Horological Meandering

Fellow PuristS - "Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Hear Ye!" This weekend sees an awesome milestone in the history of the site, as Nicolas aka Amanico aka 'Vlad' rolls over to 60,000 posts! We must spend the weekend in celebration. You will get the chance, over a series...  

So, that's who I want to be when I grow up, huh? Well, at least I know I'm going to be a handsome bugger. ;-) Congratulations on your milestone, Nico! Regards, Adam

Our demon JLC moderator revealed his true unearthly identity by clocking up his first ten thousand posts in as many minutes, often responding to posts that were still being typed, at all hours of the day and night on both sides of the globe. His prodigiou...  

now it's obvious where my drinking problem comes from :) Number of pieces that I didn't appreciated or even worst notice at all is indeed large before he opened my heart to them ...he even opened my heart to a brand --- the Rolex he poisoned me with Logo....  

Your unyielding passion is amazing to me and I am certain to most. I would congratulate you on the 60K post accomplishment, but the appropriate thing to do is to thank you. You make life online so much more fun that it would otherwise be. Oh, and damn you... 

No, seriously, thanks to you, Jed... It was a pleasure, a real pleasure to meet you in the real life, in Vegas! All the best. Nicolas

I regret we had so little time, and I hope we'll meet again soon! All the best. CaliforniaJed

And you friendship does mean a lot to me. Hiiips! ;) Nicolas

He showed me his true person... And told me how I will end up... But did I run? No I was blinded of all the Grails lying in the mud of his footsteps... And now it's too late! ;) Best Blomman ...  

I well remember our first meeting... I will never forget it. :) All the best, and a huge thank you, Blomman, to be my friend. Nicolas

But none of Vlad turned up clearly......NONE! What is this all about? This devil fish appeared when it should be a night time shot of amanico by the Wynn swimming pool with a glass of champagne. He was standing next to me in street clothes in one of the s...  

Nice castle, BTW! ;)

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Thank you Nicolas et bravo for all your work and advises. Cheers, Francois ...  

And I love it, love it....thank's mate! Cheers, Francois ...  

your insight has inspired a lot of my collection, and in a strange way, I do consider that a good thing! :-) Richard

More to come I afraid ... LOL Thanks for pointing me to these treasure my friend. :) Regards Tyler ...  

and all very dear to me certainly my favorite is first one ...the one the day we met... how insightful I am is fact that I momentarily asked him to autograph JLC book One ;)..imagine the value after he jumps over 100 00 posts I'll just have enough for new...  

Vlad influence is very strong and, violating physics laws, is not reduced by distance. Does not matter where you are. Here is one of his mesmerizing effects: Congratulations Nicolas for this new mark. Cheers, Nilo ...  

We were very lucky to have Vlad ‘land’ at the PuristS (as it then was). As he may tell you, if you don’t already know, life amongst the Paneristi was bittersweet for someone who had been so passionate about, and such a great supporter of, the brand. Still...  

I don't recognize AB, here... Aaah, you meant Asi B? :)

Sweet (Having all this beasts is just ....well...sweet) Bitter (Last time seen on beach in Rovinj...estranged since...look after this one maybe it will emerge somewhere ... if so... call the Police immediately) and some Crude memories of course (when I sa...  

Thank you for your friendship and all the hard work here! Hope to see you soon again! Best Blomman

Friends, friends, friends… When you are as generous and gregarious as Vlad, you will have a lot of friends. He is quick with an open invitation to visit Paris, and just as quick to visit Purist friends around the world. Here are just a few of his shots (a...  

let's start with most decent one :) to the most recent one and one little secret...the man is working hard during GTGs...he gave us bottle of strange water and continued on frenetically taking pictures for our "viewing pleasure" during very blurry conditi...  

If I am short of pictures! :) Best, my friend. Nicolas.

I had the pleasure of meeting Nico at IGOTT2 in Vegas last year (but there was always a queue) and in his natural environment in Paris earlier this year. Every moment was an experience and he has as much enthusiasm, passion and energy as you see here. Gre...  

