docblackrock

Mickey, you're forgetting the best ETA 3-6-9 chrono... the gorgeous 2894, a modified version of which sits in my Aquagraph.

Stay away from the 2-litre diesel engine on both, it's so asthmatic it's laughable. The 220CDI is much better and the torque will benefit you in the bigger CLK. If you choose the SLK (or SLGay as it was nicknamed) then go for the 230 petrol. Late 90s models were still all dogs though.

that's cheap simple refurbished old stock movement don't forget

That's very precise. Saving the other $9.9m for something really special then?

Yeah noticed a few listed/relisted over the past month. Wonder what is going on? Bonati apparently kept a list of all 150 recipients, and sold them on the express understanding (i.e. warned them) that if any of turned up on the resale market, they'd be blacklisted for ever more. Of course, not really enforceable is it, unless the OP Carabinieri make routine 'audits' of your personal possessions, or these ebay items end up back in OP hands. Interesting blackout of the caseback sticker on this one though.

Jeez, never mind the frickin' dome, that thing could induce an epileptic seizure! Already I can feel my retinas burning, and the drool (not the good kind) starting to form at the corners of my mouth.....

That's like saying a Bentley is just an overpriced 7-series.....or is there more than meets the eye? Truth be told, you can't really generalise like that - there are only good cars and bad cars. Your beloved Porsche (bleeuurgh) have made some god awful cars (not to mention deathtraps) in their time, whilst Mercedes (who I defected from last year) make quite a few you think 'what the hell were they thinking?!' whilst still bringing out the odd gem occasionally. For me Audi are the best all-rounders....there are just no real stinkers in the range (boring at worst) but a handful of standouts (V10 R8 obviously, S5, RS6, TTS). If I ever stumble on something lucrative in my lifetime, I may indulge myself say, with a Maserati GT, a DBS V12, and a '58 300SL for 'fun', but I'll always look to Audi for an everyday ride. Overpriced or not.

Don't do it. Having nervously taken receipt of a new V6 TT as a courtesy car (whilst my beloved A5 is in hospital), I have to say I was surprised and impressed. But then that's beacuse it's NOTHING like the Mk I version with a weedy engine and ropey handling (and horrible reliability, so I'm told) - no, this is a true car in its own right. No wonder the talk of the TT RS (yes they're making it AS WELL as the just launched TTS) is that of a 'baby R8'. I'd steer well clear of the Mk.I for the reasons above (and unless you like the gay hairdresser look) and see what's on offer in the early Mk II 2006 sector....you may be surprised how little one of these (high mileage in 2.0 manual form) would set you back.

Don't take this the wrong way, but as much I recognise your enthusiasm, you have a lot to learn about how ADs and SCs operate. Suggest you don't waste your time or petrol.

Check out that rail dial suckers, bwahahaha......owwww, must be careful not to pull those pesky stitches in my back

Ah you old flatterer you Nope no 1655 soup for me I'm afraid, DT got Steph's, Steph got Oli's, and all poor old Doc got was a case of the green-eyed monster Ah the gen.....yes indeed I still have my eye on a particular example. It taunts me. Just sitting there behind 3" of laminated glass window. Gleaming all seductively and minty fresh.... 'What do you mean, you can't afford me?' it sneers, every time I pass.... 'Don't be a big girl, c'mon....are you really using that second kidney?'. It has a point.

Bob, you still alive there? Guess you're busy eh....

Congrats Lani, I know this one's been on the boil for a while now, almost time to light that cigar.... You too B, yet another beauty takes up residence at Casa DT.... Now if you'll all excuse me I must go off into the corner and quietly sob at my lack of 1655 joy

What a god-awful abomination. Look like someone has let the myopic, astigmatic and colour-blind designer of the Grand Carrera run amok in the Monaco lab whilst they were all down the pub having a liquid lunch. Sure, it has the same gorgeous ZEP-based c.36 in there (although my Monza wears it better), and yes ok, the shock absorbers are novel if a little *cough* gimmicky. But honestly, it's like some April Fool's joke this Baselworld release. I'd be very surprised if this concept ever sees the light of production. The only avant-garde Monaco concept design I want to see is the skeletised V4. C'mon, it's been FIVE years now!!! And as for that latest Gulf-liveried number. Eurrgh. Looks almost identical to that other LE of a couple of years ago. Compare this with the Monaco news from SIHH in January....infinitely more refined and classic. Guess I'm just a purist when it comes to the Heritage line...

Pfffff......Apollo, Schmollo....all faked anyway. Looks like someone's got a coin stuck under their crystal Will never beat the best of the best.....

