Ok guys – this is the serious post…
Serious watches ahead...
Warning - reading this post could seriously damage your wealth...
Seriously, I'm serious...
Yes folks - it is the one you have been waiting for...
TAMPA GTG – DAY 3 – THE GTG!
Ladies AND Gentlemen ("guys"),
First of all, apologies for the lateness of this report - it took longer to write than I anticipated because as I wrote and drafted and re-drafted, new stuff just kept coming to me...
I hope you think it was worth the wait...
This post has taken me 11 hours work in total to get here.
And it only takes a year to make a Rolex LOL!
This was a BIG day - so the pictures are also BIGGER today (800 x 600) rather than 640 x 480...
Is anyone else feeling this is a BIG day?
I knew my Gucci cufflinks were not "excess baggage" LOL!
I have also "played with" a few of the event pictures in software to lighten them up a little as it was pretty dark in the restaurant - just dark enough to fall in love...
As "a certain forum member" knows - every successful campaign has its own commemorative Zippo lighter
Do you think this GTG deserves one of those?
I do!
Shot on "Rolex Green" of course ;-)
By the way "certain forum member" - I look forward to seeing you in the UK in February for a guided tour with a stop at Temple Street ;-)
Fancy a little H.I.T. - Mentzer style? ;-)
RIGHT...
Let's get this show on the road...
Milos guns the engine of the M3 dead on time - his watch is COSC certified you know...
So...
I take the opportunity to shoot Charles' Platinum Beauty - the dial is a particularly nice shade of blue today, as it basks in the Floridian sun...
Back on the road with Milos at the wheel...
I think we need a close up of that diamond dialled piece of Swiss art don't we guys?
Ok - this day (of ALL days) I was out of memory space and my new stick was lost - so there are fewer pictures from me - so a BIG thank you to the rest of the guys for covering "my end" at the GTG - however there are less "casual" pictures.
(I had my camera out of its case so much that Milos, Milton and Charles were quite used to the sound of ripping Velcro by the end of the vacation!)
So...
We talked watches over breakfast...
We talked watches in the car...
We went to the mall to meet the guys...
We talked watches at the mall...
We ate lunch...
We talked watches over lunch...
We went to a few of the AD's who were kindly sponsoring the event...
We saw some FABULOUS things - not just watches...
We saw necklaces, platinum and diamond set rings and many other of my favourite things.
The quality of jewellery on display at Mayors for example was what I can describe only as "exquisite". Maria and Donna - I hope you managed to clean up the drool from the store - sorry about that - not used to seeing such gorgeous things in the UK (the jewellery wasn't bad either) ;-)
Maria and Donna of Mayors kindly donated Rolex hats, Rolex bags, Rolex paper pads, and a bunch of Selivit clothes for our GTG - THANK YOU GUYS!
Going from AD to AD it felt like a "mini Basel" show - and best of all...
The AD's had rolled out the red carpet (with gold leaf thread)...
FOR US!
I mean serious Kudos to Milos for his organisational skills!
Although behind every great man there is also a great woman - in this case, not only a great woman, but a great and beautiful woman...
Milos' lovely wife Iveta - and Iveta is truly amazing - those two make a great team...
If Milos is the quarterback then Iveta is the Kick Returner
She was always there to back us up and make sure we were driving in the right direction (sometimes literally!)
So - HUGE - thanks to Milos and Iveta because...
This was not just "make a post on Timezone - book a room and see who turns up"
Oh no...
This was run with military precision, precise Swiss timekeeping and EVERYTHING went to plan.
I mean I have worked on small and large projects before in a professional capacity (hundreds of millions of dollars). I have studied PRINCE2 (PRojects In Controlled Environments) I have studied SSADM (Structured Systems Analysis And Design Methodology) etc etc.
I kinda know something about "good project management"...
This GTG (in fact all the days we were there) ran smoother than a newly serviced Rolex back from the Bexley, London RSC ;-)
I take off my Timezone cap (kindly supplied by Charles) to you guys!
We get to the event, and our sponsors are already there, set up and waiting.
Jeffrey P Hess of Ball Watch reading something - proving that even the co-author (with this forum's very own James M Dowling) of the legendary book "The Best of Time" still reads about watches!
