Victoria

BEAUTIFUL. Big ass watch requires a big ass Ralph Lauren Polo logo. I love it, Raymond.

Hah. As an aside, anyone know if the "Swiss Army" watches are indeed worn by the Swiss Armed Forces, officially? Or yet another marketing spin? 'Cause I have a couple named Victorinox Swiss Army. They glow like the dickens. When I was invited to a paintball party, I arrived wearing one, just in case my Panerai got splattered.

Wow, why does that ring a bell, Chicken Manny... The former, I think. Pilots, as I don't need to tell you, are the most arrogant people on earth. Boastful goes with the territory. Well, in my experience, these professionals are arrogant, in order: 1) Pilots 2) Medical Doctors 3) Lawyers 4) Professional Tennis players 5) Gen watch forum members Fantastic. But was it standard issue, or did you guys get your own? That I recall, my friend's husband said he was given it, as part of his course. This was precisely around the time you served. Those people are BRUTAL. Number 6.

Yeah, I heard he's disliked over at Risti. As for greedy slimebag, that is interesting because he sells his straps at 50% off and frequently adds freebies in other forums. I think must've totally misread him, because he's been nothing but kind to people with his merchandise. He seems affable enough to me in the emails we've exchanged, too. Heh. Cool. Still don't have a Xa-Mas, but I'm saving that for X-mas.

Very complex problem, not easy for foreigners to understand, including at times, myself. I have friends on either side, and though some do not care, MANY cannot stand the other. (I also dated a Belgian, BTW) It's interesting that the Flemish themselves feel sometimes disadvantaged vis-a-vis the Dutch in the Netherlands -- the Dutch make fun of them for being so conservative, and for having "funny" accents. Of course, we all know the same is true of the French and the Wallon Belgians. The Belgians are the equivalent of the Polish in American jokes (I never understood that, BTW). So it's not entirely sure who would "protect" them, in case they separated. The Armed Services were abolished, except a ceremonial force, and without each other, they are that much weaker as a State even given NATO presence. And what of the tiny German-speaking area?? Who would they choose to go with? Middle-Ages, yes. Before even Mary of Burgundy married HRE Maximilian I...and a lot of these problems were cemented...

Wellllll, this is an interesting turn of events. Found this Spanish site below, on military watches: http://www.campusanuncios.com/venta-110122...loj-Madrid.html "El reloj fue dise

Can one really buy a whole country?? For those unaware, as I was until I read this WaPo article on the percolating separatist revolution in Belgium (home of Stephane, Navigater and so many other noted RWGers!), this tiny but important country went on the Bay, offered to the highest bidder in a joke auction. Larger: http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee248/m...umSaleLarge.jpg Auction was pulled. Last bid, 13 million USD. Separatism and Belgium have been going hand-in-hand since the country's founding in 1830, a direct outcome of the Napoleonic wars where it was supposed to act as a buffer state between the Great Powers (a bit like Uruguay in So. America). King Leopold III had to abdicate as part of this problem (he had married a Flemish commoner, and it was held against him by the Wallons), though his perceived colloboration with the Nazis didn't help. For the longest time, the soon-to-be-canonised King Baudouin I kept Belgium together, but his brother -- who only recently tried to stage a royal intervention in settling down the fires this past week -- Albert II just doesn't have his personal clout. It's funny, yes. But it's sad too. The capital of Europe is, after all, at stake. Anyway, I bid $25.50.

Hey Swdivad! Forum members were talking of your avatar and I was missing you, on a post, just the other day. Glad you're "back". I'm not sure why this is, but I have personally seen a East Asian girl wearing the base with a pink strap (so much so, I ran after her to ask where she had bought it -- was wearing my HBB YG at the time though!), and two other-forum members who are Chinese and Singaporean respectively also have wives into pink straps for their PAMs. Not sure if this is a trend in the Far East, or if I am the exception. As I said, this is my first real coloured "lady" strap.

Faultless, just faultless. I saw another forum where they said this OEM blue croc was over USD500 in the HK Boutique. Yikes. Is that a OEM deplo or buckle?? It somehow looks odd for a deployant, Wheaton! Odd but gorgeous!

Someone PMed me about Fiddy straps, and since my Inbox was at 100%, I haven't replied. Not sure if that was you, Alant, but hang in there! Just about to. Fiddies are 47mm so you will need straps that are 26mm at the lug ends. The buckle ends typically are 24mm, but they can be any combination -- thus you will see straps listed as 26/26, 26/24, or even, for Radiomirs oftentimes, 26/22. Just checked both these straps. Elliot (the owner of Timeconnection.biz, who incidentally is travelling in Italy at the moment, picking up new hides for straps) has these listed: Mario Paci XI in Papaya Brown. Can you feel the Patina? 24/24 125/80 GeF La Spezia 5.5mm in Cognac with New Marina 3mm thick buckle for Panerai watches 24/24 and 130/85 & 26/24 and 125/80 ...so, this means you can't for the moment get the Papaya for the Fiddy, but it IS available if you buy La Spezia Cognac. The GeF seems similar to one I already have, namely: Mario Paci Private Stock in Cognac 24/24 125/80 (I myself was the last person to get the MPPS in Cognac for the Fiddy! Lucky moi) But having seen pics on wrist-checks, I would say the Paci Cognac is deeper. This La Spezia seems more lively, and slightly less buttery soft -- which is good sometimes for 44mm PAMs. HTH.

THANKS!! I couldn't get on at midnight... POLL OFFICIALLY CLOSED. The RESULTS ARE! Mario Paci XI - The Papaya [ 7 ] ** [46.67%] Giovanni e Figlio La Spezia Cognac [ 8 ] ** [53.33%] Whew, neck and neck until the very last vote, nearly at midnight. THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN! ...Giovanni e Figlio La Spezia in Cognac it is! Indeed, wrist-checks here I come.

