IWC Schaffhausen

Last night, the local IWC Forum GTG crew welcomed Ralph Edmondson (RAVE) and his lovely wife, Maureen, to NYC with a special visit to the NYC IWC Boutique and a dinner afterwards. A great joy of being a member of this Collectors’ Forum is the chance to have these informal GTG. We can sit and talk IWC for hours.

I want to thank the very patient and superlative NYC Boutique staff for putting up with us for several hours. Noreen, Andre and Patrick were terrific. They never missed a beat, answering our questions and servicing customers as they came into the shop. The staff was most gracious sharing their enthusiasm for IWC and pulling out an endless number of models for us to ogle. The Boutique did not fail to impress each of us even on our second or third visit. Ralph was especially captivated with the NYC Boutique saying it surpasses the other IWC Boutiques he has had the fortune to visit all over the world. Judging by the comments from the staff, the NYC Boutique is off to a grand start exceeding their expectations, not that they wouldn’t like to see even more business. They are quite proud of their store and it shows. If anyone on the Forum plans to visit NYC, let us know. It’s fun to meet follow Collectors whenever we can.

Now for some pictures of the RAVE GTG.

The local Forum crew coming out to see Ralph and Maureen included: Alan Ross, Kevin Devine, Evan Nanos as well as my wife, and me. Alan, Mary and I arrived first and took a quick peek in the windows of a nearby IWC AD before we shuffled off to the Boutique.

Alan doing some window-shopping



The IWC Boutique at 54th and Madison.



The crew after three hours in the Boutique.

L to R: Even, Mary, Kevin, Alan, RAVE and Maureen.



Several pictures have been previously posted showing the magnificent interior of the IWC Boutique. As you know, it is arranged in separate areas displaying each of the IWC major product lines: Pilots, Ingenieurs, ATs, etc. This is a brilliant concept and design. The Collection is judiciously displayed among the attractive and related items.

As you walk in the entrance, you are in a two story high living room. It is a very impressive unlike any of the other watch boutiques along Madison or 5th Avenues. There you are greeted by rows of display cases with the staff behind the counter.



This is the Portofino display dock. There is a handsome display of Santoni shoe wear, but it also serves as the repository of Santoni straps. And, no the staff says, the shoes are not for sale.



The DaVinci nook: Among the items on the shelves is an IWC watch-winder that sells for $17,000, if I recall.



The Pilot’s Watch hanger:





The deep sea aquarium for AT’s



The Ingenieur area with an Ingenieur racing bike for sale at $15,000. Next week Andrew Thomas will be in town. I understand he is putting this bike into his carryon luggage. : ).



The upstairs show area currently houses the special LE Ali BP along with a photo gallery of pictures of his career and a copy of GOAT: A Tribute to Muhammad Ali (The Greatest of All Time) picture album. The author is Benedikt Taschen with photographs by Howard L. Bingham. It is a huge, almost table size, compendium of photos and news clips from Ali’s illustrious career. If you buy the Ali BP, your purchase includes a copy of GOAT. Your UPS guy may need a forklift to deliver it, it weighs around 75 lbs (34 kg), I understand. The book’s dimensions are an impressive 20” x 20” (50 cm x 50 cm) in size with over 800 pages.

GOAT Cover…it’s padded like a boxing glove.



Book open behind the Ali Watch Display box.



One photo page:



The star attraction of the floor,the Ali BP:



RAVE review of watch and book:



The photo gallery of pictures by Howard Bingham. After the gallery show is closed, this area will serve as a special VIP sales and display area.





This post is not complete without the people and watch shots. So here goes.

No boutique is successful without making a sale. Here are Kevin and Ralph signing on the dotted line.





First a very small sampling of the watches for sale and on the wrists of our crew:

Boutique Edition Perpetual BP. This is a stunning double moon-phase PBP:



There is a slightly more expensive St. Exupery edition as well.

How about a F.A. Jones Tourbillon:



I am getting to like the Miramar collection even more after seeing it up close:



Special Boutique BP’s: The Ali, WG BP and the Los Angeles BP.



