In this reflective post, amanico celebrates reaching his 50,000th contribution to the WatchProSite community. He emphasizes that this milestone is not about the quantity of posts, but rather the shared passion, friendship, and exceptional moments experienced with fellow collectors since 2006. Through a series of nostalgic photographs, amanico highlights significant community gatherings and personal connections that underscore the true value of the platform.
Some of you pointed the number of my posts, and that I was on to reach my 50 000th...
To say all, and to try to express it in good, at least correct english, I would say here that it is not about me, but about you, you all.
I am not the kind of guy who forces himself to do thing, I am totally incapable of doing things I don't like.
In my real job, and in my- how to qualify it, Hobby?- although there is no fronteer between the two, as both have something in common: Passion.
Passion about people, which is mandatory in my real job, as well as in a watch community.
Passion about watches, for sure, which reached a mad dimension, but is there any limit or dimension to passion?
Since 2006, which makes more than 5 years, now, we are, all together, part of this community, crossing good and bad times, but we lived and shared, on line, or, even better, in the real life, some exceptional moments.
2007 is something which will be stuck in my mind.
Those of you who are here for years may remember Simon, our dear Sclamb, who had to " disconnect " from our world to re appear some months ago, for our greatest pleasure.
Here is a picture of a gathering we had in Paris, in 2007, with our good friend Bill, at the Brasserie Lipp:
My first gathering was held in 2004, with some guys I met for the very first time, and who became, immediately, as if I knew them for years, excellent friends...
Here my very dear POY and Asi, with our better halves.
Our first SIHH, in 2006, with Milan and Asi, here at the JLC booth. You will certainly recognize Magali, who was one of the designer from La Grande Maison:
The discovery of a wonderful world, which was secret till we got in... If I may say:
Since 2007, each year, we do all the best to maintain the Tradition of the European GTG, once per year, gathering Purists friends coming from all over the world.
Here, a winning trio: Bill ( damn, I have a ton of pics of you, my friend ), Emilio ( hope all is well, Hermano ) and Oliver, our distinguished small luxurury world, during the London gathering in 2009.
In Paris, we had some stunning moments, too.
Here, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly...
And what to say about our last GTG, starring some good friends, such as Tyler and Damjan?
The Creme de la Creme, the Top of Madness and demesure, in all friendship, was the IGOTT II in Vegas. I am still deeply moved when looking at the photos I took, there, and can't believe what I lived in Vegas and in L.A.
You got it, which does really count is not the number of posts, but the Community, the Passion, the Friendship, all these fantastic encounters we had, the share, and yes, in a big way, watches, these tic tacs which made us meet.
I wouldn't end this topic without thanking all those who gave me a strong support in 2011, which was- how to say it politely- a black year for me. You know who you are, but a big thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Community is not a vain word.
Best to All.
Nicolas.
This message has been edited by Dr No on 2012-02-03 09:26:58 This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-02-03 09:27:42 This message has been edited by dxboon on 2012-02-05 21:07:51 
