Victoria

ms barrett could you PM me?

Done!

I mentioned in the Shoutbox how I was dawdling in clearing it. Sorry, DET11. ;(

So, during my travels, I see so many watches that look like clear knockoffs of others (or hommages); Invicta is a known culprit in this. But there are some people who swear by their brand as the brand of choice, and most others are just paying a premium for a "name" or to be some part of "elitist" club.

My question for you is: How can such an argument be justified? What's in a name? What can you get from purchasing from one brand that you can't get with another?

I don't know. It's like asking why one would want a Volkswagen instead of a Rolls-Royce if given a chance to buy either/or. Both get you from point A to point B, so functionality is not in question.

I'm sure Invicta is a fine marque. But if their designs are so obviously knock-offs of better known timepieces, one is left wondering -- why?

To me, the answer is obvious. Because one can't afford the Rolex on which it is based.

Remember, most of us who frequent these rep watch forums are looking for replica watches of elite marques.

There are many reasons for that, but one reason MUST surely be we want to look like we have the real thing -- else we'd stick to Invicta or Geneva watches, right?

The why is complicated. Snobbery. Quality (snigger). Being associated with the best. The elegant lines of a finely crafted watch. Many reasons.

P.S.: Don't own any Invictas. But I do own a Caravelle (by Bulova, IIRC) Tank knock-off of a Cartier Tank. It's a GREAT watch. Flawless mechanism. Looks awesome. But I never wore it again after I finally bought my Cartier Tank.

I hope they have a fun time... or whatever you're supposed to be doing on "communism day"...

Fun and Communism go together like nuclear blast and carnival.

Now anarcho-syndicalism is a riotous time had by all.

LONDON - Lois Maxwell, the Canadian-born actress who was to many fans the definitive Miss Moneypenny in James Bond films, has died in Western Australia aged 80, the British Broadcasting Corp. reported Sunday.

Blimey, she was 80, CANADIAN and lived in Oz?? This is information overload.

Still, RIP. I loved her sexy give-and-take with Sean Connery a lot.

P.S.: Since my boyfriend is Canadian, I always tease him since Canadians go around saying, "Mary Pickford, yep she was Canadian. Kim Cattrall? Canadian. Louis B. Mayer, Canadian lad"...if someone was remotely connected to Canada, they pipe up and claim them. So I'm sure he's already heard of Miss Moneypenny having passed.

Coincidentally, I just learnt that Melissa Sue Anderson, who played Mary Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie you recall, and her entire family became naturalised Canadian citizens on Canada Day (1 Jul) of this year. WTF!

I wonder if she's seen that Canadian show, "Little Mosque on the Prairie"...

LOL its Davidsan 195 with an upgraded dial , nuclear lume and a BOB-strap

:wub:

Well, it's amongst the best Panerai photos I've EVER seen on these Wristies. Congrats, and I hate you, in no special order.

At least she is wearing a watch its on topic

I'm replying to this because, due to this thread, I now pronounce Pugwash 'Puh-wah' in my head. Thanks a lot.

We'll see but, hey, 22 days for a letter from US to EU ?

LONG, but yes, not uncommon. It took about 35 days for me to receive an ostrich strap from Waccex once. That was after the first one went totally missing. Markus resent it very kindly.

Hope it works out, Stephane.

its dark here - i need some light :

Holy Guacamole with Christ on a bike! That's a beautiful combo of PVD PAM on a perfect strap. WHAT is it?

I think that the euro buyers are intrested to know the sellers that have possibility to ship from europe to europe

Does anyone else read "TriosLescano" and think Tatiana Troyanos?

(That was the extent of my commentary. Sorry, that's all I got)

This is an atypical internet site, because of it's need to host in a special, more secure manner. As a result, those that are unaware of this will not understand why their donation is required. Most forums are able to be self-sustaining off of google ad revenues. I am only outlining the exact process I've gone through in understanding why I need to donate. If you try to tell me I "better" donate, I simply won't. Members need to discover it on their own, openly and without fear of reprisal, in order to make that voluntary donation. It's the only atmosophere under which enlisting donations can be effective.

