Comments:
This is the last watch he officially (;-)) completed in his active career . It was a very touching moment for Paul (and for me to take part) to see his last creation finished - more on this piece later, promised!
Well, it appears like both Paul Gerber and his wife Ruth needed a separate call to order...
This is how nice people should look like...!!!
But what about the seating arrangements? Well, being invited by a master watchmaker you can be sure that this will be taken care of by a mechanical solution to the problem... Quite rightfully so, although the tiny machines caused quite a bit of curiosity!
But others were faster...
As many of you probably know, Paul Gerber is an avid control-line model plane pilot (image taken from my 2011 report):
Precious memories shared with friends!
So: three cheers (for Paul)!
Friendship, an evening well filled with it, and more to come! Paul Gerber in the midst of Andreas Strehler and clock maker Matthias Naeschke - embraced by yours truly:
Paul wants to express his sincere thanks to PuristSPro...
This message has been edited by Ornatus-Mundi on 2015-03-06 05:32:30
Congratulations: Paul Gerber turns 65! Retirement age? Well, depends on definition...*)
Many of the great masters were considered monoliths of excellence, being always there and this since ages, and they were thought to stay forever. But then, somewhere deep inside they share features with us mere mortals, and one of them is called: retirement age!
Earlier this year, Master Watchmaker Paul Gerber - famed for his ultra complicated Piguet/Müller/Gerber watch (which earned him a mention in the Guinness Book of Records as the most complicated wristwatch in the world), his multi-rotor automatics and many, many pieces more, finally turned 65.
(image credit: one of the guests ;-))
PuristSPro was invited to celebrate his anniversary, and I am glad to let you - virtually - take part:
The evening before:
I met with Paul the evening before in his workshop, scheduled to revise some English text for a brochure. It was a Friday, but still he was as aver busy with some tricky minuscule details work, secluded in his atelier, still working. In his hand a newborn Cal. 41 watch, his own development featuring a 100h power reserve movement, his proprietary triple rotors, and a fun (and in this particular case (pun intended!) as well as cleverly designed jumping second hand:This is the last watch he officially (;-)) completed in his active career . It was a very touching moment for Paul (and for me to take part) to see his last creation finished - more on this piece later, promised!
The celebration:
Fast forward 24h, the sizeable group of felicitators met at the restaurant Winzerhaus ('winemaker's house'), which very aptly is situated atop of a few of the largest vineyards in the canton of Zurich.
So we were not surprised to find ourselves whisked away into the wine-cellar, atmospheric home of quite a some oenological jewellery...
Oh yes, one could become quite distracted... Mot only the wines, but also - anybody recognise the gentleman on the left? Thanks God, Winzerhaus owner and host Martin Bühler (Officier Mâitre Rôtisseur, Vice Conseiller Culinaire of the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs) came to draw our attention to the feast that was about to start soon.
So we were not surprised to find ourselves whisked away into the wine-cellar, atmospheric home of quite a some oenological jewellery...
Oh yes, one could become quite distracted... Mot only the wines, but also - anybody recognise the gentleman on the left? Thanks God, Winzerhaus owner and host Martin Bühler (Officier Mâitre Rôtisseur, Vice Conseiller Culinaire of the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs) came to draw our attention to the feast that was about to start soon.
Well, it appears like both Paul Gerber and his wife Ruth needed a separate call to order...
This is how nice people should look like...!!!
TEMPTING times immediately ahead....
But what about the seating arrangements? Well, being invited by a master watchmaker you can be sure that this will be taken care of by a mechanical solution to the problem... Quite rightfully so, although the tiny machines caused quite a bit of curiosity!
So here such wondrous little object is in close-up (more in a few days!)...
"A one, a two, a three..."
"A one, a two, a three..."
YES - I found my seat (congratulations to self...)!
But others were faster...
