GTG: London, October 2012

Andrew Thomas rolled into London and, to celebrate the event, a handful of locals gathered to share a fish and chips supper and some watch stories. Andrew’s infectious enthusiasm soon had us all taking watches off our wrists, snapping photos and marvelling at some beautiful examples of Schaffhausen craftsmanship. The get together included Greg Chalk, Mark66, TeeVeeTee and me. Much to our delight, Andrew also produced some gifts from Schaffhausen.

Some photographs of the event:

“Tooling up” for the evening

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102815382/)
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The cast:

TeeVeeTee and Andrew

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102838714/)
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Mark66

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102822103/)
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Greg

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102827963/)
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Me

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102813849/)
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Some of the watches …

On the menu tonight, a pair of Portuguesiers

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102957327/)
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The Italian Job and a 5002

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102827260/)
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The slow beat of the 5002…

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102812934/)
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The Italian Job with a blue dialled Laureus

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102839100/)
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A son looking for a father

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102836212/)
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Da Vinci (s)

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102814893/)
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Combined wrist shot

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102828999/)
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A group shot

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102839954/)
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A bigger group shot with some interlopers

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102842192/)
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Curtain call …

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102825925/)
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Thanks guys. It was a fun evening. Anyone free in Singapore in a couple of weeks time?

](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102825925/)](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102842192/)](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102839954/)](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102828999/)](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102814893/)](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102836212/)](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102839100/)](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102812934/)](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102827260/)](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102957327/)](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102813849/)](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102827963/)](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102822103/)](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102838714/)](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102815382/)

Ralph, that's quite a collection of IWCs for a small group. Hope you had some security, LOL.

Is that Andrew's Laurues?

Thanks for sharing,looking forward to your return to NYC, I'm sure we'll have better weather then your last trip.

Regards,
Kevin

Kevin took the words right out of my mouth -- 17 watches for 6 guys? Impressive. Looks like great fun.

Andrew - it looks like we share a wardrobe. Jeans and a softshell is what I was wearing today. It's what I wear most days. I like it that way. :)

It was a great evening but that is THE WORST photo I have ever seen of myself!! So I will blame the photographer!
Indeed Andrew not only brought along his Laureus Ingie but his tribute to Italy which garnered unanimous approval. So if anyone is looking in from Spa town, just a plain sapphire back and it might sell quite well over more markets instead of being a LE.
At the time I did not count the numbers on the table but I have done now and it is quite staggering.
I brought along 2 plus an interloper which was my father's watch which has today got a new strap, had to be a fold over type as it has solid bars between the 9ct lugs. This is after it has had a full service, with a new crown and a replacement part and a light polish. It's taken me ten years since my Father died to get it refurbed up to an acceptable level without turning it into an as new model. Many many thanks to the person who sorted it out. Ralph brought along a sister brand, which was a real beauty which again met with unanimous approval and a PP.

It looks like y'all had a great GTG...and I will echo the other guys and comment on the bounty of watches amongst such a small group! I agree Greg, that "Italian Job" was quite a looker and I think would have broad appeal!

Looks like a fun event. great photos. thanks.

Absolutely superb - and some great watches there!

Many watches I like. Some I have - but that Italian Job takes the cake!

Thanks for sharing this mini GTG with us Ralph.

Ralph, thanks for sharing you London GTG. These informal, sometimes impromptu, events are an important part of why this is such a great place to meet and make new friends and share our passion for IWC.

That's some heavy metal on the table.

gentlemen, it was a really enjoyable evening!

some extra snaps...

best wishes,
thang

Nice GTG. The best thing about the local groups is that everyone can easily bring a bunch of watches without too much trouble.

Looks like you had a great time with great watches.
It is simply great how the IWC passion and this forum brings people from all around the world together.
I'll have tomorrow a super-mini GTG - post will follow

@Rave let me know when you are planning on being in Singapore. I am traveling quite a bit right now but something could be arranged I am sure

That must have been quite an evening. Looks like a great time.

I love the Italian Ingenieur. I was going to ask for more pictures of it, but see that Thang already posted some. What a beauty!

Thanks for sharing your GTG with us!

Thanks for this wonderful report and great pictures! Indeed a stunning collection of watches for a relatively small group of people. Having a GTG locally indeed facilitates this, I wouldn't bring so many watches through customs either!

Kind regards,

Clemens

Best thing about this Forum has always been the people, nice happy faces guys thanks for posting.