First, thanks as ever for clearly putting down your points, without any antagonism that I could perceive anyway.

You're right that sometimes pleas from veterans (moreso than Admin and his moderating team) become akin to berating.

The problem is exactly as you say -- this is an atypical site because of its costly hosting fees, and because Admin has had his accounts shut down innumerable occasions. This creates a need for "re-upping", to signify your support for the site's purpose.

I think I've also gone on the record that a velvet glove is required, else people feel offended no matter the realities of the situation.

But this line is the one which personally troubles me:

"If you try to tell me I "better" donate, I simply won't."

There are times when we have to put away our pride, or offended feelings and think of the commonweal, especially as adults.

It seems to me this is one of those times, and "I simply won't" sounds like a child who has just been told they "HAVE TO" do something, and dig in their heels and refuse to move.

One simply cannot have this attitude, although I know you were not speaking necessarily of yourself, but noting the reaction others may have.

To think like this is really silly when you stop, and ponder about the situation.

If you will allow again, this is my idea of what RWG is:

It's like a public library. Everyone who goes there can browse through the books, whether or not you live in the area. No one will stop you at the door, and bar you entrance to at least take advantage of some of the learning found within, by asking you for a fee before.

But if you want to take out books, books which contain knowledge to better yourself, to find humour, and to share ideas, then you have to do so, in the form of local taxes which pay for your library ticket/card.

Oftentimes, the Libraries have special membership drives, or sell used books, because even the local taxes are not enough to keep them going.

And that's because not all who live there, and take advantage of their services, pay their full share of taxes.

I don't berate anyone, because until recently, I was a non-paying member. But once I was asked, having decided this was a place which had given me MUCH, I poneyed up the membership.

It's only fair.

I too want to check out some of the cool stuff inside this library of rep watch knowledge. And I want to keep the Library going as long as it can.

Aren't you being a bit rash here, Vickey?

I believe it's traditionally ten percent of one's income - as in the Latin Decima, the Old English teogo

Don't worry Mademoiselle V., you're still a VIP in my eyes...

And you're not only a VIP in my eyes, but still an awesome photographer of pieces I long to get, Pix!

RAYMOND! Poor thing.

Though my malady is no where close to yours, I can relate what being in bed for 4 straight days is like. Awful cabin fever, discomfort, and boredom. Take care!!

MONDAY

It's raining like the bejiggers here, and I'm taking out the Toscana Siena Carbon on my DSN PAM 112.

What do you think? Ocean's 13 or Lives of Others?

TUESDAY

My Andrew PAM 111h on a PAV 99 strap...maybe going out into the open for the first time in a week -- to Fourbucks!

Love the look of the simple but charming PAV 99. They say it's the hide that OEM calf tans today are based on.

...I'll clear my Inbox ASAP tomorrow!

It's funny that a young state prosecutor would be wearing a $10,000 watch though.

At first, it fit his character -- a young, up-and-coming maverick attorney, who is savvy to know he needs to look the part to be headhunted by the finest legal firm in the city.

I can EASILY see a young legal beagle like that dropping part of his Ass't DA salary (more or less USD 60-80k p/a) on a pricey watch. I see it in the Miami courthouses all the time.

But then, remember the scene where the secretaries are having to instruct the lad on choosing the right dinner jacket/tuxedo for an evening at the opera? He didn't know what a cumberband was (!).

That suggested he might have been given a tip about the IWC Porto, from an AD, or observed it on a fellow lawyer, rather than having the background to know about the watch himself.

Interestingly, just saw a rerun on Cinemax of "American Gigolo" (remember that? With Richard Gere in the role which propelled him to fame).

I thought he was wearing a blackdialed Cartier Tank, watchface down. It turns out it was a Piaget. He, OTOH, knew what was what because he had been coached to by his "madam".