"The Best of Time - Rolex Wristwatches - An Unauthorised History" Published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd, 4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310 USA - ISBN 0-7643-2437-3
Perhaps he likes to "Keep on the Ball" as we say in the UK? ;-)
I'm sorry Jeff but that name is just SO good that even I will get sick of my own puns in about... oh... when is my Yacht Master due for a service? ;-)
Now, at this point some of the GTG attendees were foolishly trying to spend their own hard earned dollars by buying a beer or two...
This proved to be impossible because...
Until 10 PM...
THE DRINKS WERE FREE - COURTESY OF BALL WATCH!
I mean - does this get much better?
Oh yes it does - look at our beautiful waitresses!
I hope you guys remembered to tip these ladies, because they were amazing.
Sorry it is a BAD picture - and if anyone has a better one of these two lovely ladies - I would VERY MUCH appreciate a copy - please e-mail me - I was out of memory stick space remember? I started deleting some of the darker pictures later in the night - but that was AFTER the GTG :-(
A HUGE thank you to Jeff and the guys at Ball Watch for their support and generosity - you really went the extra mile guys.
We really appreciate this - not only do you help to "keep the lights on" here at Timezone - you also lend your support to events like this in a BIG way.
Ok - some of you know I have another reason to thank Jeff Hess and Ball Watch - but more about that later ;-)
Next up we have...
Stephanie and Richard from Avant Gold who had brought "a few" Rolex (as in "A few US Army Rangers are fairly tough"), "A few" Panerai (as in "a Patek Tourbillion costs a few bucks") and supplied an armed guard...
Although I am not quite sure if the armed guard was for the watches or for Stephanie - as she looked gorgeous and there were a couple of single guys in the room - some of them were crazy, I mean rumour has it that one of them flew over from the UK to be there ;-)
In fact, if you look at this again - the guard DOES seem to be watching over Stephanie!
I heard a Glock clearing leather...
"Put the gun away man, I'm just reaching for my beer!"
Phew... it was only Milton's camera!
A few of the "goodies" kindly brought in by Avant Gold, who also donated some prizes to the raffle, like "A few" Panerai goodies - by now you're on the same page as me vis a vis what these guys call "A few" - right?!? THANKS GUYS!
And then...
Richard from Avant Gold talks to John Brozek from Quality Tyme about the book John wrote "The Rolex Report" and John's revolutionary new light box which uses a unique full light spectrum tube...
Milos' BIG buddy Harry Gostivari (yes there was more than one Harry there!) of A&M Watch Service - Milos and Harry were in the same refugee camp when they first came to the USA and are best buddies - here is a pic of the two of them together...
Harry Gostivari kindly donated a few free watch services for the raffle.
I overheard Milos here talking to Byron - Milos was saying:
"Look man, the GTG is a cool event - I give you these raffle tickets - you give me that Patek 5101P - deal?"
"See - look - I am entering my collection in the raffle - there it is on the table - honestly man - they are all going in - you stand a good chance!"
"Milos - it's a FREE raffle man!"
Here are a few more of the goodies going into the raffle...
"Come on Byron - it is ONLY a quarter of a million dollar watch buddy! I promise to post a great review on the Patek forum..."
CharlesN explains to Sarasota and his charming wife how to set and wind the Harwood...
You know Sarasota - your wife knows more about watches than most of the guys I know - AND she really is a lovely, genuine lady, you are truly blessed.
Milos, Damon (Omega Forum Moderator) and Art from Orlando...
Iveta, Milton, Milos and Verchel pose for the camera...
Verchel - that was a BEAUTIFUL beach Daytona you had on - good luck with "the set" and good luck with the "other Daytona" we spoke about ;-)
Oh and, if you ever get the chance, I would love to see some pics of your Omega X-33 - perhaps on the back of a Harley? ;-)
Talking of vehicles...
Avant Gold also brought in a couple of Ferraris!
I don't know if you guys have seen these watches "in the metal" - but they are made by Panerai for Ferrari BUT they don't have the Panerai name on the dial and the case and dial design is reminiscent of the Ferraris they are inspired by, as you can see by the catalogue just in shot at the bottom.
These are a perfect fusion of Italian design and Swiss craftsmanship.
Very nice pieces indeed - and they look better in person that in photos.
So... see one in person!
Sorry - I just can’t help myself...
Our very own "Diamond Girl" from Avant Gold...
(BTW - that is a COOL name!)
