• Master
    15 Mar 2012, 11:51 a.m.

    Hello Collectors!

    I'd like to share with you my very first watch and a few words about how I
    came to IWC.

    I have had a mechanical watch for the last time when I was a child. It was in
    the "red period" in Slovakia, Czechoslovakia that time. The brand was Prim,
    which has nowadays came back to life in Czech republic. In the late 80's
    people used to wear digital watch a lot in our region and following the change
    of situation in the early 90's it was quartz on the line. By the end of that
    period, after finishing the university in I have chosen and have got the first
    real watch again as a gift.

    [I remove photos older than 4 years, sorry.]

    It was simple design titanium/saphlex Seiko Kinetic. Since then the watch was
    with me every moment. During my military service, during my work in the
    office, following me playing sports, games, trekking and swimming in the sea.
    The one and only. Without a scratch or a single problem. Every 4-5 years I had
    to bring it to the store to change the capacitor and that was it. Only last
    year I have noticed, there is a very small circular crack on the edge of the
    glass. (You can see it under the "number" 4 at the picture above.) No threat,
    no problem, but it was there. And then I thought, well, maybe it is time after
    15 years to buy me a new watch. For the first time of my own, so to say.

    So I have started looking and searching. I am a fan of quite a simple design
    and to be honest I was not able to find something that would catch my eye
    immediately. Here I have to say, that I was doing research only in the price
    category, where I have been before. It never came to me to look "higher".
    Until a friend of mine told me a story about buying Aquatimer, which was his,
    I don't know, fifth or sixth watch of that "level". First idea that came to me
    was, that he is crazy. Nevertheless, I have started to browse those watches.
    Slowly.

    The cloth change, the shoes change, maybe even people around you change, the
    watch stays.

    Then it went quite fast. I have tried to browse the new brands for me within
    two weeks, made some phone calls to AD's around (Slovakia, Austria, Germany
    and Swiss of course) to check the availability and the price. Then headed to
    AD nearest to me in Bratislava :o) to pick up my very first watch. Silver dial
    Portofino Automatic with black leather strap. Today it is one month and two
    weeks and since then I enjoy every moment wearing them and I often catch
    myself just to listen to them ticking. What a beauty. Even the serial number
    contains my favorite 42 ;o)

    [I remove photos older than 4 years, sorry.]

  • Master
    15 Mar 2012, 11:58 a.m.

    Great story and a wonderful addition to your collection. Wear the Portofino in good health.

  • Master
    15 Mar 2012, 12:02 p.m.

    Congratulations, a great watch choice and nice story!

  • Master
    15 Mar 2012, 12:05 p.m.

    Hi Marian42,

    Nice story, and great watches both ! Love this quote especially:

  • Master
    15 Mar 2012, 2:31 p.m.

    Welcome to the forum Marion, it is the best place on the web to interact with IWC watch collectors. You made an excellent choice, it is a great watch, wear it in good health. Come back often and let is know where your watch has taken you.
    Good Luck
    Kevin

    PS if you read a number of the posts on this forum you will understand that you have been exposed to the IWC virus and your recent purchase most likely will not be your last. LOL

  • Master
    15 Mar 2012, 2:32 p.m.

    Hi Marian - welcome and congrats on an excellent choice! That is an elegant watch which you will enjoy for a very long time. Maybe not the one you want to go swimming with etc., but now that you have the IWC virus maybe an Aquatimer or Ingenieur will make a nice "sporty" addition to your Portofino.

    Thanks for sharing, I truly enjoyed reading your story!!

  • Master
    15 Mar 2012, 3:06 p.m.

    Warm welcome to the Forum Marian.
    You know you don't have to own many watches to participate to this Forum, I enjoyed your story very much.

  • Master
    15 Mar 2012, 3:36 p.m.

    Thank you everybody for the warm welcome. As Bill has written, I already am a collector, as I've got 2 watches already. I was just not sure, if Seiko and Kinetic would count here ;o) I'm glad you like them as well.

    The IWC virus is already present I must admit, as I for sure do not plan to do any exercises with my Portofino. For that I have one Top Gun on my list :o) But I think it won't be that soon. Right now I am just truly enjoying this one.

    When I could make some good pictures I'll post them here, naturally. The first one, driving the car, was during the very hour when I was returning home after the purchase :o) They were just sitting hot on my wrist ;o)

    For one thing I am sure. There certainly will be two photos with this watch in the future. In the birthplaces. Schaffhausen and Portofino. Someday. (Is that also the effect of the virus ? :o)

  • Master
    15 Mar 2012, 4:38 p.m.

    Welcome Marian! The Portofino is a wonderful way to join the IWC family of collectors!

  • Connoisseur
    15 Mar 2012, 5:02 p.m.

    A warm welcome to our forum Marion.

    Your Portofino looks great and I'm sure it will give you many years of service and enjoyment. There will most likely be other IWCs in your future now that you have been smitten.

    Zyxtimer

  • Master
    15 Mar 2012, 5:14 p.m.

    Congratulation my friend for your new acquisition.
    Welcome to IWC people!

  • Master
    15 Mar 2012, 5:54 p.m.

    Thanks for sharing your journey with us Marian. A very heartfelt congratulations to you... welcome to the club (and the virus).

    Regards, Thang

  • Master
    15 Mar 2012, 10:44 p.m.

    Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your 1st IWC. Enjoy time passing with your Portofino.

  • Connoisseur
    15 Mar 2012, 10:58 p.m.

    Welcome to the forum Marian and congratulations on your Portofino. Be careful though, visiting does make you want to get another IWC sooner than later.

    Kind regards,
    Marinus

  • Master
    16 Mar 2012, 8:25 a.m.

    Welcome Marian,

    "White Dial" looks great on your wrist. I also really like the look of the building/shop where you made your purchase.

    Enjoy that Porto...with good health & much happiness.

    Andy

  • Graduate
    16 Mar 2012, 10:57 a.m.

    Hi Marian,

    welcome!
    As Shing did, I really like that part of your post.
    Be sure that you will not resist for a long time and your Portofino will get another brother soon..

    Ciao.
    Carlo

  • Connoisseur
    17 Mar 2012, 9:43 a.m.

    Congrats Marian! A nice choise for sure. I'll bet it won't take you another fifteen years before another IWC has slipped on your wrist LOL
    Enjoy it in good health.

    Regards
    Mike

  • Master
    17 Mar 2012, 10:10 a.m.

    Marian, great journey and story with a classic and indeed a very beautiful watch.

    You also posted (probably unwittingly) a fantastic "NAD SHOT" of that watch on your wrist. Which looks absolutely great - you can read about NAD Shots elsewear on this forum. Both the watch and the NAD SHOT put you at the level of one of our most distinguished collectors :-)

    Wear this watch in good health and I look forward to seeing your next aquisition ( you will be surprised how soon that will be!)

    Best regards
    Mark

  • Master
    19 Mar 2012, 3:02 p.m.

    Thanks, I'm glad you have liked it. The story and the picture (nad shot :o), about the watch I didn't have any doubt on this forum ;o)