:Jumpy: Beautiful PAM, Lanikai. Is that an OEM croc?? I knew it though! Tats. First time is deuced awkward, and you feel the whole world is watching you (& quite possibly is). Gets easier. Trust me. (Love your first wristie!!)

Oh no, I remember that thread well. You know, Sssurfer, when I hit Search to see if this thread idea had been posted before, I came upon many...shall we say...interesting past posts on ladies and Panerai. Like this: http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=25376 (Aww) And this: http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=29012 (OMFG) But I wonder... Do any of you remember this charming little thread? http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showto...mp;#entry249802 My God, even Rolli had his tongue hanging out. Geilig wins! Notice that sort of stuff isn't posted as much on the Panerai threads, anymore. GOSH, wonder why.

GUYS: 3 more hours to vote. THE VOTES ARE ALL EVEN. Dead heat, yipes. Please vote!

I'd pay Davidsen an extra $50 just for one of those. In a heartbeat. Yes, because I would lie if asked if it were a gen. If you don't care, and say it's a rep, then it's worthless to you. Interesting about SFSO randomised serial numbers though. I might just get one...

Ooh, I can show this to my mother, who loves Nicole Kidman! She's wearing the 177, whilst Heidi IIRC, is wearing a fantasy PAM. Rolli mentioned they were debating which Panerai model she had, in the German gen forums. But this is gross: http://www.watchzworld.com/citizen_eco_dri...bl9000_08a.html "Lady's Special Since 1860, in the legacy of Giovanni Panerai, high precision mechanisms Swiss Technology, Italian fashion. Panerai creates precision optical and mechanical instruments for the Royal Italian Navy. This is a special edition women's model of dramatic allure. Luminor technology makes the watch dial visible even in the underwater depths. The high polished steel case has the emblematic Panerai bold and rigorous curves. The spin dial controls are protected by the unique bracket on the side case. A white chronograph and stunning industrial style of the visible mechanism on the face dominate the ebony dial. A utopian charm is achieved by the playful luminor moon and stars illustration at 1 o'clock. Bold, luminous Arabic numerals and stylized steel hands complete the signature profile. The black rubber sport strap is textured and embossed with the Panerai name. The sapphire crystal is corundum formed and scratch-proof. The Panerai for women has a 34mm case and is waterproof to 30 feet. The movement is automatic Japanese. All markings and engravings are exact. Case Diameter: 31mm " Ready? Moonphase (werewolf alert, SSsurfer!) Tourbillon Skanky Minute Dial The worst ones, are the fantasy Lady PAMs I've seen. They just butcher the whole ETHOS of the Panerai marque.

I hear what you are saying, Raymond, but I'm afraid I will also say The white face looks too plain and nerdy, and the blue face looks unserious. It doesn't even have the quirkiness of an all-white Timex Triathlon Dual-Tech which Will Ferrell wore in "Stranger than Fiction". Sorry babe.

His stupid but nice [censored]. Come on, that's censored too?? It's ABOUT A DOG. Sheesh. Heh. No clue, Carl. I'd be lying if I told you one or the other. Looking at the photo carefully, you can see certain tell-tale signs he's not at Sandhurst anymore, but I'll not edit/correct it. WONDERFUL! And Tissots aren't my fave, but what is it about vintage watches that just look more serious, more worthy, more MANLY than even IWCs today? Must be the prism of respect we look at them with. Not to mention who wore them. Thanks, Carl. EDIT: It's a Vintage Rollie, but still the same applies!

TeeJay, me too!! I could've sworn that was an IWC. Here is my cousin. First photo, still at Sandhurst, IIRC. Second photo, in Iraq. I don't know what watch he's wearing but it's on a NATO band. Later, I believe an IWC Spitfire, but on a metal bracelet (wouldn't that BURN in the desert??). EDIT: Two photos removed. Sorry guys. (You can see him go from a boy to a man, in just a few months' time...) FxrAndy, once again, as ever, thanks for your service.

Can we know what that was, a description, anything? My God, it either had to be the raunchiest ass avatar EVER, or oh I dunno, "I want to have George W. Bush's babies" on them. Christ on a bike, people are so petty.

:lol: “Life is too short to be little. Man is never so manly as when he feels deeply, acts boldly, and expresses himself with frankness and with fervor.” - Benjamin Disraeli I think she must've read that quote because Paris Hilton rejoined: “The only rule is don't be boring and dress cute wherever you go. Life is too short to blend in.”

FOR THE RECORD, wun't me. (I love the wiggly jumblies avatars. Maybe a little put off to find out it's someone's girlfriend, because if my boyfriend did that about me, I'd kill him -- but hey, if the gf's don't complain, who cares!) Really, someone complains directly about these things? That's lame.

Ever seen a watch whose face bears some kind of commemorative event? There are some weird ones, boy. A daily reminder of the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Merci Napoleon! EDIT: More. Abolish Slavery Commemorative watch (Juneteenth watch?), with logo, "Am I not a man and a brother?". Should've read "40 acres and a Swatch". And one commemorating the reign of Pope Pius XII. (POPE PIUS XII??? WHO buys these things??)

Not a fan of the Tudors (yes, I know, I just made many enemies by saying this), but that's a nice one! "Issued by the Marine Nationale (French Navy) in 1976, the decommissioning papers that came with this watch indicate it was retired from service in September of 1999." Ahh, la Marine Nationale. So many jokes, so little time. A post in the offing, hopefully! @Raymond: This is the only forum where I do that! On RWI/Repgeeks, it's been the same for months...take it as a compliment.