ryyannon

I've actually thought about the same thing...... but for sure you'd need a veeery flexible strop to be able to slide it in to such a small opening.... The strap it came with is acceptable until I find the energy and motivation to change it - at which point I'll certainly discover whether there really is a springbar on the lugs or not. At the worst, and using a surgical scalpel or somesuch, I believe that one could slice open the back of certain straps - sort of composite (or layered) models rather than those made of a single thick piece of leather - and then carefully glue the opened end back in place once you've fitted it to the lug. These fixed lugs are a total [censored] - someone should attempt to discover how they were inseted in the first place - and what keeps them in place. Maybe a sharp tug with a pliers would release the prongs - maybe they're held in place from within the case.....maybe it all a magical illusion.

The French are realists: they know that given current demographics, the country will be majoritalrily Muslim by 2050.

Baghdad Ryyannon the ersatz Frenchman sez: "I can assure you that there is NO problem of race or religion in France!" "The police are loved here." etc. http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?en...nst_Us&only

Interesting sideline you have there, eddie.... I think I'm beginning to understand where you're actually coming from a little better.... Once upon a time, I shared an apartment with a renegade chemist from MIT. This guy could synthesize just about anything short of a Rolex watch. I still have some great memories of getting totally ripped on his DMT: living whole lifetimes in other people's bodies in two or three minutes before coming back.... Certainly one of the most powerful non-additctive substances ever. Separates the men from the boys, shi* like that...

Loved that pic of the DMT molecule! Watches and ladies looking good too....

rolli, Not necessarily. Check out the link to Andrew http://www.trustytime.com/index.php?main_p...amp;cPath=37_48 as well as Josh's site http://perfect-clones.com/panerai-radiomir-45mm-c-35_50.html and you'll find the 45mm vintage series...

Yes, and as I said above, who wouldn't? They say that she was as intelligent as she was beautiful.....some think she was the most photogenic woman in the history of cinema.... Can't resist evoking her image:

I'm curious about getting to the bottom of this as well: never heard of such an animal before either. The strap is a good fit around the lugs, but in running an opened paper clip along one of them, I definitely felt something in there that normally shouldn't be - like a springbar.... Maybe both Frankie and I are just hallucinating, but I have to say that there's a decent replacement strap on this watch that normally doesn't come with a fixed lug version, and no way of getting it on there without a springbar - unless it was an 'inside' (the case) job..... More later when I find out where it was originally purchased..... UPDATE: Contacted by the original owner who informed me that the watch came from Andrew rather than Josh. Checked Andrew's site and discovered a confusing series of vintages (2533, California and Base) either in an unspecified size or in 47mm. No less than two versions of each - which leads me to suspect that the Moljot movement is actually in a 45mm case rather than a 47 as specified. It certainly sits on my wrist like a 45mm.... http://www.trustytime.com/index.php?main_p...amp;cPath=37_48 I guess the next step would be to contact Andrew, but it's possible that even he is unaware of the presence of a springbar (or even a 45mm 2533 model for that matter). Logically, this would mean that Josh's 45mm vintages are of the same (springbar) type - at $10.00 less than Andrew's. Thought the soap opera was over: it looks like there are still a few more installments to come.....

And I thought I was far-out with my Kate Smith fetish.... http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Years-1940-...h/dp/B00005B527

Ethel Merman? God, the Scots must really be raving bloody maniacs to come up with that one... Or is it just 'Niel-ese'?

I just got ahold of the two-dvd set of Scorsese's documentary on Bob Dylan ('No Direction Home'). I'm only an hour or so into it, but it really is awesome.... @gioarmani: I've always harbored the same lustful urges concerning Louise Brooks from the first time I ever saw her on the screen. I've run into one or two 'perfect clones' here in Paris, but was unable to live out my dream.... Still a total sucker for that look, though :-) @truzement: Where oh where does that avatar pic come from? I have the impression of having dreamed it in another life..... Same thing for Room-mate's (whom I haven't seen around for a long time...) Both are movies in themselves.

