286 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 14, 2012Western,
Slovakia
"...and have you heard the one about the 15 years ?"
Well, some of you might still remember, although it was a year ago. And it was also a year ago, when the first IWC watch landed on my hand to change my life's perception for good.
"Uhrenvirus-Spezialisten" could tell a story. They must have laughed in tears reading that :o) Fifteen years have shrink to just one. Although I must say the one which went very fast :o( I have planned to take and share a lot of pictures but at the end there's none. Instead, before the year's end an opportunity came to me, thanks to my watch and this forum. I could join the SIHH exhibition this year and meet some of you in person. I could see the passion for IWC watches in real life. I had the chance to get infected even more. Reading through the forum, I can say that this case was special as there were no "usual suspects", the known enablers but others instead.
It all started (a long story, eh ? using the text to tease you before the pictures :o) the first day of SIHH when David has picked me up lost and lonely in the IWC booth and offered me to join him and Andrew for the dinner in the town. I have gladly accepted. Just a while after we took our places Vishal had joined us. Together with his collection of one special line which I have to say wasn't very appealing to me before. Laying some of it on the table have caused another special watch emerge from the Andrew's backpack. And there was it. I was struck by it almost immediately. Colorful, yet elegant and classic. Fortunately limited and sold out. In that moment I didn’t know the big truth, that if you really want a watch, it will come to you.
8541 Wrote:It almost always works like that- you wanted it, were really in love with it, and it comes to you!
When the first adrenalin of SIHH has settled down some 2 weeks ago I have heard about The List. The shopping list :o) Suddenly it came to me and I have found that watch. It was there. New, with box and papers. Only sitting in Tokyo. This has brought some complication as there was no forum member around and the shop refused to ship the watch abroad. Even if it did, there was still a risk of VAT when re-importing it to EU. Fortunately I was able to find my Japanese connection who was supposed to travel back home (to my country and next to my town) in two weeks. Young guy. Too young as it showed later. His was just afraid to wear the watch and bring it with him. What a pity :o(
But the watch was coming. In the same time when I have discussed the delivery with him and the shop another piece has appeared in Italy ! Now that is just too easy I though. OK, this was not new, but un-worn. Box and papers included as well. I have jumped from excitement and went almost straight for it. You see, limited edition, just for me... Young guys could lose the temper here easily. But again the forum has helped. Fellows around were able to inspect the watch in person and helped to bring the price even lower, too.
FLYROBYFLY36 Wrote:You reminded the seller not to mess with IWC fans!
The watch was paid and set for delivery. Just one thing during the process was not right. By some of the watches you should not wait too long. The one in Tokyo has been sold before mine was delivered from Rome.
Setting on the track in the middle of last week I was expecting the parcel on Monday in my office. And boy I was ready. Wearing a short side-beard already I have added to my just a little darker skin also a small mustache. Took my scarf as well to look even more Italian to give my new friend a warm welcome. At the end I was glad it did not arrived. I have had a hard and busy day, sitting there and solving problems until the late evening. I was quite exhausted so I was only happy the parcel has arrived on Tuesday to my home. Italian friends GTG finally took place!
Well, gentlemen, after the long story and some tease here are the first pictures and the reveal: Well as you can see, I have fallen in love with and acquired a special edition “Tribute to Italy” of the Vintage Collection Ingenieur, released to the 150-th anniversary of the reunion of Italy (1861-2011).
In the evening we all have had a glass of wine, meeting its brother from Portofino (not to be mistaken about my alter-ego, the second glass was for my wife ;o)
”Jaffar” Wrote:I think she took it… rather well :o)
When it comes to wine I am sticking to the old wine lovers saying, that people mostly should drink the wine from their land/area, as it comes best to their nature. I think this is just true and most of the time I open the bottle from this Chaeteu, (which does not mean I do not try and enjoy also the others, of course) franc bleu being my most favorite. (That was kind of an excuse, for not having an Italian bottle around ;o) The obligatory picture of the shop: And at the end I have to express some credits: to Shing for helping with the “Tokyo issue”, to David for bringing me to the watch :o) to Andrew for having it with him, to Vishal for causing it to appear :o) to Mark, Roberto and Nelson for cooling me down, and to Roberto again for the on-site work.
2,996 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 2, 2011Hong Kong,
Hong Kong
big big congrats on the acquisition and your pics showcase the italy ingenieur in its absolute brilliance. and I agree with Mark - watches find you, and I would add: choose you too :)
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.
Fantastic story, great watch and this just, once again, shows the wonderful community spirit developed through this Forum!
Many congratulations, Marian! And congratulations also to everyone who was involved.
Regards,
Jeronimo
Omar Khayyám (Persia XI-XII Century) offered that Time should not only be measured in length but also in width due to the intrinsic difference between a minute or other depending on what is happening to the beholder... I wonder how a watch would look like...
2,127 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 22, 2001
Marian, That's a fine ending to a great adventure story! I'm very happy for you, and feel good about this watch's new home. Thanks for taking me along on the ride. Nelson
It's easy to see why you fell in love with that watch, Marian. It is beautiful, of course, but also unusual without being gimmicky. I'm sure you'll enjoy it for many years to come.
As for my involvement in this tale, all I did was invite a fellow forumer to dinner, which was entirely my pleasure. Andrew deserves the "blame" here for unleashing his Tribute to Italy on an unsuspecting public. :)
Many congratulations and all the best as you bask in the glow of your new acquisition.