Harry Gostivari and Kevin...
Kevin - I have not forgotten what I said over dinner - and I have to catch the post tomorrow (well, in a few hours LOL!)
My "Hologram Removal" tutorial went down a treat...
Look at Charles' face - I think he has finally figured out how to adjust his Day Date back and forward an hour ;-)
"Right... so you throw away the green sticker and keep the watch? D'oh!"
Sorry...
Milton explains that...
"In LA, on first meeting someone from out of town it is customary to give them a Rolex... that's a nice Prez you're wearing man..."
"Let me get this straight Byron... when the big hand is on the 12 and the little hand is on the 3 it is time for a GTG?" ;-)
Ok - I am sure you guys have seen "Quick and Dirty" shots of watches before...
THIS is a "quick and dirty shot" as interpreted by John Brozek's light box - this took 30 seconds to shoot (including time spent cleaning the watch)...
This is also shrunk like crazy and posted at 90% of original quality from my $400 five mega pixel camera!
The back of my head on the extreme right as I indulge another one of my passions - Panerai...
Sadly, neither my Panerai nor these two fine Cuban specimens could make it to the USA...
Still, my Panerai was smokin' back in the UK - 5 hours behind sunny Florida ;-)
I think the loves of Milos' life are:
1) Iveta and his wonderful family
2) Patek
3) Rolex
I mean - look at that INSANE grin!
Matthew was teasing me with that Jumbo Steel Aquanaut - my favourite Patek...
Naughty boy Matthew - now let me try it on again... please? ;-)
Ok - perhaps I missed something from the list after Iveta? ;-)
Isn’t it AMAZING how watches can bring people together? I mean here I am thousands of miles from my hometown, with people I had never met until 2 days before this and I already feel like I have made some life long friends...
Milos brings Iveta and Verchel together...
Verchel - again buddy - VERY nice beach Daytona! WHY oh WHY did Rolex discontinue these lovely watches? :-(
Time for a few speeches and the raffle as Charles and Milton recruit Art from Orlando into "The Tampa Crew" - of course in order to be a full member you have to be "Double Wristed" in a strange and secret ceremony known as "Going to your AD with your buddies and a credit card..."
I can not reveal more - I have said too much already...
Jeff Hess had kindly donated an AUTOGRAPHED copy of "The Best of Time" to the raffle - I mean AWESOME!
Sorry again...
John Brozek had kindly donated signed copies of his book "The Rolex Report" to the raffle as well as offering to take free pictures with his new light box and e-mail them to the owner of the watch...
Damon (Omega Forum Moderator here on Timezone) thanked all the sponsors for their assistance and generosity.
Damon, thanks for getting Ball watch on board with this event!
And the prize of a Ball Watch each goes to...
Byron and Harry ;-) That's me, Harry, by the way! I am not normally a lucky guy - but throughout the vacation I felt so lucky I almost wished we were in the Luxor! The sun, my fellow WIS, the food, the "can do" attitude of the American people...
I think we need a close up of that Ball Watch right?
Look - she still has the factory stickers on her!
Of course, this meant I had to walk through the "Red Channel" at HM Revenue and Customs when I got home - but hey - WHO CARES? She is street legal, she is beautiful and she is mine ;-)
By the way - I took her to opening night of the new "James Bond" film on Thursday and the tritium vials on the dial are AMAZING. I mean - I could see the time all the way through the movie (I like to know things like "what time it is" - I am sure you guys can relate!)
Oh - you got me - I also took her to dinner tonight where she met another "Orange" friend ;-)
The other friend got camera shy for the second shot - for the first shot, she had really opened up to the Ball Watch...
Milos hanging with the guys from Ball Watch...
It didn't take long to give most of this away...
And before we knew it we were heading out of the restaurant and on to something else that Milos had organised as he pushed a blue and white ticket into my hand...
I hope everyone there had a great time - I know I certainly did and I would like, once again, to thank all our sponsors without whose help, this event would not have been the success it was...
In alphabetical order, the sponsors of this Timezone event were...
A&M Watch Service
Avant Gold
Ball Watch
Mayors
Quality Tyme
Of course, HUGE thanks to Timezone for being the BEST watch site on the Internet, and our moderators James Dowling and Dave Knoll for allowing me to post this report.
