TicTacTalks ForumPosted by Milan
September 17, 2007 - 07:36AM cet
IP : 216.80.89.22
Email : asanovicmilan@yahoo.com
So I was gone to Singapore for the TEMPUS watch event. The TEMPUS event was ALL that it was lauded to be and much more then one would expect in so many ways. The watches, the people, the creators, the horology aficionados, the company reps, fellow HoroMundians all made this a grand weeklong extravaganza that will be remembered for times to come. The main differentiator was the opportunity to have the accessibility to handle the watches & actually have time to spend talking to their creators which was unparalleled to anything we have today in this industry. Another great aspect was the people and appreciation of watch fans in Singapore which brought this to a whole another level - definitely establishing this city undisputed crown of horology Mecca. Now all this by itself would be well enough, but then we had the pleasure of evening and late nights in Singapore that really brought out friendships and further camaraderie to a whole other level. Almost every night one could find someone you didn't know that well yet after a few bites to eat and more then a few drinks we were talking almost like long lost friends. I have felling you will hear & see much more about this although it will be very hard to convey this in words unless you were present.
Posted by YvesOdier
September 17, 2007 - 03:12PM cet
IP : 86.195.169.197
Email : yves.odier@wanadoo.fr
***POST BY MILAN***
Due to plenty of different topics I will present this report in few parts. The first was my initial impression of the TEMPUS - First reflections . Continuing with this complete experience spanning most importantly memorable times, people and events. Unfortunately there will be no full report on the pieces that really moved me and that I had a chance to view as they can't be accompanied by any photos as I had a serious technical failure :-( with the memory card containing most of my watch photos - please accept my sincere apologies. This will be followed by my experience in the MJLC master class, GO workshop & visit to the Sincere watch academy. The final part will be a lighter view of things basically travelogue of Singapore on that one crazy morning photo session that I had worked out my jet lag by trying to capture the beauty of Singapore all while awaiting for TEMPUS to be finally open.
My S'pore trip started out in Chicago connecting through Newark on a direct and longest current flight over the north side of globe on wonderful Singapore Air. 
This was a welcoming sight after 17 hour trip & it sure helped with my shaking. 
Although Chiangi was one of the nicest & most efficient airports I ever experienced I was itching to get out in the welcoming dawn of Singapore. 
This was a so appropriate sight welcoming me to my final destination. 
I knew this place was going to be hot time, but not literally (it was already 31C and about 70% humidity and rising).
Ahh finally I have reached my final destination. 
After browsing the TEMPUS (which was sensory overload) I finally had a pleasure to meet Wei, Bruce, Ian, Theo, Fiona and even make it for short talk over drinks with the legendary Duncan. Sorry guys no photos because at this point I was just trying to stay awake and not sound like a speech impediment man. Needles to say I ended up having a dinner with my good bud Wei in some very distinguished company. (Queue in inside joke here: The story about varying levels of Lufthansa attendants and the measuring of seats LOL)
The second day I had a pleasure of attending the GO workshop (more on that later). 
Later on I even had a visit all the way from Croatia from my friend Nico (the party legend as will be evident from pics down the line)
Soon after we were guests at the Hublot/TZ party where we had the pleasure to enjoy the company of many fellow forumers, industry giants & of course the very captivating Mr. JC Biver. (again no photos sorry).
After tirelessly looking for a cigar bar that could handle our numbers we ended up in Chijmes (bar and restaurant entertainment oasis in the heart of downtown which many of us visitors made our late night meeting place almost a home bar away from home). Almost every night we had a pleasure of meeting someone new from the industry, learn even more about them & their work, but mostly got to establish some meaningful friendships. 
I got a fantastic gift from Wim (look at my grin) which made this an experience to be remembered for a long time. 
That Forbidden Opus X had to be one of the most memorable & perfect smokes of all time. Thanks again buddy you ! 
After few cigars, way to much drinks, lost & found Denise's purse we have awaken a sleeping party giant in Nico and ended up painting the town ...
... fortunately we met some new local friends that treated us to more drinks then we should have and at the same time saving us from some particular embarrassing moments. 
The morning after only 2 hours of sleep I went to my JLC Master class - you can imagine what fun was that again more on that later on.
Few symposiums later and a visit to the hawker center (again more on that later) the evening was here and we were ready for the Panerai event.
Our inescapable, erudite and always affable host with the most Wei Koh doing his thing. 
Besides meeting some great people we even attempted a customary table shot however the table was to small for all the hardware present. 
Feeling all spent I decided to slow down, downshift a speed and spend a leisure evening with our Wim and Denise. 
