Amanico recounts a memorable road trip from Las Vegas to Costa Mesa, intertwining his travel experiences with his passion for Jaeger-LeCoultre. His narrative captures the essence of discovery, from unexpected JLC sightings to the majestic landscapes of the American West. This article highlights the community's enthusiastic response to his journey, celebrating the spirit of adventure and horological appreciation.
If I remember correctly, I think I already wrote, two years ago, that travelling by car was one of the best way to travel.
You take your time, which is mandatory on the US highways as the speed is low, there, and you enjoy the landscape.
Sometimes, you fall on huuuuge surprises.
For example, I didn't know that JLC openened a Boutique at some 100 Miles from Vegas, in what seems to be a very quite place.
I even noticed that they made the best Gyros in the US ( well, they don't specify if it the One, the Two or the Three, by the way ), and that the watchmaker had a strange nickname, " The Mad Greek ".
A place to visit, for all the JLC Fans, for sure!
We went out the highway and decided to take the small roads, which will allow you to discover some magic landscapes.
You immediately feel how human been are unsignificantly small, in front of such a majestic and palatial decorum:
Luckily, my wrist feels greater than myself, with a real watch on it:
There is another reason to our decision to take the small roads...
We wanted to go to the Joshua Tree Park.
There are a few names which strike the imagination of a small french guy like me, and especially two of them: Hotel California, as I adored the front cover of the most famous and eponymous Eagles Album, but no one could tell me where it was and if it ever existed, and... The Joshua Tree, which is well known since it features on one of the U2 Album.
So, we went to the Joshua Tree Park, and took some nice photos, with, sometimes, a touch of madness.
The Joshua Tree Park makes me think about a Western Movie. You always have the sensation that Tuco will come just behind you.
Or in front of you, like Yves Meylan, my friend from JLC, did, on this photo, for a duel with a camera:
The only thing is that I still wonder what is, exactly, the Joshua Tree, as I found too many!
The place doesn't seem to see rain, too often...
But it can also reserve some nice surprises:
The mandatory palm tree shot!
And your Moderator at work, photographed by Yves Meylan:
A last wrist shot, before riding our faithful mechanical horse for Costa Mesa:
Aaah, in the car, the driver wore a Duometre, too... There are some guys who have all the luck in the world!
Costa Mesa... We had a party at the JLC Boutique, there, with some of the members of the So Cal Gang.
It seems that Tuco was part of the party and that he forgot the watch on the palm tree. He also seems to be a bit jet lagged...
And here the usual suspects, well, a small part of them! ( Credit picture: Our Dear Tim Jackson )
As I often said, a good and fine watch brings you a lot of pleasure. No doubt that the UTT is one of them.
But the pleasure wouldn't be complete if it is not shared with good friends... And yes, I had the pleasure to meet a lot!
Here are two pictures of the dinner:
Stay tuned for the last part of the trip... Or of the dream.
Best,
Nicolas.
