288 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 14, 2012Western,
Slovakia
Hello Collectors!
I'd like to share with you my very first watch and a few words about how I came to IWC.
I have had a mechanical watch for the last time when I was a child. It was in the "red period" in Slovakia, Czechoslovakia that time. The brand was Prim, which has nowadays came back to life in Czech republic. I think my mother still wears this watch from time to time. In the late 80's people used to wear digital watch a lot in our region and following the change of situation in the early 90's it was quartz on the line. By the end of that period, after finishing the university in '97 I have chosen and have got the first real watch again as a gift.
It was simple design titanium/sapphlex Seiko Kinetic. Not a cheap watch in comparison to the common average. Since then the watch was with me every moment. During my military service, during my work in the office, following me playing sports, games, trekking and swimming in the sea. The one and only. Without a scratch or a single problem. Every 4-5 years I had to bring it to the store to change the capacitor and that was it. Only last year I have noticed, there is a very small circular crack on the edge of the glass. (You can see it under the "number" 4 at the picture above.) No threat, no problem, but it was there. And then I thought, well, maybe it is time after 15 years to buy me a new watch. For the first time of my own, so to say.
So I have started looking and searching. I am a fan of quite a simple design and to be honest I was not able to find something that would catch my eye immediately. Here I have to say, that I was doing research only in the price category, where I have been before. It never came to me to look “higher”. Until a friend of mine told me a story about buying Aquatimer, which was his, I don't know, fifth or sixth watch of that "level". First idea that came to me was, that he is crazy. Nevertheless, I have started to browse those watches. Slowly. One month later something has changed. Can't really tell what it was. I just know I have realised that this might be the thing I was looking for. In my life I have bought several stupid things, just thinking it’ll brings me some joy. I have bought also a few things, which were OK, from that point of view, but I just did not have enough time to use and enjoy them. But the watch, that's the thing staying with your whole day. It's the thing you put on your wrist in the morning after you have done everything else. You put it as the crown at the end. And since that moment the watch stays with you all the day. The cloth change, the shoes change, maybe even people around you change, the watch stays.
Then it went quite fast. I have tried to browse the new brands for me within two weeks, made some phone calls to AD's around (Slovakia, Austria, Germany and Swiss of course) to check the availability and the price. Then headed to AD nearest to me in Bratislava :o) to pick up my very first watch. White Portofino Automatic with black leather strap. Today it is one month and two weeks and since then I enjoy every moment wearing them and I often catch myself just to listen to them ticking. What a beauty. Even the serial number contains my favorite 42 ;o)
The passion started immediately. The same weekend I have ordered the big IWC book. I do not know when I will start collecting. In again 15 years may be? This time may be not. We shall see.
2,996 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 2, 2011Hong Kong,
Hong Kong
Hi Marian42,
Nice story, and great watches both ! Love this quote especially:
MARIAN42 Wrote:But the watch, that's the thing staying with your whole day. It's the thing you put on your wrist in the morning after you have done everything else. You put it as the crown at the end. And since that moment the watch stays with you all the day. The cloth change, the shoes change, maybe even people around you change, the watch stays.
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch. all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
1,810 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 4, 2003White House, NJ,
United States
Welcome to the forum Marion, it is the best place on the web to interact with IWC watch collectors. You made an excellent choice, it is a great watch, wear it in good health. Come back often and let is know where your watch has taken you. Good Luck Kevin
PS if you read a number of the posts on this forum you will understand that you have been exposed to the IWC virus and your recent purchase most likely will not be your last. LOL
735 Discussions and CommentsMember since July 12, 2011
Norway
Hi Marian - welcome and congrats on an excellent choice! That is an elegant watch which you will enjoy for a very long time. Maybe not the one you want to go swimming with etc., but now that you have the IWC virus maybe an Aquatimer or Ingenieur will make a nice "sporty" addition to your Portofino.
Thanks for sharing, I truly enjoyed reading your story!!
288 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 14, 2012Western,
Slovakia
Thank you everybody for the warm welcome. As Bill has written, I already am a collector, as I've got 2 watches already. I was just not sure, if Seiko and Kinetic would count here ;o) I'm glad you like them as well.
The IWC virus is already present I must admit, as I for sure do not plan to do any exercises with my Portofino. For that I have one Top Gun on my list :o) But I think it won't be that soon. Right now I am just truly enjoying this one.
