SIHH 2010: personal impressions

It was my first time at the SIHH and my first time at an IWC collectors forum meeting also.

As you may know, I’m a terrible photographer; moreover, many worthy forumers have covered the event with such great pictures I couldn’t add anything relevant (I’ll try to post some pictures anyway).

Here’s my impression as a newbie to both event:

SIHH and IWC

The IWC booth was the most beautiful with no doubt. It looked like the interiors of a Yacht and what a yacht! Looking the pictures from the former editions, I can say IWC always tries to put an idea behind the realization of these environments, something I can’t say for other brands booths.

Two things

caught my attention in two different moments, the first one was a ref. 325, surely a source of inspiration for this last collection and for the future will come. (Please note, picture’s not mine).

The second one was the incredible average age of the members of IWC Staff, in charge for Marketing responsibilities, the Manager of the team looked at the most to have 30 years, well, not exactly what I’m used to see in Italy…

I take this chance to say: “Bravo!” to all of them, very well done, the presentation of the new models for instance was excellent, short, synthetic but fully clarifying and seductive, like the presenter I’d say :-) jokes apart, the whole IWC team was very professional and supportive even after the presentation.

Mr Kern

I always liked the man, this was the first time for me to listen to him live. He had straight words for any question was raised by the audience, he showed he has a clear vision and determination but with affable manners. He opened my mind on current market scenario just giving a couple of examples, it was pretty enlightening and impressive too.

The collection

Surely the most solid and consistent between all those offered by watch brands, to my knowledge. This new line of Portuguese has everything to be appreciated all over the world.

Very nice interpretation of the old style, the hand wound already called “half panda” looks elegant and clean, like MF said some time ago, I was particularly attracted by the white dial version, here on my wrist.

Superstars

But the superstars of the collection are other models, the minute repeater, the tourbillon, both manual and automatic and the blue PPC.

Michael Friedberg

A lighthouse, always present but with discretion, always careful about collectors needs, sobriety and class, what else could I say more?

The Master

I had the chance to talk for an hour with Herr Klaus. I’ve asked him so many questions, he always replied with calm and passion, worrying to accurately explain the points discussed, thinking whether answer to give. At the end I asked him an autograph, he wrote he was happy to give the right answers to my questions! The humility only the very Great Man have, Vielen Dank, Meister Klaus!

The forumers

It was a pleasure and a honor to meet this group of collectors, very well mixed I think. I won’t mention all of them but I do sincerely hope I’ll have other chances to see all of them in person. I’ll stop here because I’m afraid to become sentimental.

Thank you IWC

for making this possible, thank you Michael.

Regards,

Roberto

A great post Roberto- many thanks

You certainly covered a lot in those couple of days!

Thanks. Great photos.....

I love the new white dial manual wind Port and the blue dial Perpetual.
Jeff

Roberto - Great Report & photos.

Excellent report and photos...

your watch photography is very good. Thanks for the pictures and write up.

Bill

Well done Roberto & great meeting you & Ms. Fly.nt

My friend Roberto

It was great meeting you at last you have a great sense of humor
which I still enjoy from the many times I recall your jokes during the day (Natassa says I have lost it).

Best regards
Argiris

Great report Roberto!

Thanks very much, a well balanced report with only good moments!

Kind regards,

Clemens

The collection: telepathy, coincidence or luck?

A nice presentation, Roberto. And what is it, that of all the combinations of watches that you can make at SIHH, and taking into consideration the to you at that moment unknown preferences of mine, excluding the watches that are high on my list but that I will not consider because I have one already: short, what made you put together exactly those watches that I might consider buying? Well done: the white handwound Portuguese Jones and the ceramic Da Vinci Chrono. Will it ever happen, though?

Kind regards,
Paul, wearing steel VC Pilot's watch

Great to meet you Roberto....

maybe next time we will get into the Patek museum.