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MTF's post chronicles 'PuristS On Tour (POT) 2008 Part 1,' detailing the International Gathering Of The Tribes (IGOTT) in Geneva. This article captures the essence of community, bringing together watch enthusiasts from around the globe to share their passion and explore the world of horology, including a special dinner with independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen and Rolex watchmakers.
PuristS On Tour (POT) 2008 Part 1:
International Gathering Of The Tribes (IGOTT) - First Contact
We gathered from the three main regions of global WIS-dom (The Americas, Europe and Asia) on the first Sunday of October. For most of us, it was the first time to meet and put anonymous faces to the screen-names that we have known for years on both ThePuristS and PuristSPro forums. "Oh? So you're DRMW...."
We had invited Stephanie A. of Piaget to join the PuristS First Contact Dinner; Stephanie had organised our 2-day programme with Piaget. It was a drizzly evening walk to the Brasserie Lipp, where we found a few surprise guests that Thomas Mao had arranged to join us for dinner - Kari Voutilainen and some Rolex watchmakers. We truly cover the spectrum of horology as PuristS....
IGOTT - First Contact Cheers!
BRASSERIE LIPP GENEVA SPECIALITIES
A good time was had by all as we got to know each other in-person and I will leave it to the foodies to describe the delights but I have to point out the house specials:
Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni
Souris d'agneau confite; Gratin de pomme de terre aux cèpes. Jus à la sarriette et au thym
In it's cast iron casserole pot
Souris d'agneau confite; Gratin de pomme de terre aux cèpes. Jus à la sarriette et au thym
On the plate
Mille-feuille Lipp à la crème légère
Complete with guarantee card and instruction manual
WATCHES
Let's look at the watches at one end of the table. I am sure others will post the watches at the other end....er....where Kari was sitting.
Spot the PuristSPro ABR Ltd Edn watch?
Most of the PuristS present were owners and we sold two more by the end of the trip!
AP was pretty popular with this group too.
The famous PuristS' Edition of Beat Haldimann's Central Tourbillon
PuristS' inspired domed sapphire crystal that made the central tourbillon seem to float in the middle of the dial
Donald Corson No. 1, 2 and 3 watches all at one table
Limited Edition Montblanc pen with retractable nib
We shared some drinks and watch talk before Kari had to leave; he had driven for hours to join us for dinner and had the same long drive back.
Thanks Kari for making those long drives to join us - a true gentle-man and Purist.
Most of us also went to bed early for we had an early start to the Jura mountains the next day.....
To be continued in Part 2.
Regards,
MTF
This message has been edited by MTF on 2008-11-12 08:48:18
The Piaget Manufacture Tour was a fantastic trip. Special thanks to ThomasM and MTF for organizing such a fun event. And also thanks to Philippe Léopold-Metzger - CEO of Piaget, his assistant Stephanie, and the whole Piaget team for their warm hospitality throughout the entire visit. There were some amazing watches being shared around the table at Brasserie Lipp. Here's a wristshot of the Purists' edition of the Beat Haldimann central tourbillon: And since Kari was a guest, there was a Voutilain
event though I've been "around the world" since! I hope the participants were able to learn something about the fantastic watchmaking heritage of Piaget, who has really been a "victim of its own success" in the area of high jewelry and jewelry watches. Most have forgotten, or never really knew, just how deep and long a true watchmakers tradition runs in the Piaget history, which produced the legendary 9P and 12P movements, among many others. Great friends, great food, great wine, and great watch
What a wonderful group of people we had! A few more pics of day 1 It was a beautiful day in Geneva on the day we arrived. You can see the peak of Mont Blanc from the hotel room. The atmosphere in Brasserie Lipp was amazing for our first dinner together as a group. Great food: Wonderful watches:
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