Terry Newton, DoxaDavid & DSJ's MN GTG!

[DSJ]

As previously mentioned in an earlier thread:
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=61213

Terry Newton, DoxaDavid and I got together today for a visit to a local AD and lunch. I just got back and am uploading my pictures as we speak. When Terry gets back home from his MN holiday, he'll add his, which will be much better, as his camera is far superior (although my photography ability with his camera was wanting!)

The first shot shows me on the way to the AD, note the temperature for us hardy souls. No photography was taken inside the AD, but we did spend over 90 minutes there not only enjoying their vast selection of Rolex watches, but also many others, including PP, JLC, A. Lange & Sohn, IWC and Panerai.

Terry and David tried the DS on for the first time, we all tried on a couple DDII's, and looked at several other Rolex (we all liked the 116718). Of the Haute Horologie brands, I was most impressed with the JLC Caliber 947 Minute Repeater, the PP 5146(?), and several of the Lange. I also was taken with the stainless JLC Reverso Grande Sun Moon and Master Compressor Extreme World Chronograph. While no watches were purchased today, some purchases WERE made, but I won't spoil the fun.

Afterwards, we went to lunch at a nearby restaurant that Terry followed me to and watched me nearly crash due to my bad tires on the snow/ice. We had a great time, and since we brought a bunch of watches for show & tell, we took several photographs. Again, Terry's pictures will be far better, but so you don't have to wait over a week, here's mine! Terry, David - thanks - I had a great time.

[JF23]

Awesome guys, great table shot! Nothing better than getting together with a few good friends who share the same passion.

[WatchTimes]

Nice, can't wait to see more pics!

[DoxaDavid]

Nice pics David. I sure enjoyed our afternoon goofing off with a couple of TRF friends.

We got the royal treatment at the AD and they were very accommodating. Our sales associate Debra loves watches and in fact prefers them verses the baubles. She was accompanied by one of the store managers who was very friendly as well as extremely knowledgeable in all their products. They let us try on any watch we desired. The JLC Caliber 947 Minute Repeater David mentioned we tried on cost more than my first house. I estimate we personally had on our wrists over $500,000 worth of watches in the 1 1/2 hours we were there. The AD was practically throwing them at the three of us. "Oh, try this one on" as they hand me a $85,000 Patek or "How about this nice Lang" which was slipped on Terry's wrist for $45,000. Ohhh what fun! One after the other, many complications, moon phases, big, small, dressy,gold and platinum abound. A Haute Horologists dream!

Since this is a Rolex forum, I'll Just mention a few thoughts and observations about our favorite brand.

First I tried on an all YG GMT IIc. Oh what a nice watch. there is something about an all gold Role that just feels great. I hope business is good because someday, I definitely would like to get one.

Next I tried on the new Deep Sea. On the good side, the lettering on the inside rehaut doesn't appear as noticeable as in the pictures. I thought it would be a big deal but didn't bug me at all. I also liked the dome crystal as well. What I didn't like was the bracelet is far to small for the size of the case. It just seems dwarfed and tapers to boot making it seem very small. I didn't have a problem with the circumference of the watch but the depth from the wrist is imposing and I believe most would find cumbersome to wear as a daily watch. Bottom line, not one of my favorites but I still admire the tool factor of the watch for the very limited few who would use it.

One of my favorites was the new larger Day-Date I tried on in WG. Smashing and like the YG GMT, feels great. David J prefers the 36mm traditional size but if I were in the market for a dressier model, I think it would be tops on the short list. For fun we tried on a little $85,000 bling. A platinum Master series Day-Date with diamond bezel. Nothing I would buy since my rap singing days are over but everyone should hold one. What a beast and I almost needed to put on my sunnies because of the glare.Tried on a few others but I won't bore you with a minute play by play.

We were off to have a nice lunch. Best of all for me, I got to know Terry a little better, hear about his family and home in Michigan as well as catch up with my friend David.

Nice time had by all. I look forward to when we can do it again. I highly recommend when given a chance to meet in person, all TRF members should try. It's great to make the personal connection.

[oneillba]

David, it was great you got together with Terry and DoxaDavid. Other than all having Rolex's do you know what else you all have in common?

