Victoria

Hmmm.....

Brow lift *check*

Lantern jaw *check*

Adam's apple *check*

Panerai *check*

Dude, that chick's a DUDE!!!"

If you think she's a dude, check again. Could be wrong though. She's on Risti -- ring her up.

Questions, comments, requests?

What a strap! I'm half-way torn by being repulsed by it, and deeply attracted to it! A bit like my feelings towards Boris Johnson, actually.

And oh, yeah, marry her. I wouldn't have been amused.

Sorry V,

Monty was born in London, although his father came from Ireland and he considered himself Irish.

Blimey, just Googled, and you're right! Wherever did I come up with him being Scots? Maybe the fact that my grandfather married a Scotswoman, and was partial to the people, and always mentioned "Dougie" and "Monty" together somehow melded the two in my mind.

Sorry about that, and thanks for the correction!

EDIT: Oh, maybe the name. Montgomery sounded Scots to my ears. My own surname is Norman-Irish, BTW, though I haven't a drop of Irish in me.

I keeping with the general theory, he pulled himself up by his own bootstraps, gallant and uncompromising during the first world war, and distinguished himself further with his restraint during the "Irish rebellion" (his heritage a probable factor here), which led to his other earlier leadership positions in other uprisings. Although his ever growing arrogance was a bit much for most of his superiors, in keeping with the theory, he was steadily promoted or assigned positions above his grade. Against the theory, his "a--holitude" ended up costing him in the end. His views and general attitude generated much negative publicity after he retired, and this kept him from being elevated to Earl, which would have been a mighty fine lifetime achievement for the black sheep scion of a poor Irish bishop.

There's always a reason, Phantom.

Take Lord Mountbatten of Burma -- insufferably arrogant man (and a horrible snob).

He was Queen Victoria's great-grandson, so the pulling up by the bootstraps sccenario doesn't apply.

But his arrogance can date from the chip he carried on his shoulder, due to the shabby treatment doled out to his German-born father, who was sacked as First Sea Lord in WWI. Interestingly, he was sacked by none other than Winston Churchill himself, in a blatantly politically-expedient move, which cost Churchill A LOT of support within the Royal Family until 1939.

So Lord Mountbatten made sure EVERYTHING he did was a kind of reflection on his father's legacy, though he wasn't coy about tooting his own horn, either.

Both Field Marshal Montgomery and Lord Mountbatten went far, really far in their careers, for various reasons. Both were immensely talented men.

And both were major a-holes.

Again, just one more example of such people getting more glory than perhaps their attitudes deserve (in a perfect world).

EDIT: Lord Mountbatten in Burma, wearing a watch his great-nephew, the Prince of Wales, wears today.

May I say how impressed I have been by the public and private response via PMs, to this thread. It's garnered the most replies of any thread I've started.

I see it's touched an interesting nerve with so many, and I'm very glad.

Abakan, thanks for searching for that photo! I love them all, but I think that bottom row, first "Omega" watch is my fave. Vintage watches that can be worn today, are the best -- sheer timelessness (ironically enough).

I've posted way too much, and like seeing Trish in my posts... what can i say?

She's on my wallpaper here too

And on my screensaver at work

Ajoesmith explained about his avatar. Who is Trish?

Sorry, I just know Jenna Jameson and slappers like that. Oh, and BTW, my other favourite avatar is Rolli's:

I have a chihuahua that I am considering skinning... Anyone interested?

Elephants are majestic creatures ... family oriented and ENDANGERED..

It's a tough topic, Lanikai. Thanks for your perspective. Not sure elephants were ever on my radar, but I'll take what you said into consideration.

Stingrays on the other hand...well, we have some unfinished Steve Irwin business, them and I.

Eating, wearing, petting...I just like to enjoy animals in all the ways they have to offer. So cute and tasty.

Hi Michael Vick!

No, seriously. I'm hardly a PETA type or anything, though I do have that Catholic guilt which pops up at weird times (like this).

But why would an animal's cuddliness make any difference to me, whether or not I wear it on my wrist? It's illogical. Yes to crocs, but no to dogs?

In the past week, I've bought an APB Ostrich strap.

Then a few days later, a Manifatture Firenze python strap.

And I've just pulled the trigger on a Taikonaut kangaroo strap.

My question is simple:

Do you ever feel any kind of guilt in buying "exotic" hide straps? Do some give you more pause than others? Which is your favourite, or most exotic you've ever bought/seen?

