Watchtime Inside Basel @ Phila - Tues 9/18/12

[signcarver]

I read this board daily (but don't post often) however if you happen to attend tomorrow's event i would like to meet you in person. I'll be the old guy with gray hair and a black sports coat with my beautiful wife!

Steve (a.k.a. signcarver)

[Watchflair]

Very cool. I didn't know they were having something. How did you find out about it? What were tickets going for?

[signcarver]

Originally Posted by Watchflair

Very cool. I didn't know they were having something. How did you find out about it? What were tickets going for?

I read about it in WatchTime Magazine. I bought tickets early this year ($139 apiece).

It is a yearly event in several major cities. I think Philly and New York are both sold out.

Here is the link http://www.watchtime.com/event/ibg/

[Watchflair]

Take some pics. Let us know how it was. I will definitely have to put this on my radar for next year. Enjoy!

[mjclark32]

Me too for next year.
Have a great time and remember to take pic please!

[signcarver]

Only 1 crummy pic below from my first gen Droid (a pos) - iPhone 5 arrives Friday!. My wife left her camera home which we usually use.

The event was "top of the line" from the venue to the watches, the food, the presentation and goodie bags.

I handled a number of pieces, one a nearly identical remake of the original JLC Reverso, a titanium Omega and a Mont Blanc flagship model (forget the name).

My wife tried on a beautiful white gold Piaget Dancer, very clean design, with an absolutely stunning bracelet (13 individual pieces make up each link).
http://en.piaget.com/watches/white-gold-watch-g0a33051

Panerai had the biggest display and RGM the busiest, in fact i could not get up to the table at the RGM booth all evening. All others were very approachable and the sales people were extremely personable and knowledgeable. Panerai also had a watchmaker reassembling a watch - mostly he was working without a loupe which amazed me.

The two advertised margues that didn't show were Richard Mille, which i would have loved to see and Pamigiani.

The most impressive watch I saw was a minute repeater from Badollet. They only make 3 (three) of these a year and they sell for $375,000.
http://www.badollet.com/en/time/inde...ion_minute.php

The Union League in Philadelphia is an old, private, gentlemen's club and is a step back in time. The architecture is beautiful - coffered ceilings, rich wood paneling everywhere (even in the elevators), marble floors, statues, portraits in fancy gilded frames, one room with many of the USA Presidents' portrait.

The dinner was excellent: Appetizer was Salmon Tartare, Avocado, Herbed Phyllo, Micro Basil, Basil Oil and the main course was Sauteed Lamb chop, Charred Leek Farro, Broccolini, Lamb Reduction (copying off the menu here because i never would have remembered). After dinner drink was 15 year old single malt Dalmore (that, i do remember and yes, i drank my wife's...) We were staying at the hotel at the club so ther was no driving involved.

During dinner we had a multimedia presentation - slides, video, short documentaries on watch topics by Jeff Kingston which was fascinating - lots of info grouped by topic rather than by brand. The breadth of this man's knowledge is amazing, probably worth the price of admission.

The goodie bags had many watch catalogs, chocolates from vacheron constantin, thumb drive from BMW, a new sponsor, an AP hat and a Panerai hat.

It was a very enjoyable night. I don't know if i would do it again but only because of the cost.

Because both my wife and I got goodie bags i have extra catalogs so let me know if you would like any of these and i'll send them to you.
Top Row: Jaquet Droz, BlancPain, A Lange and Sohnne, Breguet
Second Row: Carl Bucherer, Jaeger Le Coultre, Zenith, Mont Blanc
Third Row: Panerai, Vacheron Constantin chocolates (sorry not available, ate all of those), RGM, Glashutte



The hallway outside of the two display rooms.

[Watchflair]

Thanks for sharing. Seems like a nice gathering. We had a GTG in Philly last month and are planning one for Oct 4. It's nice getting together with people who share are interests and can have that same level of craziness for watches.

[signcarver]

Thanks JR,

I will be away on Oct 4th for the GTG. maybe next time.