Ref 2000 by RAVE

Many forum members burst through the 2000 mark years ago but for me it is an important milestone.

I have not posted as often I had hoped. An IT change at work put Glamour and Fashion sites out of bounds. I had to point out that we're talking Richemont not Primark and porn. After a year or so, the Richemont sites were visible at work. Richemont was a 20% shareholder in my employer. I reckon that cost me at least 300 posts.

The Forum has been a fantastic source of facts about IWC. From the the trivial to the fundamental. We have to thank MF and many of the members who have made the Forum what it is today. No matter how obscure the question may be, someone will throw in an answer in good faith.

The Uhren virus is a problem and we all lust after one watch or another. Whether it is the original Big Pilot supplied to the Luftwaffe or the latest BP perpetual calendar with a blue dial, there's no shortage of support from other Forum members to justify pulling the trigger.

The IWC Forum is unique amongst various watch brand websites. Is it the brand? Is it the Moderator? Is it the watches and Probus Scafusia? Is it the Forum Members? I think it's a sum that far exceeds the constituent parts.

For me, it has provided the opportunity to meet so many collectors from around the world in person and on the Forum. To meet a complete stranger and to comfortably fall into conversation about IWC watches and all manner of things is a great benefit we all get from the Forum.

The Forum has been a great source of pleasure and an opportunity to meet and make so many friends. I am so grateful to you all for friendship and hospitality.

Since 2004, when I first started to lurk on the Forum, I have picked up a few watches along the way and honed some photography skills. There is still room for more watches, friends and improved photography skills.

A flavour of the last 2000 posts.

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/8102829393/)
DSCF1480 by Rave IR, on Flickr

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/7988937851/)
DSCF0088 by Rave IR, on Flickr

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/7956059056/)
DSCF0105 by Rave IR, on Flickr

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/7956054552/)
DSCF0085 by Rave IR, on Flickr

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/7943601190/)
IMG_0174 by Rave IR, on Flickr

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/5822298814/)
Wempemove by Rave IR, on Flickr

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/5501907047/)
IMG_1186 by Rave IR, on Flickr

[](www.flickr.com/photos/39364551@N04/5482213417/)
IMG_1104 by Rave IR, on Flickr

Thanks for looking.

Cheers,

Rave

Congratulationns for your 2000th post. I consider you to be a great friend. Michèle my partner hears about you all the time ....... "it was Ralph who showed my his white dialed GST Aquatimer"......."It was Ralph who allowed me to wear his Big Pilot watch in Schaffhausen" ..... "It was Ralph who gave me his Jubilee Portuguiser to try on on the bus in Geneva"...... And otherstoo.....that led me to buy the same watches as Ralph. These were all ok ! It was when I said that "it was Ralph who insisted that we have another drink at the bar well after midnight" that seemed to be the behavior that disappoint her the most- about me !

I look forward to many more times together - here on the forum and around the world.

Congratulations Ralph! You chose some very nice photos for your 2000th post. Thanks for sharing them.

Congrats Rave on your 2000th post and I look forward to many more to come.

Cheers,

Ben

Happy 2000. I am proud to be among the Forumers who count RAVE as a great friend. We've met in NYC, Geneva, and Schaffhausen. It's always a pleasure to hear your IWC stories and oogle your fantastic collection. More importantly, it's a pleasure to have met and enjoyed the company of Mrs Rave, Maureen.

Congratulations on your milestone, so many watches in that post and so many beauties there to cherish. I have seen a selection of them in the metal and they are all part of a fine collection belonging to a great guy who is a fountain of knowledge and seems to have the ability to spot an IWC from many many paces.
Here's to the next 2000 posts plus the odd gtg and all that that entails!

Congratulations Ralph, I am looking forward to more posts and hopefully another meeting in real life? Your picture of Bill with the baseball cap was taken the same day as I took these:

The friendships originated via this Forum are truly remarkably and this is what makes this such a great place.

Kind regards,

Clemens

Congratulations. Love this post! Such a pleasure to have met you - hope we can meet again soon.

Most sincere congratulations, Ralph! It is always a pleasure to read and view your contributions here.

Ralph,

Great pictures. It has been a great ride on the Forum. The friendships are the best part. Hope to meet up with you again.

Congratulations on the milestone. I hope to get the opportunity to meet you when you pass through Singapore shortly and contribute in some way to your future posts.

Congrats Ralph - great meeting up in Hong Kong, and thanks for the inspiration for the ref 5251 - you are the clear starting / igniting point for my quest for that great grail !

Email me on ralphedmondson@btinternet.com

Many congratulations, Ralph!

For your 2000 posts, for your watch collection and the brilliant photos!

This forum is truly great. Looking forward for your next 2000.

Ralph,
Congratulation on your achievement! It has been a great pleasure to have made your friendship over the last two years or so. I espically enjoyed our dinners together in Geneva and NYC w your wife. Look forward to my more posts from "rave".

Best regards,
Kevin

Great to have you here and meet you also in person!

Congrats on this significant milestone, looking forward to the next achievement!

Excellent. Congratulations.
BTW, what kind of fish is that trying to escape from the net? :-)

Ralph, I always look forward to your contributions and congratulate you on your 2000th post. It would be a great pleasure to meet you one day! Thanks for the array of wonderful photos...special watches and special people!