Horological Meandering

Hi All, It is my pleasure to present Gary G as our POTW. Gary has been a long term PuristS member and I must say that it has been a pleasure to see his Adventures in Watchland unfold, particularly amongst the independents. Gary has been very open in sha...  

It was obvious that you are a man of passion, but i didn't know you had so many passions! :) As for your tastes in watches, the least we can say is that you are eclectic. I see that we share one common target, my friend, with astronomical watches. Like yo... 

...in Parisian restaurants above all others! Thanks for the note -- let's make a point of having that meal soon -- and please feel free to call on me if you are in San Francisco! Best, Gary

cheers PAt

Even if one looks back at times and wonders why certain pieces seemed so appealing, the journey of discovering your personal style is well worth it! Best, Gary

...on so many fronts, Gary! I hope you keep travelling for many decades to come, and letting us know about it here!

With this welcoming community, it seems only natural to share all of the fun! Here's hoping that all of us have a great deal of good news to share in the years to come. Best, Gary

for Great Purist :) Although I'm watch nut that sculpture by Tammy Garcia just blew my mind and the vehicles are not shabby either :) Thank you for opening your doors to us. Best Damjan P.S. Of course thank you Andrew for another delight!

...is a huge talent and a lovely person to boot. She is represented by Blue Rain Gallery in Santa Fe -- if you are interested in learning more, ask for Leroy and tell him I sent you. Our ambition is to commission a clay vessel from Tammy sometime soon. Be... 

thanks for this fascinating insights into the 'working' of one of our core members. Gary, you seem to place particular emphasis on 'coherence' and 'personality'. Do they have the same importance for you if you are confronted with a piece from a mainstream... 

I will do my best to answer them... 1. The issue of coherence and brand personality absolutely play a role for me with regard to mainstream brands. For instance, I associate VC first and foremost with openworking, so my "top" VC watch is a Malte Squelette... 

at Bestetti : http://www.frecciabestetti.com/ amazing stuff!

I just love wearing that piece! Functional and really beautifully made. Thanks for the shoe tip -- those do look really tasty... Best, Gary

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and passions with us here! :) Best Blomman

It is a treat for me to interact with you and the other regular members here -- thanks for joining in! Best, Gary

I am going to make things difficult for you......Pplater went ballistically mental and muscle, and mutate into Incredible Hulk after consuming some questionable TWG nothing-to-do-with 1837 tea...storming into your home and threatening to destroy your prec... 

It has been a delight getting to know you, and I am looking forward to many happy years of association ahead. As for your question, a simple but perhaps unexpected answer: 1. The Master Ultra Thin given to me by my Wife 2. The antique pocket watch worn by... 

Thanks Andrew for the Purist-of-the-week with Gary! Thanks Gary for opening your door to us. Couldn't agree more with your last point! That should be exactly how every watch collector approach this hobby. With online access, information is too readily ava... 

As always, made me think! I did pick the KV, but some others were pretty close behind! I have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to meet the people and enjoy the watches. And, as you say, to discover my own preferences! Best, Gary

The pic. of the Doberman would make any potential intruder think twice. Good call IMO :) Thanks for a wonderful and enjoyable read. I see many areas where our interests coincide. Hoping to cross paths one of these days. :) Best Fernando

In person meetings with PuristS have always exceeded my expectations. As for safekeeping, between the bank safe deposit box, the gate, the alarm system, the Doberman, and shall we say other discouraging devices, we do our best to make ourselves quite unre... 

Great to get to know you better :-) S

Always great reading your posts and corresponding. Thanks for joining in! Best, Gary

...after reading your POTW interview, you remain one of the most interesting PuristS around, Gary! I'm glad I've gotten to know you a bit through this site, and meet you in person on a few occasions now. I think you are one of the most charitable PuristS,... 

I will look forward to meeting many times again in the future. I can smell that Double Delight from here! Even though the fragrant rises tend to be disease prone, I do love them. Thanks again, Gary

Double Delight rose! Photographed by yours truly at the International Rose Test Garden in Portland, Oregon recently. Cheers, Daos ...  

A definition of a Purist. Great taste for everything (watches, cars, food, art etc.) and a wonderful photograph. Well deserved POW. Nilo

I devour every photo you post, so your kind words mean a lot to me. Thanks so much for the other compliments, as well! Best, Gary

You know it's good: GHO. :-) Love your work, Gary. Cheers, pplater.

Still thinking back frequently and with pleasure to our recent storming of the Straits! I did attempt a few colorful turns of phrase in this post in your honor -- thanks for weighing in. Best, Gary

the prose and images are wonderful. Thanks for sharing a little bit more about yourself, Gary! Hope to spend more time with you soon. Best, CaliforniaJed

It was great fun hanging with you and the gang in LA -- will hope to see you again soon! Best, Gary

looking forward to meeting you one day! Thank you for sharing your passions and enriching this place!

Will look to find an opportunity for another trip to visit PuristS in your part of the world... Best, Gary

. . . a rock and roll rose, naturally ;-) . . . ...  

