I kept mine...

I sent in my 14790ST military dial for servicing… my wife wanted to pay via her card for miles, but they told me that only the registered owner of the watch must pay for it. I was stunned by this crap rule. I love my watch, but I have pushed AP to the bottom of the rank when it comes to my favourite brands because of this.

Really enjoying your podcasts with the watch collectors. It gives a consumer perspective to the watch collection journey which I think a lot of people can relate to... I must say, You are doing an awesome job hosting these podcasts... Keep up the good work.. 😍🙏🏽🙌🏽

Thank you for this podcast! I never got treated that bad, arrogant and like a piece of shit, having already 4 pieces from Pre Boutique Ära… Changed AP Boutique 2 times and contacted customer service without any change. For me the chapter is closed as well. Already sold 3 out of 4 of my APs. There are so many other fantastic brands…

I have been following Nop for a long time on social media, so I was excited for this episode to hear what happened to his AP journey. This episode was kind of a let down. I thought there would be more transparency like with sunnyboy’s EWC video. Nop is clearly holding back, only talking mainly about the code and perpetual that he didn’t buy from boutique. Let’s talk jumbo and skeleton. Yes, the brand should not have a say, but I am sure they wanted to sell to true collectors. Nop didn’t share, but I am sure he sold his allocations at a good margin, which is also fair. His money after all. But being salty after being caught for selling the watches after a short period of time, isn’t who I thought he was as a collector. Settle the dispute. List down your allocations, state the time before you sold. Let us see how long you held the watches and if the blacklist is justified. 1 year I short honestly. 2-3 years is fine.

A 20 plus k watch is far from a necessity and when someone decides to spend that kind of money on a luxury good, the company should be thankful and go out of their way to treat their customers right. A unnecessary purchase such as a high end watch should accompany great after care service as well as a great buying experience.

The experience purchasing a watch vs the watch; can be such a fine line

They doing in-house sale is a mistake, AP sales staff r salaried & I don’t see much enthusiasm for them to close a deal. ADs are more hungry & they embrace customer networking.

Great video!!! Nop is rocking as usual 💥💥

Exactly, thats why I discarded 2 of my RO.. Glad that I do not need to deal w AP anymore.

The winding stem falling off has been a long term issue with AP. Just ppl keep quiet bec they're afraid of resale value going down.

I used to laugh about people talking about AP movements being more problematic than hublot movements, well, not so sure right now, some of the higher end hublot chronos use zenith movement.

Went to their store in dallas texas and the sales man was rude and dismissive

You got to look at what led the hype, it was Rolex, then Patek, AP and VC. Things will fall in the same reverse order. VC Overseas has fallen, next is AP and they have problems because AP is a one trick pony.

First! I guess I'm not the only crazy guy to wonder why AP service was so bad when I brought in my 26300st for a possible rust on the bracelet pins.😂 no it didn't get fixed, but eventually I'd have to get it fixed using an external craftsman

Nice interview. Watch dealers are like a messy divorce now. They want half your money, even after the relationship ends!

Two well spoken and cultured hunks, discussing watches.

Hell yea , your money your choice ! No point In begging these brands . You do you that’s all that matters . Oh man especially love the recap back to old days with forums SWX was a gem for lurking around to find great pick ups , those were good days , totally not a fan of current uppety kinds these brands “namely those same 2-3” good to hear sentiments shared from a sensible collector .

This is the same case in Hong Kong. I stop buying AP entirely. AP customer service is atrocious.

Tudor is not a bad choice. Availability not as bad as rolex or ap. It's good enough for jay chou or Beckham, it's good enough for most of us. A watch doesn't bring anything material to anyone's table nor define who u are.

Good guest and good questions

Wanted to buy AP but now watches at the boutique , went to VC and from that day stopped buying APs , better finishing , better quality , much much better experience

I don’t see any value in AP watches. It’s mostly hype. The movement sounds outdated by a few decades. The designs are repetitive and the engineering on them is non existent. They are just stainless steel watches sold with a huge premium. Not worth it. Better go for a VC or a Patek. A Langa even

Anyway personally I think AP is a one trick pony riding on the Royal Oak. Code 11.59 is a disastrous flop. Lots of people dumping the AP now since there are many Microbrands doing better for a fraction of the prices. No one will pay AP prices anymore. You've been warned!

I think every brand is trying to outdo each other in bad service and attitude. 😂😂😂😂😂

"I look forward to comments from salty AP fanboys" LOL! my quick input: sold all of mine for pretty much exactly all the reasons Nop mentions. Far better watches, variety, value, service and quality from Vacheron and Patek in the AP price range.

