The Watch Appreciation Thread - Part two (Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Jaeger LeCoultre,

[NakedYoga]

However, from what I understand, at least for Hermes...the appointment requirement has increased their business tremendously. Potential purchasers, at least women who are regular big shoppers with them are concerned about not being able to get into the store for a few more weeks if appointments are booked up in advance. So rather than think about potential purchases and coming back anther time, they just buy it. In addition, they are concerned certain items they like might be sold out by the time they get back into the store, so again they buy extra if its makeup or perfume, or they need a gift for someone in the near future etc.

That's pretty interesting. It's like a forced or artificial FOMO.

 

[Thrift Vader]

@Ambulance Chaser - look forward to seeing your pictures, and hearing your impressions!

@TheFoo - I know this advice is going to go nowhere, but I really, really wouldn't screw with it. I mean, we have seen the picture:

View attachment 1598440

And this is highly, highly trivial. At this point, this watch is yours, and you can point to this "fault" and say, maybe with a chuckle, that I made a mistake in overpolishing. This watch is going to get more and more beat down over time, as it should be, and this is just another part of its life.

Out of curiosity, how much is this "repair" going to run you?

More worried about the nails. . .

 

[Newcomer]

More worried about the nails. . .

Well, the manicure is the first sacrifice when you are on the verge of sending your watch to an Italian laser-welder.

Possibly some Patek-stress-induced cuticle munching.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

I believe that the Hermès appointment requirement is because of COVID. The page for the DC store states, "The Hermès Washington D.C. store is now open by appointment only." In any event, I e-mailed the contact mentioned on the pre-recorded message I got when I called, and she e-mailed me back 20 minutes later with my requested appointment time (Saturday morning). So it wasn't a big deal.

 

[Texasmade]

I believe that the Hermès appointment requirement is because of COVID. The page for the DC store states, "The Hermès Washington D.C. store is now open by appointment only." In any event, I e-mailed the contact mentioned on the pre-recorded message I got when I called, and she e-mailed me back 20 minutes later with my requested appointment time (Saturday morning). So it wasn't a big deal.

I find it hard to believe that Hermes, Cartier, and Van Cleef are just jam packed with appointments all weekend. Especially now since it's been a year since initial lockdowns.

 

[mebiuspower]

I find it hard to believe that Hermes, Cartier, and Van Cleef are just jam packed with appointments all weekend. Especially now since it's been a year since initial lockdowns.

30 second search ...

LVMH Stock Hits Record High as Sales Surge in U.S. and China

LVMH Moët Hennessy-Louis Vuitton stock rose to a record high on Wednesday, as the luxury-goods conglomerate returned to growth in the first quarter thanks to surging sales in the U.S. and Asia.

www.barrons.com

 

[Texasmade]

30 second search ...

LVMH Stock Hits Record High as Sales Surge in U.S. and China

LVMH Moët Hennessy-Louis Vuitton stock rose to a record high on Wednesday, as the luxury-goods conglomerate returned to growth in the first quarter thanks to surging sales in the U.S. and Asia.

www.barrons.com

I don't doubt people are buying since there's a bunch of money that normally would've been spent on going out to eat or traveling now being spent on luxury goods. I just don't think that getting an appointment on a Saturday to come in and buy **** is that hard.

 

[Dino944]

I believe that the Hermès appointment requirement is because of COVID. The page for the DC store states, "The Hermès Washington D.C. store is now open by appointment only." In any event, I e-mailed the contact mentioned on the pre-recorded message I got when I called, and she e-mailed me back 20 minutes later with my requested appointment time (Saturday morning). So it wasn't a big deal.

Yes, all three started with appointments because of Covid.

I find it hard to believe that Hermes, Cartier, and Van Cleef are just jam packed with appointments all weekend. Especially now since it's been a year since initial lockdowns.

My co-worker's neighbor/friend works at Hermes. She said they have never been busier. She was the one who explained why they are so busy. Even on her days off she is fielding calls from clients for the items they want to purchase. In addition, each time I've been to Cartier in the last few months, there are always people in the waiting area, waiting to be helped by an SA. Don't get me wrong, my SA's at each offered to squeeze me in between appointments when I contacted them with only about 48 hours notice, but both of them are quite busy from what I've seen. In addition, prior to Covid on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, the Cartier boutique would be a mob scene with large groups of people waiting to be helped.

