Funny, my account of our visit to the AP boutique evoked an interesting response that made me think about of all things, straps
I find that getting replacement straps for just about any watch these days is a ridiculous proposition, let alone unusual straps or replacements for LEs. I always bargain for replacement straps when I purchase and it still takes for ever for the AD to get the straps, I have been waiting six months for Safari and RBll straps.
is it me? or is this just the standard of this industry? any insight?
I would love to be able to pick up the phone, order a strap and get it delivered, its harder than buying the watch....
If you are not in Singapore, I can fully understand.
The things happen in Singapore Boutique, Please take your time and read it. I bet few of the members have experienced it.
When you make a phone to the Singapore Boutique, There are only 2 things that you will hear:
1. I am so sorry, we don't know yet so that I can't take your name (after getting the information from purists)
2. they are all sold out ( 3 days later )
AP Singapore boutique should be R E S H U F F L E
Joseph
Ps. AP sells by itself, There is a boutique inside the boutique.
Over the last few years after market straps and even OEM strap options seem to have exploded.
I believe this can be in large part attributed Panerai watches. When I bought my first Panerai 7 years ago, there were two sources for non-OEM straps. Don and Dirk. Period. I experimented with both. Nice quality, nice options. Nowadays there must be 15-20 companies specializing in Panerai straps. Makes my head spin. And as each new company offers its wares, the more I appreciate Panerai OEM straps.
I will also tell you that Panerai themselves hates all of the aftermarket options. I was told such on more than one occasion. The reasons why are obvious. But in the end, the owner is free to do what they please. Panerai straps are easy to change, and the options are endless.
AP is quite different on the other hand. In almost every piece they make, I always find that the supplied OEM strap best suits the watch*. Nothing matches better, nothing fits better, nothing compares to the AP strap quality. I have seen pictures of some of the coated straps peeling after time, and that happens. But I have never owned straps from any brand better than AP's.
Availability of straps has never been a problem for me, but I buy exclusively from the boutique. Surely they are not "strap sellers", but when you are a customer who buys watches they are happy to try to help source replacement straps or short sizes if you need them.
*Of course one excpetion that comes to mind for me is the forged carbon Alinghi, which I wear on the OEM Black Asia Hornback. I feel it makes the watch "look" better, but I fully acknowledge that the supplied rubber strap better suits the design intent and purpose of the watch.
I too am a customer of the Boutique and I agree AP does a great job of designing straps, I have never put an after market strap on an AP though I have switched it up from time to time, Montoya on RG rubberclad, RBll on a Worth Ave, thinking about putting a bracelet on my Safari.
Here is where we diverge however, When I saw the black hornback at the Boutique on Marco's ROO I loved it, until he told me it would take six months to get. I have been waiting for seven months for the three extra straps for my RBll, Safari & ladies chocolate ROO. they were part of the purchase from the AD but AP took six months to get the straps to them. I can say from personal experience the volume of watches one purchases does not speed up the delivery of straps....
And this is not exclusive to AP, I have a GP Cateye I bought for Martha, it has been many months in the works just trying to get a replacement and now they say they dont make the color anymore.
Richard Mille, maybe even worse! You need a special tool to change the strap and Richard Mille won't sell them so even your own local watchmaker cant change the strap. I dont need to tell you how few RM dealers there are in the US but you can count them on your fingers.
My real question is is it me? am I missing something? I think accessories should be readily available from the manufacturers and the there should be some reasonable attempt to make them readily available...
I only have vintage watches, and I buy from a top-end strap maker in Paris. Takes about 2-3 weeks to have something made to measure to the highest standards in highest quality leathers. I really don't understand the long delays getting "official" straps via the AD, and the prices are absurd compared to what I pay.
I'm equally baffled by the availability and outrageoust cost of precious metal pin buckles, and I'm now working on having one made by a goldsmith (for what should be considerably less than the price of the "real thing").
I wholeheartedly agree with you, with one exception ...
May 14 2008, 5:16 AM
The ingrassato(?) straps supplied with Themes Offshore's must be the worst piece work AP have ever put their hand to. They invariabely fray and tear on the outside long before they've become stained on the inside.
Having said that, I love the quality (and longevity) of the OEM crocs and hornbacks. They look gorgeous too.
to further my strap rant..... I received a strap yesterday from an AP dealer and....
May 15 2008, 7:44 AM
It was marked in AP packaging "Bracelet Croco Noir 28/18 Barrichello"
I had ordered a strap for my RBll and this is what AP sent.....
Has anyone ever seen a plain black croco strap for a Ti RBll? that is a rhetorical question....
This is my point, why make this so difficult? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cheers,
Kevin
