Victoria

3)Long Island and Curvex Crazy Hours--As close to 1:1 as a rep can get except the OEM was never made in steel. If they ever make another gold FM rep, this is the one to do.

First, thank you so much for this run-down! Since getting the Cintr

Hi Guys and Girls

Welcome Bigcarpchaser! (Sounded like a Scots angler for a second)

I'm an Omega fan and have a "proper" Seamaster which I've had for about 4 years or so but am on the lookout for a nice one for my Fiancee but laides ones seem to be in short supply, or am I being thick?

Ladies Seamaster? I'm not quite sure if you mean a smaller size, or exactly what...?

Taking one merchant, here is Andrew's ETA 40mm version of the SMP.

http://www.trustytime88.com/index.php?main...products_id=172

He also has also has a bigger one, 42.5mm. Is that what you mean, perhaps?

Anway, it's great reading all your stuff, I never reaslied anyone was into "collecting" like you guys. Isn't the world wonderfull!

You can bet that if something interests humans, it's collectible, and there are people who gather around to talk about it, whatever it is.

(Sokkkaaaaaarrr to you US guys)

Sokkkkkkkarrrrrrrr isn't an American word, it is a British word. Since we're being helpful and all, just thought I'd mention that.

Good luck!

Victoria (ex-of England)

I used to live there.

God, RWG has been slow and a bit dull Friday. Here is my contribution to jizz it up, I mean! jazz it up.

Did you know that there is an International Symposium going on as we spit, about condoms? True story. It's taking place in Seoul, South Korea and number 1 item for discussion is "Does Size Matter?".

This is long, but I'm sure you'll like it. Won't we all...

SEOGWIPO, South Korea (AP) — As the world's top condom experts convene this week to update international standards, one American entrepreneur has a simple message: Size matters. It's shaking up an industry that has generally taken a one-size-fits-all approach.

Frank Sadlo, founder of TheyFit, which makes what he claims are the world's first custom-fit condoms, is pushing for updated standards to allow greater variation in condom size.

It's not just about well-endowed men in cramped prophylactic quarters, Sadlo told a meeting Thursday of delegates from 21 countries under the Geneva-based International Organization for Standardization.

When given a choice, he said many men prefer condoms smaller than the standard minimum 6.3 inches long, with more than half ordering those less than 5.12 inches.

[edit vbarrett: ]

At the session in Seogwipo on South Korea's Jeju Island, more than 100 representatives — including leading manufacturers, government standards bodies and aid groups — pored over 42 pages of specifications and testing requirements for condoms.

Standards are especially crucial — failure could mean the spread of potentially deadly diseases or unwanted pregnancy.

"Our job is to do away with inferior condoms," said Eng Long Ong, meeting chairman and deputy head of the Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council, which estimates 13-14 billion condoms are made each year.

Getting quality condoms can be especially difficult in places like Africa, where they are a major part of AIDS prevention campaigns.

Ian Matondo, an adviser to the Malawi Health Ministry, said the issue of condoms breaking in Africa had nothing to do with the size of men's penises but was due to poor manufacturing.

The standard for testing condom strength is to fill it with air, a technique pioneered by the Swedes in the 1950s. Condoms of the standard length and width must hold at least 4.76 gallons of air — far more than they would ever be expected to contain under normal use.

Varying condom size would require standards and test equipment to change and is expected to require another a year for approval, Sadlo said.

The length issue is just one of many being debated at the five-day meeting, the 24th such session since 1975, where delegates were creating new standards for synthetic and female condoms.

Synthetic polyurethane condoms are an alternative for people allergic to rubber latex and can be thinner without losing strength. They also conduct heat better for "much more sensitivity with lovemaking," said Grant Burt, international division director for Japan's Sagami Rubber Industries Co.

Female condoms are seeing increasing use in Africa, where they are often distributed for free so women can take control of disease prevention, said Matondo.

Innovation for male condoms has focused on adding textures to enhance sexual pleasure, or offering different colors or lubricants. At the meeting, South Korean manufacturer Unidus displayed its "Long-Love" condom — featuring desensitizing cream inside to prevent premature ejaculation so men "make a lasting impression."

[edit vbarrett -- Desensitizing cream?? That sounds ghastly]

Widths vary but condom length is usually standard, as it believed latex can stretch to fit all men. The average adult penis is 5-6 inches long, experts said.

Sadlo said his inspiration for custom condoms arose from his days playing baseball at the University of Louisville in Kentucky, where locker room tales of exploits with the opposite sex often failed to include use of condoms due to complaints they did not fit.

A more comfortable condom contributes to men actually using them, said Michael Reece, director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Indiana University.

"Typically, when a man complains about condom fit, we have assumed that he means that condoms are too small and we have often just ignored this complaint because we think that men are bragging about the size of their penis," Reece said via e-mail.

He said men also have problems with condoms being too large.

"It is time for those who establish condom manufacturing standards to consider whether an expanded range of condom sizes is necessary," Reece said.