Edit- I can't comment about the Van Cleef boutique near me.

 

[TheFoo]

@Ambulance Chaser - look forward to seeing your pictures, and hearing your impressions!

@TheFoo - I know this advice is going to go nowhere, but I really, really wouldn't screw with it. I mean, we have seen the picture:

View attachment 1598440

And this is highly, highly trivial. At this point, this watch is yours, and you can point to this "fault" and say, maybe with a chuckle, that I made a mistake in overpolishing. This watch is going to get more and more beat down over time, as it should be, and this is just another part of its life.

Out of curiosity, how much is this "repair" going to run you?

The cost would likely be $1000+.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels are also making people do this.

However, from what I understand, at least for Hermes...the appointment requirement has increased their business tremendously. Potential purchasers, at least women who are regular big shoppers with them are concerned about not being able to get into the store for a few more weeks if appointments are booked up in advance. So rather than think about potential purchases and coming back anther time, they just buy it. In addition, they are concerned certain items they like might be sold out by the time they get back into the store, so again they buy extra if its makeup or perfume, or they need a gift for someone in the near future etc. Not sure if it is working as well for Cartier or Van Cleef.

not to mention that if you’re going through the trouble of making an appointment, you’re likely a serious buyer as opposed to window shoppers. If they have capacity limits, you want at least people who are buying.

 

[Texasmade]

My co-worker's neighbor/friend works at Hermes. She said they have never been busier. She was the one who explained why they are so busy. In addition, each time I've been to Cartier in the last few months, there are always people in the waiting area, waiting to be helped by an SA. Don't get me wrong, my SA's at each offered to squeeze me in between appointments when I contacted them with only about 48 hours notice, but both of them are quite busy from what I've seen. In addition, prior to Covid on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, the Cartier boutique would be a mob scene with large groups of people waiting to be helped.

Edit- I can't comment about the Van Cleef boutique near me.

Pre C19, the Cartier, Hermes, VCA boutiques in Houston would always be empty or have just a handful of customers. The shopping center where they're all located (including John Lobb) is normally always empty except for people watching movies at the iPic theater or dining at the restaurants in that area. Even now, it's the same. Empty stores except the restaurants.

 

[Dino944]

not to mention that if you’re going through the trouble of making an appointment, you’re likely a serious buyer as opposed to window shoppers. If they have capacity limits, you want at least people who are buying.

Plus some people going in will feel guilty about taking up an SA's time and not buying anything. So they are getting more actually purchasers rather than just people who come in to look around, try things on, and then want to think about it.

 

[Dino944]

Pre C19, the Cartier, Hermes, VCA boutiques in Houston would always be empty or have just a handful of customers. The shopping center where they're all located (including John Lobb) is normally always empty except for people watching movies at the iPic theater or dining at the restaurants in that area. Even now, it's the same. Empty stores except the restaurants.

I guess its a very different environment where you are compared to my region.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Pre C19, the Cartier, Hermes, VCA boutiques in Houston would always be empty or have just a handful of customers. The shopping center where they're all located (including John Lobb) is normally always empty except for people watching movies at the iPic theater or dining at the restaurants in that area. Even now, it's the same. Empty stores except the restaurants.

Is this the Galleria in Houston? That’s really weird.

Pre Covid, we went to Hudson Yards to climb the Vessel. Afterward we went into the shopping mall and felt the same way. The food court was packed but the high end stores were virtually empty.

Went into Watches of Switzerland and the first thing the SA does is look at my wrist.

 

[Texasmade]

Is this the Galleria in Houston? That’s really weird.

Pre Covid, we went to Hudson Yards to climb the Vessel. Afterward we went into the shopping mall and felt the same way. The food court was packed but the high end stores were virtually empty.

Went into Watches of Switzerland and the first thing the SA does is look at my wrist.

River Oaks Shopping District. A lot of high end boutiques are located there including John Lobb, Moncler, Kiton, the only Patek AD in Houston, Hermes, Cartier, and VCA.

I went to Hudson Yards literally right before C19 during the weekend of Mar 13- Mar 15. Best NYC trip ever because everything was empty so there was no wait for anything. The market place in Hudson Yards was a ghost town.