Today’s GTG at the NYC Boutique with Kevin and Bendy was a special treat. Both Kevin and I were able to meet and welcome Ben to the Big Apple. We learned very quickly that he is very knowledgeable on IWC references and movements and has a deep passion for the IWC brand and its history and traditions. The staff at the Boutique was very welcoming as they always are to both old and new friends. Thanks to Noreen and Patrick for their special attention on a busy day for them.
I was the first to greet Ben as Kevin was driving into the City after flying in from Los Angels on the Red Eye Special.
When Kevin arrived, Noreen jumped into action welcoming our guest.
Ben does not have access to Boutique only IWCs in Australia, which is a bummer. His visit to the NYC Flagship was a real treat, not only for him, but also for both Kevin and me as we saw some brand new Boutique only items that had just arrived.
I continue to be amazed at the beauty and functionality of the NYC Flagship. The Boutique’s living room like design and unique manner of displaying their products on bookshelves and not in typical display cases with rows of watches under glass is simply the best in the industry. You feel welcome right away as you lounge on a sofa as the exemplary staff brings IWC models to you. It took some genius to figure out all of this and the execution is just outstanding.
The living room as you enter the Flagship.
The display area for the Pilots watches and DaVinci’s (on the Left)
Upstairs in the VIP lounge, you can sit in private and talk all things IWC.
It was here we got out our heavy metal and talked away the afternoon.
Here are the Three Musketeers showing off our two wristed watches:
Kevin with his simply outstanding DFB BP. It makes me sick I missed this one.
The highlight of the day is touching and feeling the new items on display and watch Ben’s eyes light up with delight. Mine too to be totally accurate.
The fun part:
The just arrived and magnificent Gold, Brown Dial, Ingenieur. This is one you have to see. When you do, it will be on your Christmas wish list.
Here is the newly arrived brown dialed Portuguese. It’s stunning.
There was a street fair on Madison Ave. right in front of the Boutique. The vendors stretched along Madison Ave. all the way from 42nd Street to 57th Street. The street fair lasted all day. You could spend the afternoon just walking by all of the stuff being hawked by the vendors. And, oh the smells of the cooking food too:
Right outside the front door of the Boutique was a Thai Food Vendor. The staff went there for lunch, I understand.
Food was international to suit all of our Forum members, from Tex Mex just for DZUL to Greek for our Dimitri and Argiris.
There was even and attempt to have some native cuisine from my neck of the woods, but alas, it was a fake.
I was captivated by this one young lady enjoying her afternoon strolling down Madison Ave.
The products on display and some just for MF and Mark. I am certain these are some rare and valuable PWs. LOL.
One vendor of the low end merchandise was at least honest, unlike the Bolex vendors on Canal Street as few block south of here.
After our fill of watches and street shopping, we adjourned to lunch across the street in a genuine restaurant. Sorry about the blurry iPhone photo. I’m just learning how to use it.
It was a marvelous day in the City. As we have said many times, one of the great aspects of being a member of the IWC Collectors’ Forum is the chance to meet fellow enthusiasts from all over the world. This is our first Aussie joining Kevin and me, the unofficial NYC Boutique Ambassadors. Now the Alan is displaced in FL, we are down to a smaller welcoming group.
Thanks Ben for meeting with us. It was a pleasure to meet you. Hope you Bachelor party for your Kiwi friend is going / went well. I don’t envy you flight home tomorrow with a giant hangover.