Sadlo offers a "fit kit," a sheet of paper printed from a computer for sizing — and advising the user to watch out for paper cuts. The chart only runs from long to longer.

[edit vbarrett: What happened to just using a ruler?]

The product was offered from 2003-2006 in the United States before he withdrew it to upgrade from 55 to 95 sizes. Changing international standard would make it easier to widely offer the product, rather than seeking approval in each country.

Sadlo said it has been difficult to transform the condom industry.

"In order to bring about revolutionary change, you need to have the mind-set of a trailblazer, you need to keep focused on your vision," he said.

So, do you agree? Do condoms need to be made smaller, and with more "options" to enhance the whole insides-outsides process?

Humour me.

EDIT: How about just changing the brand names, for Chrissakes? I mean, Trojans? What is this, 38 BC? Plus in some countries, brand names are confusing. Sure, Durex in Europe is a condom name, but in South America it's the name for sticky tape. Ouch.

Here are some suggestions:

Here's a gal who has the right idea. A wedding gown made of 12,500 condoms. I think Princess Diana would've looked lovely in it.

How come certain marques or models of watches have randomised serial numbers on the casebacks, such as some Breitlings and IWCs? Why can't this be the case, say, with Panerai watches?

I presume someone has to take a mold of the casing and that's why they are all E0017/1950 (for some Fiddies), etc. -- but if it can be done with some, why not with the most popular models?

I would surely pay a premium if I had a random Panerai serial number for any of my watches. Wouldn't you?

Is this laziness on the part of the makers?

Best Franck Muller rep?

Mine. The Curvex Crazy Hours with white leather lizard band I just got from Andrew.

Stay tuned on Monday for a Wrist-shot of this beauty!!

A watch is one of those accessories guys can wear without feeling they're sexual orientation has been comprimised..

Heh. I found this funny, don't take it the wrong way or anything, Kenmasters. I know what you're saying.

I just thank God I'm a woman, and don't have to worry about such things. A woman has more leeway in the West to put on anything she wants, and it doesn't compromise her sexual orientation, unless one looks terribly "butch".

Thankfully, I do not.

Better images of DLI63 for you VB...

Oh well, that's another storey. *groan*

Yes, that's very sleek. Still would prefer it not to be gold, but the lines are well-done, and have almost a Lalique look to them.

I like, POTR! Thanks for opening my eyes.

so how do u buy from silix at a discount price??? by via email??

Just answered your question here:

http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?s=&amp...st&p=337461

Jumped on the special 3 days ago and paid right away, no email confirmation yet... I am not worried but just wondering if anybody else is in the same boat... maybe he is busy loading the watches haha can't wait.

Don't worry. He's swamped. Jay is a slow emailer at the best of times, but don't expect too much until Monday (doesn't work on weekends). However, emailing him again wouldn't go amiss.

Email title: "Payment Confirmation". That gets his attention with me.

@fivefive: Please look at the Breitling section. It's all there.

EDIT: Okay, here I did the fingerwork for you.

"We really appreciate the business we do here, and decide to offer another great sale. All swiss SFSO, BRES046/047/048, will go at US$225, plus shipping. It is with swiss eta-2824 movement, super AR coated sapphire, and 316 stainless steel. U could see the pics at www.silix-prime.com. Enjoy it.

Email: silixprime@gmail.com"

Assuming ur post isn't a joke: If you can't get in touch, u might want to consider another dealer? Jay at www.silix-prime.com is hereby recommended for good service.

the gman

LOL! Oh this is so rich.

The newbie telling the Great One what to do. Reminds me of my green days on RWG1 telling Clive where to find a nice PAM (with Paul!!).

Gunnars -- don't worry, I'm not making fun of you. Stephane was just making with the jokes.

An English newspaper ran a competition asking for a rhyme with the most romantic first line... but the least romantic second line.

[ ... ]

Oh loving beauty you float with grace

If only you could hide your face

Reminds me of something my granddad used to say about his sister.

"She's got a lovely profile! Mind you, full on, her face's a bit of a shock".

That is not a hybrid commercial, that is a VW Passat commercial.

Interestingly enough, a VW Passat can easily cost as much as a BMW 3 series and is one of the most problematic cars sold in this country. It makes for an interesting parallel in this context.

I love when year-old posts are revived. I recently did the one with the NATO straps.

P.S.: Love the "isolation" bit best. Yes, I feel so isolated on RWG.CC, RWG.CC, Repgeeks, and RWI!! Woe is me.

Best of luck to you and enjoy the college girls while you can, IMO thats the best part =)

I agree with everything you said, except it's college GUYS.

@Dutchy: Final thing, remember that the friends you make in your first year, are often (for lack of a more elegant term) discarded by your second year. It's a normal process, and don't feel bad if you are the discardee or discarder.

Also, it's harder to make friends in Alcuin rather than with Wentworth or Goodricke residents, but that's what I heard through the grapevine.

Saturday: BlancPain time

WOW! I've never seen a Blancpain in these Wristies yet. Gen??