Both my Grandfathers served in WWII and so I'd also like to say a personal thank you to Rolex Ranger - because if it wasn't for the sacrifices of men and women like him, neither you or I would have the freedoms we enjoy today.
Sometimes when we are worrying about that scratch on the new bracelet or the length of a stick marker on a dial, it is too easy to take those freedoms for granted. For those who serve, it is never easy and we should remember that.
"By Land, Sea or Air" buddy.
Kudos to each and every one of you!
And so we head out the door and things are moving fast - the Lightning are playing the Thrashers and time is precious - we have already missed Rolex Ranger's buddy, Chris, dropping the puck on Veteran's day as we were eating the great food at the restaurant served by those lovely ladies...
Here we go...
Of course, I had to produce ID to get into the game- so I produced my Passport and told the guard "I have come a LONG way for this game man, you gotta let me in!"
Things were moving fast and it was a bit of a blur...
Look at this stadium - beautiful!
What struck me was that this is a FAMILY event - there were young children with their parents, boyfriends and girlfriends, young and old.
Charles and I commented on that to each other several times.
Draw what conclusions you will about the UK from that, and don't get me wrong - Charles and I both love our country.
Rolex Ranger - here is a pic of your buddy on the big screen I snapped for you...
Let's look at the action...
The Lightning WIN!
I was trying to take a stable picture of this for my buddies back home, but there was some "Wild and Crazy Guy" in a Blue Shirt wearing a Patek jumping up and down behind me ;-)
Fortunately, Milton's camera had an Incablock shock absorber ;-)
Is this going to get ANY better?
Oh yes...
So... we pose for a quick "Victory Shot" in the stadium set against the background of the American and Canadian flag...
And head off to "This quiet little restaurant" that Milos knows...
That is Milos' buddy John with his arm around me - now I don't know if you can appreciate how POWERFUL this ex Marine is...
Two seconds before this shot, Milos and myself were sitting upright, then John leans over and pulls me in a friendly way and Milos follows like a jubilee bracelet link as I had my arm around his shoulder for the wrist shot...
John wasn't into watches (he may be now!) so I offered to let him try my fully linked 40mm Yacht Master on. It wouldn't even go over his HAND!
Seriously!
I am sure you have all seen this picture...
And are aware of how Milton got "busted"...
Well, you have to be careful with Milton...
See what I mean? ;-)
I say to Milos "Hey look man - Oysters on the menu"
Quick as you like, we're laying down watches on the table like we're dealing cards in Vegas...
I explain to John why he needs a Rolex...
We are visited by a local Rolex Rep and she explains to Bill and Kevin how to get on the waiting list for a new Stainless Steel Daytona at retail...
"Just sign here, Sir"
Apparently, the next serial will have the new "Lifesaver" dial she tells them.
Of course, I overhear this.
GET ME ON THE LIST TOO!
She was telling me that she "had to wait a long time for... the ONE" and she "had to kiss a lot of frogs before finding a golden Prince" - how what she was doing was "expensive but worth it" or something... and that "the big day" was in 7 days time...
Me? I was too busy kickin' it with my buddies to take notice of when she was getting "the call" from her AD and how many Sub LV's she'd flipped to get an 18k Rolex Prince Chronograph over retail ;-) I hope for her sake that this one's a keeper ;-)
We close our tab, tip our lovely and patient waitress (twice) and head back to the hotel...
Arriving at 2:19 AM Florida time - which is like 7:19 AM to Charles and myself.
YES - I said 2:19 AM - which goes to show, just because you can set a Patek annual calendar, does not mean you can set the dashboard clock in a BMW M3 ;-)
Result - GTG a resounding success - Thrashers Thrashed in Tampa - Harry on the waiting list for a Stainless Steel Daytona at retail - everyone a winner ;-)
Sorry about the delay in getting this post out.
If you were there - I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.
If you weren't there - I hope you wish you had been.
Either way - remember the next one...
!!! May 19th 2007 @ 3PM EST in NEW YORK CITY !!!
Same rules apply...
- STRICTLY INVITE ONLY -
i.e. YOU ONLY HAVE TO INVITE YOURSELF...
...to the party!
...see you in the Big Apple!
All the best,
Harry
As usual...
Hope you all enjoyed this one - it was a pleasure to write!
Comments welcome
(nt) comments are also welcome - especially nice ones!
Sorry...
;-)