. . . Las Vegas, Nevada. Yours truly, the Impaler, and Purists stalwart Stefan. Next year in Paris! ...  

Next year ? Yippieieie !

“The thema; must complete the thema!” The thema is the mantra for Vlad. Not many collectors go to such lengths, with such patience, to collect a series or theme (OK Blomman, you’re the exception to prove the rule! ☺). Blancpain, Milspec, diver, vintage Ro...  

following mantra Life-Family-Friends Life is beautiful - Enjoy it Family is precious - Cherish it Friendship is great - Live it ;) that's all folks Damjan ...  

Its a shame that i had to sell the Freak, but the friendship remains. He is always first to comment on a post when you are proud of a new aquisition which makes you love it even more. Vlad is a huge amount of fun, but also has a huge amount of knowledge t... 

you well know that for me, the taste in watches is more important than owning watches. That friendship is more important than watches, except that we do not have to forget that these are watches which lead us to know each other. Oooh yes, I do remember Mo... 

I have the pictures ready, i just have to submit them as evidence :) On Nov 5, 2012 6:37 PM, "www watchprosite" *Alert from:* www:watchprosite > *Posted By:* amanico (registered) on November 5th, 2012 - 10:36 > > *Title: We will remain Freaaakie Friends f... 

60K posts, OMG!!! Nico is really the Forrest Gump of watch collectors!!! So let me give you a couple of stories and insights on the subject. I met Vlad in the Spring of 2010 for the first time in Paris!!! I had just joined the forum and was a bit lost at ...  

Just some shared pleasures. And you don't need anybody to build your own collection, which is truly amazing. Bravo, thanks and very well played my friend. YOU go fast! Best, Nicolas.

...unfortuntely, as i haven't have the chance to meet Nicolas in person yet, but i feel the friendship nevertheless. 60'000 post - it just seemd to me that we celebrated 50'000 posts recently, or i am wrong? There must be some black magic involved here...... 

Thank you for the very nice words, and I do hope we'll have the pleasure to meet soon! All the best, Stefan. Nicolas.

... but these give a good picture on his 'state of mind' i guess ..... :-) Horology .... Phrenology ... and Witchery .... héhé ... Bim ...  

cheers PAt

And I am lucky enough to not need too many hours to sleep. Best, Nicolas

This feels like a bit of a confession, but there is not a single acquisition or considered acquisition that has not been tempered (or accelerated) by the question "I wonder what Nicolas would think?" The reason is simple, Vlad is fast to give his supporti... 

I know the true Count, and the true Count reflects no light and casts no shadows! Congrats, Nico, my friend, and thanks for all you do here! TM

A great friend and a very unselfish one always ready to listen and share in the Passion. If you look up the word Passion in the dictionary you will find a picture of Nicolas along with a wrist shot. One more picture of our great friend. Bill ...  

I am amazed by your own definition of friendship, with a Capital F. You did a lot for me. And this picture is one of many evidences of your friendship. THANK YOU! All the best, my friend. Nicolas

I had the enormous pleasure of meeting him in Paris back in 2009, when I had an afternoon free. It was a Tuesday, but owing to the Bastille Day holiday, Nico wasn't working and agreed to meet up in the afternoon for a coffee when I PM'd him a few weeks pr...  

It looked natural for me to spend this day with you. Afer all, you did a big trip, and I always wanted to meet you. Next time I hpe it will come soon! All the best. Nicolas

With your prodigious posting and fab pictures. I even aquired an old UJ Polerouter dive watch, partly inspired by some of your postings here. For sure I would not have known what a neat and historically interesting piece it is with the micro-rotor UJ cali... 

Quick pics, rather dirty, prior to cleaning up exterior with rubbing alcohol. Rather fun asymetrical case, which means a natural crown guard! Dial is good even patina with hands, appears to be all original. Perhaps you can PM me with the name of a good re...  

