I landed yesterday, and apologies to Nad fans, I took no pictures on the flight or between the airport and the hotel. Although I am here on business, the highlight of my visit is meeting Shing and the flagship store and dinner afterwards. Those of you who have met him, will know that Shing is very charming and delightful person to spend an evening with. He is also a very serious collector.
This weekend, there's an event going on in nearby Macau and many of the people you would expect to see at the flagship store were manning a Portofino themed stand in Macau. For that reason, I was denied entry to the flagship store. "We're full. Go away" or words to that effect. I was only wearing a Golf-Club which doesn't resemble anything IWC produces today. Shing came to my rescue and we spent a couple of hours chatting and examining watches that simply don't appear anywhere else outside of Schaffhausen. What follows are photos I took last evening. A huge thank you to Shing and to Karen Fong at the store who was very patient keeping us supplied with many beautiful IWCs.
Incidentally, the lighting in the store makes it very difficult to take photographs. Shing and Nad have done a fantastic job in the past with their posts. It’s not easy. Well that’s my excuse for the poor showing that follows.
A short ferry crossing to TST.
Heritage … or Richemont land
In the store…
The watches …
Lots of yachts
Photos cannot do justice this very clever dial that seems to work in two different planes as the subdials appear raised from the carbon fibre effect.
From the pilot’s hanger
The 8 day Portofino is a very seductive watch.
Shing sporting an original Portofino. I did check to see whether the new Santoni straps would go with the old Portofino. They don’t. Moreover, I was told that I have to buy a new Portofino before they will sell me a Santoni strap.
The Ingenieurs
Is it me but are Ingenieurs getting bigger? This beast looks as though it would easily crush my 666. Actually, the new fusion Inge is remarkable light and easy to wear.
Portuguese
This white gold ardoise combination is quite stunning.
This 5001 is a remarkable combination of colours. It looks as though it has 8 decades of patina from a cigar bar.
Almost impossible to photograph in these conditions. The blue seems deeper and bluer than previous versions I have seen.
Complicated stuff
Spot my latest acquisition and the odd one out …
My host …
Back across the harbour
