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

[Phileas Fogg]

I always go with the Choco from the Harz mountains of Germany.

This stuff is a mad man

 

[cyc wid it]

Freaking sunglasses stockists here are booked out in advance for weekend appointments out here...

 

[Keith T]

Going to Patek/Rolex Boutique today...hoping I see at least a few new models in the "flesh"...

Expecting a full report

 

[pmeis]

Where is this at? I guess the Houston boutiques are much slower.

I must have made my quick edit to add the location as you were responding. The Short Hills mall has that strong wealthy suburban draw that I would assume the Houston boutique would based on my Texas upbringing.

 

[Texasmade]

The Houston stores are located in a really affluent part of Houston but it's such a pain to get to and from because of traffic. The Westheimer Road where shopping center is located is basically a 2 lane each way street in one of the busiest parts of Houston.

 

[ronscuba]

3 visits to NYC Cartier boutique since covid started. First visit, no appt., waited for about 10 minutes. 2nd and 3rd visit made an appt at the request of our sales associate.

The experience was nice. You are brought to a private room/area to discuss what you are looking for. The SA escorts you around the boutique, you look, point out pieces you are interested in. You go back to your private room, the pieces are brought to you for viewing/trying on. Feels almost like the boutique was closed to the public and opened just for you for private viewing.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

3 visits to NYC Cartier boutique since covid started. First visit, no appt., waited for about 10 minutes. 2nd and 3rd visit made an appt at the request of our sales associate.

The experience was nice. You are brought to a private room/area to discuss what you are looking for. The SA escorts you around the boutique, you look, point out pieces you are interested in. You go back to your private room, the pieces are brought to you for viewing/trying on. Feels almost like the boutique was closed to the public and opened just for you for private viewing.

A list treatment on a D list budget! Lol.

 

[Texasmade]

Omega Boutique in Houston required appointments during C19 but now since restrictions are lifted here no appointment is needed. They do still limit foot traffic but that's never been a problem with Omega. The Rolex boutique is always packed though.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

Looks like my prediction (or wishful thinking?) that the pandemic would lead to a glut of stainless steel sports Rolex in the market did not come true.

 

[jischwar]

Looks like my prediction (or wishful thinking?) that the pandemic would lead to a glut of stainless steel sports Rolex in the market did not come true.

Nope, just got off the phone with an AD who says 2020 and now 2021 have been there best years so far. They've been in business since the mid-90's

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

I'm guessing that for many folks the discretionary income that ordinarily would have gone toward travel and dining out went instead toward luxury goods.

 

[9thsymph]

Expecting a full report

Not a purchase! The SA snapped a quick pick while I tried this bad boy on. My smile is still lingering...

 

[ronscuba]

A list treatment on a D list budget! Lol.

I am sure they have clients that spend more, but we did buy something at each visit. My wife and I are not diva's but have to admit, it is nice being treated like it.

I think the SA now views us as a reliable sale: if we bother to make an appt., odds are we are going to buy something. She does regularly send polite emails and includes photos on newly released items.

 

[9thsymph]

I'm guessing that for many folks the discretionary income that ordinarily would have gone toward travel and dining out went instead toward luxury goods.

Yes. But as a father of two young children, the bulk of my luxury spending was funded by the complete absence of my typical childcare costs (which made this year tremendously difficult to manage, which in turn provided the reasoning for the repurposing of some of these savings on lux goods - presents to myself for home-schooling for the better part of a year...). The stock market going bonkers in 2020 didn’t hurt either...

 

[9thsymph]

What do you folks think about diamond markers? Too much?