Victoria

That's pretty much what happens, Anon. Most of the time, we find these rep forums just before, or more likely, just after getting burned by one of the many rep watch sites out there. I ALMOST, can you believe this?, bought an USD800 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore for my dad on one site, now defunct. That's when I was pointed to this forum, and I have never been outright scammed since. Problems yes, but always fixable, or workable. The collectors' reputation is on the line, after all. That's the whole point of having reputable collectors here. Please note that there are always issues, such as is waterproofing really done, and is this really as "Ultimate" version as one can get, etc. Read, hit the search button, a lot before you purchase. PM people who review watches, if needs be. And lastly, should this forum have saved you money, please consider upgrading to VIP. It helps the community to carry on with the info by paying for its continuity. Though rep watches are starting to climb in prices, especially the more covetted ones, you can easily get many watches under USD200, even half that, depending on the model and what you want inside its innards. EDIT: Come to think of it, I do think you can find "reviews" of rep watch sites. But they are not official or in a special section. You just have to hit the search button. E.g.: Globalreplicas.com with their "Italian" movements, might turn up a few hits...

Don't think so, BUT what is important is that Raymond likes it, and it sure looks good on that PAM 113. The white-stitch is a nice touch. Ray, I will post the "surprise" anyway, although I see DuDro beat me to it, very helpfully.

I can't play this time, By-Tor. Never was on my radar, even in Morocco.

Thanks for reviving the thread. Hmm, see, this is what has always made me stay away from Trevor. I realise people often mention imperfections when posting, and the ones who get the flawless stuff stay silent (the way of the world), but it seems to me that I've read too many of these minor "problems". That's what counts! Surely. I personally use Image Shack. When you upload the pics (I tick the "resize" to 640 x 480, as my default) make sure you copy/paste Hotlink #1. I also take out the second url linking back to Image Shack, if there, because it's not a "clean" look for me, but that's up to each. Alternatively, but more cumbersomely, you can go to the last link, "Direct link", c/p that in the reply panel, then look up to the "Image" box near the emoticons (smilies). It's right next to "url". It'll embed the link for you. ALTERNATIVELY. *g* Just add [ img ] and close it [ /img ] yourself. Good luck!

As far as diseases go, I'll take it! But I worry about boring those around me with my incessant patter about watches: "No, I think that maybe is a Breitling. But which? Oh, it's Steelfish! Or an Emergency?? (next actor comes unto the screen) And the Rock is wearing a Panerai. How can a juvie football coach earn enough to get a PAM GMT? Jeez!". Poor guy (my bf). Fortunately, he finds it vastly amusing. Love is blind... @DuDro: Wish I had the DVD, but I haven't even seen the film! Hey, what did Tony Marrero wear in Scarface, to go with his lillo friend?

Was watching "Shooter" with my bf (on the phone!), and during the whole time, I was wondering what watch Marky Mark was wearing. "Shooter (2007) Bob Lee Swagger (Mark Wahlberg wears a Suunto Vector)." Great. And here I thought it was a Sinn EZM2 or so. I still have loads to learn...........thanks Fitmic! P.S.: Since becoming a really active watch hobbyist, rather than erstwhile enthusiast, all films are now "spot the watch" moments -- since I'm a cinephile, that means daily. It can be VERY distracting, unfortunately. Ocean's 13 was a nightmare!

Yes, sir! hxxp://www.network54.com/Forum/353393/thread/1187279441/last-1187279441/NEED+TO+SELL-+NEW+OEM+tan+calf+for+deployant That was the exact sale. You can check the pics there. I had a Risti member authenticate the strap as OEM before bidding. Generally, though, I have found that Risti members are good about not offering a switcheroo (sending you a fake). If they say OEM, you'll get one. Tootall once replied very comprehensively about that, in the Stains for Straps thread here in this Panerai area. I believe he suggested Lexol for actually cleaning the straps. Please check or PM him -- he's BRILLIANT at this. Clive told me to get Lord Sheraton as a conditioner. The owner of Timeconnection suggested Meltonian Neutral, but sparingly. Lanikai said to use Hide Care from Connolly (used by Jaguar, etc.). All of these do a wonderful job at actually BUFFING the straps. HOWEVER, I only use them on certain straps. Never on the PAVs, but yes on the Maniffature Firenze ones. I used the Meltonian Neutral on the tan OEM, and it came out beautifully. All 3 conditioners I bought on *bay, at very reasonable prices. And PM replied to! Still at 98% Inbox...I get tonnes of PMs, and it's hard to archive. Good luck!

