Horological Meandering

Another fantastic PuristsPro GTG tonight here in Southern California.  We also had the honor of welcoming back a very special guest... Mr. Max Busser of MB&F !!

We all met up in Santa Monica, CA at Locanda del Lago which is right on the 3rd Street Promenade.  Anthony Tsai, DRMW, and I were the first to arrive so we headed over to the bar for happy hour.  Shortly after, Max and SteveH arrived to join us for a few drinks and appetizers.

Anthony, DRMW, and SteveH listen intently on Max's round the world travels.  And do I hear some super secret details on MB&F 3 ? LOL

And what's this on Max's wrist? 

Yes, it's a MB&F Horological Machine #2 in 18K White Gold and titanium

I have to admit that the white gold version looks great, but my favorite is still the Red Gold HM2 that I put on my wrist at last year's PuristsPro MB&F dinner.  Anthony Tsai has phenomenal photographic skills and took this incredible shot:

More pics coming soon!!!

This message has been edited by ED209 on 2008-06-14 00:18:38

. . . Judge Max presiding.

The observant will have noticed the lone beer bottle amidst several glasses of wine . . . nuthin' like a fresh Moretti LaRosa with sea bass! Cordially, Art

. . . aka Mitch . . .

. . . came from many miles away to hang with his pals for the evening. A pleasure seeing you tonight, Mitch . . . cordially, Art

Thanks Max for being the center of attention and thanks Ed and Ming for putting the evening together.

Mitch

Great to see you again DrNo!  Cheers!

This message has been edited by ED209 on 2008-06-14 00:49:55

In addition to the MB&F HM2, there were some other cool watches.  Here's a table shot:

Anthony brought along his RM011 fitted with a short strap.  This was awesome, I put it on and took this wrist shot:

IMHO, the RM011 is one of the most comfortable watches I've ever worn.  I've also tried DRMW's RM005 a while back and really like the design.  The titanium is so light that it feels weightless.  But I've never tried on a RM with a short strap, and found that it fit perfectly.  So much so that I'm going to head over to my AD tomorrow afternoon to try on a RM010 (my only issue with the RM is a bit thick, so maybe I'll need to check out the RM016 since it's slimmer)!


SteveH models the MB&F HM2:

I'm glad that DrNo joined us tonight.  He brought along a GO perpetual calendar:

I absolutely love the RM011, and had to take another wrist shot....  when does my AD open tomorrow? LOL

This message has been edited by ED209 on 2008-06-14 00:52:56

I notice a new ROSE gold VH on the table. Congratulations, Doctor!

interesting discussion and stories about Vianney and his watches. Thanks Tim and thanks Vianney.

Mitch

Used my new point-and-shoot and am disappointed in the pics.  This camera failed on the 1st event as the flash is too weak.  Either way, had to photoshop them so they look better and only a couple pics turned out decent enough to post.

Here's a table group shot

I tried on Art's GO.Feels pretty good on the wrist!

And here are some MB&F #2 white gold / titanium pics.  Top plate is white gold, and bottom plate is titanium.

This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2008-06-14 17:04:04

Hi Anthony,

Thanks again for arranging a fun event.  Your pictures still turn out great regardless of the camera

ps - your PuristsPro shirt was cool!

Regards,
ED-209

I didn't do much really.  I should have taken a wrist shot with the PPro embroidery in the background.   Forgot to take that shot

Thanks for the posting the event write-up Ed!

Cheers,
Anthony

This is truely an original and interesting watch, but seems that it 's very difficult to wear, due to its original shape..

Some thoughts about it?

Best.

Nicolas

otherwise the watch will flop up and down on your wrist.  It does fit under shirt cuffs easily, and if u wear the MB&F on your left wrist, the time porthole is on the right side so you will still be able to read the time easily when the watch partially sticks out from your shirt cuffs.  Obviously the watch is not for most people IMO but those considering it, it's not unbearable to wear on the wrist.

Cheers,
Anthony

Of course, I've got to include the food photos (Dr. MTF - Hope you enjoy the pics)

Our wine selection was a bottle of Terrabianca Campaccio '01:

For starters, I had a minestrone soup.  Lots of fresh vegetables and very tasty:

Guido and DrNo both had the insalata verde:

While DRMW ordered a caesar salad:

For the entree, I ordered my favorite Italian dish: a osso bucco with risotto:

Guido selected grilled salmon with hericot verts and carrots:

And DRMW had the aragosta ravioli.  This must have been good since he didn't share :P

This message has been edited by ED209 on 2008-06-14 01:23:58 This message has been edited by ED209 on 2008-06-14 01:25:21

Last time I checked, branzino is the italian for sea bass... but the sea bass presented whole appears to be the Patagonian Toothfish which is a deepsea trawled species which is similar to the branzino/sea bass but is seen to be more viable due to declining sea bass/branzino stocks, notably in the Mediterranean and Atlantic.

