It is an open secret that Vladimir Putin has given away some of his watches to common people during his trips in Russia. In August, he was drinking tea with a local shepherd in the Republic of Tuva and gave his Blancpain watch to the shepherd’s son.
In September, Putin visited the city of Tula. He had a meeting with local workers when Viktor Zagayevsky, a mechanic, asked the prime minister to leave something to them as a gift. Putin flung his arms up and said that he did not have anything with him. The worker saw a watch on Putin’s wrist and wondered if he could give them the watch for good memory of their meeting with the prime minister.
It could be seen that Putin was taken aback with such a request. However, he removed the watch – another Blancpain – and gave it to the worker.
“I gave the same watch to a shepherd’s son in Tuva. I liked it a lot, so I bought another one,” he said.
In October, Putin visited China. He was photographed wearing another Blancpain, which, as it seems, Putin likes a lot indeed. A Blancpain, Leman Aqualung Grande Date watch, which Putin was wearing in China, costs $10,500, according to Wristwatch Annual 2009 Catalogue, the Vedomosti newspaper wrote.
Before developing a passion for Blancpain watches, Putin was wearing Patek Philippe. As it turns out, other Russian officials prefer this brand too.
For example, Andrei Kostin, the President of VTB Bank, wears a Patek Philippe, Sky Moon worth $240,800, as the above-mentioned catalogue states.
Aleksei Ulyukayev, first deputy chairman of the Russian Central Bank, wears a Patek Philippe, Chronograph Annual Calendar ref.5960, worth $78,800. The head of the presidential administration, Sergey Naryshkin, wears a modest model of Patek Philippe priced at $29,700.
Breguet is another popular watch brand among Russian officials. President Dmitry Medvedev wear a Breguet, Classique Moon Phase, priced at $32,200.
The Breguet watches of Finance Minister Aleksei Kudrin and Sberbank’s head German Gref, are twice less expensive than that of the president - $14,900 and $14,200 respectively.
Gazprom’s chairman, Aleksei Miller, was snapped wearing a very expensive Breguet, Classique Grande Complication Tourbillon for $112,100.
Ulysse Nardin also enjoys great popularity among Russian statesmen. Vice Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak and the head of RosNanotechnologies Anatoly Chubais were photographed wearing UN watches priced at about $16,000.
Vladimir Resin, Deputy Moscow Mayor, was photographed wearing a DeWitt, La Pressy Grande Complication. An employee of the company that makes these watches, said that they cost 1.044,800 Swiss franks.
Mr. Resin owns at least one extremely rare watch – a GreubelForsey Double Tourbillon 30°. They can be available in white gold or platinum priced at $360,000 or $425,000 respectively, Wristwatch Annual 2008 Catalogue said.
Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov wears a Bovet watch. A spokesperson for the company said that it is a white gold Fleurier Minute Repeater. The retail price of this watch is about $300,000 in the United States
The Russian nobility always had a taste for ostentatious baubles - Faberge eggs, etc. And expensive Swiss watches.
Russian soldiers in WWII were famous watch "collectors" - they would relieve any civilian they got their hands on of their watches. Just like the worker in the story , they would ask for a souvenir of your meeting - your watch, your rings, your boots, etc. So they would have a "good memory" of meeting you. And just like Putin, you might be a little taken aback, but given that the Russian soldier in question would be drunk and armed, you would make the gift.
It's really amazing how constant national character is over decades or even centuries - governments and ideologies come and go, but people are the same.
"Revision" <kent.be...@gmail.com> wrote in message
It is an open secret that Vladimir Putin has given away some of his watches to common people during his trips in Russia. In August, he was drinking tea with a local shepherd in the Republic of Tuva and gave his Blancpain watch to the shepherd’s son.
In September, Putin visited the city of Tula. He had a meeting with local workers when Viktor Zagayevsky, a mechanic, asked the prime minister to leave something to them as a gift. Putin flung his arms up and said that he did not have anything with him. The worker saw a watch on Putin’s wrist and wondered if he could give them the watch for good memory of their meeting with the prime minister.
It could be seen that Putin was taken aback with such a request. However, he removed the watch – another Blancpain – and gave it to the worker.