Come friday, funds allowing, I will be donating $50. I will also donate $50 the month after that, and the month after that ad infinitum. These donations will be made, not because I personally feel I should donate that amount, but because Islam demands I make zakat (charitable donations) and it is not my place to question the will of Allah.

Assalamu alaikum

Heh, that's funny, TeeJay. Had no idea.

Roman Catholics are also enjoined to make charitable contributions (loosely translated as to use 1/3 of your salary, donate the other 1/3 to charity, and to save 1/3 for your future).

But I don't do so because of that since religion is at a discount in the West. I do so because I sense a need, and if I can, I fill it.

DONE.

Challenge regular members to match $10 or upgrade.

I can do that. But I'm sickly these days, and out of the loop so please hang in there, Admin/guys.

I'll be back just as soon as I can.

P.S.: Liked "VIP" best, but oh well.

Nice find Vic!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, FxrAndy.

Can't take the credit. Got it from the gen forum.

Minute 1:08, and beyond. Very fascinating either way.

My point on pricing, is that if a company can outsource their product enough to bring their production costs down, why not adjust the retail cost accordingly?

Because business is about making money. And IMO there is nothing wrong with making MORE money, having reduced your costs.

This is a fundamental difference in how many people think. To me, business is not about ethics or morality regarding profit.

If you had argued that Rolex outsourced much of their partmaking to Chinese factories, and THEN started reneging on their previous excellent customer service record, I might perk up and agree. In fact, I'm sure I would.

But if you tell me that since now Rolex are saving loads of money by getting cheaper parts made in China, and are not passing on the savings to its future customers, that simply leaves me shrugging.

That's the whole point of business, of Capitalism, of turning a profit.

I know they charge what they charge because there will always be someone prepared to pay the price tag, and in marketing and retail, I know that's the overall 'point', but ethically and morally speaking, why charge more for a product than it genuinely costs to produce... (I know, R&D costs as well, but I think it's safe to say Rolex recouped those losses a long time ago ) I guess at the end of the day, I just object to consumerism and corporate greed setting prices for products.

Right, it needn't be, but it CAN be a moral dilemma.

Does one give money to counterfeiters who are illegally ripping off legitimate companies of their intellectual property rights, on their customer service record, and fine name, to get ultimately comparatively shoddy goods, for a fraction of the price?

Or do you bite the bullet, and make the rich richer, because you feel it's not fair to rip anyone off, such as contributing to the stealing of ideas, no matter the justification?

I once asked this on RWI: Say one of us started ripping off designs from strapmakers Savage and Tootall, who in the meantime had become very wealthy making straps (let's pretend for a moment). We took away from their creativity, by simply appending their names to our designs. Would this be fair? No. If they decided to charge 2x, 3x...10x as much than when they first started out, simply because in the meantime they had gained experience and renown, thus making their straps more covettable. Is that fair? Yes.

It's up to each person how they make sense of these things in their own mind.

I've made peace with mine a long time ago. If I had the money, I would buy gens 90% of the time.

researched a bit and have concluded that a closed back rep is the way to go if accuracy is paramount. I'd like to know what you all think with regards to where i can get the most accurate radiomir and 183. i don't want to work it myself, lume it myself etc. i want to buy the thing, put it on my wrist, and fool 99.98 percent of the public into thinking it is real. reserve judgement please. this is a replica watch sight afterall. Also, suggestions that i should buy a real panerai are indications of an aweful sense of humor. thanks in advance for any help.

Go with Davidsen, who may take your suggestion of a closed exposition caseback in stride.

Since you have the VIP upgrade, you'll get access to all his photos/info. Good luck.

So now I am very upset because I will look like a stupid FOOL wearing this crappy chinese WATCH which has supposed reliable ETA movement but is actually CRAP MOVEMENT and I am done with reps that is it I will buy no more rep CRAP from now on I have had ENOUGH with this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does anyone experience something ridiculous like this before?????? WHAT????

