Victoria

Well, guys. I think I've near about conquered my Strapitis. Yesterday, I pulled the Trigger on my last "desire" (a KWong strap). When I went to look at my collection, which are all in breathable pouches and yellow envelopes, the better to ward off mould or possible water staining, I realised that since I started my Strap obsession this past July, I had bought just about every strap I had my heart set on possessing. Name it, I got it. Sometimes, SEVERAL times over. OEMs? Check. PAV 91? Check. Metta Catherina? Check. Greg Stevens? Check. Dirk? Check. Strapmasters? Check. Ferretti, Hirsch, HKTAN, Camille Fournet, Manifatture Firenze, Simona, Delaurian, Don, Bob, Sirtoli, ABP, Banda, Europelli, Germano, Wojtecki, StrapCulture, StrapWorks, StrapCode/Taikonaut, StrapZone, Micah, Zeugma, Walter, Jswing, Riva, Rios, Pawmarker, CharlyJakob, IW Suisse, cheapos from Panatime, and The Watch Prince (the strapmaker not the collector), and of course, Mario Paci up the wazoo, as well as Giovanni e Figlio and ALL the Toscana. Needless-to-say, I also have straps from our own in-house strapmakers, including V (my first custom-made Greek hide Panerai strap!!), Tootall, Savage, FxrAndy. I intend on getting a Frogman soon. I possibly will get a VDBroucke or an Adeeos/Kevin, but since vintage ammo is not my thing, and look masculine on me, it's hard to justify the expense. Of the brands mentioned in the official Risti Strap site, I am only missing "Atelier Jean Rousseau". Since they duplicate OEMs in special orders, I thought it was redundant, and never got anything from them. hxxp://www.paneristi.com/straps/index.html (change xx to tt) So this is my question to you: What strapmaker for Panerai am I missing? I know I'm missing one from Gabomagic, which thanks to Vlydog, I got a heads up on, a while ago. EDIT 16 Dec 2007: As featured in the SOTWW, I do now have a Gabo Johnnie Walker strap. I am missing Dino Zei, and a Xa-Mas, though V told me long ago that the GeF La Spezia is made of the same hide. I am missing an Enzo, but I emailed him without reply. When searching for more straps to buy, I came across this wonderful forum checklist: hxxp://www.6speedonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46676 (again, change xx to tt) Never got anything from Acetimer in California, Adam-Co in Tel-Aviv, or from Jetan. I got my Dirks from BigB on Risti, so I think that counts. Other than that, done. Check this out: L to R: Camille Fournet Beavertail, Simona Bordeau, Strapmasters Cognac, Delaurian Devil Red, Dirk NOS Tan. L to R: Manifatture Firenze Hammered Brown, Greg Stevens Crazy Horse w/ Antique Stitching, PAV 91 On the PAM 113, of course the strap I showed in today's Wristcheck, the GeF La Spezia in Cognac. Let me hear your thoughts, or if you have any questions, call this a mini-Strap Caper and ask away. I love Straps, and hope to refine my tastes, not just visually, but in knowing how they are made, one day. And no, I won't make my own. I like my manicures too much.

As you may know, my dad is currently in hospital. In a private, Catholic hospital in fact, which was a blessing today, since a priest came over when I was there, and gave my father Holy Communion, leading my mum, he and I in brief prayer. He's a retired priest, being possibly over 80, which I suspect given what I'm about to tell you below. He goes around patients' beds to take the load off of other priests' duties, and we for one, were thankful for it. Afterwards, he and I got to talking. To my astonishment, he was a World War II vet, and was present in the second wave of invasions on D-Day. You could've knocked me down with a feather when I heard that. I've met very few men who were there on D-Day, and I confess, tears instantly came to my eyes in gratefulness at the courage this kid (as he must've been then) displayed, like thousands of others did storming the beaches of Normandy. The Padre, with shaking hands but not of emotion, just because he's old now, comforted ME. He thought of me first, not of himself. That is so at odds with the post-modern Western world, where it's such a Me-First, Me-Last mentality, that it's simple, and decent, and beautiful. I thanked him again for his prayers, saying how much they seem to help some people. He closed his eyes, and remembered that when the D-Day Invasion was on its way, the then President of the United States of America, Franklin D. Roosevelt (DEMOCRAT, need I remind you, and the closest politician in the White House to being a Socialist Americans have ever had), gave one of his famous "Fireside Chats", leading the entire nation in prayer for the safety of the men and women who were giving their lives that very day. Can you imagine that today? A president, any president not just mentioning God, the Almighty, but leading a nation in PRAYER over the airwaves? I had read of it, but I had never heard it. Here it is, for the record, in .rm format and written out. Perhaps you may enjoy it, or at least, wonder at it, as I did. http://easylink.playstream.com/historyplac...p-fdr-prayer.rm My Fellow Americans: Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our Allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far. And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer: Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity. Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith. They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph. They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest -- until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violences of war. For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and goodwill among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home. Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom. And for us at home -- fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas, whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them -- help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice. Many people have urged that I call the nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts. Give us strength, too -- strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces. And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be. And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee; faith in our sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade. Let not the keeness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment -- let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose. With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace -- a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil. Thy will be done, Almighty God. Amen. Franklin D. Roosevelt - June 6, 1944 Amen, Mr. President. And thanks. Prayers are a comforting thing, since they cost nothing, and give everything.