“I gave the same watch to a shepherd’s son in Tuva. I liked it a lot, so I bought another one,” he said.
In October, Putin visited China. He was photographed wearing another Blancpain, which, as it seems, Putin likes a lot indeed. A Blancpain, Leman Aqualung Grande Date watch, which Putin was wearing in China, costs $10,500, according to Wristwatch Annual 2009 Catalogue, the Vedomosti newspaper wrote.
Before developing a passion for Blancpain watches, Putin was wearing Patek Philippe. As it turns out, other Russian officials prefer this brand too.
For example, Andrei Kostin, the President of VTB Bank, wears a Patek Philippe, Sky Moon worth $240,800, as the above-mentioned catalogue states.
Aleksei Ulyukayev, first deputy chairman of the Russian Central Bank, wears a Patek Philippe, Chronograph Annual Calendar ref.5960, worth $78,800. The head of the presidential administration, Sergey Naryshkin, wears a modest model of Patek Philippe priced at $29,700.
Breguet is another popular watch brand among Russian officials. President Dmitry Medvedev wear a Breguet, Classique Moon Phase, priced at $32,200.
The Breguet watches of Finance Minister Aleksei Kudrin and Sberbank’s head German Gref, are twice less expensive than that of the president - $14,900 and $14,200 respectively.
Gazprom’s chairman, Aleksei Miller, was snapped wearing a very expensive Breguet, Classique Grande Complication Tourbillon for $112,100.
Ulysse Nardin also enjoys great popularity among Russian statesmen. Vice Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak and the head of RosNanotechnologies Anatoly Chubais were photographed wearing UN watches priced at about $16,000.
Vladimir Resin, Deputy Moscow Mayor, was photographed wearing a DeWitt, La Pressy Grande Complication. An employee of the company that makes these watches, said that they cost 1.044,800 Swiss franks.
Mr. Resin owns at least one extremely rare watch – a GreubelForsey Double Tourbillon 30°. They can be available in white gold or platinum priced at $360,000 or $425,000 respectively, Wristwatch Annual 2008 Catalogue said.
Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov wears a Bovet watch. A spokesperson for the company said that it is a white gold Fleurier Minute Repeater. The retail price of this watch is about $300,000 in the United States
PS It's interesting that the Russian leadership no longer even make a pretense of being modest and not corrupt. Where do civil servants get the rubles to buy these mega pricey watches? In the West, leaders have to be seen in public only wearing Timexes and such, at least while they are still in office, to prove that they are men of the people. I guess since elections in Russia are all rigged now, they don't have to worry.
"Jack Denver" <nunuv...@netscape.net> wrote in message
> The Russian nobility always had a taste for ostentatious baubles - Faberge > eggs, etc. And expensive Swiss watches.
> Russian soldiers in WWII were famous watch "collectors" - they would > relieve any civilian they got their hands on of their watches. Just like > the worker in the story , they would ask for a souvenir of your meeting - > your watch, your rings, your boots, etc. So they would have a "good > memory" of meeting you. And just like Putin, you might be a little taken > aback, but given that the Russian soldier in question would be drunk and > armed, you would make the gift.
> It's really amazing how constant national character is over decades or > even centuries - governments and ideologies come and go, but people are > the same.
> It is an open secret that Vladimir Putin has given away some of his > watches to common people during his trips in Russia. In August, he was > drinking tea with a local shepherd in the Republic of Tuva and gave > his Blancpain watch to the shepherd’s son.
> In September, Putin visited the city of Tula. He had a meeting with > local workers when Viktor Zagayevsky, a mechanic, asked the prime > minister to leave something to them as a gift. Putin flung his arms up > and said that he did not have anything with him. The worker saw a > watch on Putin’s wrist and wondered if he could give them the watch > for good memory of their meeting with the prime minister.
> It could be seen that Putin was taken aback with such a request. > However, he removed the watch – another Blancpain – and gave it to the > worker.
> “I gave the same watch to a shepherd’s son in Tuva. I liked it a lot, > so I bought another one,” he said.