Starting off with a most amazing musical rickshaw race ...
... until our destination of Riverside point ...
...
... where after walking through plethora of restaurants & bars...
...
... we settled with the Forbidden City...
...until we couldn't stand anymore. 
Friday morning was Sincere Watch Academy time (more on that later) continuing with afternoon of spending afternoon with many of the greats of the horology word.
Here's our buddy Charles in between two independent greats John McGonigle and Roger Smith.
The hard working man behind the camera - our great Kok Choon.
The beauty of TEMPUS was the accessibility to numerous amazing opportunities to listen, learn and inquire brains of some of the major names in the horology. One of the few photos I took of AP's Mr. Guilio Papi, UN's Mr. Pierre Gaex and MJLC Mr. Jerome Lambert during their memorable discussion on the value and utilization of new materials in watch making. 
That evening we attended the most memorable Hour Glass Gala, which was really a very suitable grand ending to this weeklong event. The red carpet was rolled out and the welcoming committee was in full effect 
Soon the cocktail reception area was full and the fun was in the air...
Everybody who was anybody was there so I am still wondering what I doing there ...
... like I said everyone was there from the industry captains ...
... to our favorite independents (Roman & Kari)...
... John McGonigle and our IanS always so deep in horological discussion ...
... hardworking Revolution crew Fiona and Zach relaxing ...
... managing to capture immaculate Ralph's coif was truly priceless ... 
... as well the serious faced always a consummate pro Kok Choon ...
... my two buddies Niko and Wimster - Yeah Baby! LOL
... by then my very favorite 'wierd" Swiss' - our Independents mod MarkS
Soon the cocktail party rolled into the main dinner hall to unveil a pleasant surprise 
... Hour Glass hostesses were pleasant to the eye and ready to mingle ..
... the man of the hour and our gracious host Mr. Michael Tay honoring us with a small yet very effective speech. Thank you Michael for everything! 
The Glassshute Team having a ball ...
... always hardworking Dr. Bruce screening the just finished latest version of Horomundi ...
... Panerai's Ms. Alexandra Zoller with our Wei ...
Afterwards (or so I heard ) was a long night of many after-after hour parties that even if I tried to capture here with words or photos would be very hard to make justice so I will not even try.
The morning after hitting the pool for the first and last time ... 
... it was time to pack, have a drink and get ready for ... 
... Horomundi Pajama party - all aboard ...
... this was THE Party Bus! ...
... why are our Mods having their eyes closed? 
... not us two! 
Finally destination St. James Power Station - sounds cool ...
... although the line was long Wei made sure we were all on the list! 
The welcoming was spanking of a good time which some of us really enjoyed! 
Ok one crazy Croatian just enjoyed the pain a bit too much. 
Ian whispering some last second party tips: "Just act like you're Milan of Arabia!" 
I guess in the end it did work 
Actually it worked so well ...
... until that moment that I got mobbed by Mark 
The suave Wei and our host with the Revolution models ...
... finally our Mods (Mark, Alberto, Steve & Bruce) doing their Zoolander thing! 
The smoking section was a place to be to catch up & meet folks all while enjoying some cigars & cocktails. 
The great Mr. Philippe Dufour enjoying the simplicity of his pipe ...
... partying with OP's GM Fabien Levrion was never without good gossip.
I finally had a chance to meet & ...
... express my gratitude to my watch photography guru the amazing Professor Harry SK Tan. 
Also a sincere pleasure to meet a fellow Chicagoan Mr. Octavio Garcia, Mr. Gulio Papi and the legend himself Business Times Mr. Larry Wee. 
The Mille Family was there to party as well: Dimitry & Richard. 
Russian Revolution Editor in Chief Mr. Denis Peshkov felt right at home with some Easter European flavor. 
Denise and her true dirty dancing partner-the Swiss response to Patrick Swayze 
All I can say from Russia with Love! 
Thanks to our magic cigar fairy Fiona we were always well stocked with cigars which I am sure both Mr. Roman Gauthier & Mark would attest.
The party was in full effect ...
... everyone was getting around having fun ... 
... I had my hands full with our lovely Revolution ladies ...
... but I had to get around ... 
... and that I did ... 
... until the end ...
... till the music and camera stopped. :-( 
To be continued ...