RAVE showed us his Wempe Regulator and his vintage AT, a stunning one that was not always a collector’s favorite.





Now the people in our native Boutique environment:

Alan, Evan and Kevin deep in thought:



Evan taking a picture of me with Ralph’s new(er) travel camera.



Taking a close up of the marvelous Perpetual BP Boutique Edition:



Relaxing after 2 hours in the Boutique.



Kevin and Alan





Debating the virtues of the PBP two versions:



Hi there, I am spying on you from above:





Maureen and Alan in the entry area:





Champagne in hand and watch winding:



You won’t believe this story…says Kevin



What are you wearing? This is a trade secret today.



The guest of honor with Kevin:



and with Alan. Don’t you like the free champagne Alan?



Ralph, Alan and the Boutique Manager, Noreen MacDonald:



Oops, how did I get into this shot? I usually avoid these. No wide-angle lens is big enough to get me in the shot normally.



Our honored guest:



Ralph, Alan and Andre, a very cordial and helpful Boutique sales person.



Maureen and my much better half:



What you got there?



Another wide-angle shot:



Andre and Patrick, our most helpful staff members:



Hey, Tracy did you ship Alan’s prize to the Boutique by mistake?



After the wonderful time we had at the Boutique, we wandered down the street to dinner. We all had a terrific time. Come join us, when you are in the vicinity. This is a must see stop in the Big Apple.

Bill

Last edited: 23 June, 2012 - 20:15

I loved this report and very much wish I could have joined you.

Will someone let us know the by-products of signing on the dotted line?

And, also, I know Alan will disagree but someone needs to tell that new pensioner from the U.K. that he forgot to shave ;)

Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com

Last edited: 18 May, 2012 - 17:51

Michael Friedberg Wrote:

And, also, I know Alan will disagree but someone needs to tell that new pensioner from the U.K. that he forgot to shave ;)

LOL. I wish you could have joined us as well. These days are very special. Next week, Andrew arrives for a redux.

Bill

Last edited: 23 June, 2012 - 20:15

I brought my camera but knew Bill would take better pictures. And I was correct.
It was a great afternoon and evening and the staff at the boutique could not have been more welcoming. What a great place to hang out and talk about watches. Looking forward to the next visit.

Last edited: 8 November, 2012 - 12:49

Thanks for sharing Bill. Looks like you all had a great time. Indeed very curious what was being signed for on that dotted line.

I really have to visit that boutique sometime soon!

Regards,
Thang

iwcforummer@outlook.com

Last edited: 21 April, 2013 - 08:55

MF, I could not agree more! Fantastic report, and boy would I too have liked to have been there!

It seems to me that this NYC Boutique GTG's are going to be bi or tri weekly grand affairs with a regular crew of chaperones to accompany the out of towners on this fun trip into IWC watch-land.

@ Ralph, never mind we know/ understand two things; a) we know them UK lads clean up quiet nicely on demand and b) it's simply a guise to try and not attract the TOP GUN Sales folk in the Boutique attention as to where your glaze is falling on a specific watch.

Excellent report Bill - and real nice to see you for a change in the photo's too!

Best regards
Mark

Last edited: 16 April, 2013 - 00:36

Bill,
Excellent report, you once again captured the spirit of the afternoon and evening. Safe to say we all had a great time and the Boutique staff couldn't make us feel anymore welcome.

@MF: I purchased a new strap for my 5001 I'll post some pictures soon.
Also ordered something else and when that comes in ....

@all I repeat what Bill has said let us know when you are coming to NYC we'd really enjoy meeting you and showing you the best ....

Kevin

Thank you Bill for this great report. Wish I had time to come over, well, we will have to make time I guess, looking at these pics.
@MF ; yes, I saw it too ; but from rave to shave is not a big step.

tonny.berteloot@pandora.be

What a great report and pics!!! This is killin' me. I keep looking for some time to get to NYC for a visit. The Boutique looks incredible and it would be great to see y'all again!

Best regards,
Jim

"We are the other people, we are the other people...you're the other people too!"
Frank Zappa