• Master
    2 Jul 2012, 8:07 p.m.

    People ask me why do I love (LOVE!!!) IWC watches?

    Well, I tell them, its always been about the wonderful friends, the fellow IWC addicts, those in the brotherhood who actually dream about watches, and our tight cadre of global internet junkies. However, for today's post, that has been said hundreds of times here and usually better expressed by others.

    I've been fortunate and I'm tremendously thankful for, the many times that IWC has bestowed me an invitation to a gala event.

    img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Watchful/IWCs/L1010754.jpg
    img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Watchful/IWCs/L1040953.jpg
    img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Watchful/IWCs/ea110667.jpg
    img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Watchful/IWCs/16a5c7b3.jpg

    But for my 1,000th post on this forum, I’ll talk about watches and give you a distorted glimpse into my IWC collection. First for some facts. My first IWC was the Portofino automatic REF: 3513, about 34mm. When it arrived in 1999, I thought I had died and gone to heaven.

    img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Watchful/IWCs/IW351340.jpg

    Since then more than 80 different IWCs have past through my collection.

    Which leaves me to regret two things. One, since I’m not a Gates, a Trump nor an Ellison, I don’t have the wherewithal to have kept all of them and two, I never kept track of what arrived to replace those dear departed timepieces. If I had that data, then I could really beat myself up for some of my idiotic, short-sighted decisions.

    But, hey, let’s live in the moment and play some head games. One of my favorites is imagining what if I situations dictated that I could only have one or two watches.

    My answer is:

    The Jacques Cousteau Divers Aquatimer from 2005 with a preference for a bracelet.

    img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Watchful/IWCs/DSCN0477.jpg

    img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Watchful/IWCs/ecdd853f.jpg

    My second is the 3757 Limited Edition Wempe Perpetual Flieger Chrono from 2004.
    img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Watchful/IWCs/c5f454c6.jpg

    Yes kids, there was a day when IWC made Limited Editions that involved changing dials, hands and cases, not just dial color.

    Not being a purist the funniest thing is neither of them have “true” in-house movements, but in these two cases, that’s alright with me. Still, I love these two watches and I could live happily with just these two.

    My other head game is what is the “most special” IWC in my collection. Of course this is a tougher one as I like to think they are all special. But these days I’m thinking the PISA Portugueser might feel the most special.

    img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Watchful/IWCs/PISA%20Port/d3beb179.jpg

    Of course, for bragging sake, I once owned a 5240 Minute Repeater, however, at the time, I thought it was too much money to have tied up in one watch. Dummy Up!

    img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Watchful/IWCs/Grtcolrev.jpg

    I thought I’d list some of the ones that got away that I really feel bad about:

    Every Vintage 852/853/854x Ingenieur
    • Flieger 3715
    • Carlson Doppel
    • RG 5000
    • Mark X
    • Ingenieur PW (what was I thinking!)
    img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Watchful/IWCs/ingepwdial3.jpg

    And this monstrosity:
    img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Watchful/IWCs/DSCN2258.jpg

    But you know what. It has been an amazing journey and I’m looking forward to the next 1,000 posts!

    Bless you all.

    Larry

  • Master
    2 Jul 2012, 8:13 p.m.

    Larry,

    Congratulations on the 1K marker. Thanks for taking us on your memory journey. I suspect others here who regret moving some of their beloved collection, but having a few special ones is worth the trip.

    Ciao,

  • Graduate
    2 Jul 2012, 8:21 p.m.

    The 'monstrous' IWC kind of looks like a bad version of the Rolex Day Date (Borke)! Anyways congratulations on such a beautiful collection, especially the Pisa watch appeals to me, and on 1000 contributions to this forum.

  • Master
    2 Jul 2012, 8:59 p.m.

    Hi Larry

    Great story!

    Well... we started both with the same portofino ... and we both have ended with the Pisa Port:)

  • Master
    2 Jul 2012, 9:02 p.m.

