The IWC NYC Flagship hosted a Watchmaking Class this week for a few of our group, Evan Nanos and Andrew Thomas. It was Andrew’s birthday. That gave us a special reason to have a GTG. I believe Andrew said this was the 6thtime he was in the USA on his birthday. As always, the Boutique Staff were superlative hosts. Thanks to Dawn Simonson, the Boutique Manger, for making us quite at home. We were also honored to have Edouard d’Arbaumont, President of IWC North America, and Gaelle Devins, Asst VP IWC NA, join us for the evening.
We started the evening with delicious hors d’oeuvres and some bubbly to wash it down. I needed the bubbly to settle my nerves. IWC is to be commended for providing opportunities to have these GTGs, learn things, and really connect us to the Company. I am not aware of other Luxury Brands that do this for their collectors.
Doing the Watchmaking Class can be a challenge. Taking a movement apart is relatively easy, with a little help now and then, but putting it back together with no parts left over or missing is a challenge. As for me, I was very happy to see the balance wheel spin back to life after some tense moments chasing an elusive screw that flew across the room. Fortunately, the Watchmaker leading the Class bailed me out. He also was quite helpful when my hand-eye skills needed help. The Class was led by Tryggvi Sigurbjornsson, the resident Watchmaker at the Boutique. His was very professional with a bunch of folk who are not so skilled. He has an excellent Power Point presentation that walks you through the steps. The class convented in the upstairs VIP area where we met some other guests for the Class. We donned the white lab coats and started taking iPhone photos right away.Here’s Andrew with phone in hand and Gaelle being really nice to Evan.
4
272Evan got into the picture taking too.
Evan led the early toast with our never ending bubbly supply. 
4276There was a group photo before we sat down to pretend we are watchmakers.
But first, Edouard brought in a very recognizable Birthday Cake for Andrew. Happy Birthday, my friend.
So it begins. The movement we are to destroy and put back together and the tools to do it are in a very handsome box.
Tryggvi, leading the Class.
The challenge, a c. 89200, I believe. Correct me, if I am wrong.
The PPT slides are quite useful explain the movement and what we are to do on each step of the process.
The first challenge was to release the tension on the barrel and remove it from the movement. I did it, the barrel is out:
And there it is waiting to be put back at some point, hopefully.
Me too!. 
I did it and I got a certificate to prove it, but it does not mention I lost a screw in the carpet someplace. Thanks Trygvvi for bailing me out.
Evan, Michelle and Andrew got their certificate as well. Job well done.
Actully, all of the attendees successfully completed the course. A big applause to all.