> In October, Putin visited China. He was photographed wearing another > Blancpain, which, as it seems, Putin likes a lot indeed. A Blancpain, > Leman Aqualung Grande Date watch, which Putin was wearing in China, > costs $10,500, according to Wristwatch Annual 2009 Catalogue, the > Vedomosti newspaper wrote.
> Before developing a passion for Blancpain watches, Putin was wearing > Patek Philippe. As it turns out, other Russian officials prefer this > brand too.
> For example, Andrei Kostin, the President of VTB Bank, wears a Patek > Philippe, Sky Moon worth $240,800, as the above-mentioned catalogue > states.
> Aleksei Ulyukayev, first deputy chairman of the Russian Central Bank, > wears a Patek Philippe, Chronograph Annual Calendar ref.5960, worth > $78,800. The head of the presidential administration, Sergey > Naryshkin, wears a modest model of Patek Philippe priced at $29,700.
> Breguet is another popular watch brand among Russian officials. > President Dmitry Medvedev wear a Breguet, Classique Moon Phase, priced > at $32,200.
> The Breguet watches of Finance Minister Aleksei Kudrin and Sberbank’s > head German Gref, are twice less expensive than that of the president > - $14,900 and $14,200 respectively.
> Gazprom’s chairman, Aleksei Miller, was snapped wearing a very > expensive Breguet, Classique Grande Complication Tourbillon for > $112,100.
> Ulysse Nardin also enjoys great popularity among Russian statesmen. > Vice Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak and the head of RosNanotechnologies > Anatoly Chubais were photographed wearing UN watches priced at about > $16,000.
> Vladimir Resin, Deputy Moscow Mayor, was photographed wearing a > DeWitt, La Pressy Grande Complication. An employee of the company that > makes these watches, said that they cost 1.044,800 Swiss franks.
> Mr. Resin owns at least one extremely rare watch – a GreubelForsey > Double Tourbillon 30°. They can be available in white gold or platinum > priced at $360,000 or $425,000 respectively, Wristwatch Annual 2008 > Catalogue said.
> Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov wears a Bovet watch. A spokesperson > for the company said that it is a white gold Fleurier Minute Repeater. > The retail price of this watch is about $300,000 in the United States
> PS It's interesting that the Russian leadership no longer even make a > pretense of being modest and not corrupt. Where do civil servants get the > rubles to buy these mega pricey watches? In the West, leaders have to be > seen in public only wearing Timexes and such, at least while they are still > in office, to prove that they are men of the people. I guess since > elections in Russia are all rigged now, they don't have to worry.
> "Jack Denver" <nunuv...@netscape.net> wrote in message
> > The Russian nobility always had a taste for ostentatious baubles - Faberge > > eggs, etc. And expensive Swiss watches.
> > Russian soldiers in WWII were famous watch "collectors" - they would > > relieve any civilian they got their hands on of their watches. Just like > > the worker in the story , they would ask for a souvenir of your meeting - > > your watch, your rings, your boots, etc. So they would have a "good > > memory" of meeting you. And just like Putin, you might be a little taken > > aback, but given that the Russian soldier in question would be drunk and > > armed, you would make the gift.
> > It's really amazing how constant national character is over decades or > > even centuries - governments and ideologies come and go, but people are > > the same.
> > It is an open secret that Vladimir Putin has given away some of his > > watches to common people during his trips in Russia. In August, he was > > drinking tea with a local shepherd in the Republic of Tuva and gave > > his Blancpain watch to the shepherd’s son.
> > In September, Putin visited the city of Tula. He had a meeting with > > local workers when Viktor Zagayevsky, a mechanic, asked the prime > > minister to leave something to them as a gift. Putin flung his arms up > > and said that he did not have anything with him. The worker saw a > > watch on Putin’s wrist and wondered if he could give them the watch > > for good memory of their meeting with the prime minister.
> > It could be seen that Putin was taken aback with such a request. > > However, he removed the watch – another Blancpain – and gave it to the > > worker.
> > “I gave the same watch to a shepherd’s son in Tuva. I liked it a lot, > > so I bought another one,” he said.