2,905 Discussions and CommentsMember since Nov. 14, 2008Taylor, TX,
United States
Marian, My heartiest congratulations on your acquisition of the "Tribute to Italy" Ingenieur! I fell in love with it when I first saw Andrew's photos, and I think this will be a special IWC watch to treasure for a lifetime!
Best regards, Jim
"We are the other people, we are the other people...you're the other people too!" Frank Zappa
Well, some of you might still remember, although it was a year ago. And it was also a year ago, when the first IWC watch landed on my hand to change my life's perception for good.
"Uhrenvirus-Spezialisten" could tell a story. They must have laughed in tears reading that :o) Fifteen years have shrink to just one. Although I must say the one which went very fast :o( I have planned to take and share a lot of pictures but at the end there's none. Instead, before the year's end an opportunity came to me, thanks to my watch and this forum. I could join the SIHH exhibition this year and meet some of you in person. I could see the passion for IWC watches in real life. I had the chance to get infected even more. Reading through the forum, I can say that this case was special as there were no "usual suspects", the known enablers but others instead.
It all started (a long story, eh ? using the text to tease you before the pictures :o) the first day of SIHH when David has picked me up lost and lonely in the IWC booth and offered me to join him and Andrew for the dinner in the town. I have gladly accepted. Just a while after we took our places Vishal had joined us. Together with his collection of one special line which I have to say wasn't very appealing to me before. Laying some of it on the table have caused another special watch emerge from the Andrew's backpack. And there was it. I was struck by it almost immediately. Colorful, yet elegant and classic. Fortunately limited and sold out. In that moment I didn’t know the big truth, that if you really want a watch, it will come to you.
When the first adrenalin of SIHH has settled down some 2 weeks ago I have heard about The List. The shopping list :o) Suddenly it came to me and I have found that watch. It was there. New, with box and papers. Only sitting in Tokyo. This has brought some complication as there was no forum member around and the shop refused to ship the watch abroad. Even if it did, there was still a risk of VAT when re-importing it to EU. Fortunately I was able to find my Japanese connection who was supposed to travel back home (to my country and next to my town) in two weeks. Young guy. Too young as it showed later. His was just afraid to wear the watch and bring it with him. What a pity :o(
But the watch was coming. In the same time when I have discussed the delivery with him and the shop another piece has appeared in Italy ! Now that is just too easy I though. OK, this was not new, but un-worn. Box and papers included as well. I have jumped from excitement and went almost straight for it. You see, limited edition, just for me... Young guys could lose the temper here easily. But again the forum has helped. Fellows around were able to inspect the watch in person and helped to bring the price even lower, too.
The watch was paid and set for delivery. Just one thing during the process was not right. By some of the watches you should not wait too long. The one in Tokyo has been sold before mine was delivered from Rome.
Setting on the track in the middle of last week I was expecting the parcel on Monday in my office. And boy I was ready. Wearing a short side-beard already I have added to my just a little darker skin also a small mustache. Took my scarf as well to look even more Italian to give my new friend a warm welcome. At the end I was glad it did not arrived. I have had a hard and busy day, sitting there and solving problems until the late evening. I was quite exhausted so I was only happy the parcel has arrived on Tuesday to my home. Italian friends GTG finally took place!
Well, gentlemen, after the long story and some tease here are the first pictures and the reveal:
Well as you can see, I have fallen in love with and acquired a special edition “Tribute to Italy” of the Vintage Collection Ingenieur, released to the 150-th anniversary of the reunion of Italy (1861-2011).
In the evening we all have had a glass of wine, meeting its brother from Portofino (not to be mistaken about my alter-ego, the second glass was for my wife ;o)
When it comes to wine I am sticking to the old wine lovers saying, that people mostly should drink the wine from their land/area, as it comes best to their nature. I think this is just true and most of the time I open the bottle from this Chaeteu, (which does not mean I do not try and enjoy also the others, of course) franc bleu being my most favorite. (That was kind of an excuse, for not having an Italian bottle around ;o)
The obligatory picture of the shop:
And at the end I have to express some credits:
to Shing for helping with the “Tokyo issue”,
to David for bringing me to the watch :o)
to Andrew for having it with him,
to Vishal for causing it to appear :o)
to Mark, Roberto and Nelson for cooling me down,
and to Roberto again for the on-site work.
THANK YOU guys!
Last edited: 21 February, 2013 - 10:19
what a great story. Congratulations on your "Tribute to Italy" LE, it's a beauty. Enjoy!!!
Tom
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.
Many congratulations, Marian! And congratulations also to everyone who was involved.
Regards,
Jeronimo
Omar Khayyám (Persia XI-XII Century) offered that Time should not only be measured in length but also in width due to the intrinsic difference between a minute or other depending on what is happening to the beholder... I wonder how a watch would look like...
That's a fine ending to a great adventure story! I'm very happy for you, and feel good about this watch's new home.
Thanks for taking me along on the ride.
Nelson
Last edited: 26 February, 2013 - 02:08
As for my involvement in this tale, all I did was invite a fellow forumer to dinner, which was entirely my pleasure. Andrew deserves the "blame" here for unleashing his Tribute to Italy on an unsuspecting public. :)
Many congratulations and all the best as you bask in the glow of your new acquisition.
Best regards,
David
Best regards,
Jim
"We are the other people, we are the other people...you're the other people too!"
Frank Zappa
Andrew tried the same trick with me at dinner on Wednesday that week.
The strap stitching is a really nice touch.
Michael
If you mean that green/red bits, they are... just fabulous !
Thanks for the congratulations, folks. I for sure shall try to treasure this piece !
Last edited: 21 February, 2013 - 13:58
Regards,
Roberto