Mini Madison Meeting report

[eptaz]

This afternoon, a few of us, here in beautiful Madison, Wisconsin got together for an informal "show and tell." Ok, there were only three of us, but it's always fun to sit down and chat with fellow watch nuts. wisconsinwalter (http://forums.watchuseek.com/member.php?u=1338) sent out the invitation and myself and Fricken Bob Rob (http://forums.watchuseek.com/member.php?u=1455) accepted.

Both great guys, we hung out for an hour or so, just shooting the bull and sharing stories of our collections and this great addiction. Our tastes differed a bit, which is really what makes these get-togethers so worth while.

Walter had a slew of great vintage pieces, including a mighty fine cushion-case Connie from...what, the late 60s? Help me out, Walter. Got a pic you can share with us? Bob also had a very nice assortment, from divers to chronographs. He generally can be found in the "Affordables" forum, and handling some of his made me realize what great values there are out there.

The internet is so amazing, in pulling together hordes of like minded folks from around the globe, but it's always fun to sit down face to face, and look into the eyes of fellow lunatics. A special thanks to Walter for taking the initiative to get us together. I hope to do it again, and get a few more folks together. Where did you say the next one would be, Walter? Visions? Very nice.

eric

[wisconsinwalter]

Let start by saying Erics watches are flawless! It was a good time! Bob was super nice! Like I told you, you do a great job moderating and I was happy to finally get to meet you!

The Connie was from 1966 168.017 with the cal 564

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g51/wisconsinwalter/P1010080.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g51/wisconsinwalter/P1010081.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g51/wisconsinwalter/P1010083-1.jpg

Do anyone else display like this?

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g51/wisconsinwalter/P1010084-1.jpg

[Fricken Bob Rob]

Very fun GTG at the old VFW...reminded me of all the fun I used to have tending bar there. I havent been there in a while...yup, still smelled the same!:-d


To bad it ended so soon... I was about to ply Eric with some beer and shots and try to wrangle that nice Chrono from him...I bet he would have swapped it for my Ernie Keebler watch after a pitcher or 5....:-d


Bob

[Truck Guy]

b-) Great that you guys had a chance to get together.

I may need to drive up for your next one!

Russ

[eptaz]

There's that Connie, Walter. Very, very nice. Really cool display setup, too.

To bad it ended so soon... I was about to ply Eric with some beer and shots and try to wrangle that nice Chrono from him...I bet he would have swapped it for my Ernie Keebler watch after a pitcher or 5....:-d

Bob
You have no idea how realistic that comment is, Bob.

b-) Great that you guys had a chance to get together.

I may need to drive up for your next one!

Russ
Definitely do, Russ!

Thanks again, guys!

eric

[georges zaslavsky]

Glad you had all a nice GTG :-) :-!

[kccastle]

I heard that there was a fund raiser (don't recall the cause) where they auctioned off decorated cows that were exhibited around the state. Is that one?

BTW, I am an '83 Badger graduate.

[eptaz]

I heard that there was a fund raiser (don't recall the cause) where they auctioned off decorated cows that were exhibited around the state. Is that one?

BTW, I am an '83 Badger graduate.
Yeah, I'm sure Bob's pic is from the Madison Cow Parade (http://wisconsin.cowparade.com/). I believe the whole ordeal started in Zürich a few years back, then Chicago did it. Now, cities all around the world are having their own.

eric

[Bezel]

If only I knew....I would have tried to make it. Please think of me if you get together again. I'm close to Milwaukee.

Bezel

[Colin T]

You know what, this sounds like a fabulous way to spend the afternoon.

One thing i will say about the watch addiction is that it can be very isolating. Yes it is very sociable in many ways, especially since the dawn of the web, but often the interaction with others is in the argh-i've-been-staring-at-this-monitor-for-so-long-my-eyes-are-bleeding kind of way.

Taking a leisurely afternoon, with good company, good watches and beer (the adjective 'good' is implicit in the word beer) sounds almost idyllic, a much more civilised and stress-free way to appreciate things horological.

Glad you enjoyed it fellas!

Colin

[eptaz]

If only I knew....I would have tried to make it. Please think of me if you get together again. I'm close to Milwaukee.

Bezel
Absolutely, Bezel. Walter had posted an announcement a couple of weeks ago, but maybe I should have made it sticky for a bit.

eric