Fans of the Forum...

The year nearly ends. Time to contemplate about what it means to be an IWC collector, posting here on the Forum. Being around from the start I would like to point out that there are very different IWC collectors with different goals, different interest and by that these collectors own different IWC watches.
The first group of collectors are successful men, aged 25-45, buying predominantly the current collection because of the quality and because these watches are appealing to the actual world of which sports, environment and education are the most important issues ( Laureus, Galapagos,Plastiki, Volvo Race). No doubt that this category of collectors is the most important for the buisiness figures of IWC. Probably they are not all frequent visitors of the Forum. There is a second sub group of IWC collectors, who are very visible on the Forum. These people have bought several IWC wrist watches dring the last decade. Impressed by the quality and design, they want to learn more about the background of the Schaffhausen products. These collectors have therefore joined the Forum and by that the gate to the unique history and its watches, has been opened to them. Some of the come and go on the Forum. Others stay, not only to lurk but to contribute as well.
There is a third category of IWC collectors. They are 55+ and came into contact with IWC more than 20 years ago, surprised by the extraordinary products of those days : Ingenieur, Yacht Club, PD Collection etc. They discovered that IWC made watches meet extraordinary specifications, not found at the competitors in Switzerland, representing the other high end watch industry. And finally there are the vintage collectors who have learned from the literature and this Forum that the vintage watches, both pocket and wrist time pieces still can be found. Some collect the early P.W.'s, built before 1900. Other collect Schützenuhren, Pilot Watches, Military Watches or Portugiesers. The posts by them on the Forum and their articles in the watch literature, apply to the rich IWC history, giving insight to unknown facts, persons and watches. Extremely thoroughful research has been performed by the late Friedrich Wagener, by Greg Steer and by Thomas Koenig. They have invested a lot of time and effort to teach us about IWC.
Others have manifested their joy, just showing proudly their newest catch on the wrist. These collectors come usually up with pictures which on itself are no less than examples of art photography.
Hosting all these different collectors provides a mix on the Forum which is unique and special. Despite the closure of the German Forum, we all realise that the current Forum is and should remain a magnificent place to meet, to exchange thoughts and opinions, to enjoy and to learn....all about IWC.
Happy New Year,
Adrian
(alwaysiwc).

Adrian, this analysis of our forum shows thought and insight. We all benefit from our time here, and even being around from the beginning, like you, I learn more and more all the time.

And how lucky we are to meet, through the forum, great friends from all around the world!

Thanks for this post, and Happy New Year to you- and I know something that will make your new year even better... soon it will arrive!

Nelson

This forum is indeed a mix of the different types described, although the different groups are not at all equally represented. Group 1 and group 2 are represented well, for some time, the other groups are fewer in numbers, but maybe show more endurance power. I feel there is a kind of cycle for a lot of the members: they take part for a while and after some years, which actually is quite a long period, most of them fade away: everything has been said, several times.

For me it is simple: I feel I am a member of group 2, having bought some watches the last ten years, but I am utterly curious about group 1, the successful "youngsters" (yes, I am a bit older), what they buy and do. To me, they represent the present and future of the brand, the watches that are at the peak of their technical possibilities. They still have the mystery of success, both people and watches are books that are not finished yet. I am not at all interested in the past, and the history of the brand and old watches is a nice afterthought to me. The only thing of the past that interests me is the shape of the watches, as long as they harbour eternal beauty, that can be transformed into the present. That is why the current Vintage Collection is so dear to me.

For the rest I try to have a good time here at the forum, sharing interesting thoughts and discussions, or having outright fun. Having met some of the members and spending some nice time together was really terrific.

Kind regards,
Paul

This is a very astute analysis, and I thank you for posting it. Above all, I appreciate it when you stated "the current Forum is and should remain a magnificent place to meet, to exchange thoughts and opinions, to enjoy and to learn....all about IWC."

I think that the groups are flexible, both at the parameters and also due to crossing between them. Personally, I strongly believe that those who understand the history of mechanical timepieces in general, and IWC in particular, can better appreciate many of the contemporary offerings. As such, those who learn from Group 3 can become better participants in Group 2, and some of those in 2 originally came from 1.

Therefore the forum's ultimate value might be "cross-pollination", which ultimately produces a greater allegiance to IWC. And it is one respect where the forum becomes a superior marketing tool than other electronic media, like Facebook. All the electronic approaches are, to my mind, great --but the forum has unique quality to develop and interact in depth, including among the various constituencies loyal to IWC.

That said, I love this forum's diversity.

MF +1

MF+2

This is a great thread. Thanks Adrian for your insightful analysis.

This explains why this forum is unique.

Great analysis from both Adrian and Michael - I think you have nailed it.

For me personally I will say that I initially joined the forum to ask for help during my deliberations before making the decision to acquire my first IWC timepiece. The response I got, the very helpful people here and the warm welcome I received - with numerous people asking for picture contributions post-purchase - made me come back.