Yes, baby. Try two Omega SMPs 007 (ETA) arriving either DOA or stop functioning after a week. Until then, amongst the most expensive watches I had bought.

Buying reps is hard. Not sure we all have the personality needed to keep doing so. Some people need to bite the bullet, and perhaps get out.

Corgi, I didn't say I'm sorry to you yet. Sorry. *hugs*

As can be guys.

But personally, I didn't feel snubbed, just fascinated - perhaps much in the same way that Darwin might have been on Easter Island.

Anyway, these girls were beyond snubbing: they were a phenomenon unto themselves, in the world but not of it; something separate, autonomous, detached.

Now that I see the scene again, I'm sure that they were observing everyone else in the same way as I was observing them: with a sense of wonder and fascination, but with no real desire to close the distance.

In the world of beauty, this is very common. They project etherealness, and that itself is part of the allure.

But, in my experience, it's also true of the world of intelligence (Universities). Or of rich people. Or of aristocracy. Of fashion. Or slim people. And indeed, of athletes.

They stick to their own. No. More than that.

THEY WANT to stick to their own -- actively seeking them out, in part to avoid the jealousy which comes from diversity. Meanwhile, the rest of the world misunderstands them, abuses them, although sometimes excuses them depending if they perceive "up by your bootstraps" effort, rather than the horrible crime of inheritance, as cause.

I understand this impulse completely.

It took you A LOT to arrive at the place you are. Even if you think they were born beautiful, maintaining that beauty is not easy. To have people around you who don't, is a downer.

It's one of those unspeakable human things that we simply cannot say out loud, because the moment people do, others who do not belong cry foul, perhaps justifiably.

This, of course, just makes these special people circle the wagons ever closer.

To do so would have been as likely as Queen Elizabeth entering a Pie Eating Contest: like her, and since their birth, their very identities and existence were predicated upon maintaining it.

You've never seen the Queen of Holland on a bike, have you?

And even though they see you, it's only because for them, you're not even there.

*though she is not part of this breed, Victoria gulped hard when reading this, thinking of all the times she's not acknowledged the existence of men paying her a compliment...*

Women are cruel, Ryyannon. Even intentionally unintentionally.

Not a nature show addict at all - although I'll watch just about anything at four in the morning....

The films on Alex were on ARTE, the French/German equivalent of PBS - as was a three-part series on the intelligence of birds in general.

Sure, ARTE was my fave channel (as is PBS in the US). I also liked Canal Jimmy. Ooh! I just thought of a post idea for the RWG males! Hang on to yer beret!

There's one (threatened) species of Jay that is able to understand that its reflection in a mirror is indeed a reflection of itself - a feat shared only with one species of primates (monkeys).

That's something even babies are said not to know. I dispute this theory. I knew.

My own House Pigeon regularly climbs onto my shoulder at night to see what the hell I'm doing on the laptop - and then walks down my arm and onto the keyboard to get a better look at all the dancing letters and animated smileys.

Birds are a real trip - just when I've decided to get back with the program (ie, sanity) one of them pulls something that totally blows me out.

I do believe that if weren't for my obsession with the pigeons, I'd have checked out of this world long ago....

Ryyannon, darling...I don't like this Burt Lancaster view of the world. You and some pigeons, shaking your fists at the IHT deliveryman.

What you need is a pro-American, multilingual, well-travelled, well-read woman, who can talk about anything under the sun, including sports, philosophy, history, timepieces and sex, isn't aggressive about her views, but doesn't confuse moderation with lack of moral fibre.

Unfortunately, Angela Merkel isn't pretty.

I've seen some amazing film documentaries about Alex - a very endearing bird - who would discuss what he wanted for dinner,

Ryyannon -- nature show addict?

whether he was even hungry or not

An American parrot then.

and anything else that happened to be on his mind....

Fantastic. The trait of wanting to share unimportant thoughts with people is very human.

In terms of sheer communicativity, a cut above many of my own university students.

I suggest you visualise a classroom full of parrots. Then if someone steals your Doritos, you'll be happily surprised.