As many of you probably know, Paul Gerber is an avid control-line model plane pilot (image taken from my 2011 report):
Quite a few of his colleagues and even a retired Swissair pilot being present as guests. Thus, delivery of gifts called for an adequate mode of transport...
Toasts? On friendship, and on love. If you ever have seen Paul and Ruth together you know why... But why do I have the feeling that certain guys to the left are not fully attentive?
... but then again, everybody is susceptible to his/her own source of distraction (or better: contemplation?). I wonder what Paul is thinking... Perhaps... He secretly told me that his imaginative calibre list (both for now use as well as for undisclosed clients) goes well into the 50s (with Cal. 42 currently the last on in production carrying his now name)...
Toasts? On friendship, and on love. If you ever have seen Paul and Ruth together you know why... But why do I have the feeling that certain guys to the left are not fully attentive?
... but then again, everybody is susceptible to his/her own source of distraction (or better: contemplation?). I wonder what Paul is thinking... Perhaps... He secretly told me that his imaginative calibre list (both for now use as well as for undisclosed clients) goes well into the 50s (with Cal. 42 currently the last on in production carrying his now name)...
Speaking of which, this is an interesting specimen. Not really a Paul Gerber , not really for sale, but with a dial that looks so familiar to quite a few watch lovers: Outer section RetroTwin, inner section Paul's PPro watch? I will come back to this piece in due time!
A real stunner is Andreas Strehler's Sauterelle , a twin-barrel watch with so many intricate details. One of them is a remontoir d'égalité (constant force) integrated into the seconds gears (thus, over its 78h power reserve the amplitude always remains the same). For me, this is the one which expresses Andreas' unassuming personality best. Definitely worth another look!
An old favourite of mine, IWC's original Da Vinci . This one belongs to a former Swissair pilot and has been worn in many places around the world. The result? A very special patina and personal charm.
What is an anniversary celebration without a view back on the life of the birthday boy? As much as we despise smart watches, we also need a mechanical PowerPoint presentation - granted, and this with in-house movement (pun intended):
The passions of Paul Gerber... In German we have the proverbial Wein, Weib und Gesang, which in English translates a bit awkward into 'Wine, Woman, and Song', but see also Johann Strauss II (Op. 333)):
An old favourite of mine, IWC's original Da Vinci . This one belongs to a former Swissair pilot and has been worn in many places around the world. The result? A very special patina and personal charm.
What is an anniversary celebration without a view back on the life of the birthday boy? As much as we despise smart watches, we also need a mechanical PowerPoint presentation - granted, and this with in-house movement (pun intended):
The passions of Paul Gerber... In German we have the proverbial Wein, Weib und Gesang, which in English translates a bit awkward into 'Wine, Woman, and Song', but see also Johann Strauss II (Op. 333)):
Precious memories shared with friends!
So: three cheers (for Paul)!
Friendship, an evening well filled with it, and more to come! Paul Gerber in the midst of Andreas Strehler and clock maker Matthias Naeschke - embraced by yours truly:
The Final Word:
Paul sent me a few days later this image: danke - THANKS to all of you for your support and your patronage. Without the decades of interaction with watch lovers Paul could not have accomplished all those impressive feats he did so far.Thank you for all your comments, criticism and applause.
Paul wants to express his sincere thanks to PuristSPro...
- for being the prime community to celebrate Paul's work. He still remembers fondly (and hosts a copy on his website) the reports published here on the Piguet/Mueller/Gerber watch
- for the invitation to join IGOTT-2 in Las Vegas
- for awarding the honour of being selected to create one of the PuristSPro 10th Anniversary watches (click here for a review by Art)
Final? Well, a Word about the Future:
When I said in my the subject line to this post that 'retirement' depends on its definition, than this is above all true for Paul as well. Having reached the official Swiss retirement age, Paul decided to change his watchmaking setup and concentrate more on projects dear to him. No more trainees or employes to care for. Only he himself and Ruth.
