January 2023: 15 years of moderation. A story of friendship

Jan 05, 2023,09:52 AM
 



It is a long story of friendship which led me to accept the Moderator's functions... 

In December 2006, I registered on our WatchProSite new platform ( I was already active on our former website called The PuristS two years before ). This is the moment I met for the first time some of our members, like our dear Dje, Bill, and Simon ( Slamb ) in Paris. 


Old friends: Emilio and Oliver, with Bill: 


In the middle of the year 2007, Bill asked me if I was ok to take the moderation of one of our sub forums. It took me some months to think about that. Indeed, at that time, the only brands I would be interested in moderating were Ulysse Nardin, Girard Perregaux or Jaeger Lecoultre. 

The first two were brilliantly animated by Marcus Hanke ( Ulysse Nardin ) and Peter CDE ( Girard Perregaux ), and Jaeger Lecoultre by our talented friend Jerome ( Dje ) so I didn't see a possibility for me to accept such a function. 

Then, Jerome told me that he was leaving the Jaeger Lecoultre moderation to " take " Patek Philippe... I contacted the Manufacture to be sure that they would be ok to collaborate and to help me have contacts with some of the people " inside ". The Green light was given to me very quickly, in the very first days of January 2008.

Indeed, moderating a brand is possible AND interesting only if you have contacts who will provide you with deeper information and news than just those you can find in the press releases, if you can visit the Manufacture, speak with the watchmakers, designers, product development people, those in charge of the vintage department and so on.

The inauguration of the Heritage Gallery, in 2007: 










I can say that Jaeger Lecoultre remarkably played the game. I was invited several times a year at the Manufacture, attended some crazy events, went at the SIHH each year ( since 2006, so even before being a moderator ), I even had the chance to see the birth of some projects, such as the Gyrotourbillon 2 and 3, the Tribute to Polaris, Deep Sea Alarm and Geophysic, for example. 

The Polaris adventure: 






The Tribute To Deep Sea Saga: 







The Duomètre à Sphérotourbillon's birth: 





The first paths of the Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2: 



The making of the Gyrotourbillon 3: 







And the Tribute to Géophysic unveiling, in Hong Kong: 



And in Singapor: 



Another strong moment, the celebration of the Manufacture's 180th anniversary, in Paris, in 2013: 



I could meet all the different CEOs, from Jerome Lambert to Catherine Renier and witness all the changes at the Manufacture with some new buildings and extensions, and foster some strong  relations with some people there. 

At Le Mans Race, in 2009




At the Reverso Soirée, in 2021 in Paris: 


I have to say that the relations between our website and Jaeger Lecoultre were excellent since the first days of The PuristS, as WE and THEM had the chance to have some excellent moderators, like Jaw and Dje. These gentlemen and friends were the two who initiated the project, I just tried to go into their paths. They have all the merit there. 

Our Dje, at work: 



Some are working, others are having fun.  wink 



And, last but not least, one of the highlights from past year, our WatchProSite visit of the Manufacture! 



I would say that moderating such a brand is only pleasure. Writing reviews, animating the forum is a great and rewarding experience, after all these years. Especially with such a great Community. 

A pleasure and an honor. 

Let's keep this place as good as it was, thanks to the help of everybody.  

All the best,

Nicolas


More posts: GeophysicJaeger LeCoultre

  login to reply

Comments: view entire thread

 

Amazing story Nico

 
 By: Epilogue : January 5th, 2023-10:26
It's amazing to see how deep you can go in a hobby. And also your story is clear evidence that you draw a lot of fun, growth and friendships from the work you put in. Really beautiful

Thank you, Alex.

 
 By: amanico : January 6th, 2023-16:23

Thanks for sharing

 
 By: Arronax : January 5th, 2023-11:03
A true labour of love considering this is all done for free and comes on top of work and family duties, chapeau bas monsieur

Merci, mon ami.

