The downsizing of the 3 major ADs is an indicator of the continuing downturn of the watch market in Msia in general I believe. Apart from turnover, a market downturn in anything means the ready availability (got stock or not? lol) of a model one wants, not necessarily the latest and greatest, is simply not there when one wants it. BUT you can almost always find it in Stinkapore...oops....Spore where the watch market is white heat hot. It's not that I'm adverse to buying what I want when I want it outside Msia, but hey isn't it great to take a drive down to Pavilion or KLCC, grab that beauty sitting there in Sincere or Cortina or Hour Glass waiting for you to own her, and then admire that beauty over a beer at Tom, Dick & Harry? And then mutter smugly to yourself "mou tak teng wor....".
So yes, that's what my first rant was all about - it's getting harder if not impossible to grab a much desired watch model in KL ranging from a humble SBBNO15 tuna to a bragging rights 5960R. And that's because of a possible no growth watch market in Msia evidenced by the much smaller footprints of the major ADs here.
I know, I know. We've a Starhill that's oft touted to be a horological calling of sorts for watch nuts, loonies and fanatics from all persuasions. But if you were to lust for AP's Lionel Messi in SS in Starhill, your odds would be better on a Sky Moon Tourbie presented by Stern Senior himself - move over Junior.
So I enjoy buying my watches from ADs in KL. Firstly, the prices here are just about the best in the world, and I do travel a lot (for business) to conclude on that. Secondly, nothing beats a local warranty. Thirdly, I like supporting Msia and Msian businesses. But, it's the ready availabilty, or even a decent wait time, for stocks of desired models that frustrates me to no end.
For some models, I can buy online of course but I don't for many reasons. One is that major insurers won't insure Msian bound parcels. Yet another is that I'm anal over the conditon (minty if not BNIB) and completeness (full papers and boxes plus tags lol) of what I buy. It's harder to control my control fetishes with an online purchase unless it's an eyeball to eyeball transaction.
And gray dealers in Klang Valley? Maybe a little better than ADs when it comes to desired models availability but that also comes at a premium price. And the "international warranty" offered is as useful as a long expired local one.
Cheers