I just returned from an extended stay in Europe after the June BBAMSGTG. Hopefully, with the changes to the Photobucket privileges, my photos will post.
This year’s BBAMSGTG was the best in the now six-year history of the event. Many thanks go out to Mark L, 8541, for his dedicated and fantastic organizing skills. Thanks too to IWC in Amsterdam for hosting some of the activities as well as Inge Reich-Noijen, Content & Communications Manager for Richmond Benelux Countries. Thanks as well to IWC Schaffhausen for their continued support of our GTGs and their support of the Forum that spawned all this get-togetherness. Although Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC, could not attend, he did have Walter Volpers and Clizia Capecchi join us for the weekend. Walter is the Associate Director of Product Management Technics. Clizia is IWC’s Digital Project Manager.
The GTG began on Friday evening with a dinner for those of us who arrived early for the weekend. I did not have my camera with me as I just arrived from home and was too jet lagged to bring it along. I believe others have posted pictures from that evening.
Day one began with our customary lunch in Vondel Park. It was threatening rain, so we had to move inside for the activities. There was pent up excitement as the mule train from the USA was bearing gifts for four of the group. I made the recipients wait a bit before unpacking the mule. Before we have the reveal pictures, let’s take a photo op tour of the gathering in the restaurant. Let’s start at the end with the group shot of the attendees. I think there were over 30 of us at the lunch. For the first time, my wife, Mary, was with me, but she is the photographer in this picture of the group. Sorry Mary you are not in the group shot.
The first arrivals gathered outside the Vondel Park 3 restaurant, our customary gathering place to start the weekend..
Mary meets with the lovely Mrs. Edmondson renewing their friendship.
They are joined by Mrs. Develegas:
Later arrivals before moving inside for lunch.
I assume you know many of these culprits, but if not maybe you can join us next year to become one of the group.
As mentioned above, we were joined by three very special guests that you may not know, Clizia Capecchi, Walter Volpers, and Inge Reich-Noinen. Their boss, Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO, could not attend unfortunately, but he send really great IWC Ambassadors. We enjoyed their company. Clizia and Walter are the two on the right. The IWC Schaffhausen representative on the left is Inge Reich-Noijen, the Benelux Communications Manager. We are all honored to have these special guests join us.
Everyone is lining up for lunch.
Bob Bunnik
A wrist shot heaven,
A couple of CF3s
Our friend Clemens with his two wristed show off:
He still claims he can hear the beats in his IWCs and distinguish between a slow and fast beat movement.
Our friend Walter showing off his special Ingenieur Chronograph Edition W 125:
I teased the recipients that my mule was quarantined at Dutch Customs and the booty held for ransom. But they insisted on getting their goodies, so I fessed up and unloaded the hoard of goodies from across the pond.
The first set of items went to Mark L. He added at least three or four IWC vintage PWs to his amazing collection. I will let him make the reveals and not steal his thunder. But here he opens the first of several in the goody bag.
The next special reveal belongs to our esteemed moderator, Tonny Berteloot, who is now the proud owner of the magnificent Ingenieur Tribute to Italy.
Not to be outdone, Bas Dekkers added a new AT to his collection.
Just a few of his ATs
Not to be left out Christian R. added a pair of watch movement cuff links for his formal wear, I presume.
This is the end of the Vondel experience. The next part of our daylong agenda was a visit to the Amsterdam IWC Boutique where the staff treated us with great attention and a new reveal. More on this in the next post. This may take a couple of days to complete the post and hopefully, Photobucket will co-operate.
