10,000 reasons to be grateful - A recap of my last 10 years on TRF and a Grail

[KBM]

*Disclaimer: this is going to be a long one - for a TLDR version and just the incoming, go on and scroll to the end.



How does one become a watch aficionado? When you start down this path, there is no telling all the watches you'll experience, wildly different people you'll meet, exotic places you'll travel to, friends for life that you'll make and all the incredible moments that you'll live because of the hobby and your love for horology.

It's been 12 years since I registered on TRF and, 10,000 posts later, I'm taken by a feeling of gratitude for everything this amazing place has allowed me to experience. I've met some incredible people both online and in person, acquired a treasure chest of knowledge, which keeps growing every time I log on, and shared the joy of countless incomings of friends and forum mates. I've also discovered, developed and matured my own taste in watches, through much trial and error, but also by listening and learning from all of you.

Finally, moderating and keeping a forum such as this up and running smoothly is a herculean task - as well as usually thankless - so I'd also like to take this moment to show my recognition to our TRF mods and to Steve - you guys are rockstars!

Over all this time, a lot has changed in the watch world. Sadly, many of the brands and models we all know and love have (momentarily, as we would like to hope) became so called assets, fungible commodities, and collectors no more than consumers. In this supply and demand driven universe, the mercantile nature of the relationships formed leave little to be appreciated in the way of creating life experiences to accompany the acquisition of a special piece.

There still are, however, brands that promote the love of horology above all else. They treat their products like art and their collectors like family. For some brands, not only is the material object exceptional in all respects, but the respect and care shown to its collectors remind you of what the relationships in this hobby *should* be all about.

This is a piece that was a long, long time in the making for me. When the model was first launched, over 10 years ago, it was something completely removed from my reality, but as chance would have it, I became ready for it just as the very last unit of the metal I wanted was available in one of the brand's few ADs.

So, after many zoom calls and with the help of some amazing friends over in the US, the deal was closed and this grail came to be. I can't think of a better one to celebrate 10k posts here and all the journey has represented so far.


Thank you for all these years, TRF. Here's to the next 10,000 posts.

[7sins]

Absolutely gorgeous, congrats on the new acquisition!

[PhilLynott]

Great post and even better watch! Congrats across the board!

[enjoythemusic]

Ya know what I love about your post?!?!?
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Everything

[PJTull]

New to this forum and already have the bug. Looking forward to my journey to 10,000! Happy New Year

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by PJTull

New to this forum and already have the bug. Looking forward to my journey to 10,000! Happy New Year

My advice is to run like hell.

This hobby is as crazy as crazy gets and TRF is a veritable den of enablers.

I know you won't listen, but don't say you weren't warned.

[rlj676]

Beautiful. Congrats!

[Andad]

Hi K,

Congratulations on your first 10k posts.

Mojon and Voutilainen with MB&F made an amazing watch.

I really like the vertical power reserve indicator and that 14mm balance wheel is a work of art.

Most can only aspire to owning one especially in Pt.

Enjoy wearing it while posting your next 10000.

E.

[yoast]

Awesome!

[psv]

Congrats on the milestones!

[Justindo]

You're an asset to this forum and a post like this showcases that. We appreciate your well written sentiments. Congratulations on that amazing acquisition!

[JayHantz]

What an awesome post, an awesome 10k milestone, and AN AMAZING INCOMING! That thing is just beautiful on your wrist. Glad to have you here, and looking forward to 10k more posts! Happy New Year and Happy New Watch!

[KBM]

Originally Posted by 7sins

Absolutely gorgeous, congrats on the new acquisition!

Thanks a lot, Bryan!

Originally Posted by PhilLynott

Great post and even better watch! Congrats across the board!

Thank you!

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Ya know what I love about your post?!?!?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Everything

Thanks, Steven! Just saw that you've ordered a LM 101, congrats to you too! So great to see MB&F being embraced by the collector community. Max and the brand represent so much of what seems to be missing these days.

Originally Posted by PJTull

New to this forum and already have the bug. Looking forward to my journey to 10,000! Happy New Year

Thank you, PJ, and welcome to the forum! I'm sure you'll find that there is no better place to talk watches anywhere.

Originally Posted by rlj676

Beautiful. Congrats!

Many thanks!

Originally Posted by Andad

Hi K,

Congratulations on your first 10k posts.

Mojon and Voutilainen with MB&F made an amazing watch.

I really like the vertical power reserve indicator and that 14mm balance wheel is a work of art.

Most can only aspire to owning one especially in Pt.

Enjoy wearing it while posting your next 10000.

E.

Thank you very much, Eddie! They sure did an unbelievable job. I remember the first time I saw the images of the LM1, it simply blew me away. Having one on the wrist is still a bit surreal.

Originally Posted by yoast

Awesome!

Thank you!

Originally Posted by psv

Congrats on the milestones!

Thanks much!

Originally Posted by Justindo

You're an asset to this forum and a post like this showcases that. We appreciate your well written sentiments. Congratulations on that amazing acquisition!

