Toronto GTG summary

Well what a weekend!

The GTG was, I think, I fabulous success. We had 22 people together, including two very patient spouses, and I think I speak for everyone when I say a good time was had by all.

When I started planning this thing I contacted some strap suppliers hoping to come up with a few door prizes, but in the end I was shown so much generosity that I was able to scare up enough stuff such that everyone got a goodie bag that included a current Rolex catelogue, Panerai catelogue, WatchTime magazine, two panerai stickers and a strap!

So I would personally like to thank:

Kurt - The Watch Boys - straps and two double travel cases
Stan - www.panatime.com - straps
Seth - www.strapculture.com - straps
Mac - www.waccex.de - straps
Elliot - www.timeconnection.com - straps
DON - http://www.homestead.com/rlx/DON.html - straps
Laurance Yap - WatchTime
Roger - for kicking in some of his personal Rolex trinkets
John (launch mini) - for taking the time, trouble and expense to have two different types of Panerai car stickers made up.

Each of these suppliers were very generous in providing enough straps for everyone, and we gave a few extra away as door prizes. Kurt also kicked in two great double-watch travel cases to give away.

Thanks to Roger for suggesting The Liberty Bistro and for he and Joel (TZ) for their organization there. Also a big thanks to Nezam for being our gracious host at The Liberty, and in giving us such big bang for the buck on the dinner... and also for showing us a couple of his nice watches too!

I would like to say thanks to those who came far out of their way to attend. There was Mike (hutchman), Al (Avalon) and his lovely wife Jacqui -from the London, ON area, Capt. Canuck (Stephen) from Ottawa, RockRolex (Ed) from Washington DC and of course Launch Mini who flew over 3000km from Vancouver.

I would also like to thank Panerai NYC for couriering enough catalogues to Royal de Versailles on short notice, and Tyler and RDV for hosting the casual browse at their store on Bloor Street. Thanks again for not only the bags, but also for collating them with the catalogues.

A special thanks to Seth at Strap Culture as his package was sent back to Hong Kong by our customs folks and at the last minute, he sent another package by two day courier to my hotel in Toronto to ensure I had the goods in time for the event!

I would also like to thank the good folks at Solaris in downtown Toronto for pulling out all the stops for Mike, Al, John, Jacqui and I when we were in their shop. They pulled out some stuff from the vault that was mega-expensive and really cool. I'm sure Al will post what we saw as he was firing away pic after pic. We had the store to ourselves and the service was impeccable and the knowledge of their owner was second to none!

It was really great to meet so many guys whom I've become friends with here at TRF, Timezone, panereh and paneristi.

Finally, a big thank you to Joel for being so nice as to cover my dinner, as thanks for my work on the event. Thanks Joel, totally unexpected and completely appreciated.

It was a fair amount of work to pull together, but I was just happy to see so many WIS' together talking turkey, having fun, seeing watches we wouldn't always be able to see/try on, and talk about. Thanks for coming guys, and I look forward to the next time we come together.

[Rockrolex]

Of course the biggest thanks goes out to John (Atomic) for putting the GTG together in the first place and making it happen. It takes a lot of effort to organize a meeting with 2 people. To arrange something for 22 people is monumental.

So a really great big thanks to you, John, for making this weekend happen. I am so glad I went and met a bunch of first rate people. There is something about the WIS community that transcends race, creed, color, and all the rest of that . If only the other 99% of the world had the same feelings and attitude, we would be a much better place.

So again, thanks to you, John, and to all the others, including the particants, who made for a very successful weekend.

[Launch Mini]

Thanks John.
The trip from the West Coast was worh it.
For all the Air Canada bashing I hear, both my flights were on time & uneventful. ( Actually arrived 10 minutes early on the flight home)
It was great to meet all these people that we chat & joke with around here.
Solaris was unbeleivable. We had arrived unannounced, but they gave us a "tour" that was truly mind blowing
I think John really realized I have a "relationship" with my local AD, when she calls me on my cell, about 5 minutes after John picked me up at the airport.

Originally Posted by Launch Mini

I think John really realized I have a "relationship" with my local AD, when she calls me on my cell, about 5 minutes after John picked me up at the airport.

I did... but I won't say a word about it to your wife.

[JJ Irani]

Great effort and a successful GTG, John....well done!!! Now the next one could be in a land far, far away.....hmmmmm......does any place come to mind?

[Goodwatch]

It seems you all had a blast! That's what it all about, not the watches but the people who wear them


P.S. John, you forgot to thank the Motion Pictures Academy and the Screen Actors Guild

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

It seems you all had a blast! That's what it all about, not the watches but the people who wear them


P.S. John, you forgot to thank the Motion Pictures Academy and the Screen Actors Guild

Frans, I'd also like to thank KLM for having a bevey of HOT flight hostesses stay at our hotel. When John and I walked in to register, the lobby was filled with light blue uniforms. Some were rather matronly, but some were pretty hot!

After a while, John and I thought... hey... Frans is from KLM-land.