Blue is too dark - highlight by definition needs to be bright. Anyway no need to photoshop when you have a real pic to work from So Zig, now you've seen sense , just let me know when you're open for business. You know like the winner of a design competition when all the other entrants were clamouring for hideous red or awful orange

What's to think about Zig? The fact you already have the paint colour.....il segno del dio, no? Hell, if you do, I may even buy the thing from you

Firstly, fantastic job R, what a frickin' beauty Secondly, now whilst RED is a favourite colour of mine, I beg you please DON'T DO IT!!!! There's only one scheme in which to highlight this watch - I'll give you a visual clue If you don't fancy attempting to recreate the 332 design exactly (bar the lume and the blue 'tachymeter') then I say paint the running secs hand and either the tip (first try) or entire chrono hand in that lovely shade of OP azzuro

"All original"? Yeah right . Serial confirms my suspicions pretty much exactly on the age of the case - dates the watch anywhere from '67-'70 depending on what the x is after 2.x million. The case profile and chunky square CGs were a clear indicator. Also means, NO WAY IN HELL THAT DIAL & HANDS ARE ORIGINAL!!!. Aside from the fact dials of that era used a different font (most pronounced on the 'Rolex'), as Euno said, they were still swapping out with NOS service tritium dials only a few years ago, so given the condition of the watch in general (well worn, case polished to within an inch of its life) he's being...ahem, more than economical with the truth. Also odd why he showed pictures of a nasty Jubilee when he's keeping it (and the more valuable folded links oyster) and giving you a later (non-folded) oyster. I'd ask for pics inc. endlink refs to check that isn't aftermarket. But actually I wouldn't bother at this stage. I'd be interested to know what he's asking, merely out of curiosity. Me personally, I'd run away screaming from this one for several reasons regardless. Take those few months he's 'giving' you to save and use them more wisely. Plenty of reference material out there and plenty of infinitely nicer 1675s.

In that case, you'll be happier with one of these....

Coming back to this, after having another look at the pics, I'd ask the seller what serial this is (range will do). I have an inkling, a hunch even, that the worn somewhat gaunt case may be older than the dial and hands suggest. Don't get me wrong, as DT says minty fresh white tritium is not uncommon (and very beautiful, my personal favourite look for the 1675), but there's just something that sets off my spidey senses on this one... The GMT case has undergone quite a yo-yo diet throughout its lifespan, even within models such as the 1675 (late '50s - very early '80s), and the one you have your eye on here with its chunky squared-off CGs, even accounting for the well-worn, over-polished appearance, looks to be a little older (early/mid 70s, maybe even earlier) than the NOS-quality dial/hand appearance. That's why I say check the serial, because something here just screams at me "service dial and hands swapout sometime late-70s/early-80s". Not a major problem of course but from a collectors' point of view, original is always better.

Afraid I'm going to have to disagree win you there my Alaskan chum, only in that it gives this inexperienced vintage buyer a false impression. 1675 prices started to climb rapidly about 12-18 months ago following the trend of similar era Subs as you say. However they have since peaked and the market seems to have self-corrected back to reasonable price levels. Oh and take off another 50% for that hideous Jubilee (to the OP I'm just kidding - my dislike of that bracelet is on record, good luck with your purchase)

Well speaking for myself, only the 332 is worthy of discussion. The rest of the 2009 stable are merely worthy of indifference. In-house movement development at the expense of design aesthetic, that's where they're at right now....a classic case of one step forwards, two steps back. Not a one-off either, the 2008 crop was fairly woeful, and I think it's safe to say OP has lost its way a little over the past 2-3 years (for which Bonati must take the blame) and the rep market has just mirrored that. Watches are no different to say cars or computers, in that trends tend to be cyclical. And I have it on very good authority that the makers are no longer interested in PAMs as they're "unsaleable". Make of that what you will.

If it's any consolation, not that unusual and certainly not just Movistar. Vodafone (as you know, also in Spain) are notorious for wanting their own firmware on their phones, particularly Nokia models (my experience), and are usually a good few months behind the standard firmware upgrades. And before I moved location a few years ago (where my now local Nokia operator always offers sim-free handsets fresh from Nokia not Vodafone-boxed-and-installed) I too experienced the frustrating wild goose chase you went on, more so because I've always been Mac-based so couldn't even attempt the online updates. Mind you, that was before I gave up on a brief flirtation with N-series phones, and went back to my old S40-running, 2005-era firmware, and aesthetically gorgeous Nokia 8800 for calls (plus an iPhone 3G for email, web, music etc.). If you have to rely on phone software updates, then it's usually because there's recurrent bugs with the phone and/or OS, and frankly life is too short to be dealing with that constantly.

About time this one got a healthy bump. Why? Well amongst the frenzy surrounding the new Top Gun..... ......ZZzzzzzzz...... .....sorry, dropped off there for a moment Where was I? Yes in amidst the feeding frenzy surrounding a 'new' IWC, there goes that lovely gen PAM 332 released into the wild. I for one say this is one where we put up with a faux rattrapante - dial and case pusher at 7 - just to have such a gorgeous beauty on the wrist. We've all seen the official pics... But if that doesn't convince you, how about a wrist shot? (not mine I hasten to add....far too girly a wrist and horrible a shirt cuff ) That DLC treatment to what IMO is the finest Panerai case of all (44mm '1950' chrono) really sets off the piece, add in the bright blue details, and we have one of the best-looking PAMs ever made.