Theme Week March 2-6 - Show us What You've Got....
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When I decided to make Iron Heart a proper business rather than a side hustle, I needed fiscal support. I saw the potential, but it was going to take, time, effort and patience. I did not know how long I would have to pour money into the dream, but I had a gut instinct that it would work. Luckily @Madame-Buttonfly was running her own business, which was doing well. We had a chat, long story short, she agreed to pay ALL the household expenses and living costs, until I could contribute. Over the next few years, I sold just about everything that was liquid, to fund the growth of this little business. One day, I realised that we were actually profitable, what a day. We moved into proper business premises (laughably small when looking back at them now), we felt like a real business.
One of the first customers to visit us at the new place was a watch dealer. We got talking and I asked his advice on what would be the perfect watch for me. He asked me a load of questions about what I wanted a watch for, what my lifestyle was like, how I treated watches, was I precious etc etc. His answer was a Blancpain 50 fathoms, preferably a no-radiation model because they were a little more interesting. That watch became my grail. The customer became a firm friend and he visited us often, I bought a few watches off him over the years, mainly Rolex because he sold them to me at laughably low prices.
One day, I got a call from him and he told me he had popped something in the post that I might like. If I did, I should give him what I thought it was worth to me.
Yeah, you guessed it, it was a Blancpain 50 fathoms no-rad. One of 500 made. We agreed a price, much of which was Iron Heart credit.
This is a watch that I did not know I wanted, and when I did, I did not know if it would ever happen.
This little bit of chronological frippery, reminds me of the early struggles, the toil to make this business work, the amazing customers who have become dear friends and that friendship is really all that counts. I could not have made this business is without you, and I consider you all friends.
his watch is the story of that.
One day @Alex will own it, so the story will continue...
"OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011
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I said you’d see more of this. I guess I started my IH journey on a high!
In a way, this was a posthumous gift to me from my mum, facilitated by HMRC. She was always telling me I needed a proper coat and this is Proper and should last a lifetime! The maritime heritage is also a nod to my grandad’s years at sea.
So here is my IHM-30 pictured with my grandad’s Egyptian camel saddle and a portrait of mum’s most famous cat. She became a serious cat lady when she retired (breeding and showing) and Freddie made it to UK and Imperial Grand Premier. A suitable nautical background courtesy of Indigofera / Björn Atldax.
Anyway, that’s enough waffling. You want pics …
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Already featured once this week but my 526Lod is certainly my favourite piece of clothing. I was lucky enough to get one of these as a retailer at the time had cancelled their order so we had a few mediums come available. It's from the first run which sold out instantly on the website so I thought it was going to be a pipe dream. Lost count of how many times I've worn it. Definitely didn't leave my back for the first few years. Now it sits in nicely in the rotation!
The devil is in the detail..
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Got an early morning shot in, with the dog. The 409 IB is it for me right now, tied with The Extractor jacket maybe. But this one got more history in it. Watching @Oaktavia fade his sample and patiently (not really, but IWHWIWH right?) waiting for the release. Then getting one before they sold out, and putting it on ice for the start of the Redline Rally, that was a tough wait haha. And there is a years worth of memories in 'm already, taking them for round two this Redline Rally as a (Re)Pair piece. Lot's of happy moments happend with this CPO on, lot's of walks with the dog, and hopefully a lot more to come
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I wouldn't say I'm overly sentimental when it comes to clothing, so I don't really have an all-time favourite piece. To fit today's theme, these are the three pieces I've been wearing the most recently (so you could say they're my current favs), combined with a nostalgic novelty tee from one of my favourite films...
IHJ-139-IND
IHSH-374-IND
IH-777-XHS
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@Denimhead-0 said in Theme Week March 2-6 - Show us What You've Got....:
@Giles
️Best watch story since the history of Butch’s watch
I would love to be a fly on the wall when Christopher Walken tells @Giles' watch story to @Alex
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Sorry to bore you. Here's another watch story. Same guy.
One day, out of the blue, a package turned up. In it was this....
It is an early 2000's Speedy case and bracelet. But this is the important bit, into that case was placed a vintage 321 movement and a Japanese racing dial. It's a Frankenstein, but built especially for me.
I don't wear it that much because it is not waterproof, and I cant be trusted with anything that "fragile".
"OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011
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@Giles - This guy sounds like a dick! Who needs people like that in our lives. I mean, come on!
I love the colours though - and I am definitely a monochrome watch guy.
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@Giles Best I can offer is a Swatch moon watch and Swatch Blancpain as a thank you for bringing these items to the West...
All jokes aside, that's incredibly generous and a great story. I love watches myself, and my favourites I own have been gifts/have stories...