Smiles! -- in general, what a great group of guys and gals we have here on the forum and that they can GTG every now and then!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

[kcmo]

Looks like a great time David! Thanks for sharing the photos with us!

[mfer]

Looks fun and some really nice watches there. Wish I could go!

[Nica64]

Nice, it looks like you guys had a lot of fun, those Rolex watches looks very nice!!!

[East Bay Rider]

Looks like a great day. Wish I could have been there to meet you guys.

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

Looks like a great day. Wish I could have been there to meet you guys.

X2.

Alas I couldn't afford the air fare.

[onkyo]

Looks like a wonderful time guys. Nice seeing pics of faces here. Thanks for sharing your photos with us.

[tudorman8276]

...everyone had one FANTASTIC time!!

...there are a few of us ridge-runners/rednecks here in ole Caintuck trying to put one together in the spring in Louisville with myself and Latrodectus and a few others.

...ANYONE in the area at that timeframe will be openly invited!!

Stan.

[Terry Newton]

I would have to say that David (DSJ) and David (DoxaDavid) were absolute gentlemen, fun to be with, and great to meet. The authorized dealer was nothing like I met in Michigan (which, sad to say is why I make my major purchases in Minnesota). They spent a considerable amount of time with us even when they probably knew that we weren't going to shell out tons of money there. They let us try on watches that most of us can only dream about. I got to try on a Richard Lange, a Lange 1 with the moonphase, a Lange Cabaret Moonphase, and others. I loved the ceramic Top Gun by IWC along with many others. They had one of the more impressive displays of Rolex I have seen in a long time.

The luncheon was great. We figured we had over $50,000 worth or Rolex watches on the table. I also brought my RGM from Michigan as I wanted a new band and I bought a nice leather, two watch, case.

Here is the close-ups of all of the watches we brought:



Just our Rolex Watches:



Some wrist shots:







DoxaDavid and I:



David (DSJ) and I:



Group Shot:



What a great time. I enjoyed the company and wish all of them a Merry Christmas with their families.

Next year we'll all be laying down the money to go in on a Patek Perpetual Calendar that we all liked. We decided we would have it for a time share. Only $72,000 split three ways means we can have the watch for four months out of the year.

Great time guys.

Terry Newton

[JJ Irani]

Hey guys.....what terrific pics. Wish I could have been there......one more tosser in the fray!!

Thanks for sharing. The Bluesy shots look good. So glad I got mine at the RIGHT time.

Cheers and a Merry Christmas to you guys and your loved ones.

JJ

[Wolfgang427]

Nice pic's Glad to see you guys had a great GTG.

[Jimbits76]

Looks good guys!!!!!!!!!!!

What a handsome bunch!!!!!

J

[toph]

guys
wonderful pics!! hope you had a great time

[2careless]

Good stuff!
You guys must have had a great time!

[mailman]

You must all be nice guys that are fun to be around. Otherwise, I can't think of any other reason to be in Minnesota in the winter

[buz-lh]

Great pictures of what must have been a great time. Terry, I'm glad to see you brought a coat. That short sleeve shirt at -3 degrees gave me chill bumps. Glad you guys were able to get together and enjoy each other's company and some great watches. Sounds like a very nice and accomodating AD. David, that Homewood cap brings back a lot of memories of when I lived in NorCal and spent nearly every weekend at Tahoe. Sure would like to get back someday.

[Dan Pierce]

Thanks for bringing us along, guys! Great pics.
dP

[meloncap78]

Looks like you guys had a great time. Excellent pics. Have a wonderful and safe new year.

[Lowflight]

I love Shoney's

[Trurolexer]

Very nice GTG!!! Thanks for sharing some pics, David!!!

[Gedanken]

Hey, great to put some more faces to names!

[vapalux]

Nothing like a get together with friends and there's some great watches and pics.

Thanks for sharing them with us

Si

[Dalton]

Looks like a good time!

[DanP]

Looked like a blast guys! would love to have a day like that with some watch nuts like ourselves

[BLSampson]

Great pics guys

[Perdu]

Seems you guys had a great time. Thanks for sharing - it's nice to be able to put a picture to a name.