Liked & subscribed before I even watched a video. Don’t let me down please and always tell the truth.

Luv aps but dont support the brand due to this and some of their watches seem to be questionable quality for a holy trinity brand

I know the boutique in Capri Island, south Italy they dont let me go in because i'm poor but i've seen many many VIP getting out the shop very happy after wasting 100k each. So they are not rude you need to be rich to be allowed.

AP sounds like a curse.

I greatly appreciated the video content, however, the background music was very disruptive. It might be better to choose a less intrusive score or reduce its volume to accentuate the interview, rather than detract from it. I would prefer it without the background "music/noise" that is very annoying. Thanks for your efforts!

I disagree, watches above 100k should not be held onto for the market to correct itself. I think the market has corrected and will continue to get closer to msrp over the years

Sunny Wangs experience with AP made me look at them differently.

Nice mic stand! 🤣🤣🤣

Bought 2 pieces within two months costing more than $70k in 2020....till now still waiting for the one piece that I wanted back then...zero news even after many calls to the customer service person that kind of serve me.

When are we going to get to see the watches on the table and in that box??

with the premiums they charge ap should never have qc issues

well spoken gent!

interesting interview but music is way too loud

I’ve always had great experiences with AP and can understand that the long wait for an allocation is expected. However in the mean time I am driven to explore other Brands and spending money elsewhere simply because it’s been 4 years and just have to scratch the itch😂

Does anyone know what brand that watch case/box is?

Funny part is that AP "Sales assistant" who cant even afford to buy a link of the watch that their selling acts like they own the botique and customers who can pay thier salary double or even triple wants them to lick their arse. Funny world indeed.

I've only liked 2 AP's But they are such a blend watch company period their pieces aren't special when compared to the money you can spend on so many better watches. Go with Breguet, Lange, Omega, Vacheron, or Zenith.

Visited AP house in Zurich to be told i couldnt even dream of getting a RO if i didnt at least buy a CODE... Followed by being told "but we dont want you to buy a watch you dont like" 🤦🏻‍♂️

True ap has terrible service … travelled all the way to Barcelona twice for nothing !

Nice info, but pls remove the audio loop. Gives me a headache.

its one thing to make great watches but keeping your customers happy is something else... they are king and you are not

AP is a joke. Try and Phone the Salon in London - once took me a week for someone to answer the phone! Staff don’t reply to emails or WhatsApp messages. In any other industry they’d be sacked!

Please show us the watches on the table

Theyre overrated

Buying AP watches from the boutique is a joke. They just play the customers and ultimately sell to gray market for profit or the ones they select/like. Very disappointing.

If a nightclub is super full and you want to get it no matter what, is not as easy as when the place has low attendance… this guy doesn’t understand the demand is just too high nobody has watches

Bought my first AP 43 mm, the same exact one on the video where it shows it has loosened. This was my first AP as I was obsessed with owning one of them. Well the winding on the watch didnt work with in the first 5-6 months. Now it randomly stops at any given time. So my experience with QC first hand is awful. How do you spend 43k eu. And get something that brakes within a year. AP should get their sh1t together imo.

Would be better without the music.

Very interesting to listen. But the music. Please tone it down.

I recently went for an interview with AP for a role as a salesperson. The manager of the store told me why AP is the way it is. They mentioned that 1. No customer is above AP even if they have millions of dollars in the bank to spend, if they wanted a certain piece there are 100’s of people who are also willing to spend the same amount of money x 3. The reason they have to be so picky is so they can make sure you are a true AP patriot and not someone that’s going to flip their watch after 5-10 years. 2. AP and their customers are always at the same level. This has to be established from the start. As mentioned above no customers are above AP. Just a mutual respect just like buying a Ferrari. 3. AP makes roughly 50 thousand watches compared to Rolex 1 million + watches a year. So do the math. Do they want flippers or keepers?

whats this brother job or career?

Famous friend, wei?

AP Royal Joke

AP 📉

Music was very distracting

take Rolex.. if any upgrade go PP skip AP.. bad customer service

Con-artists.

No one can tell you what to do with your watches??? Of course, but AP not going to give a shit about your sales since they have others to support their brand. 😂

Problem is because AP have production of 40.000 pices on year…they are focus on real clients..not of flipers and grey sellers …now is problem to give 100.000eu for AP but it’s not problem when you made profit on AP +100.000eu and more …who is this man in AP that he must get everithing what he can sell for bigger profit…you must respect anather people who want to buy AP and wear him all life…

Having heard all of these stories, perhaps I should just scoot over to VC instead 😂