Dean,
A few years ago, we had the opportunity to meet the head of IWC at a jewelers in Seattle. Because of his visit, they had brought along with them virtually every model in the line-up. We were able to closely examine the Grande Complications watch, in which nearly every part is made of gold, as well as made by hand. It was an extraordinary piece, the second most impressive wristwatch I've seen to date. First honors goes to the Girard-Perregaux Three Bridges, which we saw in a watch museum in Switzerland. I sat over the display case like a surgeon over a patient, examining that thing for over half an hour.
A friend who is a big watch collector--he has the IWC Destriero Scafusia--once loaned me a Lange 1, a $20K watch made by Lange & Sohne. Some loaner, huh? You could get the chills simply by feeling the movement of the watch. Smoothest winding I've ever felt. I had several nice watches at the time, and they all felt gritty in comparison.
One day, I intend to get to CES. And also to the Basel Watch Fair.