 
 By: amanico : January 6th, 2023-16:23

Congratulations!

 
 By: andrea~ : January 5th, 2023-11:06
A milestone that can't go un-celebrated! Your insight into the brand is a true gift for us all.

Grazie, Andrea.

 
 By: amanico : January 6th, 2023-16:24

What a wonderful post, mon ami!

 
 By: MTR : January 5th, 2023-11:21
My highest respect for your professional knowledge, friendship and human qualities. And I LOVE our common home here!

Bravo, keep up the good work.

 
 By: grigo : January 5th, 2023-11:33
I love reading your posts and have always appreciated the advice you have provided.

Merci, George.

 
 By: amanico : January 6th, 2023-16:25

Everlasting friendship.

 
 By: Bill : January 5th, 2023-12:26
Nico is family. I have enjoyed every second of Nico's company and looking forward to many more golden years. Best wished for 2023 and into the future.

Wonderful post! Mon ami!

 
 By: Ajas : January 5th, 2023-13:06
I always enjoy reading your posts full of great insights about manufacturer's, history and collecting in general. Thank you and thank God I found this wonderful community.

Thumbs up - you have my thanks

 
 By: Ping.Timeout : January 5th, 2023-13:17

Cheers 🥂

 
 By: Ping.Timeout : January 8th, 2023-00:21

What a history indeed!

 
 By: KCLQMULKU : January 5th, 2023-13:25
I learnt throughout the many years I have been (privileged to be) a part of this amazing forum how much it takes to be a WPS moderator. A job all in itself! Absolutely amazing how you and your moderator colleagues balance this with your actual professiona... 

The pleasure is all mine my friend! Cheers!

 
 By: Chronometer (aka yacomino) : January 6th, 2023-16:39

Merci!

 
 By: amanico : January 6th, 2023-16:50

My big pleasure, OraHu.

 
 By: amanico : January 6th, 2023-16:29

Thank you for sharing your amazing journey!

 
 By: Skyrider01 : January 5th, 2023-13:50
And thank you for all your contributions to this forum.

Fantastic journey my friend !!!

 
 By: bimbeano : January 5th, 2023-13:52
I remember when I visited you to admire the Gyrotourbillon, I think it was the first time we met .... also 15 years ago

A real pleasure, Jon.

 
 By: amanico : January 6th, 2023-16:30

Great pictures too!

 
 By: GWIS : January 5th, 2023-13:53

You will make me blush. ;)

 
 By: amanico : January 6th, 2023-16:31

Amazing story and post dear Nicolas! Big congrats on these 15 years of so interesting relationship with this prestigious watchmaking Brand.

 
 By: Subexplorer : January 5th, 2023-15:06
Thank you so much for your time and dedication to our Forum and sharing with us all this valuable information and stories around JLC products and history. Un abrazo amigo mio! Y un brindis por muchos años mas de tus posts! Abel

Mil gracias, Amigo Abel!

 
 By: amanico : January 6th, 2023-16:32

Muchas gracias Nicolas!!

 
 By: Subexplorer : January 7th, 2023-13:21

 
 By: fmc000 : January 5th, 2023-16:19
I last posted on the forum some eight or nine months ago so this thread is clearly a perfect excuse to chime in just to congratulate you for the passion end the enthusiasm you show many times every day with your contributions here on WPS.

You are amazing !

 
 By: Mike H : January 5th, 2023-16:42
I am proud to be your friend and colleague as moderator! What an incredible story!

I don't think....

 
 By: InHavenPro : January 5th, 2023-17:52
You've ever posted this backstory here in such detail! Absolutely, it is both an enormous pleasure, and a genuine privilege to be part of this community for the past thirteen years!! Thanks to all the excellent moderators, both still active, and those who... 

With pleasure, my dear S.

 
 By: amanico : January 6th, 2023-16:51

We are blessed to have you, my friend. I well remember the days of Jaw and DJE...

