One year of Watch I Love Magazine – Thank you! (and thank you give away)

One year ago I have started my journey with Watch I love Magazine by publishing the Seamaster Professional 300 review. The journey was a bumpy ride, with unexpected issues but also with sweet surprises. Today, the Magazine turns one year old.

When you start such a journey, no one can give you a recipe for success. Every journey is different, any experience is personal. I was lucky to have lovely people by my side that helped me, one way or another to go further. Other have joined my quest, encouraged me and helped me to reach new horizons.

Being a “one-man show” has some certain advantages: no restrains, no deadlines – absolute freedom. This comes with a high price – I need to work harder, since there was is backup, no support team. I have lost many nights but gained many friends. I have spent many hours, alone behind the wheel, driving to one place or another but I have encountered extraordinary people, visited interesting places.

The journey continues!

I feel the need to thank a lot of people, even if it sounds like an Academy Award boring speech. These people need to know how much I appreciate them.

Maybe the most obvious are you – the readers, the social media followers. Without you, all the information will be just sitting there on some hard drives. No one to share the joy of the new timepieces, complain about design, price or label. You are very important. Not only to me but also to the brands. They also need you for inputs, ideas and critics.

On the other hand, there are the brands. Established, independents or microbrands, the brands offered support from the beginning. I was amazed to see how supportive and understanding some of these people are. Without your help, information, answers, shortly said – time, the Magazine would have no chance.

I would like to mention the brands (and people behind them) that have shown immense support. The order has no signification (other than alphabetic), you all are dear to me and I would like to thank you:  A. Lange & Söhne, Akrivia, Alpina, Angelus, Antoine Preziuso, Arnold & Son, Audemars Piguet, Baume & Mercier, Bell & Ross, Bovet, Brellum, Bulgari, Bulova, Cartier, Konstantin Chaykin, Christophe Claret, Citizen, Claude Meylan, Corum, Czapek & Cie, D. Dornblüth, David Candaux, De Bethune, Dijkman, Doxa, Dumet, Edox, Ferdinand Berthoud, Franck Muller, Frederique Constant, Gavox, Girard-Perregaux, Greubel Forsey, Gronefeld, H. Moser & Cie, Hautlence, Holthinrichs, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Laco, Laurent Ferrier, L’Epee, Louis Moinet, Luminox, MAD Gallery, Manufacture Royale, MB&F, Meccaniche Veloci, Ming, Nomos, NORD Zeitmaschine, Oris, Panerai, Parmigiani, Piaget, Ressence, Richard Mille, Roger Dubuis, Romain Gauthier, RJ, Sarpaneva, Schwarz-Etienne, Seiko, Singer, Sinn, TAG Heuer, Time Aeon Foundation, Tudor, Tutima, Ulysse Nardin, Urwerkm, Vacheron Constantin, Vault, Voutilainen, Zenith.

A special mention goes to Daniela and Peter Speake Marin and The Naked Watchmaker for moral support.

Last but not least, to my dear wife that supports all my daily watches-related mambo jumbo.

With the 1st anniversary occasion, as a thank you, I will give away three books:

• Treasures of Vacheron Constantin – A Legacy of Watchmaking Since 1755 – Marchenoir, Julien

  

• Breguet: Art and Innovation In Watchmaking – Breguet, Emmanuel

  

• A moon watch story. The extraordinary destiny of the Omega Speedmaster – G. R. A. M.

  

  Note: the giveaway winners will be selected randomly. Due time of the giveaway will be Monday 30th September 2019 and the winners’ announcement will be done on Thursday 3d October 2019.

You just need to leave a message in the comments section in which you mention what book you would like. There are no restrictions on geography or whatever. Even if you work for a brand or you want the book the make a gift to a watch enthusiast. Important is that the books arrive at someone that really finds them useful or wants them for a good reason. Feel free to tell me what you like and what you dislike on Watch I Love Magazine. Creative critique is always welcome.

Later note: Since the public interest was unexpectedly low, I will close this giveaway a weak earlier – today 22 September. Jonathan and Bahnu are the only participants and they will receive the books as they wished. Thank you all and congratulations to Jonathan and Bhanu!