Kru, as ever, impeccable. You've got such great taste. I would love to see that watch cabinet of yours... BTW, poll closes unofficially tomorrow at 2 PM EDT. IT'S GONNA BE A NAIL-BITER SO PLEASE VOTE!

Oh, I was replying tongue-in-cheek, of course, Carl. In many ways, I'm happy RWG is not the freak show I've seen on other forums (not talking watch forums). Easy as she goes, is plenty fine for me. Would be nice to beat that record, one day soon.

The Cousteau Diver is not a big priority, so it would all personally depend on price. Tentatively, though, I'm in.

A bit daring. I like it! Posts photos if you do, Frank, please. Aww. BBQ or on the cooker? If I marry an Italian, as looks possible..., he's already told me I don't ever have to order out at night again. He'll do the cooking, since Italian men are fantastic cooks.

I bought a 99% tan OEM MX deployant strap on Risti for USD95, if that's any help, Raymond. * As Skcheng said, they do run at 115/75 standard size, but I notice that you and I both have slim wrists, so that should be no problems for you. I wear it precisely on my PAM 113, and it looks awesome. I know most people who get their gen PAMs take off the OEM strap real fast (as fast as we do our rep ones), but I happen to like mine. The black OEM is great, too, and I use that on the DSN PAM 112. That was about $75, same place. Risti Accessories Forum. Great bargains there! *Thanks to all who replied to that seller, when he asked for a reference check ON ME. Imagine! Buyers usually do that, of course. But first time I heard of that on selling a strap.

Colour me jaded, but that wasn't the mind-blowing response I expected. Oh well. Thanks.

Tangentially, I almost ruined my PAM 177 by using one of those Titanium scratch-remover pens I bought you know where. The scratch pad made it even worse. AND I WAS GENTLE. Do you guys think the Cape Cod would take out the glaring Titanium "silver" or just ruin the entire look by stripping the Ti? I don't care about the scratch at this point -- I'm angry at the difference in colour. Really, it's tiny and probably most people don't see it, but I do, and it drives me insane. @Ahchard: Yes, you can use it on steel shafts. Pretty much anything really, that is non-tarnishable, like gold and stainless steel. As for buying them, I went with to the *bay again, and bought a tin of 16. It came with gloves, and some other goodies inside. It was worth the price, and I believe that merchant does international shipping. @Lanikai: WELCOME BACK! Missed you. Thanks so much for the tip. Will do as you suggest. @Defacto (hope you see the reply here! Trying to keep post counts down): "Am I correct in assuming that you gave it a whack with some Scotch brite?" Well, I used one of those Titanium scratch removal "pens" one buys on *Bay. Bostonwatchexchange, I think they're called. Fantastic merchants, but my Andrew PAM 177h titanium watch was not improved at all by it. Their Titanium is silvery, whereas mine is coppery -- thus the difference is very telling. I had also bought a titanium scratch pad, which I used after applying the pen. Didn't help. Au contraire. STAY AWAY newbies. BTW, love your "Curses! Foiled Again" dramatic chipmunk avatar. Never fails to make me laugh, Defacto.

That's beautiful, Predfan2001. If you have a hi-res shot of that, I can take out Puggy's Big Pilot wallpaper, and put this on instead. Either way, awesome combos -- I just ordered the all black G10 on *bay for my watches. Also an orange military strap for the Pumpkin PO!

Oh no! I do like it. In fact, I have my eye on buying one from a HK vendor on *bay. I was going to sling it on a Radiomir though, but you had the right idea on that big PAM. My parents and I have different schedules, and since I don't cook, I order out. If I am home for dinner and not at a restaurant, I'm usually dining alone. No TV on. That's uncivilised. Mahlzeit, Frank!

