In Honor of Kurt Klaus's upcoming 78th Birthday (a tribute to the Einstein of Schaffhausen)

Andrew, a million "gratzies" for the suggestion and the honor to start the thread.

Herr Klaus's wisdom, generousity, rock-star good looks and most of all, his vivacious personality, make him everyone's favorite watchmaker. The day I first met him on his World Tour (the introduction of the amazing c5000 movement), I felt so humble just to be in the same room with him. And I believe everyone who has ever met the unassuming man will concur.

So here's a chance to share some memories. Please post pictures of meeting him, his watch movements, his life, and what this man's accomplishments have meant to you.

Here is my first meeting with Kurt in a luncheon I organized in Palo Alto, California in 2002. The back of the head belongs to our esteemed Moderator and that gorgeous woman next to MF's head is his lovely wife, Kay, and that was the first time I had the honor of meeting both of them.

My third encouter with Herr Klaus was a total bit of serendipity. The evening before SIHH 2007, Nelson, David Polakoff, Terry Russell and I were wandering the streets of Geneva looking for a cafe to grab some refreshment when we ran into Kurt, who was out for a walk. We invited him for a beer or two and our eyes fell out of our heads when we saw the watch he was wearing....the prototype for the DaVinci Kurt Klaus Limited Edition. This amazing timepiece #150/150 had us all forgetting our beers and climbing all over each other for a chance to try it on and gaze at what I still believe is the most beautiful case that IWC has ever created.

Here is Kurt's watch:

What a tribute to the man that we all love.

I don't think I've ever seen Nelson and Terry happier to be in a photo!

I was so moved by the beauty of this watch that I couldn't wait to add it to my collection. Coincidentally, I'm wearing mine today. (I know the picture is from 2010)

Richard Sheridan, gave the watch it's most perfect nickname. He calls his "The Man." Rich, I couldn't have said it better!

Happy Birthday Kurt Klaus! You have brought so many gifts to so many people.

God Bless You!

And please, great friends here on the Forum, show your love for the great Man!!

Happy Birthday Mr. Klaus and many many more years to come.

Cheers,
sc

Herewith some happy moments with the Master.

SIHH 2012

Happy Birthday Kurt. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Herr Klaus for the first time in Schaffhausen on my first visit to IWC. A totally accessible, unassuming giant in the watch industry!

Happy Birthday Kurt, my pleasure to meet you at SIHH 2011. Hope to see you there for many years to come.

Regards,
Kevin

I join my voice with thousand of collectors who wish Herr Klaus are very happy birthday. I have many memories of his patience with newbie questions and his willingness to always listen and educate.

I too was at the 2007 SIHH when Herr Klaus received his KK DaVinci PT. The first hour I was in the hotel, he was sitting in lobby of our hotel on the community computer checking his emails. I asked to see what watch he was wearing, not knowing yet this was the Year of the DaVinci. He did not hesitate to take his KK PT DaVinci #01/50 and hand it to me. I was shanking like a leaf as I held this magnificent IWC.

When we assembled in a conference room at SIHH, Herr Klaus led a seminar on the design and technical aspects of the DaVinci line.

He signed a very special piece that I have hanging on my office wall.

At the IWC Stand, Herr Klaus always takes time to talk with all comers.

What I was wearing at the 2007 SIHH:

Finally, a couple of year later (SIHH 2010), he still takes time to be a real inspiration to all:

P.S. I think Herr Klaus really likes that tie. It was his choice of tie at both 2007 and 2010. : )

One day I will own a KK Da Vinci. One day.

Birthday wishes to you Herr Klaus. It would be an honor to one day meet you and receive an autograph to add to my IWC collectables. Now that would be my " holy grail ".

Enjoy your special day Herr Klaus, may there be many more to come !

Andy Stevens

Whilst never having met KK yet his work at IWC having been so innovative and far reaching, it would only be right to wish KK a very happy birthday and many more to come. May he continue to be a great ambassador to the brand for many more years.

Happy birthday to Herr Klaus and many more years to come!

Many many happy returns to Herr Klaus.