Because I never blinked, until I went for the kangaroo one. Ostriches are ornery. Pythons, well, sooner them than me. Gators and crocs are nasty scaly beasts (taste like chicken, BTW).

But I've been to Oz, and love their 'roos. What's wrong with us?

I was actually disapointed Sssurfer failed in this case, and I hope when I go to him with a problem that he actually takes the time to ensure my complete satisfaction. It is clear that Sssurfer did not want to spend the time to adequately find a solution. His failure is monumental. There is no defence.

George, it's getting so that I have to put on the Secret RWG Decoder Ring to read your posts. Since only one person can possess it at a time, I fear dire consequences when others read them!

May I introduce my newest baby, a 1974 DRSD Mark II with chocolate dial. Enjoy!

Nanuq, I won't even pretend I know the difference between one vintage Rolex to another, but I can see what this means to you (and by the replies so far).

One thing's for sure, it looks amazingly special. I am savouring its roughed up glamour, and knowing how much you will baby it, in your possession.

I too am curious about how much you spent (I must be living too long in the US ), but it's as nothing towards the enjoyment it's given you. And us, now.

Will you ever actually wear it? If you do, wear it in good health!

Do you ever actually read the links I post,

I am trying to read "Ahmadinejad's World", but I am struggling. With my Cuban food. I decided to opt for that other than pizza.

Want a mojito?

P.S.: Plaifender, did you check out the Prince's mu

I see where you're going wit this, but this extreme support from Israel vs. Palestine comes from where?

Just to pre-empt this, because I think I know where this might go, I personally am not Jewish, I have no one in the history of my family who was Jewish, and I don't have any Jewish friends at the moment.

And I support Israel.

You don't have to have any kind of relationship with Jews, or be Jewish, or be from America, or support the US foreign policy position to be in favour of an Israeli State.

I guess living in france doesn't help that mentality either.

France, with respect to all the French people here, has traditionally been one of the most anti-Semitic countries on the social level. It's embarrassingly so in the upper-classes, and where the elites of all social levels, congregate.

Does that mean there were not Jewish French Premiers like Leon Blum and Pierre Mend

Ahmadenijad succeeded wonderfully in demonstrating - at least to those intent on taking our civilization down - that we're ripe for it.

I have to disagree with you, Ryyannon.

New York, as the saying goes, isn't the United States. At the end of the day, Americans are not ripe fo any kind of overturning. They are in fact, hell bent on preserving their customs, mores, and modus vivendi like almost no other Western nation today is. I'm part of this impenetrable wall, which you only have to push, to see the reaction you will get.

When they invited Krushchev to the UN and he banged his shoe on the podium to get attention (LOL), that was yet another dictator clown who probably some fools also thought was "a breath of fresh air".

The difference is that he had the atomic bomb and could annihilate the world, and almost did.

Today we have the latest member of this Clown Club -- this cretin man from Iran is a rabid anti-Semite, who people don't exactly take seriously because who is going to take seriously a man such as he? With his Cheshire cat grin and Members only jackets?

Until then, the world listens, that's all we can do. Let's hope the next sound won't be a nuclear blast.

(Okay, that's enough for me, for now. I'm getting acid reflux before I've even gone for some pizza)

Your solution was not correct for my situation. The issue wasnt the hole, but the fact that the opening for the CG pin was too wide. Tightening the pin would not keep it from wobbling so, no amount of silicone or wire insulation would fix the lever, in my case anyway. Pressure was needed to "pinch" the sides of the crown guard closer togetherby a fraction, and then the lever was tight. I also ruined the crown guard by using a pair of plyers with teeth on it, even though I taped them up pretty good, they still left a mark so I traded one small problem for another larger one. However, the solution worked perfectly and the pin no longer wiggles so, in the future, anyone trying this should be careful to use plenty of protection on the guard before applying pressure.

And:

"Thanks for all your help, Sssurfer."

I'm not Miss Manners. But a nice thank you wouldn't have gone amiss, Beever, whatever the solution.

V, was the rock wearing his Pam296? haha..

At the time, I wasn't even aware of the marque.

Oh what a difference a year makes...he was dressed very nicely, in an open-necked silk beige shirt, and matching jacket. He actually got a bigger round of applause than Donna Shalala, when the crowd saw him being seated.

(BTW, he's a Republican, but in Miami people could care less about your politics. You go for the "happening")

The speeches given at a school like Miami i can only imagine to be be more "SPEECH" than discourse or "open forum".

