Off the Radar

It's been a while since we have seen any sign of Shing. I miss his photo's, comments and extensive knowledge.

Has anyone heard from him lately? Hope everything is O.K.

Andy

As far as I know, he spends most of his free Internet time on Facebook lately, and also has branched out to several other brands.

I think this is a good opportunity for others to post (more). There are so many passive members here, and I think it is the duty of a true collector not only to read, but also to post.

Think a lot of us are missing Shing and his posts and unlimited enthusiasm; if ever there was someone with a mega case of the virus it is he! But above all I miss his incoming, both his knack of finding those select oldies and the new models. Only one of his collection, thus far....gets my reject vote and it's not an IWC!

+1! I've been thinking the same for quite some time...

Well, I think that one could extend this question concerning many other members that in the past used to contribute regularly to the forum...when I joined the forum in early 2011, just two years ago, the members landscape was quite different, in terms of course of active members...many of these guys were/are with the forum since its inauguration in the early 2000's and I am quite that most of them do continue to visit the site...but, on a passive mode...
why actually??
greetings,
y

Hello Y,

Yes..hard to know why however in Shing's case ( IMO ) his enthusiasm, ability to bring forth documentation, comparisons, Photo's , links to support material all in such a prompt and timely fashion was dare I say expected from him as I believe his passion for watch collecting was overwhelming which reflected in his ability to assist the newbee to the seasoned whenever possible.. Shing's posts were broad in spectrum and covered many interests ( history, vintage, food, travel, photography, GTG's , etc.), topics that contribute to making this forum entertaining and quite addictive.

Like you Y, I too joined the Forum in early 2011 and have seen a number of members fade to black but generally it's a slowdown over a period of time and not a sudden drop off the radar such as Shing. My concern was that he was O.K. and that nothing serious had happened to him. From Michael's response, it sounds like that is not the case, thankfully.

I hope Shing is lurking and will have some time if possible to pop in occasionally and let us know how things are going.

Shing, if you are lurking, you are missed buddy.

Andy

Shing is alive and well and buying all kinds of watches and is still the IWC enthusiast. I have spoken by email and text with him on numerous occasions and he has decided to limit his participation on the Forum for the time being. I doubt you will see him posting here for the foreseeable future. And that is a great loss for all of us.

Thanks, Alan.

That is really a tremendous shame and a loss for all of us...

Shing, as Andy also said before me, you are missed!!!

Greg is right - Shing's case of the virus is the worst (or best?) I've ever seen.

I miss Shing and KS also, for the friendship I feel for them.

I also miss Paballa, Franco and all the forumers who started contributing since the beginning of the forum, German forumers included.

I guess that's life and this forum makes no exception.

It's up to those who remain to make it worth staying.

Sales of luxury watches dropped in Asia 25%, compared to last year. So the hype might be over, and this could also lead to the absence of some forum members. Just my guess.

just out of my personal curiosity- based on which source is this figure ??

See a prior post on recent sales in China.

www.iwc.com/forum/en/discussion/61285/?page=1#post_455863

A decline in sales does not need to deminish the interest of certain individuals in the brand, the watches and the forum community: I would be surprised if this would be the reason.

Kind regards,
Paul

Indeed Shing arrived with such amazing energy and intensity and since he is such a busy guy it must be hard to maintain such momentum.

The life of a forum sees people come and go all the time, for a variety of reasons. Some of my interests differ or have developed differently over the past decade. Very few people maintain the same intensity constantly.

Look at who has attended SIHH each of the past 10+ years --the group has morphed hugely. Look at the 2002 Collectors' Meeting in Schaffhausen --only a few remain, and they sometimes have been less active.

I still maintain that this is the best place in the world, by far, to explore and learn about IWC in depth. Facebook is fine, for what it is. But by definition its posts are much more superficial and its resources are limited. A lot of people simply show off with "see what I'm wearing today" posts. That's OK --it can be fun and interesting. But still, anyone who really wants to discuss IWC in depth needs to be here. They'll get more and better answers.

I tried to post the link two days ago, but IWC seems still busy verfying the link. It was written in the Neuen Zürcher Zeitung, and I was slightly wrong: The sales dropped not 25%, they dropped by even a third. All was published around "Baselworld".

He'll be back won't he? Just taking a break.