Victoria

PVD for me...

Beautiful.

Where did you get the PVD PAM, Chubbchubb?

Yes, yes, I'm finally caving in. I said they're too masculine for me, but I see so many on these wrist-checks, and me wants...

(Great strap too! Distressed by you?)

Another great review VB, and more items to add to my ever-growing wish list.

Looking forward to the Savage review though, as I feel that I may be ordering one of his straps soon.

Thanks, prof! Guys!

Just to note that Tootall and Savage are IMHO, the best bang for buck guys out there. Gregoire and Zeugma charge $200+ for their straps, and both of these guys are just as good.

However, honestly, I wouldn't pay $200 for a handmade strap. That's PAV or Metta Catherina country for me.

Nice photos and beautiful straps V. Thanks for the effort! BTW, I know how you feel with the internet problems. Whilst posting my last two reviews, RWG has gone down. Very frustrating when you've spent a good bit of time formating type and pics so they're just right, then when you his "submit" nothing happens. grrrrrrrrrr

So I read, Andreww! The second time, I just copy/pasted unto my Notepad, but I still forgot to save a lot of what I had written, so I had to re-write everything.

The first version was better...I'm sure yours, no matter how good it turned out, was too. It's always the way!

"Chicken tikka masala is now Britain's true national dish, not only because it is the most popular, but because it is a perfect illustration of the way Britain absorbs and adapts external influences." - Robin Cook, 1946-2005.

The problem is that traditional British foods, like Cornish Pasties, pies and Yorkshire Pudding, are not the most exciting fare, and I say that as a fan of my examples.

Oh thank God. We have something other than watches, and photography in common, Pugwash.

Gourmands scoff all you want. There is nothing more satisfying than Shepherd's Pie, except maybe mushy peas (and chips & gravy).

We Brits,

I've been using this phrase We Brits or British (normally which would make me cringe if back in the UK, don't know why) a lot recently.

however, were fans of meat and gravy and when Indian (or in the case of CTM, Bangaladeshi) cooks started selling their wares, it didn't take long for a Glaswegian Bangaladeshi to make meat and gravy for his customers and lo, the Chicken Tikka Massala was born. It is so popular in the UK because it is traditional meat and gravy (with the side order of stodge being rice in this case as opposed to pastry crust or potato) with a hint of our multi-cultural roots.

I prefer potato to rice, and never being a fan of curry (because I cannot stand spicey foods), I have rarely understood the pull of Indian food.

Pizza, oh God, yes. And "Chinese" food, too. Although I prefer Szechuan to Cantonese.

I think it's as traditional as Fish and Chips, a dish no-one disputes as traditional, in spite of its recent age. If 1860s is traditional, so is 1950s.

Yes.

But then the British cultural imagination is stuck in the 1860s. Just like the Italian is in the 1500s.

Oh, and if you want the finest Curries in the world (yes, even more so than India for our westernised pallets) then I would recommend Glasgow first, Birmingham second and then the usual Bradford, Leicester, Nottingham, etc., options. London is nowhere near the finest.

Bradford for me. And Wolverhampton, oddly enough.

Awesome.

BTW, I've been lightly interested in Alice Cooper since finding out he's a scratch golfer some years ago. I'm too young, and too uninterested in that era's music to have known about him in his heydey. But each time I hear of him, or he gives an interview, I'm more and more impressed by the guy.

He's VERY cultured, immensely well-spoken, and turned an NPR interview I heard with him recently (I believe with Terry Gross) into a panorama of vaudeville history. Love him!

FOLLOWUP: Yep, he was on "Fresh Air" on Sep 3. Here is the interview in mp3. He was actually promoting his newly-launched autobio, Golf Monster. Heh.

Actually, the thread wasn't about 9/11, it's about the French media, but I get your point. My posts were to end the Iraq side-track as it's not even a debate.

You're right (French media). Thanks for the understanding though.

It was sent to me by a friend by the way, these kind of boobs, I see them everyday when some hot belgian girls register on my online dating service.

Match.com founder, Gary Kremen.

Stephane is not only handsomer, I'm sure, but wears a better watch.

EDITED2: sorry if you did not see them. It's too late, they won't never come back here.

Aww, man.

I really like the looks of some of these medium brown straps on the Titanium watches...esp the Greg Stevens strap and the lighter Toscana one listed earlier...

BUT am I the only one that thinks that the 177h would look killer on a black Carbon Fiber strap? I do not yet have a tianium model watch though a 177h will be my next purchase and I plan on putting it on the carbon strap that came on my 212 and then if I like it finding a better carbon strap to be placed on there for good.

So...anyone have pictures of a 177 or other ti watch on carbon fiber?

