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Horological Meandering

What I took home from IGOTT2

 

Aside from a few extra pounds and the joy of personally interacting with the other participants, I really feel that I came away from the gathering with a changed perspective on watchmaking.

I fall into that large group of people who may never be able to do more than admire some of the more exotic creations that were on display. That doesn't prevent me from enjoying them, but I learned that there is more to it:

1. The watches are much more personal than I thought. They are expressions of what their creators want to be as artists and watchmakers. This is true of both independent and company watches. The fanciest watches are not invented to make money, they are invented as a means of self-expression.

2. I have missed my chance to meet Ver Meer or Brahms, but I can meet these people, see the light in their eyes, and gain an understanding of the relationship between the creator and the product.

3.  Even those of us who are not directly a part of the market for those watches benefit the watchmakers by understanding, caring about, providing feedback and communicating about them. Buying is not the only way to be a genuine participant in the top end of the watch industry.

Bottom line: when talking about watches, we frequently hear it said that "it's all about the people." I now understand the truth of that statement much more deeply than I did before. Thanks to all of you who shared the experience.

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