docblackrock

More mellow and chilled of late, but still shows no aptitude for career in the Austrian diplomatic service, eh JTB?

By using a loupe and autofocus maybe p.s. interesting detail that 'service' crystal - have seen that on gens a few times never before on rep, wonder if it's real oem crystal, batches DO turn up on the grey market from time to time...

You do realise you're now going to HAVE to put together an EL-like photoshow for this, with THIS soundtrack...

Great post ryyannon, very true especially the bit "you can run but you can't hide"... Trust me though, the UK is far far from the promised land it seems, that's just a huge PR exercise on the part of the government which no doubt will continue sickeningly unabated now London has 'won' the next-but-one Olympics. Tony's Magic Fantasy Island is just that, a fantasy. In reality, the core is rotten and corrupt and many of the the values that once made this country great have been eroded, I fear, irreversibly, and it saddens me. As I've also found, you have to take refuge in the last vestiges of all that is good, whether that be architectural, cultural, or lifestyle-based. It is no different wherever you are. Personally, I need beautiful surroundings and a sense of history, it cheers my soul and I am very fortunate to have that at least. When even that is not enough, I take myself off to one of 3 places... Dublin the home of half my family, where there is now a real sense of confidence in the future, of embracing change for the better perhaps based on a booming economy, but whatever its working (although the rest of the country might not agree). Stockholm - probably the most beatiful city in Europe, I have friends there and outside of winter (too cold and dark for me!) there is an outdoor lifestyle that I truly envy. Again, the standard of living (not in a monetary sense, more collective) also appeals. And finally, Italy, my planned retirement home - either the Veneto first for a while then down south where the old ways are preserved - the sense of family, tradition, belonging, friendliness etc. unmatched anywhere in the world. However, if you ask the locals how they see their own country, the Irish would go all melancholy ignoring the bigger picture, the Swedes would point out all-too-familiar problems of disenfranchisement and immigration, in a country where thankfully murder is still extremely rare, and the Italians....well taxes would get them started and then the floodgates would open. Point is, everywhere is [censored] to some degree, you just have to filter out the negatives and find somewhere to take yourself that makes you feel good about the world. Otherwise, you're f***ked.

@ Thor, thanks for reposting this thread. Like the vintage datewheels, I also can't wait for this project to move to production - I may have a genuine superdome but I'd love a spare so my BP doesn't spike at 150 every time a doorway or glass desktop comes into contact with my crystal, not that I'm clumsy just THAT dome seems to have a gravitational pull all of its own!

@kruzer, I'm pretty sure that isn't Amelia Earhart, I know she wasn't a looker but that's a MAN for chrissakes - looks to me more like a Japanese flyboy from the '30s, maybe even a relative? Do tell Euno.... *edit - posted that before the man answered - sad story Euno, I have similar photos of my grandmother's brother, a tank commander, sadly now in grip of Alzheimer's and unfortunately cruelly reliving certain memories best forgotten*

Ooh ooh, not a big jubilee fan but just spotted those nice folded links poking out in that last pic. *edited for posting comment in wrong thread, doh!*

Euno I can see you're just going to keep posting those droolworthy pics until I am in the looney bin... No, not where johnnyboy used to live, I mean the REAL looney bin

Breathless with anticipation, this one's going to be a corker no doubt... I can hazard an exciting guess though...don't worry I'll keep quiet for now, ssssccchhhhhh *edit* not wrong Edge, Ubi= of vintage

Does this mean what I think it means Randy?

Always good to vent spleen RBJ, and noble intention too offering the hand of friendship like that, but I'd have to agree with Jeff... There lurks a 'Brutus' in many like Elliot, as you say yourself his motives are not pure (ironic for a self-proclaimed purist!) and I wouldn't turn your back for split second lest you feel the metallic prod of something sharp and pointy...! Frankly I don't care if he has the dog's [censored] in straps, it is all about the person and service, which is why someone like Drew - an absolute top-class gent to deal with - will always get my business.

Hmmm, exactly where do you live that customs and excise duty is >60%??!!! Wherever, I'm glad I don't live there....

Me too, it feels kind of cathartic...aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh *edit - no relevant reason for the smiley, just 'kid with new toy' mentality, sorry*

Aaah, Nina.....da....da-duh...da-duh...da-duh, dadudaladuh

Agree, it's getting verrrry close. Blemishes aside (and we all know how sometimes it's hard to look beyond those tiny niggling QC imperfections that scream out), that PO looks the business no mistake. Looked at about four different PO models this week in an AD, the one I really want they didn't have in stock (black on rubber), so no different in waiting for Andrew et al to bring me what I REALLY want... Two words....Black....45mm

Very appropriate choice Matt As for me, well my 192 is calling...

Hmmm, it's late here but is it being suggested that WM (and new MBW) dials/cases are so very slightly smaller than gen? Does this mean I'll need to trim my en-route MY dial in my WM 1665? If so, what's the best method? Joe?

Aaaawwww, it's starting to feel like home already (note to self: stop arseing about and get yourself one of those MY dials, you fool....) The 'first' post of many I hope Ubi....

I guess it would be cruel to mention she has an identical twin sister (separated at birth now living in Germany) then.... Or maybe it's triplets? :cloud9:

Damn you all!!!! Just when I thought I'd beaten my 1675 project fixation, even the nightmares had stopped (raiding an old watchmaker's cabinet, completing the perfect GMT which Nanuq then borrows for 'testing' ) Seriously I think it's time to break open the piggy bank and go gen, right now it feels like I'll be or worse before I find an accurate 1675 case and bezel assembly *edit* yes, I've found and very much liking the new smileys....what can I say, old dog, new trick... *

Does this T39 look familiar?.....mwahahahaaaaaaa....

great pic JTB