ZainoDetail, if you give me one day, I will add my PAM 177h/Carbon strap shots to the ones no doubt coughed up soon, by other members. I'm expecting a Toscana one (like Stephane's!) any moment.

@Erwinner: Fiero/177 UPDATES??? Puhleazzze.

That's one mother of a bomb...er....father?

Yes. It's interesting that though no doubt people around the world are speaking about this, they are speaking about this ENTIRE situation with less interest and ongoing attention than say, Vietnam (1968) v. Afghanistan (1980).

The pass that Russia has gotten from certain people since 1917 is disheartening...

Here's the speech that explained the rationales for going to war:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/20...20030205-1.html

Will that do?

This thread is about 9/11. Let's stick to the off-topic programme, or create yet another thread about Iraq.

I agree, France's attitude toward 9-11 sucks big time... Americans are more and more unpopular in the country (people tend to get confuse between the American people and the Bush administration)...

Without me getting political (which as you know, FasTTaP, I hate), that sometimes is a cop out, I feel.

America under Bush 1, Reagan, Carter, Nixon, LBJ, Kennedy, Eisenhower, even Roosevelt was never popular with the French. Excepting 42, you'd have to go as far back as Wilson before you got to a President which the French approved of, when he was greeted as the Saviour of Europe by them in the Versailles Conference. It went to his head, and maybe the French became wary of America's growing legitimacy after that -- which ironically, they had a part in "bestowing", if you will.

So honestly, I think using the political administration of today is really a red-herring. Of course, I'm not saying no. It does play a role. But De Gaulle would've hated him too, and they're both Conservatives...(hello, M. Chirac...).

Besides, this documentary doesn't come from the official powers that be. It comes from the French media elite, who are all Sciences Po grads and ENArques...right?

And moreover, the feelings come from your average French people, which doesn't hurt Americans, save the ones there like Ryyannon, but does ruin the possible feelings of respect these two nations (so similar in so many ways), should have for each other.

@Victoria, that's not only very bad taste, but totaly intentional, it's - IMHO - a total lack of respect.

Yes, I think most people saw that, unfortunately. This is way beyond Freedom Fries territory. And I say this as an unrepetant Francophile, who loves speaking French, and loves everything French.

It was un mal go

ahahahahhahahahhaha...

Wait, wait. This is a good one. I read this in one of those "News of the Weird" sections on Reuters.

APRIL 19--Meet Philip Winikoff. The 76-year-old Florida man was arrested this morning and charged with sexual battery after he posed as a doctor and went door-to-door--black doctor's bag in hand--offering women free breast exams. According to a Broward County Sheriff's Office report, two women--ages 33 and 36--fell for the scam, which Winikoff allegedly ran in Lauderdale Lakes.

Charged with several felonies, Winikoff was booked into the sheriff's lockup, where the below mug shot was snapped. Police are now investigating whether other women may have been tricked into impromptu examinations.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0419062doc1.html

The head reels thinking of this.

Only guys think of doing something this weird. Sorry fellas, you know it's true. Like putting mirrors on your shoes to look up women's skirts. WTF! Men and women are just wired differently.

And WHO on earth would allow a total strange old dude to give them a "free breast exam", when he knocked on your door saying he's a doctor??

I remember reading a followup where a boyfriend of one of the victims' watched as this guy felt up his gf's boobs. I love it!

And why am I posting this story at almost 4 AM?? Ah, well, night night.

But, the reality is, to a lot of the planet losing a couple of buildings (albeit full of innocents) to and act of hostility...just ain't lasting (or unusual) news.

Yeah, I actually agree with that, I'm afraid. And I have personal reasons why 9/11 was very relevant to my family, but I'll leave it at that.

For the rest of the world, it's not that it's not important -- it's just not "lasting", as Narikaa put it.

However, I think everyone will agree that if the French and others don't "commemorate" 9/11 maybe it's understandable. It's not their mental ordeal, even if their citizens were lost in the Towers too.

But at least, Jesus H. Christ, don't choose 9/11 of ALL days to post a blatantly anti-American documentary. Can we all at least agree that was in awful poor taste, and move on?

I for one would love to see more of - her name is Magagne, you say? - yes, more of Magagne's very interesting scooter collection...

Nono, Magagne is the geezer what got stroppy about porn avatars at work. This bird is some Latina whose name ain't known, but she's well fit!

/Estuary English

"Political Correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

----------------------No trees were killed in the sending of this message. -----------------------

Hey, Narikaa and I have something in common other than his watches! We both hate Political Correctness -- which as everyone knows, is a poor substitute for the age-old man trait of just being polite, g-ddammit!

However, just because you have a job doesn't mean you should be hunted down and clubbed like a baby seal, which is actually playing at my local IMAX, as an aside.

