Amanico's reflection on 15 years as a moderator for WatchProSite offers a unique look into the dedication required to foster a thriving online community. His journey, rooted in friendship and a deep passion for horology, highlights the evolution of digital watch collecting spaces. This piece provides valuable context for understanding the enduring appeal and collaborative spirit of the Jaeger-LeCoultre forum under his stewardship.
It is a long story of friendship which led me to accept the Moderator's functions...
In December 2006, I registered on our WatchProSite new platform ( I was already active on our former website called The PuristS two years before ). This is the moment I met for the first time some of our members, like our dear Dje, Bill, and Simon ( Slamb ) in Paris.
Old friends: Emilio and Oliver, with Bill:
In the middle of the year 2007, Bill asked me if I was ok to take the moderation of one of our sub forums. It took me some months to think about that. Indeed, at that time, the only brands I would be interested in moderating were Ulysse Nardin, Girard Perregaux or Jaeger Lecoultre.
The first two were brilliantly animated by Marcus Hanke ( Ulysse Nardin ) and Peter CDE ( Girard Perregaux ), and Jaeger Lecoultre by our talented friend Jerome ( Dje ) so I didn't see a possibility for me to accept such a function.
Then, Jerome told me that he was leaving the Jaeger Lecoultre moderation to " take " Patek Philippe... I contacted the Manufacture to be sure that they would be ok to collaborate and to help me have contacts with some of the people " inside ". The Green light was given to me very quickly, in the very first days of January 2008.
Indeed, moderating a brand is possible AND interesting only if you have contacts who will provide you with deeper information and news than just those you can find in the press releases, if you can visit the Manufacture, speak with the watchmakers, designers, product development people, those in charge of the vintage department and so on.
The inauguration of the Heritage Gallery, in 2007:
I can say that Jaeger Lecoultre remarkably played the game. I was invited several times a year at the Manufacture, attended some crazy events, went at the SIHH each year ( since 2006, so even before being a moderator ), I even had the chance to see the birth of some projects, such as the Gyrotourbillon 2 and 3, the Tribute to Polaris, Deep Sea Alarm and Geophysic, for example.
The Polaris adventure:
The Tribute To Deep Sea Saga:
Another strong moment, the celebration of the Manufacture's 180th anniversary, in Paris, in 2013:
I could meet all the different CEOs, from Jerome Lambert to Catherine Renier and witness all the changes at the Manufacture with some new buildings and extensions, and foster some strong relations with some people there.
At Le Mans Race, in 2009
At the Reverso Soirée, in 2021 in Paris:
I have to say that the relations between our website and Jaeger Lecoultre were excellent since the first days of The PuristS, as WE and THEM had the chance to have some excellent moderators, like Jaw and Dje. These gentlemen and friends were the two who initiated the project, I just tried to go into their paths. They have all the merit there.
Our Dje, at work:
And, last but not least, one of the highlights from past year, our WatchProSite visit of the Manufacture!
I would say that moderating such a brand is only pleasure. Writing reviews, animating the forum is a great and rewarding experience, after all these years. Especially with such a great Community.
A pleasure and an honor.
Let's keep this place as good as it was, thanks to the help of everybody.
All the best,
Nicolas