Yes, I agree.

Just to note, CJ Roberts didn't have an open mic. But he was interviewed at length by Jan Greenburg (the ABC correspondent to the Supreme Court), so that counted a bit like a question-answer session. You'll be happy to know that the Chief doesn't own an iPod. She asked.....................

VP Gore had the LONGEST presentation, AND open mic session with 3 students. Well, I left in the middle of one kid's question on the environment (which BTW, he dodged the kid later told me), because it was nearing 3 hours long.

President Clinton didn't have an open mic session either, but Donna Shalala "interviewed" him with questions from the students. You'll be happy to know that President Clinton thinks Ivo Morales is the President of Brazil......................

A school like columbia which is well known for its law (and in my world), and International Relations programs will certainly be a great place for any international discourse to occur. The forum will presumably be much smaller than what you witnessed with Gore and Clinton and the quality and interest of the spectators should increase accordingly...

There is no comparison between the Univ of Miami and Columbia, of course.

But just to note that of the Southern Universities, UM International Relations is amongst the premier of all. It helps that they are located in the building which once housed the Southern Headquarters of the CIA.

And also, please note that I only attended Medical School at UM. My other, British University as an undergrad, was another kettle of fish.

One day, I'll tell you how I almost ran into Queen Sofia of Spain in the ladies, there.

should be interesting to see... will this recorded? and aired on televsion?

Doubtfully. It's a private session, else why use tickets? And recorded, only if someone managed to sneak in a digicam or similar, and record it -- like they did with Ann Coulter.

Pure cheese.

Yeah, but I dunno. I liked it.

(Welcome back, Euno!)

Thanks vbarrett, the dealer did NOT mention any shipping costs in sending it back...

But you should've asked, and made that clear. This is not to say you are wrong. But I always dot every i, and cross every t before I send ANYTHING back to these dealers.

I've asked the dealer to absorb this in good business practice, if they refuse then I will look at making an unauthorised credit card transaction in my card to reverse the funds as the goods are still in the dealers hands. I'll do this under no goods received from vendor but I'm still then out of pocket!

That's a very momentous decision. I personally would pay the $20, WITH CONFIRMED TRACKING, and never use the dealer again. And yes, reveal his name at the very end, when you have received the watch.

Hi Guys

I sent my damaged Tag back to the dealer at my cost who apparently has repaired it. The dealer is ready to ship it back to me but is now demanding the 20 USD to send it back. Is the process not that dealer pays to send to you, and buyer pays to send to dealer?

Sorry to hear of your troubles, Dastrix.

This should've been hammered out before you sent the watch. If you did, and s/he didn't mention a shipping fee, then you are correct. If not, then really, you don't have much of a case, as I see it.

I've never been asked for shipping back fee. In fact, whenever I have to send back any watch, I get compensated with a discount on my next order, or similar.

Basically, the dealer is holding your watch ransom, and it's up to you whether or not you should reveal his or her name. I personally wouldn't UNTIL everything was resolved on your end.

Good luck to you, Dastrix.

At least Ahmadenijad brings something fresh to the table.... haha. what a personality!

History repeats itself. Again, again, and again.

Any dialogue that affords young people the oppurtunity to become active, and take part in our political and/or international system of diplomacy is always a plus.

On principle, agreed. But that's not what happens in reality.

In reality, if the audience do not like what you have to say, or your perceived politics, they shout you down, ENDLESSLY, WITHOUT MERCY and will not let you continue.

I can give you personal examples, but I'm sure that's not necessary. You know that's the case, plaifender, yes?

However I will say this.

Recently, I went to the University of Miami's three marquee lectures with notable personalities: one, US Supreme Court Chief Justice John D. Roberts. Then, in back-to-back days, ex-Vice President of the United States, Al Gore, followed by ex-President of the United States, Bill Clinton.

For John Roberts' lecture/interview, ladies' had to have their purses searched (with cameras seized, including mobile phones), in tables just before going up the steps of the Convocation Centre. Secret Service were EVERYWHERE. There was a marked presence of local police with dogs all around.

Nothing that you wouldn't expect. This was after all, the Chief Justice of the USA.

So when I went to listen to Al Gore, I thought, oh boy, I better not even take a handbag, because I thought it would be treble the security.

Not a table. Not a search. Not a Secret Service man to be seen. Same for President Clinton. They barely looked at you going in the turnstiles.

