The Timeless Charm of Gold: Vintage Audemars Piguet Bamboo at Soobaak

Audemars Piguet Bamboo

80s Audemars Piguet Bamboo

vintage Audemars Piguet Bamboo

vintage Audemars Piguet Bamboo

1. From a Distance, It's Romanson, but Up Close, It’s Audemars. Did you know? Even Romanson’s gold cases were expensive back in the day!

2. One of the most memorable things from my recent trip to New York was noticing how well-curated shops often included vintage watches as part of their collection. Especially at the Aimé Leon Dore store in SoHo, where I was struck by a vintage gold Piaget and a vintage gold Rolex. It even made me wonder if this Audemars Piguet Bamboo would fit better in the Aimé Leon Dore store than in Soobaak!

3. Personally, I wear a watch to tell time. During business trips, I quickly realize how much more convenient it is to check a wristwatch than to fumble around for my phone in some pocket.

I also believe no one sees a wristwatch or a car as a direct reflection of wealth or status anymore—too many fakes out there, haha! But even still, I do believe a watch reflects a person’s taste.

4. At Soobaak, we’re always thinking about how to mix old-school with commercial appeal. And what bridges that gap more stylishly than a gold watch? Especially when worn by our model, Kim Yuwon, who effortlessly pulls it off. This thin gold Audemars Piguet looks way better with a casual "chic thug" outfit than with something overly formal.

5. For those who have already tried various gold watches and are ready for the next step, I highly recommend this one. Its design is outstanding, and being gold, it holds its value superbly. Why not invest in one, with a timeless touch of old-school class?

PS. I don’t know which artisan crafted this bamboo-like bracelet, but isn’t it just incredible?

80s AP bamboo (18K)

Audemars Piguet Bamboo

vintage Audemars Piguet Bamboo

Audemars Piguet Bamboo

🍉 80s AP Bamboo (18K)

🍉 13,500,000 KRW, cash only

*Chrono24’s lowest price is 19 million KRW :)

Below is an excerpt from another blog:

LA BAMBOO: Grace of Lightness

Bamboo, the natural symbol of lightness and flexibility,

is a metaphor for the relaxed, effortless lifestyle of tropical paradises.

The designers at Audemars Piguet created the Bamboo watch

to capture this elegance through the art of goldsmithing.

The defining feature of this creation is the intricately woven gold strands that form its supple bracelet, seamlessly extending the rhythm of the watch case into a harmonious whole. The silky sheen and symmetry of the bamboo bracelet evoke the meticulous craftsmanship that brought this delicate masterpiece to life.

If you’re interested in purchasing, feel free to contact us!

Notes from My Soobaak Buying Trip to New York

buying trip to new york

buying trip to new york

buying trip to new york

nyc

nyc

buying native american jewerly

Memo 1: Soobaak’s Identity – Clean and Energetic Vintage Shop

Soobaak is about being clean, vibrant, and approachable, with products ranging from $10 to $10,000. For context, there are shops that deal in items priced from $1 to $1,000,000, but our identity is more about balance and range.

Memo 2: Soobaak – Like the Easygoing Older Brother

Soobaak takes the role of a laid-back older brother—not overly serious, but still able to offer guidance. There are other "big brothers" in the industry, but we’re here to help when we can. While we can’t be everyone’s best friend, forming a solid "neighborhood" around shared values is our aim.

Memo 3: From My Small Shop to a Company

For Soobaak to grow from a small shop to a thriving business, I need people, systems, and a simple yet effective philosophy. Growth needs to happen at the right pace, ensuring that as we expand, we don’t overextend.

Memo 4: Store = Space + Goods + People

A store is a balance of space, products, and people (skill, style, friendliness). Here in Manhattan, I’ve seen a lot of great spaces filled with average products. Soobaak aims to keep all three aspects in balance.

Memo 5: Have We Properly Communicated Our Curation?

While I’ve done well in curating native brands and styles that I love, have we really communicated this passion to the broader public? Maybe it’s been like asking them to lift weights that are too heavy. But still, I ended up buying more of what I love today.

Memo 6: Brands That Keep Repeating Themselves

I visited stores like Filson, J.Crew, Orvis, and Muji—all brands I admire. Their common trait is that they keep selling the same items as if they’re always new, and somehow, they manage to keep selling them well.

Memo 7: The Jeweler with 31 Years of Experience

I met a Jewish jeweler who has been in the same spot for 31 years. When we shook hands and exchanged a brief hug, I could feel his strength—standing tall at around 190 cm, energetic, and loud. Even though I didn’t immediately buy the watch he recommended, the price kept dropping the more I hesitated. My pride wouldn’t let me ask for more discounts, though. I just kept tapping on my calculator

Memo 8: Exhaustion from the Day

By 7 p.m., I was completely wiped out and went back to my accommodation without eating dinner. I slept until midnight. Now it’s 2 a.m., and I’ll do a bit more reflecting before going back to bed.

Memo 9: Manhattan – Expensive and Dirty

Manhattan is dirty and expensive. It’s absurd how pricey everything is, yet I still end up taking taxis and buying meals. It’s chaotic, but it’s got a certain charm.

Memo 10: Walking with Silent Prayers

As I walk, I silently pray for strength, for good people and good products to come my way, for clarity, and for the ability to appreciate even the smallest details.

#SoobaakVintage

#SoobaakBuyingTrip

Beyond Trends: The Essential Pieces Every Wardrobe Needs

I have a few questions that I've never asked in my life:

So what's in style this year?

What’s popular these days?

80~90s polo ralphlauren wool m

80~90s polo ralphlauren wool m

When I buy clothes, trends are not something I consider at all. I’m only interested in finding the essential pieces in the genres I love (American casual, American traditional, classic) and getting them in the right order.

wool mackinaw cruiser jacket

wool mackinaw cruiser jacket

For someone like me, a hunting jacket isn’t the first outerwear piece you’d start with, but it’s definitely one that should be in your wardrobe. Whether it’s a 40s-50s original vintage Woolrich or an 80s-90s Polo Ralph Lauren, it doesn’t really matter.

The Polo Ralph Lauren wool hunting jacket I’m wearing today has been given a patchwork finish at the hem. The previous owner might have found it too bothersome to fix a tear, so it ended up with this cool, RRL-like touch.

Anyway, a hunting jacket is a really versatile item. You can wear it with a sweatshirt and a down vest underneath, and it’ll keep you warm right up until the brink of winter! So, feel free to enjoy it. Thanks as always.

🍉 80s Polo Ralph Lauren wool mackinaw cruiser jacket (Size L, recommended for 105~)

🍉 Shoulder 53cm | Chest 64cm | Length 76cm | Sleeve 59cm

🍉 270,000 KRW * Made in USA

🍉 80s Levi's 517 (36/30, recommended for 36 inch waist)

🍉 Waist 46cm | Rise 33cm | Thigh 28cm | Length 102cm | Hem 23cm 🍉 30-inch length (which is really hard to find!!)

🍉 Sold out * Made in USA

#SoobaakVintage

#NotConcernedWithTrends

#ConcernedWithWhatYouShouldHave