BBAMSGTG 2019, day one in Arcen, NL

Before I begin a series of separate posts on the 2019 edition of the BBAMSTG
(Bill Barker Amsterdam GTG), I must give a huge thanks to Mark Levinsohn for
once again making this a very special annual event for everyone. It was, in
fact, the best ever. Twenty-two excited IWC collectors and a few spouses
gathered together for the weekend. We had people from Hong Kong, Canada,
Portugal, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, and the USA. I
don't know what can be done to exceed it next year. This was the 8th annual
GTG in Amsterdam (one of the eight was in Ghent). I mistakenly thought this
year was the 9th . We will have to wait for two more years to experience the
10th. Thanks also go to the Amsterdam Boutique who hosted us on Saturday
afternoon and to two special Schaffhausen guests who will be revealed later in
my posts. Pictures for the Boutique visit will follow in a separate post. I
will admit most of the photos shared here are people and places, not watches.
I do have a few wrist or watch shots to share over the multiple posts from the
weekend. I hope others in the group who did more of the watch shots, will add
their pictures.

Day one of the BBAMSGTG began for some of the early arrives on Thursday 27
June. Our master organizer Mark Levinsohn, greeted Mark Fleminger, his wife
Lynne, and me at Schiphol and drove us to a lovely little Dutch town in South
East Holland. Arcen on the Maas River was a perfect place to begin the
weekend's festivities.

Mark booked us into the de Maasparel Hotel. No AC, btw, but we didn't need it
as it turned out.

Mark made sure the early arrivals Mark and Lynne were taken care of right away
even though we all had jet lag.

Among those to arrive early was Clem Ho from Canada (Edmonton). Beer and
wartches were on the agenda right away.

Mr. Ho had a special item on his agenda. He desperately wanted a Poffertjes
skillet for his home consumption of this Dutch treat. It's nonfattening, of
course.

8

We had a early reveal in Arcen. Mark L. showed off his acquired Ingenieur PW.
What a great addition to his PW collection.

I will add a reply to this post to add additional photos from our day in
Arcen. There is a limit of 15 photos per post.

Before we crashed for an early bedtime, jet lag, we headed out for a walk
along the Maas River. As you see, flowers are everywhere.

Dinner that evening was at a local Indonesian Restaurant specializing in
Reistoffel. But before dinner we had to sample some more beer.

Indonesisch restaurant Bintang in Sevenum, NL

At this point Tonny Gomes and Mark's personal watchmaker Jeroen joined us for
the very excellent meal.

The next day's agenda started with a tour of Kasteeltuinen Castle in Arcen.
The castle dates back to the 1600's. It is famous for its gardens.

We found some very disreputable folk in the gardens….

I reached the daily limit of 30 photos. More tomorrow. Sorry.

Awesome pictures Bill.

What an absolute honour and privilege to meet and get to know you (as
well as everyone else) over the course of the weekend.

Thanks for sharing. I am truly enjoying the reliving of these memories.

As usual, a fantastic report Bill! It's like I was there with you as well in
the Friday! Looking forward to the Saturday report as well.

I love this slowly rolling out the telling of the events of this GTG. It's
like a slow watch reveal.

This is going to be a long session as we had so many events and fun
gatherings.

Thank You Bill for telling the story and Mark L for the best Dutch
hospitality. I enjoyed meeting new friends and seeing old friends again.

What an unforgettable experience.

Thanks a million, Bill!

I´m really looking forward to all the great pictures you took of that awesome
GTG.

Was a great pleasure beeing a part of it and finally meeting a lot of the
collectors from this forum - what a fine bunch of gentlemen!

A special thanks to everyone involved in the organisation of this remarkable
event and the two special guests from Schaffhausen.

Thank you Bill, it is always a great pleasure to see one of your reports and
this one exceeds expectations. Keep those fantastic photos coming!

P.S. I believe that the 15 photo per day limit may have been lifted; I think I
remember Nad was able to post many more at one time for his latest boutique
visit post.

This is an event to which I still aspire. In the meantime, thanks Bill for
taking us along. I look forward to the rest of the posts!

Great report Bill - I always love seeing these photo journal accounts and
living vicariously through the retelling.

It's a fantastic reflection on our community to know this tradition exists and
is so superbly supported in organisation and hospitality by Mark and other
members of the forum family.

Looking forward to the next instalment... and being able to attend one day!

Looks Ike you had great fun!

thanks for sharing!

cheers

Thanks Bill for the great report. Too bad I had to skip this part of the
meeting but I'm so happy my dad was able and willing to be my driver for
Saturday. He knows how much I love watches and really wanted to join you. He
had no idea what to expect but he had a wonderful time, thanks to the
hospitality of all who were present. A huge thanks to all of you for this and
I'm already looking forward to the next GTG.

Kind regards,

Clemens