This was my first watch-related GTG and I had a great time talking shop with other collectors and the representatives from Bulgari. My personal favorites on the night were the Octo Quadri-Retro models and the Tourbillon Saphir, a piece I was hitherto completely unaware of. I was particularly impressed with the crisp lines and angles of the casework across the Octo lineup. I am slightly less-impressed with the size of the precious metal premium nowadays, but this is certainly not an issue exclusive to Bulgari.
Looking at the current export statistics published on the FH website, it looks like us Canucks do not consume as many Swiss watches on a per-capita basis as our American neighbours. However these raw figures do not account for individual factors such as differences in our tourism industries as well as pricing and taxation issues. The watch enthusiast community is definitely alive and well in Toronto!