Horological Meandering

amanico
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2011 European GTG in Paris. The report

Since 2008, we took the good habit to gather, each year.

This year, it was not easy, because many of us went to the Vegas IGOTT II, BUT we managed to do it, and it was simply a blast.

Why?

Because many of us turned the virtual friendship to a real one. This is the first and the main reason.

Then, because it is the opportunity to share some relaxed moments, TIME, chats, good food and drinks all together.

Paris... London... The place is not important, the moment is.

Of course, we don't have to forget watches, which made us gathering, virtually and in the real life.

Watches are OUR Passion, this intimate object of our mental obsession which we all share, this tic tac thing which makes us look like teen agers, despite our age, our personal horizons: We are not owners, we are just lovers. The possession is not the most important thing, the pleasure, the passion of sharing our or pothers beauties IS.

This year, it fell on a week end. To be more precise, it started on a week end, as our first friends arrived on Saturday.

So, we managed to have a superb moment on Sunday, while most of us arrived on Monday.

At the " Menu ", then, Restaurants, a visit to a Vintage Dealer, and another Restaurant.

Are you ready to face the Passion, the Madness we lived all together?

Here we go!

1/ Watches:

You will have the pleasure to discover ( or re discover ) some of the finest Vintage and modern watches, here.

I say some, because nobody claims here that we have the finest and the rarest watches. We just have the immense joy to admire watches which move us the most.

Let's start with a pic which could nicely sum this passion: A Bunch of Vintage Fifty Fathpms ( 3 !!! TR 900, an AM, a Pakistanese, 2 Lip Blancpain, 2 Milspecs, and a Rotomatic Incabloc ( many of them have attented the FF Exhibition ) :



We always have a veery special feeling when facing these Fifty Fathoms Beauties, there is so much History and stories behind each of them.

But what to say when you face that...



3 Weems, a Lindberg! 4 Big Pilot Longines watches!

Each of them would deserve a special mention, as each is a killing beauty, but two are very, even more, special: The black one, whjich was made in only 114 ( ! ) pîeces, and the one on the left, which is ... NEW OLD STOCK.

You don't believe me?

Here are some extra pics of this NOS Longines.



After the watch, the complete package:



And now, the watch WITH the package:



What you're admiring here is certainly unique in a collector's life. Who already saw such a " Weems Package "?

As we're speaking about Longines, let me share two of the many 13 ZN we saw.

The Black, which is just a Grail for a a lot of Longines Lovers, with its mushroom pushers:



The Cream:



A very original Longines Chrono, with a Central Minute Hand ( in red ) :





And, one again, it is just a selection of fine Longines Vintage, there were many others which are dign of interest and love.

Some Omegas were there, too.

2 SM 300 CK 2913: a " 3 " and a " 7 " with its lovely Lollipop hand:



And a stunning Speedmaster, CK 2998, with a superb " Olive Khaki " dial:





First time I see such a ptina on a Speed... Terrific!

What about some Breguets?

You all have in mind King Of Cool's superb civilian Type XX...

Here are some exquisite others... Military:



What to say??? The Onion crown is to die for, but the patina on the Aeronautique navale is breathtaking.... Having both is just a dream.

Military and Civilian, side by side:



To be honest, maybe I'm a bit too picky, but I slightly prefer the 2 Subdials, on the Type XX, except when it comes with the black bezel, like on our Dear King of Cool's one.

Even if any of these Vintage Type XX would make me very happy.

So, what else do we have, in stock?

A superb Rose Gold Reverso Chronograph, coming from Great Britain...





An impressive pair of Vintage Rolex GMT, with a 1963 1675 in untouched condition:



And I'm not afraid to say that this 6542 is one of the most impressive I've ever seen: Correct bakelite bezel, exclamation dot dial, nice case, from 1956:



I'm sure you wouldn't mind admiring a " Double A " pair of 5070... ))



Something I personally never saw ( and I think many of us are in the same situation than me ) : The complete line of Vintage Breitling Superocean!



In the field of the highly improbable, seeing one Vintage Lecoultre Polaris '65 is one thing, but two, side by side???



Dreams, but not only...

A Watch Dealer, Antoine, kindly accepted to host us for a pair of hours.

Here, we had the pleasure to admire some great Vintage watches, and a selection of fine Modern ones, such as the Rose gold Limited Reversos ( 60eme / Geographique / Perpetual Calendar ), and ... The Mercator, with its sublime enamel cloisonned dial.

A nice moment of pure poetry, dedicated to Germans ( 10 pieces ).



Another surprise, a Minute Repeater, from the same brand:





Even if watches are, of course, very important, for us, a good gathering is, first of all, a matter of great moments, between friends, in a decontrated ambience.

Antoine played the game, as he opened his shop just for us, on Monday.

Before and after, we had some fun moments in restaurants.

Here, on a Corsican Restaurant, " Le Cosi ", with some guest Stars, the Gronefeld Brothers!





The Usual Suspects were there, who were doing what they usually do: Laughting, chatting, hearing, sharing, admiring, drinking and eating...



Hmmm, this ear is familiar to me...



As well as this scene:



Damjan, you're the Best!



Some wrist shots gave some unexpected outcomes...



Purists are greedy gentlemen... After the lunch, it was time to have dinner!

Place du Marché St Honoré is another well known spot from our Community, just near Place Vendome and the Opera.

And Le Nomads is a good address. Here was taken the gargantuesque Table Shot ( Credit Picture, Damjan ).



A few shots, describing the " fairy tale " magic ambience. Only happy guys, here:





And, of course, after the dinner, late in the night ( or ealry in the morning, as you want ), a last drink, but that is another story.

To end, allow me to add a few more comments

First of all, thanks a lot to those who made the effort to come and attend this event. Some came from very far ( Tyler, Damjan ), others took the time to come, and share with us all these unbelievable moments ( You have to know that the first attendeed came on ... Saturday! ).

Hemingway wrote that " Paris est une Fete ), I would quote him and say that " Paris was a blast ", thanks to you all, and to your generosity and your desire of share.

What you saw in pictures is a small part of all the watches our friends brought with them, to give you an idea.

It is always good to let some place to mystery, as it will give you the idea to attend this kind of gathering, one day... At least, I hope.

For the moment, enjoy these pics, and share our joy. It was immense.

There is no place like PPRO.

Best to All, and once again: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

Nicolas. This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-10-11 02:37:33 This message has been edited by MTF on 2011-10-13 21:17:34