I will try my best, Sssurfer! Already did it above for you.

Is anyone else stunned the PAM 217 (we gotta find a nickname for it. Fiddy-Lefty? Eh) is STILL AVAILABLE?? And somehow "only" 11.5. I dunno, I just imagined it would be much more than that, and long since gone, like the Fiddy itself.

YES! I was stunned to see that actually, especially considering the HBBs. I think anything under $10k is doable for middle-class people, with saving and sacrifice, perhaps selling off lots of watches they have now. Anything above that...well, Hamburger Helper I was told is nice.

COOL! Congrats, GTD. Last I saw, this was worth over $1,000? Unless he has a cheaper version! Anyway, the look goes well with your build and colouring. Enjoy!

If it's sent in an envelope, no Customs form. If there is a Customs form, that acts as a kind of tracking number in and of itself, in terms of assurance. No matter if you are a seasoned veteran or wet-behind-the-ears newbie, never fail to cross every t and don't every i before buying anything in these forums, especially. When it is an international transaction, forget about it. Try your utmost to protect yourself. Personally, if I got a "funny feeling" in the pit of my stomach about a transaction, I'd cancel it immediately. It's not worth the bother to go chasing after people. I had an item I really really wanted once, but the seller gave me a feeling of doubt. Since he didn't bother to respond to my emails asking for payment info, the transaction was never completed, but I was going to back out anyway. Later, I find out he's a scammer and banned on another forum. Whew.

No Photoshop. Photoshop okay. No Photoshop or with before/afters showing alteration. My 2 drachmas.

Bizarre idea. There are too many variables in your opinion. That there are no rich people here, that they are jealous, that they have no taste (in the absolute sense, not the ephemeral personal sense). It reminds me of people who critique (as an example) Britney Spears, and one of their fans says to them, "You're all just jealous of her, because she's rich and has talent!". Uh, no. People can critique someone or something based on perceptions of bad taste. The Million Dollar Big Bang certainly qualifies.

Stephane, as long as this doesn't make you post less, no worries. I'm sure you will take appropriate action privately, and that's fine. If this is the case, feel better soon. If not, feel better anyway.

LOVELY, TWP!! There is a difference between the Fiddy and the other lumes, just like in the DSN versions. And I think I spy one of mine there, too.

Sorry for your troubles, SlickDick. Did you know what the seller intended before you bought the item? Because I never give money to those in China, or anywhere in the Far East, without confirmable tracking, usually from EMS. This ends in "CN" from China, or "HK" from Hong Kong, etc. and is easily trackable after 2 days of being given the number, on the USPS tracking area right on the first page. http://www.usps.com/shipping/trackandconfirm.htm Delivery confirmation internationally IN THE US won't even, I believe, notify YOU whether you have received the package or not. That's self-evident, since obviously you will have the package. What it does is to tell the seller you have received it. Many questions here, such as where are you, where is the package coming from, did you make sure you negotiated shipping before buying the item, etc. But overall, "confirm number" is very vague.

Prices current as of 1 September 2007.

WEDNESDAY Pinky ring! Plus Giovanni e Figlio's La Spezia in Cognac on Andrew's PAM 113. :wub: I like 'em thick and long. Now you know. Seriously, this strap packs a wallop at 6.5mm thick and a buckle at 3mm. I can't even imagine what it might weigh on the hefty Fiddy! A strap which glistens whiskey-red in the sun, but at night, it's as dark as molasses. Love it, Dluddy! (Sox in 5) THURSDAY I believe the kids these days refer to this as, "This is the sh*t right here". My new Silix DJ Rollie with Roman numerals. I'm in love. Vrroooom! The crazy girl racing around SoFla with a new Rollie on her wrist is me. Wave as you pass by!