Thank you so much for the kind words. It's been an absolute pleasure to be on TRF all this time and hope to enjoy everyone's company for many more years!

Originally Posted by JayHantz

What an awesome post, an awesome 10k milestone, and AN AMAZING INCOMING! That thing is just beautiful on your wrist. Glad to have you here, and looking forward to 10k more posts! Happy New Year and Happy New Watch!

Thanks a lot, Jonathan! Much appreciated! Happy New Year!

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by KBM

Thanks, Steven! Just saw that you've ordered a LM 101, congrats to you too! So great to see MB&F being embraced by the collector community. Max and the brand represent so much of what seems to be missing these days

A most humble thanks.

Btw, your reply had me immediately thinking about the below lyrics:

"So much style without substance
So much stuff without style
It's hard to recognize the real thing
It comes along once in a while

Like a rare and precious metal beneath a ton of rock
It takes some time and trouble to separate from the stock
You sometimes have to listen to a lot of useless talk

Shapes and forms, against the norm
Against the run-of-the-mill
Swimming against the stream
Life in two dimensions is a mass production scheme...

Against the run-of-the-mill
Static as it seems
We break the surface tension with our wild kinetic dreams

Curves and lines
Of grand designs"
--- Neal Peart

[KBM]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

A most humble thanks.

Btw, your reply had me immediately thinking about the below lyrics:

"So much style without substance
So much stuff without style
It's hard to recognize the real thing
It comes along once in a while

Like a rare and precious metal beneath a ton of rock
It takes some time and trouble to separate from the stock
You sometimes have to listen to a lot of useless talk

Shapes and forms, against the norm
Against the run-of-the-mill
Swimming against the stream
Life in two dimensions is a mass production scheme...

Against the run-of-the-mill
Static as it seems
We break the surface tension with our wild kinetic dreams

Curves and lines
Of grand designs"
--- Neal Peart

Love it. Hits the *neil* on the head of what we're talking about.

[SoylentGreenChi]

Wow, what an MB&F! Congratulations and Happy New Year!

[Jay (Eire)]

That’s is a truly epic marker to celebrate the journey so far. Amazing.

On to the next 10K !

[uniqueMR]

Congrats :)

[nyc2la]

Huge congratulations! What a fantastic way to celebrate your journey and your 10,000th post!

[SeeDweller]

Beautiful piece!
And it looks great on you….
“Wear it in good health”! These days, that’s really what matters, eh?

All the best!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[crod]

Congratulations!!!! A great watch!!!

[Andad]

I found an interesting video on your watch.

https://youtu.be/lF6TA-iXbQY

[SeeDweller]

Originally Posted by Andad

I found an interesting video on your watch.

https://youtu.be/lF6TA-iXbQY

Terrific video!!
Makes me interested in a brand to which I’ve never given much thought.
Very magical……


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Andad

I found an interesting video on your watch.

https://youtu.be/lF6TA-iXbQY

Thanks a lot for posting this Eddie

[mps354]

Great watch, great post, great member. Congrats!

[danwang0520]

fantastic watch.......thanks for sharing

[soho]

Congrats Kaue! Great 10K post by one of the great TRF members.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[KBM]

Originally Posted by SoylentGreenChi

Wow, what an MB&F! Congratulations and Happy New Year!

Many thanks!

Originally Posted by Jay (Eire)

That’s is a truly epic marker to celebrate the journey so far. Amazing.

On to the next 10K !

Couldn't agree more, Jay, still can't believe it. Thank you!

Originally Posted by uniqueMR

Congrats :)

Thanks a lot!

Originally Posted by nyc2la

Huge congratulations! What a fantastic way to celebrate your journey and your 10,000th post!

Thank you, Stephen! I've had the pleasure of enjoying the pictures of all the breathtaking watches you've posted over the years, so your words mean a lot!

Originally Posted by SeeDweller

Beautiful piece!
And it looks great on you….
“Wear it in good health”! These days, that’s really what matters, eh?

All the best!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Couldn't agree more, Bob! Health to enjoy what we love is more important than ever. Thank you!

Originally Posted by crod

Congratulations!!!! A great watch!!!

Thanks a lot!

Originally Posted by Andad

I found an interesting video on your watch.

https://youtu.be/lF6TA-iXbQY

Thanks a lot for the link, Eddie. That's a great video, I watched it many times while dreaming about this piece!

Originally Posted by mps354

Great watch, great post, great member. Congrats!

Thank you very much, Mike!

Originally Posted by danwang0520

fantastic watch.......thanks for sharing

Thanks, Daniel!

Originally Posted by soho

Congrats Kaue! Great 10K post by one of the great TRF members.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thank you for the kind words, my friend!

[brandrea]

Kaue, congratulations on 10000 posts, and to many many more

You’re an original (so to speak) and I always look forward to your posts and hearing your thoughtful insights here on the forum.

Congratulations on the new MB&F, it looks like it was made for you my friend

[BLACKHORSE 6]

Congrats!