(Magnificent choices, as ever Mr. K. I'd probably buy Dluddy's 090, if it weren't for that crown problem)

MDSCUW? What the heck is MDSCUW?

Mosc

I wear a watch everyday, but my girlfriend never does, and God knows I have offered to buy her some very expensive watches. She claims if she wore one, she would be obsessive about the time, checking it constantly etc...

Haven't you ever met another person like this? Because I've known dozens in my lifetime. My very best friend growing up was like this -- vague, flitting in and out, here and there, considering my love of watches as some kind of "quirk", since it tied you down to gritty reality.

Some guys I know hate wearing watches because they think it's jewelry.

There are all kinds of reasons. I am only happy I found a guy who tolerates my recent watch obsession. It can be hard on the family you know...

So there!

LOL! Touch

Flo it's like going to a dance when you were younger, all the boys on one side of the room and all the girls on the other, both acting like they are quite content talking to their friends but really want to pair up and get on the dance floor.

It's called breaking the ice, my advice is to invest in a good bottle of single malt and go door to door and invite them over for a few grams, even if they don't all come you will get your foot in with them with the few that do.

Invite them over for a few grammes of cocaine, Ken??

Oh I missed the Single Malt bit.

Seriously, though, what Ken said is the exact truth, Dutchy. But it also reminds me that when we're younger, or the new kids in school, all the good advice is listened to, but hard to act on.

There's shyness, and a sense of being rejected that comes into play.

Dutchy, here's what to do. Study that little group carefully. Check out who has a strong personality in the group, and make sure you befriend him outside of his "posse". That'll be your in, sooner than later.

Look, it's true of ANY society that new people often feel out of sorts in new situations, but IMHO, it's particularly true in England. There's an account I read of an Italian visitor to the UK in the 1770s, which said something like:

"My hostess was very gracious, but when I entered the salon, everyone seemed to know each other, and they were in little groups all over -- without a kind word of greeting to me. They were impenetrable these British. It was like being given a game, and told to play, without knowing the rules."

That's precisely how it seems to foreigners. In fact, it's not rudeness. It's the opposite, if you can believe it.

What we are saying is that we wouldn't want to presume to point out that you don't belong, and therefore don't make a big fuss of you.

Now, I'm not saying that's the case in your Halls of Residence, etc., but please know this quirk of our social dynamics, and you will be more at ease.

P.S.: You know, I am half-German, so not fully British. I am also a very observant person, like any writer has to be. This is why I am able to step out of my situation, of my own culture, and analyse unspoken things. Sorry if it made anyone uncomfortable reading it though.

Since Prince mods most watches, isn't it safe to assume he QC's them? After all there is a 3 - 4 week wait.

TWP is very upfront about such things, at least, when he sold cheaper watches in RWI.

Sometimes he would put "$125 drop-shipped, $130 inspected" etc. on his sales threads, so you knew exactly what to expect. Maybe some people are going, well, that's not right -- but I'd MUCH rather have a dealer like he, who is straight-up HONEST about what he does, than not.

I think TWP is now into modding PAMs, and selling high-end watches, so those days may be gone. As LordRasta said, he mods them, and I'm quite sure that means he QCs them.

No, York UK. That's why he (she...hehehe....) mentions it being full of British people....

That's what I thought...so Carry on, Nurse! All my tips apply.

Had friends who were up at York U, and I'm sure not much has changed since the late 90s.

Photos of the gymnasium? Must have been a fun evening....

Well, we were comparing websites of his old Uni and mine. When it's a long-distance relationship, you're kinda stuck for fun stuff to do, knowwhattamean?

Hey guys,

Is there a list of all the dealers (Trusty, Josh, Silix, PT, TTK, DSN, TWP, etc) who we believe drop ship vs actually check the watch? For example, i am pretty sure Josh and Trusty drop ship. Thanks!

http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?s=&amp...st&p=177001

42 replies, all with different opinions. It was a hot thread when I first joined in June.

What next? Bono? FFS.

Cornerstone, Bono is an absolutebloody shoe-in one day. I'd stake my first-born newt on it. President Chavez too, if he plays his cards right.

Is it my ISP or RWI is down today?

Up for me just now. Checked upon reading your post, FasTTaP. However, it was down intermittently ALL day yesterday, and indeed, a lot this past week.

Clear cookies, reboot, clear cookies again.

I thought we were talking about York in Toronto. I'm from Portsmouth but I've lived in the colonies all my life. I refuse to let my British citizenship go so I plan to go back next summer on holiday. As a British subject they HAVE to let me in the country.

LOL! Oops, York University in Toronto, is it, Dutchy? Sorry about that. As you can see, whenever I hear "Boston" I still think of our Boston -- so the same applies to York.

FWIW, my boyfriend is a graduate of York University. He has his psychology degree from there, and has shown me photos of the gymnasium, library, etc.

It looks a bit like a concrete mass of buildings, like so many modern Unis, but at least the area is friendly, suburban, and there's Yorkdale mall nearby.