My thanks to everyone who suggested fixes for this problem; in the meantime, great news from Frankie in Germany concerning the fixed lug issue: "there is a sprinbar on the lugs.put the strap on the lug a little bit down and you can see the springbar-now you can change the strap." (Picture a row of madly laughing smilies here...) I feel as if the Tooth Fairy left a kilo of uncut Medellan Puro under my pillow! If this is from the same vintage 45mm series (2533, California and Base) being offered by Josh for $188.00 each, it is the discovery of the year: a totally beautiful watch and a (hopefully) dependable Moljina movement. Now if I can only resolve the lack-of-a display back problem....

Veeerrrry small holes.... Practically nano-technology Micro-surgery Must remember to Google for 'glue-down tabs'.....

chris, those screw heads do a wonderful job reflecting your image as you photograph them....reminds me of a scene from 'Blade Runner'. Unfortunately, all the Cowbell in the world could never induce me to accept the double-screw solution. Like the name itself, it strikes me as a bit obscene. Now I know that taste is a subjective thing, and I'm in no way insinuating that yours is off.... even as I thank you for your input. Since you've got one of these fixed-lug cases, haven't you ever wondered how those lugs are actually fixed? Do you imagine that someone took the time to weld the two prongs in? (improbable). Could it be Superglue? Maybe there's a secret system of screws and levers inside the case....? Electro-magnets.....?

@johnthebhoy Theakston's Old Peculiar Old Speckled Hen Deuchars IPA Of the three, I only know the first: really good stuff. Must try the other two.... My favorite Belgian: Corsendonk. A reviewer's description: "It has an incredibly tenacious, rocky head, which tastes of vanilla ice-cream. The nose is also rich in vanilla, with some spicy notes (coriander?) and some zest. In the mouth it is initially quite sweet, with zesty bitterness (limes) that becomes more pronounced towards the finish, along with a spirit-like kick - more vodka than brandy. The finish itself is reasonably short, though the light honey malt flavour lingers for a little longer, but leaving the palate clean. This is a superbly balanced, well-rounded beer." Sounds tempting, doesn't it? As strange as it may seem: "The beers are made elsewhere and are not unique for Corsendonk; the same beers are marketed by other brands as well." The beers * Corsendonk Agnus (made by Du Bocq, same as Moine Triple) * Corsendonk Pater (made by Bios, same as Bornem dubbel) * Corsendonk Blond * Corsendonk Bruin * Corsendonk Christmas Ale * Corsendonk Abbey Brown Ale (brewed by Brewery Van Steenberge

As some of you may know, the ongoing soap-opera concerning my quest for the WM 45mm Pam with a vintage 2533 dial ended last week with the acquisition of what I figured was going to be a mediocre compromise: a mass-produced 45mm model with a Moljina movement. To my astonishment and great pleasure, I must say that it leaves little to be desired in terms of aesthetics and quality (I've got a gen WM California to compare it to). The only real problem is that the lugs are not moveable - you can't take them out to change the strap. These watches invariably come with the (for me) weird-looking double-screw straps. The guy I bought the watch from (it's available from Josh, by the way) apparently changed the strap for a kind of non-descript matte tan number which I'd like to replace with something really nice - to set off that lovely 2533 dial. I've PM'd him to ask how he did it (no visible signs of strap mutilation) but in the meantime, I thought I'd present the issue before our august and knowledgeable Panerai connoisseurs..... I figure that some of you out there might have had the same fixed-lug problem, and I'd really like to know how you got around it (I know you all well enough to know that most of you can't resist changing straps, even with a fixed lug case). The only solution that occurs to me is to cut through the back of the new strap and then glue it back once it's wrapped around the lug. I have to admit that this is an absolutely horrible thing to do to a premium quality strap. Other than sending the whole watch to a strap-maker for a custom fit, is there any other way around this that anyone has discovered? Sleepless (once again) in Paris....