But I can guess which one brings you the most joy, Art. The rose reminds me a bit of the Fourth of July climber we have on the pergola -- I do like those variegated colors! Best, Gary

Thanks for your generosity, Gary, and for letting us see other facets of your life and your personality. The Observatoire would also be my favorite between your many wonderful watches. I biaised, off course. Still I love the combination of your piece. Bes... 

...it is still a great piece that brings lots of enjoyment! Thanks so much for your note -- I feel quite happy to share openly with you and the rest of the members here. Best, Gary

I am lucky to call Gary a good friend, and I have learned more about his varied passions here. For all of us on PuristSPro, hopefully watches will always be #1! Can't think of anyone more deserving of Purists-of-the-Week, though I think Gary might also qu... 

Many thanks for your very kind words. We've already had many great watch adventures together, and I'm eagerly anticipating many more! The FPJ tour was likely close to the top, but our visit to Lange and the one day of the year the famous bierkeller in Dre... 

This is something that I value as well, but have had a hard time pinning down the exact motivations that drive me. This was helpful to me in that regard, and as an aspiring collector I really enjoyed hearing about your experiences! Thanks! Brandon

Hope you enjoy the trip! If you have insomnia some night, you can search on this site for a too-long post I put up a while ago on the topic of "searching for coherence" (or something very much like that). It's all too rare that we find something where all... 

... we should (and NoCal Six) should meet again and know each other much more! Ken

My wife can spend 10 minutes with someone and learn more about them than I have picked up in 30 years of friendship -- I keep saying that it's a "guy thing," but perhaps it would be salutary if we all spent more time learning more about what makes each ot... 

seminars and meetings to find this most welcome article. Honest, Interesting and Passionate on a rare plateau. Very thoughtful questions Andrew, well done. You caught Gary in his real light and gave us all a real look at a great guy and world class Purist... 

...to Andrew! As you say, Tim, the questions were great -- fun to answer, but also provocative enough to take one's thinking down some unexpected avenues. Very pleased that you enjoyed the result! Great friends like you are the wonderful thing about this ... 

Now you've piqued my interest! Very pleased the questions stimulated your thinking, Gary. But it is the subject that is most important. The best interviewers in the world struggle in the face of a dull subject. And you are nothing of the sort! Thanks for ... 

...that you will just have to invite Tim to be POTW at some point if you want the full story -- which I have not witnessed first hand, so cannot provide further testimony :-) Thanks again for inviting me to participate in this very enjoyable effort, Andre... 

I have had the pleasure of getting to know Gary over the past few years, and it is always a pleasure everytime we have any interaction. A generous gentleman, who has excellent taste and is very happy to share, for which we as a group are very much better ... 

...I am quite sure that I will not be mentioned! You may be, however, and it should be known that you were the one who introduced me to independent watchmaking and our dear friend Peter Speake-Marin, along with Vianney, the McGonigles, Marco, the Habrings... 

Rather humbled and embarrassed by your kind remarks. As I often say, the reason I do what I do is because of the people involved and the relationships that ensue. I have a tremendous amount of admiration & respect for how you conduct yourself and that... 

this is as honest as it gets and i gravitate to that idea as well. potw... no surprise there, Gary. i subscribe very much to your "philosophy" and wish that i can ascribe those values from an AHCI perspective... alas, my wallet won't allow it and so i app... 

...I am deeply touched by your remarks, and appreciate your forthright comments on your own philosophy and preferences. It is always a pleasure to see your posts, and I very much appreciate your thoughts here. All the best, Gary

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Appreciate the kind words... Best, Gary

Thanks Gary and Andrew for this. It seems that I missed Gary when he was in Singapore. The best part of the interview for me was: Just because “everyone else” likes a certain piece doesn’t mean that it’s right for you. Oh – and please write about it here ... 

...we had not one, but two PuristS mods arranging events when pplater and I were in Singapore last month, and still you didn't get the word! Tsk tsk -- would have been great to spend time with you and many others of the Singapore notables, but I do unders... 

Gaz, Methinks you protesteth too much. Dinna worry; I missed you and not the other way around. Sorry, mate. Indeed, some 'orgasmic chappie' had given me a heads up a a month earlier but I was indisposed (my aunt had shrugged her mortal coil). Mayhaps next... 

And I will certainly hope to see you on a future visit! Hey -- maybe I should see if I can change my handle here to "Gazza..." Best, Gary

...to mention Ludovic? The man is quite literally larger than life (well, taller than I am, in any case) and his watches are wonderfully innovative, lovely to look at, and just all around fun. Ludovic and Masa, please forgive me! Best, Gary

... there's always another great watch out there! LOL Andrew

Purist of the Year in my opinion. Keep being an inspiration to us all.

I might be in the running for Purist of the Month, at least, if I could take just one wrist shot as good as any of yours! I really appreciate your kind comments, and will certainly continue to post here as long as folks seem interested in reading some of ... 