I know a great repairer in uk, but thats no good to you is it. G On Nov 7, 2012 7:32 PM, "www watchprosite" *Alert from:* www:watchprosite > *Posted By:* Tim Jackson (registered) on November 7th, 2012 - 11:32 > > *Title: Needs some TLC, the movement is in... 

When I think that i miseed one for nothing, a few years ago!!! Best, my friend. Nicolas

He is a demanding tutor! I take lessons from him on how to stay up all night posting...I dream about starting "themas" on vintage dive watches...I attend workshops on neck biting. LOL! I *heart* you, Vlad! Thanks for all you do! :-) Daos

The most prolific, irrepressible and tireless playmaker extroadinaire! 60,000 plus posts and still counting! An unsurmountable and humanly impossible feat! But we all know that. :) He has led us into temptation countless times and I can attribute my three... 

...I have only fallen for the Polaris & the 1931 Reverso. Not the DSA! You should try it: some garlic every day keeps the VLAD away... and the lady's too, I am afraid...

But the ladies .....they are probably the reason why I don't wear the garlic necklace. Not that it makes much difference. :)

This is our virtual home which deserves recognition, not me. But thanks for the " sweet as blood " words. ;) All the best, my good friend. Nicolas.

Mr. Amanico, You bring so much to this forum. Thank you for all of your dedication to watches and sharing of your knowledge. Regards, Jon

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Excellent posts here and below. Thank you. Best wishes, Joel

Nicolas has provided me with much interest and information from his fantastic posts and photographs. The number of times I've drooled over various Rolex, Blancpain and other interesting and sometimes obscure watches is beyond counting. The watch that actu... 

thank you for your contribution to this great site! your passion for this crazy hobby of ours is beyond words... Congrats and toast to the next 60K as we all know the Vlad lives forever! Merci!

I am deeply moved, my friend. All the best, Nicolas

...et merci pour tout. À bientôt! Cheers, pplater. ...  

What happened in Vegas had to stay in Vegas... :) Best, Nicolas

I clearly remember you 50k-th landmark post as if it were yesterday. Am I going to to have to praise you every time you add another 10k to your account? I reckon most of this site would be dedicated to celebrating your proficiency. Joke apart this a magni... 

commemorating an outstanding record of an outstanding Purist - well done all around, and special congrats to Nico (how many keyboard did you kill in the process?)! Cheers, Magnus

I " impaled " 8 keyboards, and 6 computers ( well, one was stolen ). ;) Thank you so much, Magnus. You know how much it is diificult but also important to try to write some good articles. Best, Nicolas

The 66 666th post, as a good Vlad Dracul I am... And the 100 000th one. :) Well, I have a few other big topics to put on line. Topics I am working on for some years, now. Which will be posted on due time... Best, Ztirual, and thanks for your kind comments... 

Although I have a had the greatest pleasure to have met, and continue to meet (whenever I can finish a meeting early when in Paris), I have no photos of the man himself. But I'm sure, as all of us who have spent time with Nicolas, we all have his face and... 

Wait wait wait...it was just the other day that there was that 50k posts thread wasn't it....? (goes off to check...) Okay, so you've clocked up 10k posts in what, 9 months/ 270-ish days? You've got it bad, man ! Will I finally get to meet the prolific 'V... 

Would lve to go to London this week, but I am screwed in Paris for my real job.... Too bad! But we'll certainly have other opportunities, Rob. All the best, and ... Thanks! Nicolas.

Where to begin? Well, how about here, More than 60,000 posts is inspiring, frightening and awesome. Congratulations and thank you for all that you do here, Nicolas. Best always, my friend Robert ...  

No matter if 65 or 68, the TTP is a community watch, and our Polaris Roll Call is here to witness that. I am innocent on that one. :) But thanks for making me believe that I am guilty... did you appreciate the lawyer's trick? :) :) :) All the best, and hu...