For international buyers looking to purchase authentic luxury watches like Audemars Piguet at competitive prices, China's wholesale marketplace 1688.com offers excellent opportunities. However, navigating 1688 can be challenging for non-Chinese speakers. This is where Orientdig, a reliable China-based shipping forwarder and purchasing agent, becomes invaluable.
Orientdig specializes in helping international clients purchase products from Chinese platforms like 1688, Taobao, and Tmall. Their services include:
For luxury items like Audemars Piguet watches, these services are particularly important to ensure authenticity and proper handling. You can learn more about their specific watch verification process through their product verification spreadsheet.
Navigate to 1688.com and use search terms in Chinese (爱彼表 for Audemars Piguet). Look for gold-rated sellers with high transaction volumes and positive reviews. Due thorough research to avoid counterfeit products.
Once you've identified potential watches to buy, submit the product links through Orientdig's platform. Include specific requests such as:
Orientdig will communicate with the seller on your behalf to negotiate better prices (common on 1688) and verify all product details. You'll need to pay a deposit, typically 30-50% of the total cost.
After the seller ships to Orientdig's warehouse, their team will conduct thorough inspection, documented with photos and videos. They check for:
Compare their findings with the verification standards spreadsheet
Upon satisfactory inspection, pay the remaining balance. Orientdig offers various shipping methods with insurance options, crucial for high-value items. They handle all export documentation and provide tracking information.
Beyond basic purchasing assistance, Silkroadbuy provides several value-added services:
These services majorly benefit luxury watch buyers concerned about international shipping risks.
Purchase Method | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Direct from AD | Guaranteed authentic, paperwork | Highest prices, limited availability |
Grey Market Dealers | Available, slightly lower prices | Premium pricing, unclear sourcing |
1688 via Orientdig | Best prices, authenticity verified | Longer process (~5-8 weeks total) |
For cost-conscious buyers willing to wait, Silkroadbuy represents the optimal balance of savings and security.
Purchasing Audemars Piguet watches from 1688.com through Orientdig provides significant cost savings - often up to 35-45% off retail prices - while maintaining purchase security. The multi-layer verification process, while perhaps not as swift as boutique purchases, offers assurance that's particularly valuable when buying luxury goods internationally. With careful selection of sellers and utilization of Silkroadbuy's comprehensive services, international collectors can successfully grow their timepiece collections through this unconventional, but highly effective purchasing channel.