> > In October, Putin visited China. He was photographed wearing another > > Blancpain, which, as it seems, Putin likes a lot indeed. A Blancpain, > > Leman Aqualung Grande Date watch, which Putin was wearing in China, > > costs $10,500, according to Wristwatch Annual 2009 Catalogue, the > > Vedomosti newspaper wrote.
> > Before developing a passion for Blancpain watches, Putin was wearing > > Patek Philippe. As it turns out, other Russian officials prefer this > > brand too.
> > For example, Andrei Kostin, the President of VTB Bank, wears a Patek > > Philippe, Sky Moon worth $240,800, as the above-mentioned catalogue > > states.
> > Aleksei Ulyukayev, first deputy chairman of the Russian Central Bank, > > wears a Patek Philippe, Chronograph Annual Calendar ref.5960, worth > > $78,800. The head of the presidential administration, Sergey > > Naryshkin, wears a modest model of Patek Philippe priced at $29,700.
> > Breguet is another popular watch brand among Russian officials. > > President Dmitry Medvedev wear a Breguet, Classique Moon Phase, priced > > at $32,200.
> > The Breguet watches of Finance Minister Aleksei Kudrin and Sberbank’s > > head German Gref, are twice less expensive than that of the president > > - $14,900 and $14,200 respectively.
> > Gazprom’s chairman, Aleksei Miller, was snapped wearing a very > > expensive Breguet, Classique Grande Complication Tourbillon for > > $112,100.
> > Ulysse Nardin also enjoys great popularity among Russian statesmen. > > Vice Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak and the head of RosNanotechnologies > > Anatoly Chubais were photographed wearing UN watches priced at about > > $16,000.
> > Vladimir Resin, Deputy Moscow Mayor, was photographed wearing a > > DeWitt, La Pressy Grande Complication. An employee of the company that > > makes these watches, said that they cost 1.044,800 Swiss franks.
> > Mr. Resin owns at least one extremely rare watch – a GreubelForsey > > Double Tourbillon 30°. They can be available in white gold or platinum > > priced at $360,000 or $425,000 respectively, Wristwatch Annual 2008 > > Catalogue said.
> > Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov wears a Bovet watch. A spokesperson > > for the company said that it is a white gold Fleurier Minute Repeater. > > The retail price of this watch is about $300,000 in the United States
Russian people have always had good taste for luxury! Unlike Quakers!
After so many decades of ugly socialism, the East has finally turned back to basic capitalism, whilst our so called "capitalist" western democracies have turned chicken on "socialists" and adapted most of their rules, with the big difference that apparently we still have the "feeling" of being living in freedom and free speach! ;-)
Funny you should mention Quakers because I am from the part of the US (Philadelphia) where the Quakers were centered. Even though they form only a small minority today they set the historic tone for the city which was always against ostentatious display of wealth. Quaker cemeteries have rows of identical gravestones, all very small. Wealthy old line Philadelphia families, even if not Quaker, always drove beat up old cars, preferably station wagons. The ideal was to inherit all your furniture and never to buy anything new, or at least make it look like you had inherited it.
"SWG" <swisswatch...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
On Oct 30, 3:59 am, "Jack Denver" <nunuv...@netscape.net> wrote:
> Funny you should mention Quakers because I am from the part of the US > (Philadelphia) where the Quakers were centered. Even though they form only > a small minority today they set the historic tone for the city which was > always against ostentatious display of wealth. Quaker cemeteries have rows > of identical gravestones, all very small. Wealthy old line Philadelphia > families, even if not Quaker, always drove beat up old cars, preferably > station wagons. The ideal was to inherit all your furniture and never to buy > anything new, or at least make it look like you had inherited it.
The Jura Mountains, where my family originates from, served as refuge for the Mennonites from the Emmental who did not follow Amman across the Atlantic to establish the community close to where you live. Funnily enough, although nobody was really religious in my family (protestants), I can still feel the influence of that kind of spirit deep down entrenched: I call it the white metal syndrome (Zen countries, especially Japan & Germany and parts of the Muslim's are the biggest consumers of platinum and other white metal watches and jewellery in the world. BTW, I still use some furniture inherited from my late grand uncle.
