Comments:
Make Watch Collecting Pure again….
I really like this trend of seeing less speculative collectors as witnessed by recent events.
The watch shows and people hanging out together (GTG) and feeling safe is nice to see, as we saw in DWW and that exotic event shared by J 👍🏻💪🏻
What are you looking for in a watch GTG?
How many watch(es) do you bring?
There have been videos or posts of some mishandling of other people’s watches, scratches, dings or dropped (NOoooo!!!). How do you feel or handle this situation if this happens (god forbid) to your precious dream or grail?
The watch shows and people hanging out together (GTG) and feeling safe is nice to see, as we saw in DWW and that exotic event shared by J 👍🏻💪🏻
What are you looking for in a watch GTG?
How many watch(es) do you bring?
There have been videos or posts of some mishandling of other people’s watches, scratches, dings or dropped (NOoooo!!!). How do you feel or handle this situation if this happens (god forbid) to your precious dream or grail?
The best solution is educate and treat others with respect and know the importance of the watch to the owner...I'm not a fan of piling on top of each other's watches.
Have a great weekend…hope we will start to get what we like and not have to play BS games anymore. Cheers 🥂
Have a great weekend…hope we will start to get what we like and not have to play BS games anymore. Cheers 🥂
Very impressive and very nice! I am very fond of the YG GMT on Jubilee you show here. Lovely watch!
A lot of questions there!
What am I looking for at a GTG? It really depends on who is hosting the GTG.
The ones hosted by big watch brands, I'm hoping for a nice sneak peek of a new watch that isn't really released to the public yet. Or some special insight about company operations. I'm probably traveling a distance to come to this GTG, so show me something or tell me something special to make it worth my time. Fortunately, Patek Philippe this year didn't disappoint! This year in June 2023, Patek Philippe hosted a wonderful GTG in Tokyo where they made some amazing special Japanese themed pieces for the event and they also brought out a wonderful curation of Patek Philippe museum treasures! Bravo Patek Philippe.
Brand dinner GTG expectations? Oh, a brand is inviting me to a nice dinner at a nice steakhouse so that way you can sell me more watches... Hmm... I'll pass unless a person from corporate is there who will give me insight to the brand. Unfortunately, brand dinners seem to be more on this spectrum than the earlier spectrum. At the end, I come out just a little fatter, but not any wiser. Not a great use of time.
What am I looking for in a GTG hosted by individuals? Just other great individuals to talk to!
Next question; how many watches do I bring?
Generally, it depends on the safety of the city, but I rarely feel compelled to bring more than one or two watches. To me, it's not about the watches - it's about the people! The wonderful discussions and interesting people! And I still remember at IGOTT2, I was heavily criticized for abusing the minute repeater I wore while go-kart racing. Someone said the vibration from the go-kart was bad for the watch. They're probably right! But I hadn't thought of that! And what am I going to do? Put the watch in my pocket next to my keys and wallet? Too late - I'm stuck with it! So generally, I just bring one watch.
I don't know if there are videos of anyone scratching or dropping a watch - but you may or may not recall, in the past for WatchProSite GTGs, our General Manager, Anthony, would remind everyone to be very careful, and avoid contact with rings (especially big diamond rings) with the watch. We try to be thoughtful at our GTG and we try to remind people about watch etiquette. I feel that if you take off your watch, you need to remind someone to be careful. And if you're not comfortable to take off a watch or if someone were to scratch it and you'd get upset, then you better just keep it on. No pressure to put your watch in the "pile" neither - I don't like the idea of watches touching in the pile. Some will say watches are meant to be used and scratched. I tell them I'm one of those crazy people who tries to keep my suitcase free of scratches! A suitcase? Yes!
The watch scalpers are leaving the market! Woo hoo!
Thanks Patrick for taking the time to respond to my cluelss questions :)
I'm looking at private, individual GTGs, not by brands, so Yes, just making new friends with same hobby and passions.
That is true it's about the people. I typically bring a 3-watch roll at max, and wearing one.
Look at Wei K's Revolution YT...unfortunately I have never met Anthony and my 1st WPS GTG is the one in 2017 at NYC with you and rest of gang. That's very thoughtful of him to remind everyone for being cautious.
Like yourself, I don't like to beat up my watches, even it's meant to be worn, why not have both, right?
That is true it's about the people. I typically bring a 3-watch roll at max, and wearing one.
Look at Wei K's Revolution YT...unfortunately I have never met Anthony and my 1st WPS GTG is the one in 2017 at NYC with you and rest of gang. That's very thoughtful of him to remind everyone for being cautious.
Like yourself, I don't like to beat up my watches, even it's meant to be worn, why not have both, right?
Honestly, half the time at our GTGs, I'm not even talking about watches...
