This post is the story of how I came to wear this watch (briefly) yesterday.
A few weeks ago, Nad emailed to say that he would be in Geneva for a few days and asked if I'd like to meet. I, of course, said yes and we agreed to "talk" again closer to the date. Then last week I was at the Geneva boutique looking for a strap. Mauro, who knows that I frequent the forum, mentioned that Nad would be in town and would go on a factory tour. He asked if I'd like to join. I didn't have to think too hard.
So yesterday Nad and Houda along with Jan and Nadia from the boutique left Geneva on an early train bound for Schaffhause, via Zurich. I live at the other end of Lake Geneva so rather than go first to Geneva, I arranged to meet them at the Zurich train station.
It's a relaxing train ride through very nice scenery.
After meeting on the platform, we boarded a train for the promised land. I almost got a good photo of the Rhine Falls as we entered town.
At the Schaffhausen station, we met up with Oliver from IWC and Nad's friend Asi, perhaps the most knowledgable watch collector I've ever met. By an amazing coincidence, he was in Schaffhausen on business and joined us for the afternoon's activities.
First stop, lunch.
Yogurt and a banana is a much more typical lunch for me but the Sweet & Sour Tiger Prawns were fantastic.
After lunch, we strolled to IWC for a tour which included time in the museum and a look at watchmakers hard at work. We saw bunches of 5001 and ceramic Big Pilots in various stages of completion. Quite understandably, no photos allowed.
The real highlight of the day for me was at the end of the tour. Laid out in a conference room, every calibre in the current IWC collection, including this pair:
After a brief flirtation with the pilot line...
...I headed for the Portuguese.
It's on the big side for me but I really like it:
I've admired this watch in photos but now I really understand why so many of you are crazy about it. I think I'll get a paper route and start saving my pennies.
And now back to that Minute Repeater. Actually make that plural. Here, I'm slumming it with the gold version. I must say, the chimes are like the voices of angels. Just amazing. I suspect all of you recognize the other guy:
Herr Doktor Nad went to work...
...and soon one of the Minute Repeaters looked like this. They put all of the parts in a bag for him and I think they gave him a small discount:
Before we knew it, it was time to head back to the train station. Nadia(boutique), Barbara(our tour guide), Me, Nad, Asi, Houda, Oliver(IWC) and Jan(boutique).
It was a wonderful day. IWC were excellent hosts and there are some new additions to my wish list. It was an honor to finally meet Nad and his lovely wife. Not bad at all for my first mini gtg.