So if they are the same thing, why the different designation when one is served whole and when one is filleted and encased in a salt crust? I think the fillet in the crust (or alla crostada if you will) looks to be from a fish much larger than the fish served whole.

Hi JediWatchFool,

Yes, in simplified terms you are correct that branzino=sea bass.  But... to be specific the two fishes are different in that they are from different regions of the world, one caught in Europe the other in South America.   SteveH ordered the 'Branzino alla Griglia' which is a whole Mediterranean striped bass, grilled with garlic-balsamic sauce and accompanied by grilled veggies.  DrNo ordered the 'Pesce in Crosta di Sale' which is a wild Chilean sea bass, baked in salt crust with sides of artichokes and yukon potatoes. 

Maybe calling it branzino is just a cool term used by Italian restaurants, just like hericot verts in French restaurants is really just string beans.  They can charge more if it has a fancy name LOL.

Regards,
ED-209

This message has been edited by ED209 on 2008-06-14 07:34:00

but in my experience, the branzino from the Med has a more delicate flavour and is superior to the Chilean / Patagonian variety.

But deep sea trawling should be stopped, just like we should stop killing sharks and whales... oops, hijack ....

Hi,
I travel quite a bit for business and have had Chilean sea bass several times in Santiago, Chile and found it to be more delicate in texture than their European counterparts.  But then again, it may be due to the preparation method.  The Chileans tend to steam or pan sear versus roasting.  I do agree with you that the Med has a more delicate flavor but is somewhat masked by the flame roasting/charing.

As a side note, one of the best sea bass dishes I've had was at Blue Zoo, Todd English's restaurant at Walt DisneyWorld Orlando.  DRMW and I were there last year for the Epcot Food & Wine Festival and had a great meal.  Here's a pic of the roasted sea bass (Chilean )

And to keep this post 'watch related', here's DRMW sizing up the Epcot sphere with his BR03-94:

Have a good weekend,
ED-209

i was stuck last night until midnight in 16th Century Hungary battling the Turks, pillaging villages and otherwise having an altogether good time, not.

watches look great. boy, sure wish i could have seen that MB&F HM2. Steve, it looks great on you. did you order one?

food looks comforting and delicious. i sure missed seeing my old(?) pals.

great pix.

see you on the flip flop.

cheers,

elliot

SteveH ordered the branzino.  It was presented tableside and finely deboned by our waiter.  This is a shot of the whole roasted branzino:

And then served and ready to be enjoyed.  Looks yummy!

DrNo ordered a salt crusted sea bass.  This was another beautifully presented dish served tableside:

Our waiter cracked open the salt crust to reveal a eggplant wrapped sea bass:

A generous drizzle of Paradiso olive oil and plated with roasted potatoes:

Thanks again to everyone for attending, especially Max Busser for joining us for dinner.  It was fun and good times as usual !


This message has been edited by ED209 on 2008-06-14 01:49:57 This message has been edited by ED209 on 2008-06-14 01:52:45

Nothing more need be said!

 

I had dinner with the current Mrs MTF at a seafood shack in Outer Singapore.

A place where you had to wipe your feet on the way OUT ! 

Sweated like a pig.

I don't think I could ever take photos or show it on the website.........not fancy enough...er....too graphic....and Minus 3 Michelin stars 

 

Regards,

MTF

. . . the finest Mexican dive in Boyle Heights where the highlight of the menu is a burrito that comes gratis if you can finish it. We'll drive there in an ambulance, just in case . . . cordially, Art

I remember the best burrito I ever had was at some shack like place in San Bernadino and it was difficult to order because they didn't speak English.  Also recall the yummy outdoor dining in Hong Kong where I believe I saw them washing chopsticks in a bucket...(heh, it was good but not sure I will go back)  And I definitely miss the chicken over rice Halal cart food in NY.   

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Seems you had a blast, in So Cal!

nice food, nice watches, nice gentlemen...

Is it possible to ask more and better?

Best, my friend.

Nicolas

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to have a beer with you guys and enjoy again the great places I have discovered there.

   Cheers

              Jeff

So different and beautiful at the same time.  I would love to see more photos of the piece!

Great seeing everyone, especially Max as always.