Limited OVERKILL?

I don't know if this is an atempt of AP to lure customers away from regular Jeweler and dealers into the AP Boutiques, but I am not sure if so many LEs are becoming a problem for the brand in general. Here is a sneak peek at the upcoming "Diver" from AP, courtesy of Thomas Mao and ThePuristS.

It was only last week when an official authorized dealer complained that everybody that came through the door for an AP asked about the T3, the Montoya, the Barrichello, the City of Sales, the Polaris, etc... Regular production models are becoming increasingly harder to sell. To be honest, why would you buy a regular watch if there are several "more exclusive" models that will also loose less market value? You are going to go either for the limited edition of the moment or wait for one, at this rate it's likely that one will be made close to what your heart desires. Not too long ago the RoyalOak was a very exclusive watch, today I am not certain this is true anymore.

Unless AP revise their position regarding Limited Editions I would not be surprised they could run into trouble. A solution could be to either reduce the quantities of limited editions (100 units instead of 1,000) or completely stop them, at least for a while. Again, 1,000 units in AP is not limited! With all this LE overkill regular production models are at risk to become banal? Nobody wants to own a banal watch for several thousands of dollars/euros.

p.s. Guys get your act straight, the new Nautilus is close and Patek is out for blood! ... so I am told...

Audemars Piguet...

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I can't agree more! LE is a great thing, but AP definitely overdone it. Although the other Big2s not as popular in this category, I personally prefer them rather than R.Oak theses days.