Since the pandemic rules started to loosen, I've attended every official WatchProSite GTG; the one hosted by Amanico in Switzerland at JLC's factory (great GTG, thanks Amanico!!!), our two GTGs in Japan, and our GTG in Los Angeles hosted by Dr. No (lovely GTG, Dr. No! Thanks for organizing). And in all of them - I was much more fascinated with the people. All of our members are truly UNIQUE PIECES! So I find that I'm more interested in our members than the watches! Maybe I'm jaded! In our London GTG many years ago, the assortment of watches was tremendous! Some members brought a tremendous collection of a few watches! I think one fella even brought several watches including the Patek 5370 - the first time I had seen that watch in the wild. I only brought the one watch on my wrist!
Ahh, the 2017 NYC GTG was a nice one! Thank you ThomasM for hosting that one!
Anthony was definitely a careful fella - he reminded people in the most friendly way to avoid touching the finger food and then touching the watches. Airlines can learn something from Anthony! Airlines should remind passengers the basic etiquette on airplanes. Like the protocol to straighten your seat for meal service. Not everyone flies regularly and we all forget every now and then!
I'm pretty careful with my watches. Don't hold doors open with your watch hand. Don't stick your arm into a bag where there may be contents that scratch the watch. Backpacks and duffel bags have zippers - make sure the watch won't get scratched! When my collection was small - a single watch was my primary watch for ten years. It also happens to be a scratch magnet design. And I am quite pleased that it's still in very good condition.
That's the way to go, mon ami. As for accidents, that can always happen, and it happened to me three times. The last time, this week end... With one of my beloved vintage.
That's life...
Best,
Nicolas
Oh no….i like what Patrick said above that a member will remind upfront.
That vintage now becomes more vintage, but I hope no major trauma.
I do hope so... Will bring it back to the watchmaker, just to see what can be done...
It's just another cycle
Ups and downs, as historically happens.
GTGs, dinners, events are just another part of the business, unless you meet up with 5/6 people you can't really talk or know anyone else.
2 or 3 is equally fun…
This site has made it possible for us to make friends all over the world.
I have met with 1 or 2 people when I traveled in the past, good memories.
I have met with 1 or 2 people when I traveled in the past, good memories.
Me too, from Tokyo to NYC.
At least we can meet up with some certain level of awareness of not being targeted or stabbed for our watch !
Right you are. More than 10 people, it is hard to speak with everybody and to have some " quality time ".
HEY... you kids get out of my home! ;-)
Great post and YES it is wonderful seeing enthusiasts GTG as speculators flee.
Well…
There really isn’t a one size fits all to the “problem”. I think ultimately it all boils down to how you feel and how much you want to show and share. The best GTGs for me are always those that are private and personable. These days I much prefer one on one meet ups. Why? Because one of my best friends once said, the best of times are about people and relationships. The watches are only side show. Getting to know that individual, understanding what motivates him/her behind the collection are far greater that the watches. And a one on one GTG allows me to form a deeper connection with that individual. When I choose to give someone my time, I commit fully. I don’t care about showing what I have in the collection really. I share when a particular passion for a particular watch stirs within me. And I share it with those those that matter. I’ve been to a GTG where I brought my entire Patek and independent watch collection for a client who happened to be a very good friend. I’ve also gone to a De Bethune GTG wearing a Parmigiani Tonda PF which some might say was way out of line (who the hell cares? It was a busy work day). My best moments for me at GTGs are when watch conversations transcend into conversations about life.
Regards
Gatsby
Regards
Gatsby
The other good thing is you can see the different watches, maybe one that you always like and get real owner's input....
I agree it may not be a good idea to have some many valuables in a place and being targeted later, especially with what's going on in some parts of the world where you hear horror stories.
"Be Here" for the right reason is more important than the watches.
Thanks for chiming in, have a good evening.
"Be Here" for the right reason is more important than the watches.
Thanks for chiming in, have a good evening.
Our alphabet soup gang has been gathering at the same watering hole . . .
. . . since '05 between two and four times a year. We've had a few gatherings at member's homes, and a few at other locations, but usually at the same pub in the San Fernando Valley. Members come from as many as eighty miles away. And we always have a great time. (Except the one occasion when a know-it-all like the guy on Cheers showed up.)
The next gathering will be held in February; should you be reading this and planning on being in So Cal then, please let me know. We enjoy having guests.
Art
Are you still down south?
Thought by now you should be up north, enjoying extra retirement $$ with less taxes 😁?
Still in So Cal, CC . . .
. . . and will be for the time being. Moving north when family obligations here are fulfilled, not too far away from your locale.
Northward bound,
Art
No comprehensive answer. A medium sized...
Group of like minded people. A fine environment to talk and dine. A safe location.