• Master
    3 Jul 2017, 5:31 p.m.

    Our master planner and organizer, 8541, in conjunction with the IWC Boutique staff, the Benelux IWC and IWC Schaffhausen executives in attendance arranged for a glorious afternoon after the Vondel Park event. We were welcomed as usual at the Boutique for a look-see at the new DaVinci Collection. The wives with us were given a special preview of the line while the guys were sequestered upstairs. I think there were a couple of IWC added to collections that day. The bigger news was a presentation by Walter Volpers of the CFA or CF4. It will be an instant success judging by the oohs and aahs from the group.

    Here are some candid shots of our arrival at the Boutique and our visit there for a couple of hours:

    Our arrival at the Boutique that is just a few minutes walk from Vondel Park. The danger is that we passed by many fashion boutiques where we had to distract our wives from stopping and shopping. Just kidding.

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    Yours truly and my beautiful bride:

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    We eventually moved inside for the show and tell.

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    The surprise was the reveal of the CFA / CF4 by Walter Volpers.

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    The live mockup was not available for us…we were two days too early to have it available, but we saw 3-D blank mock up and were provided a picture of this next, treasured Collectors’ Forum IWC.

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    After oohing and aahing we headed upstairs for more guy talk. The wives were given a special presentation of the new novelties from SH without us interfering.

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    Wow:

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    After our special time at the boutique we headed off for a canal boat trip. IWC arranged for a second boat, as there were too many of us for just one. We had plenty of hors d’oeuvres and drinks for our journey along the Amsterdam canals. Thank you IWC.

    Dock side:

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    Boat 1

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    Boat 2

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    Onboard boat 1, my vessel for the afternoon:

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    Clizia and Walter enjoying their visit to the BBAMSGTG canal excursion.

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    Show us your IWCs

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    My spouse with her Golf Club:

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    Boat 2 passed us by, hi Tonny.

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    During the excursion, Mark L. challenged Walter to a Dutch Treat. Herring smothered in onions and a swig of Jenever as a chaser. Needless to say, not all went down smoothly except for the natives.

    The ingredients for the tasting and drinking:

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    The doing and reactions:

    The challenge:

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    The downing and drinking:

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    The eating reaction is what I expected..

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    Note Volpers’ reaction…what have I done?

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    Not so tasty, eh Volpers?

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    You need a drink to cover up whatever the hell it was:

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    The after burn:

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    The leftovers for the natives:

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    Everyone had a marvelous afternoon at the Boutique and on the canal ride. The next stop is the famous dinner at the Okura. The next post will cover the evenings highlights … seven course meal and all.

  • Master
    4 Jul 2017, 5:28 a.m.

    I love herring and onions, Jenever - not so much!!
    What wonderful times :o)

  • Master
    4 Jul 2017, 1:35 p.m.

    Thanks again Bill, another wonderful report of fond memories :-)

    Kind regards,

    Clemens

  • Master
    4 Jul 2017, 2:50 p.m.

    Walter was a true sport - and took the challenge flawlessly. The boat cruise gave us the ideal opportunity to sit relaxed, take in the sites of Amsterdam and discuss watches between friends.

    Great photo's Bill.

  • Master
    4 Jul 2017, 4:07 p.m.

    The photos from the boat are always the best :o) Thank you for sharing with us, Bill.

  • Master
    6 Jul 2017, 5:36 p.m.

    Bill, I was so honored and pleased to be a part of this outstanding group and meeting. Even the weather gods enjoyed with us as you can easily see on your fantastic picture show.
    Just marvellous!
    If there just were not such a hell of temptations to my empty wallet on the wrists of all those guys and in that Boutique place!
    But I love temptations like this. Count me in for next year if I'll be allowed to again.