June 2, 2024, Vancouver I co-hosted an event with IWC, where I delved into my passion for wine and horology alongside my dear friend Hoki Lee. Hoki is a true renaissance man, effortlessly blending deep horological knowledge with a humility that’s rare in either circle.
The evening was all about perpetual calendars, we started by drawing parallels between the quartz crisis and the phylloxera epidemic in 19th century Europe then tasted wines that resonated these narratives.
During the quartz revolution, IWC legend Kurt Klaus emerged with a bold vision that modernized the perpetual calendar. Similarly, when phylloxera ravaged France, the country turned to Spain for salvation. Rioja, once known for bulk wine, absorbed Bordeaux’s influence and eventually gained international recognition.
The evolution of IWC’s perpetual calendar and Rioja didn’t stem from abundance; it emerged from a time of desperation. These are stories not of easy triumph but of innovation and resilience, and often come from the darkest times.
And in all honesty, this is a timely message to preach to myself. Times are challenging, many are feeling the squeeze. This is the time for innovation.