January 7 marks my 7th Anniversary with this fine forum. It is an opportunity for me to post my appreciation for this community and the IWC “experience.”
As in past years, Ms. D and I were able to travel and meet members of our forum that we had not met. We are now referring to this as “IWC Social Tourism” or Serial GTG's. We did an extensive sweep through W. Europe that first landed us in the Netherlands. Our own Mark L. (8451) and his wife Anne Marie were kind enough to take time out of their busy schedules to show us around.
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Mark arranged for a side trip for us to Antwerp where we spent time with our esteemed co-moderator, Tonny, and Captain Vishal (on layover between flights). Mark also facilitated a GTG with Giovanni in Dusseldorf that featured good company, good food and beautiful watches.
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After a stop in Perinaldo, Italy to check in on my old running partner, and a trip to Berlin to visit some of Dorothy’s family, we arrived once again in Zurich. It was here that one of D’s Swiss brother-in-laws first turned me on to IWC watches…and marked my descent into the madness of the dreaded “uhrenvirus.” I always wanted Ms. D to visit Schaffhausen, and we were just a 45 minute train ride away. We took to the tracks and were met by the Schaffhausen’s “host with the most,” Tom B. (Sinclair). Tom took us around the city and to IWC. Dorothy loved Schaffhausen and the time spent with Tom. She was ready to relocate (I’m there!).
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For those of you lurking or newly joined to the IWC Collectors Forum, this is an exceptional group of folks who are absolutely some the best people with whom I have ever spent time. My experience over the last 7 years has been one of learning and daily joy in sharing this passion. I again thank each of you for making my day-to-day richer!
