In its current issue, WatchTime magazine surveyed the development of the watch industry over the past 10 years. One article, "Net Gains", discussed the role of the Internet relative to the industry. Given the huge growth in the Net, and the computerization of our society over this decade, this is an important topic.
Much as I like WatchTime, I felt the article goofed. It didn't mention IWC's hugely important role as an Internet pioneer. I wrote the editor, and the magazine will be publishing my letter in the next issue.
For your information, here's what I wrote:
[i]
I read with interest your October 2009 article “Net Gains” which discussed Internet development over the past decade. However, it missed what I consider, with some reasonable bias, as the key development during this important period.
As one of the main figures at TimeZone in the 1990s, WatchTime righly emphasized that site's early importance as an Internet venue. While hit count hugely increased as brand forums –a concept that I developed—expanded, TimeZone remained primarily a hobbyists’ site. TimeZone back then tried to enlist industry support, but without much success.
The Internet became “legitimate” during the 2001 Basel Fair, when IWC decided to sponsor its own collectors’ forum. At that time, IWC asked me to leave TimeZone and moderate their own Internet discussion forum.
That truly was an industry first, with a major Swiss watch company for the first time adopting an interactive approach to the Internet, directly communicating with its end-users, and allocating resources toward that goal. When our forum launched on June 11, 2001, the Swiss watch industry had “crossed the Rubicon”. The Internet was no longer just for amateurs and hobbyists, but rather a way to communicate directly between companies and collectors.
IWC’s approach back then took guts. It has worked out well for the company and its collectors, including the development of an entire virtual community. Not only has a large collector base been established, but regularly-sponsored events and even a limited edition watch resulted. IWC's forum also has served as a model for other companies’ Internet forums, all of which followed. IWC has been been the industry Internet pioneer and deserves due credit.
The launch of the IWC Collectors’ Forum was a pivotal event in the history of the Internet vis-à-vis watches. Its omission for your article is, with respect, a huge oversight.[i]
Regards,
Michael
