Roland

Hi Guys: Have you seen the gadget for the Omega Seamaster Blue as a desktop clock? Seamaster Desktop Clock

Some of my favorites: Pizza: Pizzeria Regina in the North End (and only there, not the other locations) Italian: Giacomo, Mamma Maria, Daily Catch (all North End) Italian Pastry: Modern Pastry (best cannoli in the North End), Maria's Pastry (North End) Fancy: Locke-Ober (Old Boston, Dress Code) Mexican: Taqueria Mexico in Waltham (very cheap, but very good) Brazilian Churrasceria: Midwest Grill in East Cambridge (not the best Rodizio, but the best in Boston)

IE8: Tools > Internet Options > Accessibility check 'Ignore colors specified on webpages' Seems the only way to make it userfriendly. Light grey font on beige background, that's too hard to read for me.

How about Sel de la Terre on State Street? I haven't been there yet, but friends of mine have, and they said it is very good. It's almost Faneuil Hall, just one or two blocks away.

I am interested too.

Count me in. R

Leather by itself lasts indefinitely. Its enemies are brittleness and wrong pH value. Leather needs a regular supply of oils to stay soft. This is not a problem with watch straps, since skin is oily and the leather gets it from there. pH value might be more of a problem. Don't get the strap wet when you wash your hands, don't let soap solution get into it. Leather is a porous material. The middle layers in a strap can be any material, even cardboard for cheap straps. All these will soak up sweat and then bateria etc. will grow in the strap and start eating up all organic matter they find. This produces the bad smell. Some of these critters create an acidic environment, which is bad for the leather. This said, the enemy to longevity is sweat. There is a simple solution: Don't wear leather straps when you sweat. No leather straps in summer. Summer is the time for metal bracelets and rubber bands. As a precaution, oil a strap before first use. This will minimize its tendency to soak up sweat. I use Lexol leather conditioner. You can clean straps, but with special leather soap that regulates the pH. After it is thoroughly dry, use leather conditioner. Cleaning will take care of dirt on the surface; once a strap is really smelly there is no way of cleaning it, at least I was never successful.

The glossy screens give a much better picture. There is no true black on a matte screen. Just compare a photo with a lot of dark on both types and you will see the difference. The problem with glossy screens is the glare. They need optimal lighting. That said, I love my glossy screen at my desktop and for TV where I have control of the lighting situation. It does not have to be mignight, just make sure that you do not have reflections of lights or windows. For a laptop I prefer a matte screen. First of all, the screen is small and I don't care about the perfect image, and then I am using its screen when travelling, and there is almost ever bad lighting.

Corgi: The briefcase is lined with black leather, I would say lamb or goat. Here is more information and pictures: Hermes Kelly Briefcase Roland

Stevie7s: I had a really good time. Thanks for organizing it and the write-up. I am looking forward to the next meeting. The watch box is out of stock. I would buy another one if I could get my hands on one. It's the only box I have ever seen where you can have Panerais next to each other, even the 47mm ones. If you wnat more info look in this posting: Carbon Fiber Watch Box Roland

The Solti Ring, good choice. Walkuere might be best for a rainy day, it opens with a fierce storm. Myself, right now listening to Pergolesi's Stabat Mater with Andreas Scholl.

I'll be there.

I am in Woburn. I'm interested if GTG is after Easter.

I ordered an HBB from Silix last 9/29 and got it this Monday, 10/8. This was really fast. Listening to the watch and looking at the sweep of the seconds hand I would say it is the high beat movement. Is there a way to tell which movement it is?

Hi Andy: Here is another picture: With the construction of tis strap it is important to finish the edges. The strap has 3 layers of leather: the top is crocodile, the center is cowhide to give it thickness and stability, and the lining is lamb. The crocodile I used is a very moderately priced skin. I paid 35$ on ebay. There were tears and holes in the skin. But still enough good areas for watch straps. The one shown is from the belly section. The scales in the skin make it impossible to fold it over at the edges. The edges have once coat of gum Tragacanth, then burnishing with a Dremel with a cotton wheel, then two coats of Edge Kote brown. The thread I used is German, but I have no idea how to find out the thickness. It is Mettler cordonnet, top-stitching, Polyester spun Art. 1146.