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A Grand Time in New York
Watch enthusiasts and collectors descended on New York City on June 21, as WatchTime and Jeff Kingston
presented the third installment of their popular "Inside Basel/Geneva" event tour, which made its first two stops in Los
Angeles and San Francisco in May.
Nearly 200 guests attended the gala event at the historic Harvard
Club in midtown Manhattan, relishing the opportunity to hobnob with
fellow wristwatch connoisseurs, meet the men and women behind some of
the industry's leading watch brands, and get an exclusive inside look
at the newest watches introduced at this year's watch shows in
Switzerland.
The evening was sponsored by seven watch manufacturers: A. Lange
& Söhne, Blancpain, Glashütte Original,
Girard-Perregaux, IWC, Maurice Lacroix, and Vacheron Constantin. Each
company had a display table with an eye-catching assortment of
timepieces, and guests spent the cocktail hour before dinner gliding
from table to table, checking out watches, sipping Champagne, and
chatting with brand representatives and fellow collectors.
At around 8:00 the crowd filed into the main room for a three-course
dinner and the centerpiece of the evening. WatchTime publishing
director Wolfgang Blum introduced executives from the sponsoring
brands, each of whom gave a brief address to the admiring crowd. Then
it was time for the main event: an in-depth lecture and slide
presentation by noted watch expert Jeff Kingston on the highlights
from Baselworld 2006 and SIHH in Geneva. Kingston kept the crowd
enraptured with insights on industry trends, behind-the-scenes
tidbits, and dozens of photos taken at both shows of new and
yet-to-be-released products from all the major manufacturers.
After dinner, attendees were delighted to find gift bags waiting back
at the manufacturers' tables, and most walked out into the warm New
York evening smiling and loaded down with free goodies bearing the
logo of some of their favorite watch brands.
Blancpain representatives discuss their watches with gathered enthusiasts.
An inquisitive crowd gathers around the IWC table.
A veritable mountain of fine timepieces greeted attendees at IWC's table.
Vacheron Constantin drew many admirers to their display.
Guests get a close-up view of Vacheron Constantin's wristwatches.
Attendees enjoy the opportunity to try on rare watches by Girard Perregaux.
An interested collector takes a closer look at the watches of Maurice Lacroix.
Guests check out Glashütte's impressive lineup of watches.
Glashütte's fine German craftsmanship was on display for guests.
A. Lange & Söhne U.S. president Marcia Mazzocchi chats with attendees.
A guest takes an admiring glance at some A. Lange & Söhne watches.
Jeff Kingston addresses the dinner crowd.
All eyes are on Jeff Kingston's slideshow presentation.
Collectors listening intently.
Collectors giving a warm welcome to Jeff Kingston.
Guest enjoy dinner while watching the presentation.
(left to right) A. Lange & Söhne CEO Fabian Krone, Jeff
Kingston, and WatchTime publishing director Wolfgang Blum.
Two collectors compare notes during cocktail hour.
Satisfied customers leave the event with bags of goodies.
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