Of course, practically minded Catholics don't care paying tribute to Mammon, as they can always get repeatedly an official rain wash, and even go to the Vatican and negotiate a buy off of their sins and their absolution ;-) Some others make it even ostentatious: the so called gurus, taking all the moneys from their brainwashed believers (the formers being very good customers of the Industry, what the latter never would have been).
Of course, watch collectors build a special kind of “confession” by themselves
Although they are both found in this area (and not by co-incidence- William Penn designed his colony as a place for religious dissenters of all stripes (unlike the Puritans in Massachusetts who, after fleeing religious persecution, immediately established their own, because after all theirs was the "true" religion)), the Quakers and the Amish are completely unrelated groups that sprung up in different places and times (although with some significant similarities - e.g. pacifist refusal to serve in the military, the one time belief in distinctive "plain dress", since largely abandoned by the Quakers). The Quakers were city dwellers who were educated, successful in business and well integrated into the mainstream society even though they kept distinctive dress and speech (thee instead of you) at least until the beginning of the 20th century. The Amish were and are simple rural people who have consciously avoid integration into the larger society to this day, even retaining their German dialect and largely shunning all modern conveniences (automobiles, electricity, etc.). But not, BTW, watches and clocks - generally speaking things that operate autonomously without connection to the outside world are permitted in their religion. The Hamilton factory was in Lancaster city, which is at the heart of Amish country (but culturally distinct from it) - today converted to residential apartments. The National Watch & Clock Museum is in nearby Columbia.
There is no question that the dominant religion or culture sets the "tone" for an area. Even those who do not believe in it are influenced by it.
Islam I believe is a special case because the hadith (the recorded sayings of Mohammed, who BTW was illiterate himself) specifically prohibits the wearing of gold jewelry by men. So it is not a question of being "too flashy" or incompatible with the culture in some subtle way but a flat out religious prohibition - a devout Muslim male can not wear a gold watch any more than he can eat pork.
"SWG" <swisswatch...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> Funny you should mention Quakers because I am from the part of the US > (Philadelphia) where the Quakers were centered. Even though they form only > a small minority today they set the historic tone for the city which was > always against ostentatious display of wealth. Quaker cemeteries have rows > of identical gravestones, all very small. Wealthy old line Philadelphia > families, even if not Quaker, always drove beat up old cars, preferably > station wagons. The ideal was to inherit all your furniture and never to > buy > anything new, or at least make it look like you had inherited it.
The Jura Mountains, where my family originates from, served as refuge for the Mennonites from the Emmental who did not follow Amman across the Atlantic to establish the community close to where you live. Funnily enough, although nobody was really religious in my family (protestants), I can still feel the influence of that kind of spirit deep down entrenched: I call it the white metal syndrome (Zen countries, especially Japan & Germany and parts of the Muslim's are the biggest consumers of platinum and other white metal watches and jewellery in the world. BTW, I still use some furniture inherited from my late grand uncle.
Of course, practically minded Catholics don't care paying tribute to Mammon, as they can always get repeatedly an official rain wash, and even go to the Vatican and negotiate a buy off of their sins and their absolution ;-) Some others make it even ostentatious: the so called gurus, taking all the moneys from their brainwashed believers (the formers being very good customers of the Industry, what the latter never would have been).
Of course, watch collectors build a special kind of “confession” by themselves
> Islam I believe is a special case because the hadith (the recorded sayings > of Mohammed, who BTW was illiterate himself) specifically prohibits the > wearing of gold jewelry by men. So it is not a question of being "too > flashy" or incompatible with the culture in some subtle way but a flat > out religious prohibition - a devout Muslim male can not wear a gold watch > any more than he can eat pork.
> Although they are both found in this area (and not by co-incidence- William > Penn designed his colony as a place for religious dissenters of all stripes > (unlike the Puritans in Massachusetts who, after fleeing religious > persecution, immediately established their own, because after all theirs was > the "true" religion)), the Quakers and the Amish are completely unrelated > groups that sprung up in different places and times (although with some > significant similarities - e.g. pacifist refusal to serve in the military, > the one time belief in distinctive "plain dress", since largely abandoned by > the Quakers). The Quakers were city dwellers who were educated, successful > in business and well integrated into the mainstream society even though they > kept distinctive dress and speech (thee instead of you) at least until the > beginning of the 20th century. The Amish were and are simple rural people > who have consciously avoid integration into the larger society to this day, > even retaining their German dialect and largely shunning all modern > conveniences (automobiles, electricity, etc.). But not, BTW, watches and > clocks - generally speaking things that operate autonomously without > connection to the outside world are permitted in their religion. The > Hamilton factory was in Lancaster city, which is at the heart of Amish > country (but culturally distinct from it) - today converted to residential > apartments. The National Watch & Clock Museum is in nearby Columbia.