You know what you are buying. You shows appreciation and passion to those pieces. It is good to learn of your colourful life. Regards Ling

I very much appreciate your kind comments. Life never seems too colorful when one is living it, but I suppose I am having a good run so far! Best regards, Gary

...you are obviously a man of impeccable taste, and not just in timepieces. The next time you find yourself in Geneva, please let me know - I'd love to meet you and chat watches over lunch or a drink...! Have a great weekend. Cheers, Rob

I still feel bad that I did not visit with you this past January, but between watch events and 4 am calls each day with clients in Asia I was in a state of total physical collapse so did not join for my friend's visit with you this past January I will try... 

You are one passionate person Gary! Salut!

I am very pleased that you enjoyed it -- thanks again for your kind remarks. Best, Gary

... POTW threads, letting us know a little more about our Purists members and colleagues in passion. I read with much interest your approach to watch collecting... and wearing them, allowing to know more about you, your exquisite tastes (not only in watch... 

Isn't this ultimately the purpose of the journey, Abel? Thank you so much for these warm and thoughtful comments -- I have read them now several times and greatly appreciate them. Best, Gary

you have great taste in watches, cars, wine and pretty much everything else. i can understand the love for independents far more easily that others can understand my current theme which, like yours, is always open to change. best Graham

...that you did not take any whiff of criticism whatsoever from my mention of your collecting theme! I was very much trying to point out in a self-critical way that I lack the discipline and directed passion to make a concerted effort to stay with a speci... 

... really enjoy reading this POTW, especially it is talking about good friend Gary here. i can say his posts are one of the very few fellows here that i won't miss reading his every post. was of my honor of knowing Gary and Lorrie at IGOTT2 a year ago, t... 

It was our pleasure to get to know you just a bit at IGOTT last year, and I too remember your watch -- that lovely JLC MUT that is so understated yet has such a concentrated excellence to it. Thank you so much for your very kind remarks -- you are one of ... 

And to discover being a super in Opera as a joint pastime! Enjoyed that report very much - glad to have your digital company! Best Andreas

Yes, I suppose I should have used the term "super" or "supernumerary" rather than "extra" in my writeup about Opera, but I figured that the latter term might be more familiar to most! That is great fun -- and counter to instructions I did actually sing al... 

Many thanks for this interesting and insightful post. I consistently appreciate Gary's thoughtful, erudite and witty posts as well as his superlative photography - although some of the shots of the Double Splits are a source of sleeplessness. It does make... 

Erudite, eh? Many thanks for the kind words! I do enjoy doing watch photography -- and with watches like the DS Lange makes my task very easy... Best, Gary

Thanks you Andrew for this thread and the work, it's an excellent idea as Gary is a famous and active Pp participant. Gary, Your lifestyle reported here brings enthusiasm as we read this. I imagine everyone has good or bad days but you seem to always look... 

And my personal thanks to Gary, for a very interesting & informative insight into your life. As usual your photos are immaculate :) I have watched from afar as over the past few years you have added some marvellous and stunning pieces to your collecti... 

It is a pleasure being here and having the opportunity to interact with passionate collectors such as you. Here's to many more years of enjoyable correspondence! Best, Gary

I like your comparison between the Reverso RM and Papageno's music box -- we recently attended a very enjoyable production of this opera in San Francisco. Of course, there is always the chiming watch that plays a role in Die Fledermaus! Seems that in some... 

I really admire your passion and thorough enjoyment. Wish you thousands spectacular horological moments in your collecting life, and please share them with us as only you can do. Mo

I have followed your posts with considerable interest as well -- perhaps at some point I will have a chance to check out that lovely DeBethune! Best, Gary

Congratulations Gary! Nice to read a bit more about you.

Congratulations Gary! Nice to read a bit more about you.

Appreciate your note! Please drop me a line and let me know what you are up to...I understand that some change may be in the offing? Best, Gary

I only just happened to troll outside the VC forum today. We must catch up on cars and climbing! Wanna join me in Nepal next fall? I love your ethic of coherence; can it also be expressed as "truth"? I also love that interacting with people is your motivi... 

Being true to oneself is certainly equivalent to coherence for me, and closely related to my number one admired value, integrity. I will need to get in shape for Nepal! Two invitations for now -- one in the Spring for Imja Tse, and yours. Where will you b... 

although Manaslu is also under consideration. Many choices in the neighbourhood :-)

Just an easy stroll up an 8000er, eh? I do think that Cho Oyu is a beautiful peak, and the views from there must be astounding -- of course, in that part of the world there are many wonderful views. Keep me informed, please! Best, Gary

Errr, I mean Citizen 14, Thanks for sharing with us your thoughts and collections, not just in this post but over the course of your many contributions to this site. And also privately over our several PMs. When I can, I try to never miss the chance to lo... 

...you will be top of the list! I am just now embarking on a series of lessons with a professional watch photographer, so hope to add some new techniques and improve current ones. Thanks very much for your very kind message. Best, Gary

find out more about your Gary and great photos too!! Cheers Andrew

I'll hope to have more time to get to know you in future than that one short walk across the bridge in Geneva -- in the meantime, I continue to follow your posts here with great interest! Best, Gary

well done Gary for your contribution and valuable knowledge to this forum. A gentleman with impeccable taste, which I wish to own many of your collection someday. I thank you again to have known you, met you and brought the watch from other continent. wou...