What does this mean? I'm guessing they were expecting a lot more antagonism towards CJ Roberts, the "Conservative", than towards the "Liberal", Al Gore and Bill Clinton.

They needn't have worried. There was not a protester in sight for John Roberts, nor for the others either. No Code Pink lady stood up in her pink bra and knickers and disturbed the Chief. No one called him names or interrupted the proceedings in any way.

Miami is just not political, and the UNIVERSITY of Miami is perhaps the least political campus in the US.

But it was enough that they thought they would have problems, that shows you the very different approaches towards people who are "approved" or not by the audience.

P.S.: Chief Justice Roberts was BY FAR, the most eloquent of the three. I was astonished at how badly Bill Clinton spoke, since I expected him to wipe the floor with the other 2.

EDIT: Sorry to threadjack, Ryyannon. Just a few interesting pics of the two ex-leaders of the US, since my digicam wasn't confiscated for the Gore/Clinton lectures, and was, for the Roberts one:

The first shows you people clambering up the stairs to the Convocation Centre, going to President Clinton's lecture.

That side was blocked off for CJ Roberts, with police guarding it in case someone snuck in. The other side was full of police, Secret Service, and tables, checking all people as they went up the stairs. Every single person was inspected, and their cameras confiscated.

No one was inspected for President Clinton/VP Gore.

MORE:

I went by myself to watch VP Gore. He basically gave a live presentation of his documentary (lasted well over 2 hours).

There was no assigned seating in either, it was first-come, first-served, but since my parents were major contributors to President Clinton during his runs for Office, they put in a quiet word with President Shalala's staff, and we got seated a row behind The Rock.

I am interested to examine the package to see if I can learn which customs port processed it.

I have yet to see evidence of any package being opened, even Davidsen's packages which frankly, have a tiny wad of bubblewrap, and some tape around the watch itself.

Andrew's packages are wrapped to survive a nuclear explosion. I've never seen anything like that. It takes about 5 minutes of scissor-work just to get it opened.

The point I'm making is that obviously with the ones I've gotten, US Customs haven't tampered with them, TTBOMK. Perhaps, the times being what they are, they merely x-ray them as they pass in a conveyour belt, or similar.

Or they get sniffer dogs to do their work -- since Miami is the number one hub of drug activity from South America.

Mine don't usually come in from SF. They reach JFK. SOMETIMES the tracking says, "Inbound Customs" and it's there a while. But usually it just says "Cleared Customs" within a few minutes of their arrival.

The one exception was my mum's package with Joshua, which lay in Customs for 4 days (!). Then it cleared without so much as a how-do-you-do.

If anyone has ever gotten their package opened by US Customs, please speak up now, or forever hold your timepiece.

40mm pams look good but bigger maybe for some but in general i say no.

Still waitin' on that reply, Dani. Ticking "agree" on DBR's post just won't hack it. You wouldn't like to be thought a chicken, now would you?

To play Devil's Advocate for a moment, and flip the argument on it's head slightly, what would people think of a man who was wearing what was clearly (through size/color/jewel-coatings) a woman's watch? Would they think he was wearing the watch of a female loved one, or would they think he 'prefered the company of men'?

On another rep forum, there was a thread (I haven't read but the first), where a black American quarterback of great renown, Donovan McNabb, was mentioned. It said something like, "Did you see the news conference where Donovan McNabb was wearing a Cartier Santos?? What did you think about THAT?".

Between whiffs of racism and homophobia...what a choice...I'd rather the poster was mentioning that it was odd to see a butch gridiron QB wearing "a lady's watch" (specifically, Cartier is seen as a lady's marque), than being astonished that a black person could wear such a nice timepiece.

In fact, I don't know the point the original poster was making. I'll go find out by the replies, and report back.

UPDATE: phpBB : "Critical Error Could not connect to the database" RWI down, again. More later.

LATER UPDATE: Got a direct reply from the chap:

"The answer would be #1. I posted it in the same vein that others have posted watches that various movie, TV, and political people wear. I'm always interested in what people who can afford to wear anything choose for themselves. No personal/professioal/sociological observation on Donavan McNabb. BTW, we like the same soup too..........".

I had inquired, using 3 examples, about his motivation in posting about Donovan wearing the Cartier. So you see his innocuous, and perfectly reasonable reply. It's as if someone had mentioned John Terry had been wearing a Gucci watch. Curiosity, is all.