The People You Meet On Vacation - Cimier and the 711 POP PINK

Courtesy of Cimier

Okay, vacation is often coupled with travel. And when your side-hustle is in Watch Town, at least once a year your vacation plans will be a busman's holiday in Switzerland. This past April found yours truly holding down the booth of one of the brands I work with. And I got a chance to see the other participating brands. In some instances it's very much like seeing old friends.

And you also get to have a closer look at some brands that you have admired from afar. Now make no mistake, I am loyal to the brands I work with, but I am, at heart, someone who loves watches. I am not (at least I don't think I am) a snob. I also make a point of living within reality (i.e. my means). At other times in my life I've owned two different Rolex models, and in hindsight the experience did not live up to my fevered dreams. And while it would be nice to own a Patek or Vacheron, I don't want a watch to own me. By that I mean if I have a watch, I want to be able to wear it without fear (of theft, damage, or worse).

So back to the matter at hand, and a little bit more about me. Up until three years ago, I would always spend at least a day or two in Biel/Bienne each Switzerland trip. And if I was particularly lucky, it might include a visit to Tissot Arena to either take in FC Biel/Bienne (football), or EHC Biel-Bienne (ice hockey).

You could say that I am the unofficial US supporters' club for both teams ; )

Okay, so what's the connection? After leaving each game at Tissot Arena, you can't help but clap eyes on the Cimier HQ as you are turning right to head out. So in an odd sort of way, I already felt connected.

So while I had been curious, and perhaps admired Cimier from afar, this past April was my first opportunity to spend real time with the collection, and get to meet two of the Cimier folks - Alexandra Lanz (CEO) and Antoine Abadie (Marketing Manager). And at least from my side, it was time well-spent. I will be coming back in more detail about the brand and the current offerings in later posts. But today is about (spoiler alert) my new-ish Cimier 711 POP PINK.

And as I am an impatient sort of fellow, I pulled the trigger without too much foot dragging ; )

Now I am a man of many moods, and I live in a climate that can be a bit unforgiving in terms of humidity and its effects on how a watch fits on. my wrist, I was partiularly drawn to Cimier's use of quick spring straps, but also the clever opening at the lug ends to ensure quick and easy changes. 

So much for that I also sprung for the bracelet, and a glad that I did ; )

After two months, let me just say that the love affair continues!

Now while I could drone on about tech specs, "value propositions", etc., I would rather just focus on what my philosophy about watches and time. You don't need one, and you can't escape the other. So at a bare minimum, a watch should bring you joy. And my Cimier 711 POP PINK brings me joy every time I wear it.

Perhaps Just Under the Radar - The Epos 3408

Okay, spoiler alert - Epos has some really cool new watches coming soon. That's all I will say for now. But with that said, they have some true gems that might not be on your radar, but should! So let "the weekend of Epos" begin!

Courtesy of Epos

This is the Epos 3408. It is singularly perfect.

The case is of stainless steel and measures 39 mm in diameter. Simple, elegant, and wonderful.

Courtesy of Epos

The movement is the Peseux 7001.  Again, simple. But remember - simple is not dumb. Simple is elegant, only what is needed, albeit with a beautiful finish.

And finally? In these uncertain times, we are all more that a wee bit price sensitive. Well, Epos has you covered - priced at US$ 1'710 here in the lower 48.

Here are the pertinents -

Movement
Base Movement	Peseux 7001
Type	Hand-Wound
Execution	Decorated
Date Functions	None

Case
Material	Stainless Steel
Color	Steel
Diameter	39 mm
Thickness	5.9 mm
Lugs	20 mm
Front Crystal	Scratch-Resistant Sapphire
Back	See-Through Mineral
Water Resistance	3 ATM

Dial
Color	Muted Olive Green
Execution	Sunblasted
Hour Markers	Index Applied
Strap
Material	Leather
Color	Black
Buckle	Pin Buckle (Folding Buckle on request)

The Wednesday Night Cooking Club - Dessert and Coffee

I have spent the last several weeks trying to summarize the evening that I spent with the Coolinary Cru. I mean, how do you describe the indescribable?

I can honestly say that everything truly amazing that I have experienced, at least as it relates to watches, Switzerland and France really began just before Thanksgiving of 2015. It was then that at the CAFFÈ SPETTACOLO that I first met Rod Hess, and in the ensuing years he has been kind enough to introduce me to his home town, and I have become somewhat attached to the local teams (in particular the football club) -

But in the process, he has also pointed the way to several "not known by the general press" bits of information that have helped me break some of the better stories on the "Blog Formerly Known as Tempus Fugit".

The past three years have been a bit of a blur for me, from running Tempus Fugit, being offered a big-time job in Watch Town proper, giving up Tempus Fugit, souring on watches and reporting on them... 

But something special happened during this trip. I can honestly say that I rediscovered my love and appreciation for watches, I reconnected with my friends, and in the process, in many ways I reconnected with myself.

So un grand merci to the Coolinary Cru for their kindness in welcoming me to the Coolinary Mansion. It was, and remains one of the best nights I can remember.

And I suppose that this is the best way to close this story. It is about the friends you have, and those who remain, as yet, unmet. A watch can tell time, but it can also capture a moment (literally and figuratively). I had picked up this green time machine at the Swatch Drive-In in Biel/Bienne by the Omega and Swatch campus before heading back to the station and CAFFÈ SPETTACOLO where this who adventure - not just this "Big Night", but in many ways this whole watch adventure really began -

The Blancpain X Swatch Indian Ocean

So that's it for now, and two quick travel tips from your old friend Henki -

• When you come to a fork in the road, take it!
• When someone gives you good advice, follow it!

Now go out and meet those as yet unmet friends!

The Wednesday Night Cooking Club - Main Course

Two chefs, a coffee company sales manager, and a watch industry insider walk into a bar...

Above are three of the members of the Coolinary Cru, hard at work in the Coolinary Mansion's kitchen. You may remember the gentleman on the right from our previous installment. The two gentlemen on the left are both well-known in the Swiss restaurant world. 

Adrian von Weissenfluh has worked in some very impressive kitchens, and on this particular Wednesday evening he was tag-teaming the cooking duties with this guy -

Marcel Möri, noted regional restaurateur and medalist in the  IKA/Culinary Olympics.

The menu was simple, yet incredibly satisfying. Ribs and assorted grilled meat -

And then something magical, which chef Möri
referred to as "Swiss Jambalaya". Rice and shrimp and vegetables jacked with pastis and other wonderful things.

Needless to say, it was very good!

Tune in next time as we wrap this up.