I've had the good fortune to have met The Master on a number of occasions, and each and every time I am stuck by the mans unassuming nature, good humour and passion (still after all these years) for the art of watchmaking.

For the newbies, I post here below a copy of a post I made after one of my meetings with Herr Klaus - here at SIHH 2011 Collectors Forum Dinner.

a distinct pleasure and honor of being one of the many beneficiaries of Herr Klaus and his contributions to the horological universe...

Happy Birthday dear Master.

Although I did not had the chance to meet Mr. Klaus so far, I'd like to wish him a very happy birthday as well. Hopefully I will be fortunate enough to shake his hand someday. May be next years SIHH ? :o)

I don't have a picture to share, but that won't stop me from adding my congratulations to Herr Klaus.

The first time I met him was when he taught the IWC "watchmaking" class during the Jones Launch event in Boston. As many of you know, we were allowed to take apart then put back together a pocket watch movement.

Kurt led the class in his very patient style, slowly instructing all of us in each step. I managed to break the click on my watch in the very first step. Herr Klaus came over, looked at me with an incredulous but amused smile, and without saying a word simply gave me another watch to try along with a fatherly smile. I'm sure if we knew each other better he would have patted me on the head.

I have often though that an IWC collection simply must have a KK Perpetual. Some day mine will.

Happy BD Master Klaus, the Master of Masters.

Great post!!!!

Dear Herr Klaus, wishing you a very Happy Birthday and many more filled with health and happiness!!!!!!

My first encounter with Herr Klaus was in early 2003 when he was my tour guide at the factory during my visit to Schaffhausen:

The next time we met was at SIHH 2010.

He told me that he still remembers my visit and that he still had the photo of the two of us on his computer!!!!!

At SIHH 2010:

Later that year during a visit to Hong Kong in October, I was fortunate to be at the IWC event with him again:

Following the cocktails at the Flagship, we proceeded to the dinner venue, where we sat beside each other at the same table (lucky me!!!!!!).

Here he is taking a souvenir photo from the 51st floor!

We also celebrated his birthday that evening:

<img src="i28.photobucket.com/albums/c236/nad1/OrientOct2010/IMG_1488.jpg">

A memorable photo:

My good fortune found me again at SIHH 2011 and another encounter with Herr Klaus!!!! Sadly, I don't have any photos of our meeting!

Wishing you happiness & joy on your birthday, Mr. Klaus!!

What a great idea! By the way, I believe Herr Klaus' birthday will be this coming Friday.

I have so many recollections of meetings with Kurt Klaus that it's difficult to know where to begin.

When I went to Schaffhausen in 2001, as newly-appointed moderator of IWC's new forum, it was Herr Klaus who spend a lot of time with me, and we had dinner together.
He became a mentor, and I have been and am both fortunate and honored.

At one IWC event I was talking to Frau Klaus and she said "My husband is a very special man --he's always happy".

So, I'll contribute a few photos:

First, as a very young man --in 1939:

And one of his real favorite activities, with his beloved Whippets:

By the way, one was gravely ill last year, and I suspect is no longer here. As he told me, he understandably wasn't happy, for once.

I always viewed Herr Klaus as a student:

And as a visionary:

And as mentor, not only to me. Here he is with Stephan Ihnen, now IWC's Technical Directior, when IWC first in-house chronograph movement debuted:

And as a true friend of collectors --here we are in Hong Kong:

But mostly I consider Kurt Klaus a friend:

On this evening, he took off his lapel pin, depicting his original Da Vinci, and gave it to me.

He truly is a friend of all collectors. I recall once in Geneva he asked me what I was doing that evening. I said I'm having dinner --Sushi-- with a few collectors. He sheepishly asked "do you mind if I join"?.

In the 1990s, Günter Blümlein --then head of IWC and Lange, told me that some people called Herr Klaus "Einstein". I thought that would be a catchy name for an article and therefore wrote this for another site before I became moderator of this forum in 2001. I like to think that this article helped introduce Kurt Klaus a bit to a broader universe and helped solidify his nickname: click here

Herr Klaus, Alles Gute zum Geburtstag und geniesse den Tag!