 
 By: vitalsigns : January 5th, 2023-19:07
who passed the baton to such a worthy enthusiast. You have been an indefatigable source of passion, opinion and information as well as a very welcoming and inclusive moderator. Cheers, John

What a journey. Thanks for sharing as always 👏

 
 By: Andy_Mac : January 5th, 2023-19:49
Without such great moderators and enthusiasts this site would be a shadow of itself. Heartfelt thanks to you all, for your hard work and dedication to the cause 🙏👊 X

Wow! What a story!

 
 By: patrick_y : January 5th, 2023-20:25
What a wonderful story! So much history of WPS in this post! Thank you Amanico for being here and for all your hard work in posting about the JLC brand! WPS wouldn't be the same without you. And JLC wouldn't mean as much to me without you neither!

A bit late

 
 By: Weems@8 : January 5th, 2023-20:54
Congratulations! With your 15th anniversary. GP, Ulysse Nardin, Jaeger LeCoultre, great watches. The league of the best wristwatch maisons. A bit late with my reply, busy….. Reason, watches.

Thank you, Weems!

 
 By: amanico : January 6th, 2023-16:53

Happy anniversary Nico!

 
 By: eklektik : January 5th, 2023-23:27
Reading the post, i was scared you were moving on. Glad you're not! Thanks for your hard work here and the time spent moderating but more importantly nourishing the community. The relationship with JLC is clearly thanks to you and your approach. That trip... 

Merci, Henry.

 
 By: amanico : January 6th, 2023-16:54

What a journey Mon Ami! WPS and the JLC

 
 By: Darron : January 6th, 2023-03:45
Forum is so much better with you!

Ahhh true!

 
 By: Darron : January 7th, 2023-02:39

Definitely.

 
 By: amanico : January 7th, 2023-04:50

Truly amazing!

 
 By: S F : January 6th, 2023-05:10
Nicolas, your contribution goes beyond the JLC forum! You are day in day out and always a gentleman!

Wow great recounting of those 15 years!

 
 By: Echi : January 6th, 2023-05:10
I remember JAW posting the skeletonized Reverso in ThePurists. That one blew me away for sure. I wonder how those guys are doing. One thing about the old Purists, while groundbreaking, insightful and classy, it was not easily accessible for me even if all... 

Thx my dear friend for this travel down Memory Lane..

 
 By: hs111 : January 6th, 2023-11:50
But even more importantly a big Thank You for all you do and what you are !! You have inspired us/me on so many occasions, and have helped & consulted me on countless times ! Apart from your incredible number of posts, threads, articles, reviews and your ... 

Great and amazing story my friend

 
 By: Watchonthewrists : January 6th, 2023-14:53
I would like to thank you a lot to put your time and effort into making this forum the way it is right now . Your influence is great and definitely a reason i am still loving to be part of it 🙏🏻🤗 Hope we can enjoy your contribution for many years . Again ... 

 
 By: watchgeek216 : January 6th, 2023-19:40
Thank you for sharing your collaborative journey with Jaeger-LeCoultre in both words and photographs. Very enjoyable to read and see! Thanks to Aminco, Bill, Jerome and everyone else at WatchProSite for the fantastic stories that bring us all together.

Great work!!!

 
 By: Strictly Vintage Watches : January 7th, 2023-01:46

Thank you , Nico !

 
 By: bsandovalb : January 7th, 2023-13:46
For not only this great post, but for all your efforts and passion to enhance this amazing watchprosite community. Un abrazo !

What a wonderful and rich narrative!

 
 By: NT931 : January 8th, 2023-01:34
And indeed what comes through is that besides the watches, the people and relationships matter. I've only had the pleasure of meeting you once in Singapore, but your passion and enthusiasm were infectious! To more good years!

Superb history !

 
 By: tombub : January 8th, 2023-17:40
It’s a pleasure that the years pass in your company ! Thanks for all my friend

Photo de 2009

 
 By: tombub : January 8th, 2023-17:44
Rue Soufflot ! ...  

yes we can !