Lots of what everybody said, plus: Eraserhead Twin Peaks (the tv series) Mulholland Drive (did someone say David Lynch?) plus: Night of the Hunter Shoot the Piano Player The Diary of a Lost Woman (with Louise Brooks) A Woman Under the Influence and Love Streams (John Cassavetes) The Red House (an old and rare Edward G. Robinson thriller) The Thin Red Line There's practically no end - so many great films out there....

You're doing fine - see it thorough and you'll have a sweet WM vintage that along with the satisfaction of having brought it back to life through your own skills and efforts. I can only hope that the previous owner (....) offered you a rebate once you discovered the damaged condition it was in - which aside from the stripped lug screw, he never mentioned. I very nearly bought it myself, and would have if my PayPal account had not become mysteriously inaccessibe. When I could finally access it again, the watch had gone to you. What's for sure is that I would never have felt confident enough to undertake what you're doing, so you might say that it ended up with the right person after all. You'll make it and have a great watch. In the meantime........

Nice work.... What's the thick-a**ed black strap in the 'before' pics? It looks great!

Looks very good - perfect, in fact. Is that the WM with the stripped lug screw that you're fixing up?

Right on! (Is that you, Mahler?)

Now that Esteban has saved tons of money by not buying Chronomat's Seawolf...... maybe he would be gracious enough to use some of it to become a supporting member of RWG?

So now we know Who's on first, but What's on second?

Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First?" (Complete Text) Abbott: Alright, now whaddya want? Costello: Now look, I'm the head of the sports department. I gotta know the baseball players' names. Do you know the guys' names? Abbott: Oh sure. Costello: So you go ahead and tell me some of their names. Abbott: Well, I'll introduce you to the boys. You know sometimes nowadays they give ballplayers peculiar names. Costello: You mean funny names. Abbott: Nicknames, pet names, like Dizzy Dean - Costello: His brother Daffy - Abbott: Daffy Dean - Costello: And their cousin! Abbott: Who's that? Costello: Goofy! Abbott: Goofy, huh? Now let's see. We have on the bags - we have Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know's on third. Costello: That's what I wanna find out. Abbott: I say Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know's on third - Costello: You know the fellows' names? Abbott: Certainly! Costello: Well then who's on first? Abbott: Yes! Costello: I mean the fellow's name! Abbott: Who! Costello: The guy on first! Abbott: Who! Costello: The first baseman! Abbott: Who! Costello: The guy playing first! Abbott: Who is on first! Costello: Now whaddya askin' me for? Abbott: I'm telling you Who is on first. Costello: Well, I'm asking YOU who's on first! Abbott: That's the man's name. Costello: That's who's name? Abbott: Yes. Costello: Well go ahead and tell me. Abbott: Who. Costello: The guy on first. Abbott: Who! Costello: The first baseman. Abbott: Who is on first! Costello: Have you got a contract with the first baseman? Abbott: Absolutely. Costello: Who signs the contract? Abbott: Well, naturally! Costello: When you pay off the first baseman every month, who gets the money? Abbott: Every dollar. Why not? The man's entitled to it. Costello: Who is? Abbott: Yes. Sometimes his wife comes down and collects it. Costello: Who's wife? Abbott: Yes. Costello: All I'm tryin' to find out is what's the guy's name on first base. Abbott: Oh, no - wait a minute, don't switch 'em around. What is on second base. Costello: I'm not askin' you who's on second. Abbott: Who is on first. Costello: I don't know. Abbott: He's on third - now we're not talkin' 'bout him. Costello: Now, how did I get on third base? Abbott: You mentioned his name! Costello: If I mentioned the third baseman's name, who did I say is playing third? Abbott: No - Who's playing first. Costello: Never mind first - I wanna know what's the guy's name on third. Abbott: No - What's on second. Costello: I'm not askin' you who's on second. Abbott: Who's on first. Costello: I don't know. Abbott: He's on third. Costello: Aaah! Would you please stay on third base and don't go off it? Abbott: What was it you wanted? Costello: Now who's playin' third base? Abbott: Now why do you insist on putting Who on third base? Costello: Why? Who am I putting over there? Abbott: Yes. But we don't want him there. Costello: What's the guy's name on third base? Abbott: What belongs on second. Costello: I'm not askin' you who's on second. Abbott: Who's on first. Costello: I don't know. Abbott & Costello: THIRD BASE! Costello: You got an outfield? Abbott: Oh yes! Costello: The left fielder's name? Abbott: Why. Costello: I don't know, I just thought I'd ask you. Abbott: Well, I just thought I'd tell you. Costello: Alright, then tell me who's playin' left field. Abbott: Who is playing fir- Costello: STAY OUTTA THE INFIELD! I wanna know what's the left fielder's name. Abbott: What's on second. Costello: I'm not askin' you who's on second. Abbott: Who's on first. Costello: I don't know. Abbott & Costello: THIRD BASE! Costello: The left fielder's name? Abbott: Why. Costello: Because! Abbott: Oh, he's center field. Costello: Look, you gotta pitcher on this team? Abbott: Now wouldn't this be a fine team without a pitcher. Costello: The pitcher's name. Abbott: Tomorrow. Costello: You don't wanna tell me today? Abbott: I'm tellin' you now. Costello: Then go ahead. Abbott: Tomorrow. Costello: What time? Abbott: What time what? Costello: What time tomorrow are you going to tell me who's pitching? Abbott: Now listen. Who is not pitching. Who is on fir- Costello: I'll break your arm if you say Who's on first. I wanna know what's the pitcher's name. Abbott: What's on second. Costello: I don't know. Abbott & Costello: THIRD BASE! Costello: You got a catcher? Abbott: Oh, absolutely. Costello: The catcher's name. Abbott: Today. Costello: Today. And Tomorrow's pitching. Abbott: Now you've got it. Costello: All we've got is a couple of days on the team. Abbott: Well, I can't help that. Costello: Well, I'm a catcher too. Abbott: I know that. Costello: Now suppose that I'm catching, Tomorrow's pitching on my team and their heavy hitter gets up. Abbott: Yes. Costello: Tomorrow throws the ball. The batter bunts the ball. When he bunts the ball, me being a good catcher, I wanna throw the guy out at first base. So I pick up the ball and throw it to who? Abbott: Now that's the first thing you've said right. Costello: I don't even know what I'm talkin' about! Abbott: Well, that's all you have to do. Costello: Is to throw the ball to first base. Abbott: Yes. Costello: Now who's got it? Abbott: Naturally! Costello: If I throw the ball to first base, somebody's gotta catch it. Now who caught it? Abbott: Naturally! Costello: Who caught it? Abbott: Naturally. Costello: Who? Abbott: Naturally! Costello: Naturally. Abbott: Yes. Costello: So I pick up the ball and I throw it to Naturally. Abbott: NO, NO, NO! You throw the ball to first base and Who gets it? Costello: Naturally. Abbott: That's right. There we go. Costello: So I pick up the ball and I throw it to Naturally. Abbott: You don't! Costello: I throw it to who? Abbott: Naturally. Costello: THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING! Abbott: You're not saying it that way. Costello: I said I throw the ball to Naturally. Abbott: You don't - you throw the ball to Who? Costello: Naturally! Abbott: Well, say that! Costello: THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING! I throw the ball to who? Abbott: Naturally. Costello: Ask me. Abbott: You throw the ball to Who? Costello: Naturally. Abbott: That's it. Costello: SAME AS YOU!! I throw the ball to first base and who gets it? Abbott: Naturally! Costello: Who has it? Abbott: Naturally! Costello: HE BETTER HAVE IT! I throw the ball to first base. Whoever it is grabs the ball, so the guy runs to second. Who picks up the ball and throws it to What, What throws it to I Don't Know, I Don't Know throws it back to Tomorrow - triple play. Abbott: Yes. Costello: Another guy gets up - it's a long fly ball to Because. Why? I don't know. He's on third and I don't give a darn! Abbott: What was that? Costello: I said I don't give a darn! Abbott: Oh, that's our shortstop.

So who's on first?