"Tempus fugit" 
Cheers
Milan
Posted by Milan
September 17, 2007 - 08:35PM cet
IP : 216.80.89.22
Email : asanovicmilan@yahoo.com
Posted by SportX
September 18, 2007 - 04:43AM cet
IP : 64.12.116.199
Email : Issportx@aol.com
Posted by Milan
September 18, 2007 - 07:48AM cet
IP : 216.80.89.22
Email : asanovicmilan@yahoo.com
Who uses a modem still? LOL Besides Cars and watches I think you are forgeting the lethal combo of food, booze and of course gorgeous women! Yeah we should do something here ,,, who knows these days the world is too small for me. ;-)
Posted by amanico
September 17, 2007 - 09:20PM cet
IP : 88.166.185.226
Email : amarillifondaneche@yahoo.fr
Happy to see that you're feeling comfortable in this world....Girls, watches, CEOs, etc....
Thanks for sharing this exceptional moment with us!
And REMEMBER...Better times are coming soon! LOLOL
PS... I still have a place in my cellar...Do I book it for you? ROFL
Posted by Milan
September 18, 2007 - 04:23AM cet
IP : 216.80.89.22
Email : asanovicmilan@yahoo.com
Travelling the world, consulting and reporting on horology all while enjoying the company of beautiful people with splendid food and optimal booze is the name of the game. 
Looking forward to my next trip to my favorite metro destination in the world ... this will be one legenday trip and that is for sure. 
Please do make sure my reservations are made at Chez Nico although depending on the night action I might have to take a rain check. 
Posted by W
September 18, 2007 - 05:28AM cet
IP : 206.116.196.39
Email : cadthis@hotmail.com
Nice jammies btw.
And - Thanks Yves for pasting it here on TTT.
Just awesome :-)
Posted by Milan
September 18, 2007 - 07:49AM cet
IP : 216.80.89.22
Email : asanovicmilan@yahoo.com
Posted by W
September 18, 2007 - 08:52AM cet
IP : 206.116.196.39
Email : cadthis@hotmail.com
Posted by ENGPHOTO
September 18, 2007 - 06:24AM cet
IP : 66.142.57.73
Email : ENGPHOTO@aol.com
My modem stops smoking so i can see all the rest .... lol
Looks like fun Bro!
Member NAWCC #166213
Posted by YvesOdier
September 18, 2007 - 07:32AM cet
IP : 83.195.85.84
Email : yves.odier@wanadoo.fr
Posted by Milan
September 18, 2007 - 07:44AM cet
IP : 216.80.89.22
Email : asanovicmilan@yahoo.com
Posted by YvesOdier
September 18, 2007 - 09:02AM cet
IP : 83.195.85.84
Email : yves.odier@wanadoo.fr
the Vero Squalo and the Rodeo Clown, they look similar no...? LOL
Knowing you, I concluded it was the Vero Squalo ;-)
YvesOdier TTT
Posted by Milan
September 18, 2007 - 09:10AM cet
IP : 216.80.89.22
Email : asanovicmilan@yahoo.com
Posted by amanico
September 18, 2007 - 12:10PM cet
IP : 88.166.185.226
Email : amarillifondaneche@yahoo.fr
This creature looks more like a ...LOBSTER!
ROFL
Posted by Asi
September 18, 2007 - 04:06PM cet
IP : 62.219.163.36
Email : asimut@gmail.com
I am waiting for yet many parts BUT, I know how it will end and it will not be pretty!
Whata cracka' report
Cheers,
~Asi~
Posted by Milan
September 20, 2007 - 07:49PM cet
IP : 216.80.89.22
Email : asanovicmilan@yahoo.com
Posted by Mark in California
September 18, 2007 - 09:43PM cet
IP : 216.31.227.114
Email : markjakey@yahoo.com
Would love to have been there
Lets talk soon
Mark
Posted by Milan
September 20, 2007 - 07:51PM cet
IP : 216.80.89.22
Email : asanovicmilan@yahoo.com
Posted by adman7
September 19, 2007 - 02:09AM cet
IP : 24.199.116.29
Email : mccaffrey7@gmail.com
you get around my man . . .you get around!! LOL . . . . very jealous, but glad we can go along for the ride :)
Posted by Milan
September 20, 2007 - 07:53PM cet
IP : 216.80.89.22
Email : asanovicmilan@yahoo.com
Posted by panben55
September 20, 2007 - 06:15PM cet
IP : 12.45.8.132
Email : benchouchane@yahoo.com
Damn, you have the GOOD LIFE !!!! :) good onya !!! :)
Ben
Posted by Milan
September 20, 2007 - 07:58PM cet
IP : 216.80.89.22
Email : asanovicmilan@yahoo.com
and growing in bounds ... I should be jelous of you, but I am thanksful. :-)
Thanks for making me feel like my life is better then yours although we both know it doesn't compare.