This implies we will see more exceptional creations, less 'collection'. More individual watchmaking than 'produced' watches.
For us I think there is a lot to look forward to in the next future. Two new calibres are almost ready for launch - a few days, weeks?
Stay tuned!
Thanks for reading (and please leave a word to Paul!),
Magnus
Paul Gerber is a soft spoked master
I had the pleasure to meet at the PuristSpro 10 event in Las Vegas. He was unassuming and soft spoken, more a condition of finding his words in English, but you could feel his passion for watchmaking from his every word.
Best wishes to him and thanks for sharing this personal event with us.
Bill
Best wishes to him and thanks for sharing this personal event with us.
Bill
Let me be near the front of the line!
Paul,
This message has been edited by cazalea on 2015-03-05 08:38:29
Thank you for making watches that make me think, laugh, and bare my wrist to others with delight!
Mike
This message has been edited by cazalea on 2015-03-05 08:38:29
Happy birthday Paul Gerber :)
The watch world would not be the same without its independant representatives.
I understand a new era has opened so I wish him the best of luck.
Thanks a lot Magnus for sharing this event in such a nice way.
Cheers, Mark
I understand a new era has opened so I wish him the best of luck.
Thanks a lot Magnus for sharing this event in such a nice way.
Cheers, Mark
Wine women and song
Nothing awkward or wrong with that my dear friend
Thank you for charming report
and happy B day to Mr. Gerber
with whom one of biggest horological regrets is connected....
not being able to fetch one of his PPro watches
Sincerely
Damjan
Happy Birthday Mr Gerber! It was an honor to have met you at IGOTT2
Thank you for allowing us to celebrate your 65th birthday virtually!
Looking forward to your new creations
Warmest, Mike
most sincere wishes for many many more happy and healthy birthdays to come, Mr. Gerber!
you are truly an inspiration, a true Purist at heart.
TM
TM
Good Wishes must be to both Paul and Ruth
Happy Birfday, Paul.
Happy Days ahead, Ruth.
Anyone who knows them will understand that they are a single man-woman unit. 
Regards,
MTF
Dear Paul & Ruth ...
I wish you all the best for the future! Looking forward what you (already) have under your sleeve Paul and also looking forward to see more, when you are "retired"
Passionate people like you (Paul) will never really retire. Still you should be proud what you managed to do (for the watch world) so far. Bravo!
Thanks a lot for sharing that very special moment with us!
Cordially,
Oliver
Passionate people like you (Paul) will never really retire. Still you should be proud what you managed to do (for the watch world) so far. Bravo!
Thanks a lot for sharing that very special moment with us!
Cordially,
Oliver
Happy birthday to Mr Gerber!
and thanks for the report and updates Magnus!
Friendship, love and watchmaking in its purest form. I respect Mr Gerber a lot and I hope there will be more like him in the younger generation of independent watch makers
Cheers
Robin
Sheng Ri Quai Le!
I think that's Mandarin Chinese if I'm not mistaken.
Happy b-day Monsieur Gerber! It's been a long time since I last saw you in Las Vegas!
Congratulations Paul!
We are all looking forward to how your journy continues, and experience tells us we will be intrigued and not disappointed.
All the best for you and Ruth.
Don
All the best for you and Ruth.
Don
Happy Birthday, Mr Gerber ! - Also had the pleasure, to meet you & your lovely wife on the occasion of IGOTT 10 in Las Vegas.
Wishing you all the Best, in truly every direction of the future !
Kind regards,
hs
This message has been edited by hs111 on 2015-03-07 09:29:59
Kind regards,
hs
This message has been edited by hs111 on 2015-03-07 09:29:59
A wonderful evening.... but I get the impression that this is merely
marking some form of half-way stage in his career! I have heard it from others - my father comes to mind=that when he retired he actually found he was busier than ever!!
I look forward to more horological genius from Paul Gerber's active post-retirement career!
Congratulations are in order, nonetheless!
Andrew H