    Thanks for sharing that, Larry. I really enjoyed reading it and seeing the watches.

  • Master
    2 Jul 2012, 9:14 p.m.

    Larry,

    I enjoyed reading your thoughts on your collection. I think we all have those moments where we try to self justify why we choose one watch or get rid of another.

    I know that several pieces will never leave my possession including my BPP, Carlson Doppel,GST Perpetual, and all three DFB's.

    Congrats on your 1000 post.

  • Master
    2 Jul 2012, 9:50 p.m.

    From years ago:

    Many of you know Larry Seiden as co-author of the famous Ingenieur article. Perhaps only a few of you had the chance to meet or talk in person with Larry.

    Larry impressed us not only because of his impressive watch collection but especially because of his views on life and collecting watches.
    So enjoy reading!.

    Peter & Martijn

    Interview Larry Seiden (requires Acrobat Reader)

    Your text to link here...
    www.iwcforum.com/Articles/InterviewLarrySeiden.pdf

  • Master
    2 Jul 2012, 10:01 p.m.

    Congratulations Larry on your first thousandth post!

    I'm so happy and proud I met you, your never banal contributions are a source of inspiration to me, you always make me smile (not laugh, smile) transfering me optimism and good mood.

    BTW, the "monstruosity" has a very nice oak design case and bracelet, once I had the chance to see a Da Vinci, white gold, Oman swords with the same motif. Maybe a little too ostensive but I'm still dreaming of it.

    Grande Larry!

  • Master
    2 Jul 2012, 10:33 p.m.

    Congratulations Larry on your 1000th post and thanks very much for the lovely story and pictures.

    I am looking forward to your next post and wonder how long you can keep yourself from posting to keep that nice number 1000 showing below your name :-)

    Kind regards,

    Clemens

  • Master
    2 Jul 2012, 11:16 p.m.

    Congrats on reaching that milestone Larry and thanks for your IWC history - it is always interesting to see and hear about the journey one has taken.

  • Master
    2 Jul 2012, 11:21 p.m.

    Gee, that was a fun read!

    Love your taste in watches, Larry. That Cousteau on bracelet was one of my favorites, too. Twice! Still wonder why I let them go. Must be the two silver tongued sweet talking Chicago guys they went to. :-)

    Probably not too many people recognize that Dakota strap on the Pisa. Has to be one of the best straps ever made, especially for pilot watches. I'll never know why they discontinued it.

    Great post. Here's hoping for 1000 more.

  • Master
    2 Jul 2012, 11:43 p.m.

    Congratulations on your milestone. I knew you were an addict but I did not realise just how bad. Not sure I could let a repeater go.

  • Connoisseur
    3 Jul 2012, 1:30 a.m.

    Hi Larry,

    Congrats on the 1000th marker and thanks for sharing your IWC journey with us.

    As a relatively new member in the forum, I have never had chance to see the Jacques Cousteau Divers Aquatimer and 3757 Limited Edition Wempe Perpetual Flieger Chrono. I hope once day, I can have chance to have a touch on these beauties and appreciate them.

  • Master
    3 Jul 2012, 1:39 a.m.

    1000 posts and you're just warming up! Congratulations Larry and thanks for the very interesting story of your IWC journey.

  • Graduate
    3 Jul 2012, 1:46 a.m.

    Thanks for the look into the winder.....makes me want to shop, think I will get the Porto out of the safe and head to the AD here in Vegas..... I hear they have a selection I may enjoy!
    Hot in Vegas at 105....

    Cash

  • Master
    3 Jul 2012, 2:13 a.m.

    Larry, pleasure to have met you at the SIHH this year and later the story of your repeater online. I also enjoyed reading your thoughts on your collection. IMO, taste and preference evolve as we grow and it's inevitable we let some go to make way for new ones. Congrats to your 1000th post.

  • Master
    3 Jul 2012, 3:33 a.m.

    Superb recount - heartfelt and genuine. Thanks for this Larry. Looking forward to the 1500th post reflection !