 
 By: tombub : January 9th, 2023-14:34

Great!

 
 By: amanico : January 9th, 2023-16:54

bravo to such an elegant chronology !

 
 By: j.jota : January 9th, 2023-00:25
we, the humble audience, very much appreciate all you have done to expand our knowledge and make the journey a true pleasure

You've done a wonderful job filling the shoes of those who came before!

 
 By: watchme : January 9th, 2023-19:13
May the next 15 years be even more exciting! -Dean

Hand down

 
 By: xxn : January 13th, 2023-13:11
the most welcoming moderator on this forum 👏

Here, here!

 
 By: xto : January 24th, 2024-01:47

Thank you Nico for all you do

 
 By: stabilizer : January 15th, 2023-01:43
It is a pleasure and an honor to participate here.

Excellent…wonderful journey you’ve gone through…

 
 By: mahesh : January 20th, 2023-17:44
very true our community is unique and closely connected…Have met great people from this community & it has always been a pleasure! Great to know you Vlad & for the friendship! and 2 non-watch pics for your love to JLC 😜 Best, mahesh., ...  

Oui exactement!

 
 By: mahesh : January 20th, 2023-19:19
It is why I took the pic when I saw it. History written in a beautiful handwriting too !!

Yep, thank you!!!

 
 By: amanico : January 21st, 2023-00:16

Congratulations…

 
 By: hans_jorgen_1968 : February 20th, 2023-13:56
…. on the first 15 years and many more to come Interesting post on sitting with the moderator responsibility Best regards Hans

Moderating without moderation, that’s you

 
 By: cfn : December 14th, 2023-06:22
Hi Amanico, I write the headline with the utmost respect, admiration and gratitude. The way you have thrown yourself 119% into the moderator role, the content (reports, pictures) you produce, the loyal yet challenging way you support our Grande Maison. Al... 

Indeed 🙏

 
 By: Ping.Timeout : December 18th, 2023-10:58

;)

 
 By: amanico : December 18th, 2023-11:05

Nico, I can say that it must be a fun to moderate such a great forum .....

 
 By: HansL : December 19th, 2023-09:19
and I view you are so energetic with full power gear to follow up all posts. For sure, you have contributed a lot and bring us a lot of informations, topics like Geophysic project which has led a lot of collectors knowing the rebirth of the legend, Thanks... 

Someone said "moderating without moderation".

 
 By: TheMadDruid : December 19th, 2023-15:07
I think "moderating without moderating"; i.e. without a heavy hand, is what is meant. And that is you. If you didn't have 330,000 posts, but had none, your presence would be felt without knowing it. You are the moderator who sees everything and knows what... 

Too kind. Merci!

 
 By: amanico : January 6th, 2024-21:08

15 years

 
 By: Dje : January 9th, 2024-17:31
Hi my friend, I unfortunately rarely have time to come here and today I pass by and find your post. I can say 15 years later that the only relief I have from having let the moderation of the JLC forum is that you’ve taken it (even if in my mind I’ve never... 

Yourself and the other horological heavyweights that make this site….

 
 By: Andy_Mac : January 10th, 2024-12:31
…have more passion and knowledge about watches than most could ever dream of, and it’s much appreciated. Thanks for sharing & long may it continue 🙏

Thank you so much, Andy.

 
 By: amanico : January 10th, 2024-14:41

Congrats on your 15th year!!

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : January 11th, 2024-00:26
Wow time flies by so fast!!! Cheers, Anthony

Happy Anniversary and a big Thank You my friend!!

 
 By: eklektik : January 12th, 2024-20:26
Thanks for reminding this nice moderator story! However, your post is way too short! And you are too humble to mention: - the exclusive shots you share and take yourself with great skills, - the nice and very informative reviews you write up regularly, gi...