A gaggle of WatchTime staffers touched down in Chicago yesterday to prepare for the much-anticipated kickoff of the 2012 “Inside Basel-Geneva” series of watch collector events, which takes place tonight at the prestigious Union League Club.
We checked out the event space — it is the first time the Chicago IBG event has been held at the Club — and were suitably impressed by the elegant surroundings and classical decor, including the breathtaking art collection that adorns the walls. We expect that both the sponsoring watch brands and the more than 200 guests will find it a perfect atmosphere for an evening of fine timepieces.We also had a chance to check out some sights in the Windy City in between the preparations.
Today, the brand representatives arrive early to set up their tables in anticipation of the guests’ arrival in late afternoon. Editor-in-chief Joe Thompson and I will both be on hand to mingle with guests, and our IBG partner, noted watch collector Jeff Kingston, will be giving the evening’s presentation of new watches during dinner. For more info on the 2012 IBG shows, click here. Keep watching WatchTime.com for a full report on the Chicago Inside-Basel Geneva event, and check out our first day’s worth of Chi-Town pre-event photos below.
A great shot of the skyline snapped by Jason Francisco during our walking tour of downtown Chicago
We had a fantastic lunch at the Berghoff, a historic German restaurant near the Union League Club.
We made sure to have the Chicago deep dish pizza experience at Giordano’s, where the pizza was almost too big to finish.
We also visited Cloud Gate, aka “The Bean,” in Millenium Park.
This ballroom at the Union League Club will host the pre-dinner cocktail, in which guests can try on watches and talk to watch brand representatives.
A glimpse of the banquet room where IBG guests will have dinner and watch Jeff Kingston’s presentation.
Love watches have about 35 give or take a few