ACQUISITION: LIMITED EDITION DELOREAN DNA WATCH

The first time people learn luxury concierge services can get anything you want, literally, usually results in them asking if I can get their dream something, watch car, bottle of wine. I love the look in their eyes when I smile and say "Yes, when do you want it!"

When I was asked for a Delorean watch, as in Delorean car, made famous by the Michael J Fox "Back to the Future" movies, I said "Yes, when do you want it?" The look in my eve's must have been the same when he replied ASAP.

Romain Jerome Delorean DNA Limited Edition Steel and Crocodile Leather Strap. Released in 2014 with only 81 made and all sold out prior to release! This watch was special for collectors as it was made with steal from an actual Delorean car.

If it was easy, I would never get asked

Experienced concierge know, if it exists it's achievable it just takes a tipping into the Little Black Book (LBB) of contacts. With a few calls, several conversations, some negotiations and greasing the wheel along the way, everything is possible.

However, non-current, sold out, and limited edition, that's the recipe for a bumpy ride. This project was going to require a little more than the LBB of local and international watch retails, brokers and dealers, it was sounding like we may require divine intervention!

A magician never reveal his tricks, but this project went from potentially unattainable to we have one quite fast. One week after the request, I had WhatsApp message and photo confirmation, another week to verify with experts, then two weeks to transfer and import from Dubai and a just over a month from request it arrived.

Any concierge will tell you, its not 100% confirmed until its in your hand, opening the original Romain Jerome box and seeing the Delorean DNA was a wonderful moment, the bonus was turning it over and seeing it was watch number 3 or 81 ever produced.

Every project and acquisition is made achievable by understanding the goals for the client and what a successful outcome looks like. Success here was broken down into a few key areas and each was ticked off before we moved to the next step.

1. REQUEST - the devil is in the detail, the more detail the easier it is to achieve, for example there are quite a few different Delorean watches.

2. TIMELINE - understand the clients timeline as that can greatly effect a lot of the elements in the purchase process

3. BUDGET - the client will have a budget in mind, discussing early to ensure its realistic and if all factors are included taxes, import duties, exchange rates, delivery etc

4. RESEARCH - this is where the magic is, the concierge LBB doing its thing, as it can take time, constant communication with the client is essential

5. LOCATE - once located the acquisition opportunity is presented to the client for their approval to proceed

6. CONFIRM - the supplier is information the client has approved moving forward with the acquisition, finalise any purchase specifics

7. PURCHASE - move forward with the purchase as per the suppliers and clients needs and requirements

8. DELIVERY - the acquisition is delivered to the client