In IWC terms I may belong to group 1, even though I am not sure what "successful men" really constitutes :-) However, in general watch collecting terms I am safely in group 2, having collected for almost 20 years - but still an IWC newbie.

So what makes me come back on almost a daily basis?? To me three key words probably summarize it, and in that order:

PASSION - FRIENDS - KNOWLEDGE

This is where I can share my passion with people who share my interest, and even if we are from all over the globe, and I have never met any of you, I still feel like I am among friends here. The last bit is of course the great knowledge shared here - I learn more about IWC in particular and watches in general on this forum than anywhere else.

To me, these are the reasons we are "Fans of the Forum" :o)

I'm interested in everything comes from IWC, except for topics related to celebrities and all that stuff I think doesn't pertain to watches.

I like this forum very much for the competence of the moderator and experienced collectors, because this is the place to know more about IWC, because of the People I'm honored to call my friends.

I also think the forum has this function to constructively criticize some brand's initiatives and/or choices, for the health of the company, especially in a long-term perspective.

Summing up, I actually don't know what category I belong to but I will attend this forum as long as I'll be meeting people like you.

Happy New Year Adrian.

Dear Adrian,

Thanks for post and very well said! I cannot agree more.

I was one of these active members from the start. These days I'm less active. Though being quit young, my main love for IWC is technique and classic IWC's. Not so much on different dials and limiteds.

Again thanks for your post and am sure we meet here!

Hello Adrian,

Your insight, analysis and comments of those who follow and support of the IWC brand is, as usual, pretty accurate. I for one fall into the 55+years category having a particular interest in the earlier wristwatches of IWC, but nevertheless have great respect for the newer offerings of the past decade. My Portugueser PPC is now a particular favourite of mine.

This forum is without doubt the finest source of education and information for the brand and I always look forward to you and other knowledgeable contributors sharing knowledge and advice.
I was fortunate to have met with you in Schaffhausen in 2007 and since then, through our private e mails and your postings, you have been a great inspiration to me personally and no doubt many others will have benefit from your specialist knowledge you are so readily happy to share with us all.

Dear Adrian,
a more than accurate analysis of you and literally put in fair and moving words.
I can't agree more.
As Michael pointed out with the biological term "cross-pollination" and Skule with "passion - friends - knowledge" this forum is an unique place to meet, to share a common passion and to interact worldwide.
Lastly as a non-native-speaker to improve my English after the closure of the German forum ;-).

Warm regards
Hajo

This Forum has changed my life.

Great people sharing the same passion and being always willing to help and share their knowledge make this forum unbeatable.

This forum has become for me the first internet thing I do in the morning and the last internet thing I do in the evening. And it is like I am meeting every morning and every evening with great friends.

I'd love sometimes to get to know you guys in person.

Interesting analysis. I suppose I fall more into the first category -- or maybe slide somewhat into the second, since my watches are all recent/current production. However, I'm somewhat older. Perhaps I just got interested in, and able to acquire, fine watches later in life. Although I can appreciate watches with more historical interest, I might never begin to actually collect them.

I find this forum a pleasant place to spend some time and acquire more knowledge. I'm consistently impressed by both the scope and extent of the knowledge of participants here and by their good nature and civility.

It's also a very cosmopolitan group -- something I very much enjoy.

Hi Adrian,
Well said!
I wish you a healthy New Year . . . and greetings to your familiy (and your BMW)
Hans

Hi everyone,

Adrian, thanks very much for starting this post. I agree with your comments, as well as many and most of the above comments. For me this forum - as another forummer has commented - has changed my own daily life and routine.

I take a minute to point out also that this is no ordinary forum - being an officially sponsored, and official part, of the corporate entity that is IWC - yet with some (perhaps always) varying degree of independence - to me makes this forum very different, and special at the same time.

As a new member, the question and/or issue of "what is the Ethos of this forum?", is a very interesting and for me wonderfully relevant question. And I think the answer to this question will always be tied it do its purpose and utility, and the progressive direction of what & where it should be, or intended to be headed.

To me, these interplaying dynamics will constantly impact the larger active and passive online community ar large, and and in turn influences the makeup of the fans of the forum.

Its been a great year for me, and I look forward to what will certainly be great things happening online and offline for 2012. Have a great year ahead everyone.

This was a very good year for me because I finally could buy two IWC Pilots. After ten years of my last IWC purchase, my two IWC´s got companion with a UTC in January and a Pilot Chrono in March. I discovered the Forum this year, and I learned a lot about watches in general and about IWC movements, history an mainly, about the IWC community around the world. I was able to share life experiences of persons of different parts of the world and I´m very grateful to all for that. Happy New Year to all, from Argentina!

Ah, yes -- it's that time again.

A Happy and Healthy New Year to all.