This is a great thread idea! Watches at dinner. Coincidentally, just last week I ordered pizza, which I love but don't often have. I had posted two weeks prior to that, another pizza shot, and I noticed -- hey! I am also wearing a Radiomir! Different strap though. August 12-13 Wristcheck, TWP PAM 190 with Woj black strap, Pizza Margherita Last week, TWP PAM 210, GeF strap, same pizza, only no basil this time And tonight, 13 September, my favourite Minestrone soup, with the HBB "Yacht Club de Monaco" just arrived from Narikaa. ...I love soup! See, I AM Russian.

For me, in order: 1. Seiko (Orange) Monster 2. PAM 187 (Laa laa BOMBA, Laa laa Bomba) 3. PAM 024 And I would have the steak raw, just as is pictured. Flame-broil is overrated. P.S.: GREAT PICS!!

Since registering, I've wonder about this stat. "Most members ever online in one day was 1205, last accomplished on April 12th, 2007" What happened on that day, that was so special for 1205 earthly souls to log unto this great site? - Did Kenberg come out with a new line in men's Calvin y-fronts? - Did Ryyannon post a particularly funny bon mot? - Did "adult finders" just mean people looking for a really cool watch to buy (good times)? By the way, I notice that the most ever people online at the same time were 294 peeps. That was in January. Winter can be hell.

Wow, it looks like a Franken project by a particularly mad Panerista. A marriage between a PAM 187, a T3, and do I see a bit of Corum too?

Hey TeeJay! Long time no see, boyo. Hope you get your Franken done, so you can return to posting about your watches a bit more.

From what I've seen, that is VERY true. Heh, wow. Well, what you say conflicts a bit with their recent history. Every Russian (in the entire sense of Old Russia) woman was expected to work, hold a job, contribute to the family finances. Many times she had a higher-paying or ranking job than her hubby, and was expected to do all the household duties in their entirety, as well. The wonderful book by Hedrick Smith, "The Russians", shows one example of this, when Russian women were astonished that Mrs. Smith didn't have to work in Moscow. They were jealous she stayed at home all day, taking care of their kids. In old Tsarist Russia, the custom of rich women, including "Kulak" peasant women, marrying men who were poorer than they was quite common. The men even adopted or incorporated their wives' family names when they were from uneven backgrounds. Not unheard of in other parts, but it was taken as a matter-of-course in Russia. Russian women also have the reputation of being incredibly sweet, maternal, and non-challenging. But they were bombarded with visuals after the fall of Communism -- much more than other Soviet-bloc countries, because of their special isolation. Is it a wonder they all want to be Paris Hilton, I mean...Xenia Sobchak? EDIT: One more thing -- the newly-minted Russian millionaires are concerned their daughters will not be accepted into European and American high society because of this consumerism trait. Back in the 1990s, when these Courses were dying, girls were not sent to finishing schools ("charm schools" in American usage) any more. But there is a meteoric rise of them, especially in Switzerland, filled with Russian "oligarch"-type daughters. Do you know what they do all day? Sometimes teach them deportment, such as how to make conversation, carry oneself, and conduct oneself in society. But after this, they let them have free time. From what a friend tells me, who briefly worked in one Swiss finishing school, all the Russian girls did was shop. And shop. And shop some more. It's a big problem.

You're the most helpful guy on this board. I love you, Navigater! *reads* EDIT: Maybe my eyes are tired, but I didn't understand a thing. All I got was that I had to excite my watch for it to lume brightly. Well, heck, that sounds like my boyfriend. Can't I just wear Victoria's Secret undies instead? @Raymond: I got it. Hmm, check your .pdf settings?

Wow, and here I always thought I was half-English, half-German! If you starve people of Capitalism for 70 years, this is what happens. Now Russians are amongst the most money-hungry, and ironically, religious people in Europe. HAH-BLOODY-HAH. P.S.: Still love my Poljot watches, though.