Mitch K
2591
A wonderfully heartfelt post. Thank you. I had the honor and pleasure of
Aug 10, 2014,11:44 AM
meeting Rolf on several occasions. I can only echo your words of his sincerity and his humbleness.
I was touring the UN factory a number of years ago (time is too fleeting to remember when it was - probably more 8 years ago or more). I had an exciting day and was ending it by sitting in a conference room in the factory looking at a couple of extraordinary pieces talking with several staff including Suzanne Hunni and Pierre Gygax when in burst Rolf, quite unexpectedly. He sat down and we all chatted for quiet a long time about many things - honest and forthright. Truthfully, I was star struck but was able to hold up my end of the conversation as he was truly interested in what I had to say. It was an amazing and generous experience because it was just me, a nobody, that he was willing to take precious time to speak with.
Also, I got a window into his special relationship with Ludwig from some of the stories that he shared. The time he showed up in the US wearing a watch in a beaten up brass case on a ragged cloth strap that Ludwig had given him just before Rolf left Switzerland to come to the US. It was an annular calendar that had never been done before - a linear read of day and date. It later became the MIH watch. Then there was the trip that Rolf took in a camper with his family that Ludwig asked to go on, volunteering to be the chauffeur for the trip.
Rolf was a humble man who set an amazing tone of expectation and willingness to accept risk. He was willing to proceed with the Freak and truly lead the way in developing new materials to be used in watches (Silicium, diamond, etc) that many other companies are now bragging as to their "revolution".
Bravo Rolf and thank you Bernard.
Mitch
Comments:
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Uniquely Ulysse Nardin will be a part of my life forever, why?
By: bernard cheong : August 9th, 2014-04:05
Well. It is the generosity of Rolf and his wife who built me an otherwise quiet, insignificant person into what I enjoy today. I always will be grateful. My total amount of knowledge was 5% of any of the top 10 bloggers and moderators here. After I saved ...
Yes. Like Lange, UN must not make a mistake, it was Rolf.
By: bernard cheong : August 9th, 2014-05:06
I say this with regret that at Lange, people think of the old man. But having met the original team, which included Greubel, it was Gunther Blumlein. The name Lange is simply family name, but Gunther could have chose Glasshute. Instead, he chose Lange...i...
very nice post, thanks for sharing
By: Ancienne Le Brassus : August 9th, 2014-13:28
your post opens future enthusiasts to seek and appreciate Rolf and his role in UN. That is a great thing in itself. ... continue as you have lots of things that we can also learn from. HAGWE, and thanks again for your post, S
Bernard
By: BentN : August 9th, 2014-15:05
Bernard, Thanks for your posting and insights in UN. I met and "know" you from many years back from various GTG in BKK and SG (not sure if you know me) , and know you are a lover of UN. I am NO WHERE near the Freak, but bought an UN in 2006 in Bangkok, fe...
A wonderfully heartfelt post. Thank you. I had the honor and pleasure of
By: Mitch K : August 10th, 2014-11:44
meeting Rolf on several occasions. I can only echo your words of his sincerity and his humbleness. I was touring the UN factory a number of years ago (time is too fleeting to remember when it was - probably more 8 years ago or more). I had an exciting day...
I can so relate...
By: Dave G : August 11th, 2014-19:41
Bernard, Thanks for this post. I can relate to many elements in your notes. I have collected watches for many years, but it was UN that took me down a more passionate route. In the late 90's, I owned just one UN watch --a Marine chronometer, but in In 200...
And another UN to tickle the senses
By: Dave G : August 11th, 2014-19:50
For the eyes the ears and the imagination.... The platinum and Onyx version would generally be my preference, but the rose and Lapis Lazuli dial are also special. This is perhaps my most conversation generating piece, especially when the jacquemart starts...
A lovely piece of writing Bernard
By: Nicko16 : August 14th, 2014-05:52
Very touching. I certainly think the Freak is a wonder. Especially the way one goes about setting the time and winding the watch.