When I could make some good pictures I'll post them here, naturally. The first one, driving the car, was during the very hour when I was returning home after the purchase :o) They were just sitting hot on my wrist ;o)
For one thing I am sure. There certainly will be two photos with this watch in the future. In the birthplaces. Schaffhausen and Portofino. Someday. (Is that also the effect of the virus ? :o)
122 Discussions and CommentsMember since May 5, 2001
A warm welcome to our forum Marion.
Your Portofino looks great and I'm sure it will give you many years of service and enjoyment. There will most likely be other IWCs in your future now that you have been smitten.
I'd like to share with you my very first watch and a few words about how I came to IWC.
I have had a mechanical watch for the last time when I was a child. It was in the "red period" in Slovakia, Czechoslovakia that time. The brand was Prim, which has nowadays came back to life in Czech republic. I think my mother still wears this watch from time to time. In the late 80's people used to wear digital watch a lot in our region and following the change of situation in the early 90's it was quartz on the line. By the end of that period, after finishing the university in '97 I have chosen and have got the first real watch again as a gift.
It was simple design titanium/sapphlex Seiko Kinetic. Not a cheap watch in comparison to the common average. Since then the watch was with me every moment. During my military service, during my work in the office, following me playing sports, games, trekking and swimming in the sea. The one and only. Without a scratch or a single problem. Every 4-5 years I had to bring it to the store to change the capacitor and that was it. Only last year I have noticed, there is a very small circular crack on the edge of the glass. (You can see it under the "number" 4 at the picture above.) No threat, no problem, but it was there. And then I thought, well, maybe it is time after 15 years to buy me a new watch. For the first time of my own, so to say.
So I have started looking and searching. I am a fan of quite a simple design and to be honest I was not able to find something that would catch my eye immediately. Here I have to say, that I was doing research only in the price category, where I have been before. It never came to me to look “higher”. Until a friend of mine told me a story about buying Aquatimer, which was his, I don't know, fifth or sixth watch of that "level". First idea that came to me was, that he is crazy. Nevertheless, I have started to browse those watches. Slowly. One month later something has changed. Can't really tell what it was. I just know I have realised that this might be the thing I was looking for. In my life I have bought several stupid things, just thinking it’ll brings me some joy. I have bought also a few things, which were OK, from that point of view, but I just did not have enough time to use and enjoy them. But the watch, that's the thing staying with your whole day. It's the thing you put on your wrist in the morning after you have done everything else. You put it as the crown at the end. And since that moment the watch stays with you all the day. The cloth change, the shoes change, maybe even people around you change, the watch stays.
Then it went quite fast. I have tried to browse the new brands for me within two weeks, made some phone calls to AD's around (Slovakia, Austria, Germany and Swiss of course) to check the availability and the price. Then headed to AD nearest to me in Bratislava :o) to pick up my very first watch. White Portofino Automatic with black leather strap. Today it is one month and two weeks and since then I enjoy every moment wearing them and I often catch myself just to listen to them ticking. What a beauty. Even the serial number contains my favorite 42 ;o)
The passion started immediately. The same weekend I have ordered the big IWC book. I do not know when I will start collecting. In again 15 years may be? This time may be not. We shall see.
And at last, this was the shop:
Last edited: 25 March, 2012 - 21:15
Bill
Last edited: 23 June, 2012 - 20:15
Regards
Dave
Last edited: 20 November, 2012 - 05:17
Nice story, and great watches both ! Love this quote especially:
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com
time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch.
all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
Last edited: 8 December, 2012 - 16:07
Good Luck
Kevin
PS if you read a number of the posts on this forum you will understand that you have been exposed to the IWC virus and your recent purchase most likely will not be your last. LOL
Last edited: 29 March, 2012 - 21:17
Thanks for sharing, I truly enjoyed reading your story!!
Skule
You know you don't have to own many watches to participate to this Forum, I enjoyed your story very much.
Best regards
Argiris
The IWC virus is already present I must admit, as I for sure do not plan to do any exercises with my Portofino. For that I have one Top Gun on my list :o) But I think it won't be that soon. Right now I am just truly enjoying this one.
When I could make some good pictures I'll post them here, naturally. The first one, driving the car, was during the very hour when I was returning home after the purchase :o) They were just sitting hot on my wrist ;o)
For one thing I am sure. There certainly will be two photos with this watch in the future. In the birthplaces. Schaffhausen and Portofino. Someday. (Is that also the effect of the virus ? :o)
Last edited: 25 March, 2012 - 21:15
Best regards,
Jim
"We are the other people, we are the other people...you're the other people too!"
Frank Zappa
Your Portofino looks great and I'm sure it will give you many years of service and enjoyment. There will most likely be other IWCs in your future now that you have been smitten.
Zyxtimer