Hit. Nail. Head. If it's for pleasure, knock yourself out. If it's for business, think of going to the Middle East as if you were going to an AD -- with a girlfriend who doesn't know you buy reps. The last thing you want to be doing, is taking your rep to an AD if there's the slightest chance you'll be called out in front of your girlfriend. Sleazeball-City. (If you're lying about that, what else are you lying about or failing to mention? Why open up this moral can of worms?)

Demi and her voice in St. Elmo's Fire. Michael Moore, total "I forget I have a G-Spot when I look at him".

First half of Greece burnt down this summer, now San Diego, the OC, etc. My Aussie friends live in perpetual fear of fires during summer. Having been through a fire myself, as I mentioned, my prayers and deep sympathies go out to all those affected. I cannot state this enough, or with more sincerity. Stay safe people. And have a contigency plan, with passports, IDs, money, and valuables all packed ready to go. Our family have one, you can bet.

Cool, thanks Jfreeman! Trust you to find a company which does plating. One thing though -- our local jeweler (the one who fixed the Fiddy crown) said that he could plate the rep gold 5 mills Rolex with 15 mills in case it wore off. Not sure it's worth it, but I rather thought you didn't have to jump through hoops to find someone who does plating?

Thanks, TMG. I wonder if there will be a REAL market for these one day. A rare Davidsen (with correct font). And as sure I am sitting here, some History major will write their dissertation on the phenomena of rep watch collecting in the late 20th-early 21st century. Micro-History GOLD. You can take that to the bank. Wow, did people really throw away their rep watches, back in the day? I can understand the Canal Street stuff, but with so many Frankenprojects being the norm these days, that's less done, I think. The internet just changed everything, since there is a place to sell even the least desirable stuff for parts. TMG = Too Much Gear...ahhh. A fellow pack rat.

WOW! This is Antique Rep gold. Thanks, Freddy. Look at those prices...in 1987. Maybe the collectors today aren't charging as much as we though, huh? For the record, I inherited my mum's counterfeit watch genes. I remember house parties where instead of Tupperware, rich old biddies would sell each other rep Cartier Tanks, Rolexes, Piagets (huge back in the '80s) galore. Where they got them is a mystery to me. I still have one of her earliest Rolex DJ reps (perhaps 25 years old!), and let me tell you, it runs and looks great still. EDIT: When I get a chance, I'll unearth it, same as your pic. Freddy, your list is priceless. Thanks again! P.S.: Hey, how come the Piaget Emperador is listed for $170, and Andrew can't even get one for me for $98, now?

You know you love them. I've no doubt they were INTENDED for the Brazilian market. But whether or not rich Brazilians buy them, is another story. The newest rich people in Brazil now are drugs-traffickers. I don't see this bling being that popular amongst the favelados. OTOH, 50 rich people in SP can easily afford this watch. Would be interesting if Nelson Piquet turns out to be one of them... I'm sure you got that I meant they are often bought up by fans of the marque (more than the person it is in tribute), rather than just ordinary rich folk who can afford the hefty price of this watch. We'll see, won't we, how it plays out.

I would be very interested in seeing the design background on just why they chose these colours, etc. Anyone who has ever been to Brazil, or met a Brazilian knows the "canarinho" colours are a no-brainer. They adore their flag and their colours more than even Americans (and that's saying something). But the red? I'm guessing this is a diplomatic gesture on the part of Hublot, as a tribute to his second "homeland", Monaco. Or just a Swiss stamp on a largely Brazilian hommage. Or, more plausibly, no other colour went with the matte black and yellow-green? Wonder what football club he supported, and if that played a role. I hope it was the same as mine, o Tricolor, S

I wouldn't do it, Brep. Never been, but my parents have many times. This is the land of Lime green Lamborghinis, and wall-to-wall rose-gold AP ROOs. The money there is REAL, and in your face at all times. Poseurs? Well, perhaps you can ask a devout Muslim about the shar'ia's Laws concerning theft... OTOH, so many of these rep watches are hocked by Sudanese, Moroccans, etc. in many countries. In Turkey, you can't move for the cheapo Rolex knock-offs in the souk. I too await a more pertinent reply than mine. I would be interested to see what they say.

In FERRARI red yet. Hello...

Nonono. The majority of rich Brazilians wear cheapo plastic wristwatches bought from camel