I was not sure which thread to post on but this one seems as good as any.

I wanted to express my thanks to both @Mizmazzle (Mark) and @Anesthetist (Matt) for both helping me out recently with a purchase from the US. Mizmazzle kindly offered me his spot on the Ship John wait list for a Wills jacket. The costs to ship to the UK were eyewatering, nearly as much as the cost of the jacket, something I had not anticipated.

With a little bit of creative thought we managed to get a workaround solution. I was aware that Anesthetist was heading to London on holiday with his family and a meet up and transfer of the jacket was organised. Mark really helped and got the jacket shipped to Matt for hand carry to the UK. Thanks Mark, super happy with the jacket.

I met Matt on Wednesday just gone in London and spent a lovely few hours with him and his family checking out the V&A museum, Harrods and then a London pub for Fish and Chips.

It is so nice to be able to meet like minded people who you have known / chatted to on the forum for several years. Easy conversation and really nice to see our similar age daughters hit it off and get along so well in such a short space of time. It is moments like this that make the forum and the people who use it very special. It was a real affirmation of the positivity that the forum offers.

Me and Matt post Fish and Chips. Enjoy the rest of your break with the family, it was a pleasure meeting you and the family.

IH-526-ODG, IHTL-1501-CRM, PBJs, Norda runners.

IH-M65 oiled cotton, IH Kanreki shirt, PBJs 013 cut, Viberg service boot.

IH526-ODG, IHSH-283, Stevenson 210 jeans, Viberg x RnH Derby shoes.

Todays outfit

Oiled M65, anniversary UHF, 777S-142 OD, Viberg 2030

IHSH-389, PBJs, Viberg

Ship John Wills, IHSH - 34, Stevenson 210 and Viberg 2030.

Happy weekend everyone

Yesterdays outfit

526-ODG modified type 3, IH x Fox Brothers arsenic CPO, 777s-142 OD, Viberg 2030

Matsuda eyewear, Veilance parka, Patagonia vest, IH Fox flannel shirt (hidden), PBJ-x13, 2030 Viberg

Slightly more casual today, IHT-1600, Stevenson 210 Jean, Salomon S-Lab sneaks, PP-5712

@IrishHeart Yep, you nailed it! It is Pragnell's who are stocking the Laurent Ferrier watches.

I have found them good to deal with. I picked up a 40mm Explorer 1 from them, no dramas or hidden jewelry sales policies.

@mclaincausey "Enablers of the World unite and takeover".......................................

................................ or join the IH forum at the very least.

Please, anyone feel free to intervene here before I talk myself into doing something daft.............

@mclaincausey I have never been a huge fan of date windows. I do however think the Auto Sport date window works well and has been well thought through.

The angled recess that the window aperture sits within is different from other watches and also work quite well in the overall design. As date windows go I like it.

@mclaincausey Interesting how the Sport Auto has been finished differently, there are no Cote de Geneve stripes on the bridges but a matt grained finish.

Still beautifully crafted but does have a more modern look / feel to it. I am guessing they chose this as part of the design language to distinguish it vs the classic series.

@mclaincausey Don't say that, it is adding fuel to my fire................. Early Christmas present maybe?

@Anesthetist I had the pleasure of handling a few Laurent Ferrier pieces a couple of weeks ago at a local dealers I have used in Stratford Upon Avon.

They purchased quite a few Ferrier pieces and they are for sale in their showroom. I found this quite refreshing rather than the brinksmanship required to land a specific Patek or Rolex (which in the big scheme of things are mass produced compared to Ferrier, Gronfeld etc).

I liked the Steel blue dial classic origin. They also had the titanium sport auto in blue which is growing on me, no micro adjust on the bracelet clasp just a 1/2 link to play with.

They did not have the Grand Tourbillion Auto sport with salmon dial, as these sold out, shame as I would love to view that piece. I could not afford one but it would be nice to see it. It won loads of awards.

What I really like about it is that it is a real watch enthusiasts watch, "if you know you know" type watch. The fact they put a tourbillion into the watch and only display it in the case back is a stroke of genius. Only people who know the brand and the watch will know it has a tourbillion under the hood.

@Anesthetist I am getting more interested in small independent brands such as Gronefeld and Laurent Ferrier. While I like the Patek pieces I own they are not finished to the same standard as these independents.

Also the Cubitus release was (for me at least) a bit worrying. If this is the best Patek can do after several years of design process then it sows a seed of doubt regarding where the company will go.

Rumour was that Thierry Stern is looking to retire and his sons are waiting in the wings and the Cubitus is their baby. Read into this what you will.

@Anesthetist Lovely, It is a nice idea that Grönefeld had in making these releases.

I came close to picking up a pre owned Principia and still keep a close eye on them. Great pick up, cant wait to see the pictures.

@Anesthetist exciting, Grönefeld?