> There is no question that the dominant religion or culture sets the "tone" > for an area. Even those who do not believe in it are influenced by it.
> Islam I believe is a special case because the hadith (the recorded sayings > of Mohammed, who BTW was illiterate himself) specifically prohibits the > wearing of gold jewelry by men. So it is not a question of being "too > flashy" or incompatible with the culture in some subtle way but a flat out > religious prohibition - a devout Muslim male can not wear a gold watch any > more than he can eat pork.
> "SWG" <swisswatch...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:fd6a37bc-4e2a-4f81-842d-728899382cf3@p35g2000yqh.googlegroups.com... > On Oct 30, 3:59 am, "Jack Denver" <nunuv...@netscape.net> wrote:> Funny you should mention Quakers because I am from the part of the US > > (Philadelphia) where the Quakers were centered. Even though they form only > > a small minority today they set the historic tone for the city which was > > always against ostentatious display of wealth. Quaker cemeteries have rows > > of identical gravestones, all very small. Wealthy old line Philadelphia > > families, even if not Quaker, always drove beat up old cars, preferably > > station wagons. The ideal was to inherit all your furniture and never to > > buy > > anything new, or at least make it look like you had inherited it.
> The Jura Mountains, where my family originates from, served as refuge > for the Mennonites from the Emmental who did not follow Amman across > the Atlantic to establish the community close to where you live. > Funnily enough, although nobody was really religious in my family > (protestants), I can still feel the influence of that kind of spirit > deep down entrenched: I call it the white metal syndrome (Zen > countries, especially Japan & Germany and parts of the Muslim's are > the biggest consumers of platinum and other white metal watches and > jewellery in the world. BTW, I still use some furniture inherited from > my late grand uncle.
> Of course, practically minded Catholics don't care paying tribute to > Mammon, as they can always get repeatedly an official rain wash, and > even go to the Vatican and negotiate a buy off of their sins and their > absolution ;-) Some others make it even ostentatious: the so called > gurus, taking all the moneys from their brainwashed believers (the > formers being very good customers of the Industry, what the latter > never would have been).
> Of course, watch collectors build a special kind of “confession” by > themselves
You are right.
I was just relating those different groups because of the similar results with regards to the selection of the colour of watches.
The Mennonites, Anabaptists, etc in the Jura Moutains also have kept their Swiss German, spoken at home, whereas the children go to the French speaking schools. Bilingual Swiss German / French, besides the practice of their own kinds (e.g. in Tramelan their are over 20 different "churches") of protestant confession, they have otherwise completely mingled with the locals and accept all the modern way of life. Those not working their farms have become watchmakers and any other profession.
> > Islam I believe is a special case because the hadith (the recorded sayings > > of Mohammed, who BTW was illiterate himself) specifically prohibits the > > wearing of gold jewelry by men. So it is not a question of being "too > > flashy" or incompatible with the culture in some subtle way but a flat > > out religious prohibition - a devout Muslim male can not wear a gold watch > > any more than he can eat pork.
Kosher is a Jewish terminology referring to food. Technology has superseded gold-plated watches in favour of "ion plating" on stainless steel, respectively sintered steel or aluminium, which is much more resistant, and now just as easy and as cheaply to manufacture as previously "base metal" (brass alloys) was.
>> Islam I believe is a special case because the hadith (the recorded >> sayings of Mohammed, who BTW was illiterate himself) specifically >> prohibits the wearing of gold jewelry by men. So it is not a question of >> being "too flashy" or incompatible with the culture in some subtle way >> but a flat out religious prohibition - a devout Muslim male can not wear >> a gold watch any more than he can eat pork.
|
