RDubya

Came to the forum today to reasearch another watch, and here I am thinking I would now rather have this. Dammit! Beautiful. Hmmmm to buy or not to buy.

I'll post pics for sure! Cant wait..

Amazing post/pics/review, Lani. Thanks. After a few months of mulling it over, I ordered my DSSD Ult V w/bezel mod from Joshua today. Cant wait!

very nice!

Anyone heard from Donerix?

Wow, some excellent feedback from both sides. Thanks everyone. I get the impression (and perhaps appropriately so) that most of the folks who own the gens are less apt to sport the reps publicly, and those of us who can only afford the reps (but fancy themselves into thinking them indistinguishable to 99% of people, me included), are perhaps more likely to wear them (albeit with sensible discretion). I bought an IWC rep this year, but only wore it publicly maybe 2-3 times before I sold it (apparently I agreed, it was trying to be something I'm not, it just never felt right, despite my admiration of the design/its beauty), whereas my rep Omega PO with rubber strap is worn daily (I really dont have any problems with this one, as I feel the gen is within my grasp but I'm perfectly happy with the rep). Personally I've never had anyone question one of my reps, so I'll not be labeled as one of the types to not admit as such if/when asked. No shame in explaining "its a custom watch, etc etc" especially if its an unbranded rep like the PAM I just bought. Its so true that most folks never notice or are indifferent. Personally I always notice watches, always have for some reason. Not in terms of making a socioeconomic evaluation of the people I come across (far from it), just a fan of watches is all. I make it a habit of complimenting people on their timepieces if I see something I admire (especially if its uncommon). People always love that. Not just the overpriced gens either. A buddy of mine bought a Suunto with all kinds data measuring capabilities, very cool. For the record I dont wear or sport any other jewelry and typically make it a point not to wear branded clothing. For some reason, I do love me a nice watch though. As for the moral implications/human rights issues, unfortunately I feel this applies to so many things we as consumers take for granted, beyond reps. Nonetheless a very important subject and obviously something I didnt consider when starting the topic, but I'm glad it was raised. I'm still trying to determine how or why I'm an idiot for paying cash for a used car. Its a really nice/great performing car with a solid motor, and had low mileage from single owner (I ended up paying about 60% less than what he paid retail). I absolutely love not having monthly payments, a real win/win to me. My home is my gold mine as far as tax breaks are concerned. But then again I'm a small fish in a big pond. In any case, wasnt my intention to dismiss or discredit the folks who do lease. To each his own. My guesstimated middle class percentages are clearly rejected. Point taken. Obviously definitions vary as to what qualifies, and everything is subjective. Wasnt my intention to make political implications aligned with the current administration. Whatever your definitions, the middle class is a large group, and I dont feel (being a member of this group) that our society is as class conscious as they may be in some EU nations. If I'm way off base here, fair enough. Fakemaster, thanks for making me laugh out loud, and Wombat247, great posts. All this great feedback hopefully only strengthens each of ours appreciation for this diverse forum and our shared passion for watches.

I've only been a fan of wearing reps for about 4 years or so. Way back when I had less responsibility and made great money, I had a gen rolex that I could afford, and wore often with pride in private and in public. As times/situations/jobs changed I sold the watch as I needed the money. I always regretted it, until the day I purchased my noob rollie, which, in my opinion, was a very, very (and still is) good replica on many levels. I still wear it on occasion and never once has anyone (friend, family, co-worker, stranger, unfamiliar, or otherwise) questioned, challenged, suggested, or hinted it was anything other than the genuine article. Of course, I also never sported a rep where the real gen's value was totally beyond likelihood anyone in my tax bracket could possibly own, neither have I purchased/worn if I wasnt satisfied after doing my homework it was a quality replica that, for my rep enthusiast purposes, "looked" and "felt" real enough so I could wear in private and in public without someone questioning me about it. But it was always for me, not to impress other people, I really like watches. I figured it was my little secret, as my daily life includes circles of college educated, predominantly middle class American peers with moderate incomes, where most of the affluent folks around here wear rolexes (and that's about were their high end watch familiarity ends). IMO, only a select few group of people recognize, identify, and conceive the potential value/worth/or possess the acumen to question authenticity of a great rep. Recently my rep wearing world was a bit shattered, when a friendly fellow forum member mentioned he never ever wears his reps in public. Reason? He said the folks in his country would never ever accept that he could genuinely afford the real deal, despite that the gen version of his great rep watch has an expensive, albeit relatively speaking, not all together exorbitant value. Although I've always had the interpretation that the folks in his country (a first world power) have always been, and still are much more class conscious than us here in the states, where 65-70% of Americans are middle class, I suddenly realized I've maybe been too complacent and should start wearing my carefully selected reps with a bit more discretion in public? This has never really been an issue for me before. I seldom care what other folks think, but then my rep collection has grown quite a bit this year, and I'm wearing more diverse models with their genuine counterparts having higher values, and to the cynical but tuned eye, might work to discredit my public standing if only so very superficially. Of course, America is full of pretentious posers, with many of my female coworkers for example sporting rep Louis Vuitton bags and driving leased BMW's, while living in an apartment and making squat. My modest car is paid for and so is my mortgage (monthly), but I do enjoy me some nice reps. Like my friend from the forum, should I also just be content to wear my reps in private/at home? Who the hell cares? To each his own? Apples & Oranges? Again, any rep I have purchased from a forum approved collector that I received, I have promptly returned or sold if I felt they fell short of what a believable, quality rep should be, and figured if the rep can fool me it'll fool almost anyone else. I'm curious to know how many of you people wear your reps in public, if this was ever an issue/consideration, etc etc. I'd really like to hear both sides. Cheers!

Thanks RoninQ, that link is just what I was looking for!

Hi Hooky. I suppose more on the vintage side of the model range, If I understand the classification correctly. Right now I've narrowed it down to the 111 (with metal bracelet) or the mm20 (on the fence between the pvd or non pvd versions). Budget ideally less than $400 for the watch, then a small budget for some mods to start (strap, and, what else would you recommend?) Ive really become a fan of great lume, youre right I can never go back to conventional standards.. I'd really love to hear what input you may have on model & mod preferences. Cheers!

Thanks paneristi. The lume on your profile photo pic is amazing! Where is that from?

Thank you all for the very kind and varied helpful input. This was a big help, especially raising my awareness to cartel parts/fitment concerns. I always assumed swiss movement was worth the premium but understand asian movements can be more reliable? As for size that's actually one aspect of the PAMs that caught my attention. I'm a bigger dude with bigger wrists, anything less than a 42-44mm just looks less than proportionate on me (IMO). I cant help but notice most PAM members of this forum opt for the leather bands, with few opting for the steel or rubber bracelets. Are these latter choices frowned upon by PAM fans? I know it ultimately comes down to personal choice.. Is the domed sapphire regarded as more rep-like? Is it considered more of an aged (as opposed to their more contemporary models) PAM look? I'm sure my first purchase will end up being the first of many. I'll keep you all posted on what I end up getting. Cheers!

I've been reading this forum for a while, and perusing and drooling over Davidsons pages recently, and I'm still having a really hard time not knowing which model should be my first rep PAM purchase. There are just so many models to choose from, so many are ultimate versions, so many are not, etc. (how much stock should I put in this?). Please, one of you learned PAM aficionados, recommend maybe your favorite top 3 models, with uber brief explanations of why they are your favorites? I'm not looking for someone to make my decision for me, just hopefully steer me in a certain direction of specific PAM models that perhaps are the more accurate model reps/regarded as favored PAMs (if there is such a thing).