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Horological Tourism Europa: Where Should I Go?

  1. Lex4TDI4Life Apr 16, 2013

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    So, as a little reward to myself for surviving law school and (hopefully) taking the NY State Bar Exam, I am planning a trip into the heart of Europe to indulge some hobbies. I plan on spending a few days in Switzerland and was wondering where/what I should plan on doing to address my horological curiosities. I can assume that the following cities/towns will be good starting points:

    -Geneva
    -Bienne
    -Le Locle

    I will be starting off in Germany and was considering a jaunt over to Glashütte, but it is rather out of the way of Frankfurt and its environs, which is where my trip will commence (to take a day to drive around the Nurburgring :) ).

    Any attractions, towns, bizarre activities I should consider?
     
  2. cicindela Steve @ ΩF Staff Member Apr 16, 2013

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    When?
     
  3. Lex4TDI4Life Apr 16, 2013

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    Approximately the first week of September. Yes, I am planning wayyyy ahead of time. It beats thinking about my last semester of finals :D
     
  4. ulackfocus Apr 16, 2013

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    Patek Museum. Bring a bib.
     
  5. Lex4TDI4Life Apr 16, 2013

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    If I do not already resemble the "Ugly American", I will surely do so if I wear such an article :p
     
  6. cicindela Steve @ ΩF Staff Member Apr 16, 2013

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    No, actually it is mandatory, they give out at the door. It's like 3D glasses at the move theater. :rolleyes:
     
  7. porschefan Apr 16, 2013

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    IWC, in Schaffhausen. Just a short bus ride, literally up the street, are the Rhine River falls.
    Town clocks

    [​IMG]
     
  8. kendrick Apr 16, 2013

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    Munich has great vintage watch stores... and Beer Gardens.
     
  9. cicindela Steve @ ΩF Staff Member Apr 16, 2013

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    Drinking and watch buying, the quintessential Australian sport :thumbsup:
     
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  10. ulackfocus Apr 16, 2013

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    .... but it's not illegal in any country I know of. Americans, particularly NY/NJ/PA denizens, enjoy that past time even though we're amateurs compared to the nuclear style of the Aussies.
     
  11. porschefan Apr 16, 2013

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    Every area of Switzerland has their own special brewery.
    In the town of Chur.
    [​IMG]
    On top of Mt. Pilatus.
    [​IMG]
     
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  12. Lex4TDI4Life Apr 16, 2013

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    Hopefully I will be able to budget in a new goodie for my watch box :D
     
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  13. cicindela Steve @ ΩF Staff Member Apr 16, 2013

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    Yes but we don't have leagues up here on the top of the world. :D

    I've always dreamed of of going to the Drinking-buy-off's, with Perth VS Brisbane :thumbsup:

    (don't even think about Canberra, everyone knows they're rubbish)
     
  14. LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Apr 16, 2013

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    OK, you went all schoolmarmy on kendrick in the other thread for "un-kept," so I'm calling you out on "past-time." Grammar Police cruiser lights in your rear view mirror! Pull it over! It's "pastime." 13196873-illustration-of-cartoon-police-car.jpg
     
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  15. ulackfocus Apr 16, 2013

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    I would have gone sartorially spastic on him for that shirt too but decided to let it slide because he's sporting a cool watch.
     
  16. kendrick Apr 16, 2013

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    your generosity is astounding;)... and don't worry all of my shirts took a nice little vacation to the dry cleaners this afternoon, so I wont be reliant on my watch to act as a saving grace Going forward.
     
  17. Lex4TDI4Life Apr 16, 2013

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    Well, this thread stayed on topic for a while :p

    Any other travel ideas?
     
  18. kendrick Apr 16, 2013

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    If your willing to postpone your trip by 2 weeks, I could meet you in Oktoberfest? I wouldn't pretend to know where your interests lie outside of watches, but it would seem to be quite the shame to miss such a wonderful event by so little.
     
  19. porschefan Apr 17, 2013

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    Le Locle
     
  20. Archer Omega Qualified Watchmaker Apr 17, 2013

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    The Patek museum as noted is a very good place to start. Thankfully it's not just full of Patek's either, so it's not going to totally bore you to death....

    Vacheron also has a smaller museum-like place in Geneva, and it's worth stopping by.

    I would make sure to take a walk through the old town - there are a few watch shops there, but more for just the old feeling of the place.

    Not sure how you will get on in terms of factory tours - this usually requires a group.

    Have fun!