The danger of meeting fellow collectors: BBAMSGTG 2018 and what happened next

On Friday evening, Erik asks me at what time we have to be in Amsterdam. Not being able to quickly finding the details I answer 11:30 (since that's what I thought it was). It was only way past bedtime I found that we should be there already at 11:00.

I hoped we could still make it a bit fashionable late but when Erik texted me the next morning he was running late, I started panicking. Since I got this message quite early (around 10:00) I didn't understand how he could be running late so I phoned him. In the end, we both messed up and might be able to be there almost in time.

Erik and Pauline came to pick up Thomas and I and we were on our way to Amsterdam. Since we live in Alkmaar, this was almost a home match for us, especially considering the long journeys others had to make.

We arrived in the Vondelpark not too long after 11:00 and we were not the last ones to arrive so in the end all was well.

We had a lovely lunch while saying hi to old and new friends. The weather was great even thought some times it looked like it would start to rain. Tonny called me and knowing I'm a Porsche fan, he handed me a pair of Porsche socks with Martini striping. I'm going to wear them as soon as my 17 year old Boxster is fixed (hopefully in a few days). Thanks againg Tonny!

The lunch finished, our group banker Martin took care of the financial part and we set off to the Boutique. The welcome was warm as always and we had a great time looking at all the amazing stuff there was on display.

It was great to hear that IWC will make serious work of reducing their CO2 footprint. IWC already has done wonders on their buildings and factories but now they are also going to reduce shipping volumes and the likes.

We left the Boutique with the IWC Sustainability Report and a box of very nice chocolats!

From the Boutique we went to the canal to board our boat. This is always a very special part of the day where you can relax, have a drink and chat with fellow collectors. This year I missed the jenever and herring but the Poffertjes made up for that!

Continued in next post... Hit the max pictures limit..

Continued with a few shots of the canal tour

After well over an hour, our canal ride was over already and we had some spare time before dinner. We visited a few stores on the famous P.C. Hooftstraat and then went to the bar of Momo's, the restaurant where we would have dinner later on.

Dinner was amazing and we had a wonderful time. As stated in another report, during dinner you often swap watches and I found myself wearing Tonny's Collectors Forum Aquatimer during most of the evening. I was surprised that it fitted so well, I guess I was expecting it to be too big for me but I was wrong.

Our much appreciated moderator Tonny (who has #1 of 250) was presented by a magnificent display cabinet for his pocket watches by Mark L who had been meticulously making this whilst also doing all the organizing and planning of the BBAMSGTG. Chapeau to your efforts Mark and the flawless execution of it as well.

The evening came to an end way too early and Erik, Pauline, Thomas and I went back home. Some others stayed in hotels in Amsterdam and did some more watch talk while tasting a few whisky's too.

Continued in the next post...

Well, there is a 30 images per day limit so stay tuned for a follow up tomorrow. Keeping you all a bit longer in suspense :-)

Kind regards,

Clemens

I KNOW WHAT HAPPENS CLEMENS..
just posted here if Anders would let me have his AT 812 for an evening or two...
perhaps that works for me as well.
wear it in Great health Clemens!
and who knows you hit the water as well.
cheers

Amazing picture report Clemens. Very, very well made pictures that captivate the atmosphere of the day fantasticly! 

Thank You Clemens for a fantastic photo repor   :o)

Great GTG report Cinq, thank you for that.
Are these GTG's closed meetings or everyone from IWC forum can participate?

Continued...

With a lot of fond memories, there was something itching in the back of my head. Maybe it already started earlier but seeing and wearing Tonny's CF4 (as this Aquatimer is lovingly called, being the 4th watch specifically made for collectors). In fact, I had asked William if they were still available. Tonny also heard me ask and told that there might still be a few around. So, with that William started his queeste and it was only a few days after the BBAMSGTG meeting I got a word that he had tracked one down! Delivery time was estimated to be two to three weeks. This was a bummer because it would mean the watch would arrive just when I am abroad for a week. William managed to pull some strings when I told him this and on Saturday at 10:08 I got a call the watch had arrived in the Boutique!

On our way to the Boutique:

I didn't know they named a club after me :-)

Almost there!!!

With a busy weekend ahead, I had to reshuffle a bit but managed to get to the Boutique just a few minutes after noon. The watch was there, waiting for me and it looked amazing!

I immediately strapped it on and William put my SWFA's in the now empty box. Being on a tight schedule, we didn't have much time to hang around and Thomas and I went on to Twente to celebrate the 75'th birthday of my dad. The new watch was on it's first journey of hopefully many more to come.
Here the watch isn't set yet, that was the second thing I did..

First shot on the road, as you can see it was in and out in less than an hour!

Thanks for your time to read this long story and I hope I was able to share some of the enthusiasm with you and maybe we meet at another IWC meeting!

Kind regards,

Clemens

Congrats on acquiring your CFAT or CF4 Aquatimer Clemens. 
I look forward to meeting you one day. 

Great read Clemens, Thx - Looking forward to next time!

And huge congrats to that awesome AT!

/Anders

excellent watch for excellent guy(!)
wear it in health clemens.

A fantastic report Clemens and congratulations to your CF4! Looking forward to some patina shots in the future ;)

A fantastic read, Clemens!
Huge congratulations on your new watch. That's just awesome. I love it.
It was great to meet you again in Amsterdam. Hopefully soon again!

A fantastic report with a brilliant ending Clemens - I am super happy for you my friend :-)
That AT is so good, but also very meaningful as the CF4, it will sit very well in your collection and I know you will enjoy it for many many years.
Congrats buddy!

Congratuations Clemens, that is a beauty! Thank you for telling a great story and posting so many fantastic photos, much appreciated - I would love to join you one of these years!