This time without the usual confession in the beginning. We all know what we
are and what The Virus is about :o)
I have seen this watch on the picture already a couple of years ago. And
immediately fell in love with it. The design is very special. Clearly not
appealing to everyone. My first impression was: it reminds me of the old drum
brakes :o) Racing Ingenieur ahead of the new series. And exactly the shape and
the design were the reasons I have not acquired it sooner. I simply wanted to
check personally not be mislead by my impressions. But it is such a rare
watch. Couldn't be found in metal anywhere. However, it's brothers could. So I
have had the chance at least to try that shape and the dimensions. And still
was not 100% sure. It came just a little too big for my small wrist. So I have
put this idea aside to let it mature until I probably see it in person one
day.
Then two things have happened. My birthday #42 was drawing nearer. Having The
Answer in my nick is making it somehow more important than the #40 itself :o)
It was calling for a special watch. Especially having not acquired an IWC for
some time... And by a pure coincidence or The Virus influencing the energy
fields and the connections among its victims, I mean among the collectors, one
piece has surfaced for sale from our fellow member. It's not that there were
not enough of them for sale around the globe, it's that owing a piece from
friend is always special. It was on the offer already for some time before but
I have realised it only a couple of weeks ago. The Influence. After that
moment it so very fast. And I mean VERY fast.
Although I have "took a weekend to consider" and also dug out some old photos
where I have had a watch shaped like this on my wrist and still was not
convinced it would fit perfectly, it was only a minor issue. I wanted it. I
have asked for it. I have paid for it and organised the delivery.
(Unfortunately a personal pick and a GTG was not so easy to arrange for me as
from my area it was practically impossible to find any one day round trip
flight. And being busy in the office this weeks I couldn't get lost for
another holiday.) 2 days in total. And by the end of that same week I was
driving to the airport depo to pick it up. A big parcel:
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The watch box was burried very deep inside of it:
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Another carefully packed box:
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The IWC paper box:
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But you really have to appreciate the packaging, let's compare the boxes once
again:
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OK, deep breath. Should I open? Will it be as I have always imagined it and
wanted it?
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Let's do it... Oh look, there is a spare strap inside as well! Great, thanks!
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It sure will be needed (unfortunately...) for this watch:
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This IWC ref. 3234-01 ceramic bezel Ingenieur:
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Beautifully crafted watch:
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With ceramic also in the back:
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And Probus Scafusia inscription on the crown:
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Welcome home, my new buddy:
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2 weeks after this has happened, today is the day I'm officially allowed to
wear my new watch. I was breaking the "birthday present rule" but pssst, don't
tell any one ;o) I have an excuse for it. I was measuring the accuracy of
course!
And you know what? After 1 week, 7 days in a row, wearing during the day,
laying on the shelf sideways during the night, the watch has gained +8
seconds. A little more than +1 second a day. Impressive enough for me.
I am very happy I was not mistaken with my feelings about this watch. It fits
perfectly and I love it:
[I remove photos older than 4 years, sorry.]
Big credit goes to our fellow collector Dimitris from Greece, who has acquired
this watch for me, keeping it and looking after it for those couple of years
until he has passed it further :o) Thank you my friend once again, you have
done one perfect job !! ;o)