I'm sure that since we can alter our settings to "no avatars", it's all good. Let's stay on course, people! Back to the clubbing of baby seals.

My second car is a bike.

As is my first.

Yes, but you live in Franz. It's different to living in a city where it's 90F in the shade, and where 20 minutes by bike gets you, oh, 15 blocks from where you started and maybe a concussion by getting knocked off the bike.

And that's Miami Beach, which is bike-friendly. Well, Vespa-friendly for sure.

Here I am on my own from of transport (Magagne will kill me!):

P.S.: No Einsteins, that's not really me. I would kill to get that tan though.

It's always a pleasure....you really bring a new and fascinating perspective to the rather mundane world of straps - describing them like the semi-precious items that some of the best of them really are.

Thanks Ryyannon! And Smilingbear especially, since that's the first time I've think s/he's seen the Caper series.

Great work, lovely photos!

*curtseys*

The reason I think the series is turning out well is that I do it (1) with love for RWG (2) with OCDness for straps (3) I can write a bit (4) and most importantly, I want to save you guys money.

I may not be a working woman, so to speak, but I've earned my living too. Whatever we can save, is that much more useful for more important stuff -- like our families.

I voted 'other' but now I've changed my mind.

Wellll, isn't that you all over, Ryyannon??

Something other than 'other' but I haven't quite decided yet.

I rather think one strap buckle will win, but I ain't sayin' which.

Some nice pics, though.

Thanks, love. Hope you are feeling better now, calmer, happier, perhaps a little amorous. Oops, did I say amorous? I meant generous. Where's my 50%, mac daddy??

WEDNESDAY

Have I told you how much I love my DSN 112? Well, twice as much when I wear it on the Mario Paci Senape!

I look awesome with this white combo. Yes, I'm vain, sue me.

I'm telling you. Like Hambone said, Iron Eyes Cody gave his body to strapmakers to make the Senape. Look at that grain.

THURSDAY

Caution! Hublot Big Bang Danger ahead! All those who enter, fall in love!

The Aspen's cute buckle. The strap itself is neither comfortable, nor uncomfortable. It's a heavy watch, though.

Raymond dubbed Narikaa's HBB Aspen "White Magic". EXACTLY.

EDIT: Wow. What happened to the aspect ratio? I just put my hand on the screen, on top of the first photo, and it's twice as large! Now I know how Angelina Jolie feels when she sees her 30 foot face on the screen. I have less tats though.

Just to add oil to the fire, why should the forum be 'work safe' anyway? Not saying it is appropriate to have these sort of avitars (not that I am complaining) but shouldn't people be working while at work rather than browsing the web all day? I do 14 hour days some days with barely 30 minutes for lunch, and no internet access at work.

Not to add fuel to the fire, but when you guys are at home in the company of your wife and kids, shouldn't men avoid porn sites altogether? *g*

I mean, if we're getting philosophical and practical at the same time.

There are many ways of looking at an issue which comprises a certain amount of adult content.

Personally, I like Ajoesmith's and other avatars. I don't look at them, but I'm reminded I am in the company of men whenever I do. Plus, I once had a risqu

PHOTO COMPARISON SHOTS

Strap Culture's Skull-n-Swords

Gr

Holy guacamole, it's not been my day on RWG!

First, as you read in the note, I had trouble with the photos, then trouble composing the post. Seconds after clicking Add Post my INTERNET WENT DOWN FOR HOURS...now, RWG is crapping out.

I thought it was my internet again, but others have expressed similar troubles...boo.

I really wanted to give you something special with this Part 4 too. Oh well. Sorry.

Yes. Very slow. Seeing that there is only five new posts showing, it must be worse for others.

I'm getting the exact same sequence of error codes; the same utter slowness; and worse, all the fonts are outsized, which always happens when there is a glitch in the system.

However, it's just not been my day these past 4 hours since posting the Strap Caper! My internet fried, and the IT guys said it would take a few hours to come back online. But before that, my own computer was acting up, and I actually composed the Strap Caper TWICE (I stupidly forgot to save it, because unless I'm mistaken...Admin...Ken...someone...there is no "save post for later use" function?).

Ah well. Let's hope this goes through when I press Add Reply.

Let me let you into a secret.

I shoot these Caper straps outside near my pool, lugging the suits, jackets, overcoats, and other tschokes downstairs with me. I do this because I like to show you straps in natural light, unlike the posed studio photos usually seen elsewhere.

But I had to reshoot these again today, because sadly, the chosen articles got wrinkled. They included finally a brown contrasting fabric, but it just didn't look presentable.

So to make up for the wait, I decided to review not 2 straps, but 3 -- adding a second Strap Culture strap, a red-toned Radiomir one, against 4 different clothes background than previous weeks.

I hope you like them!

Without further ado, I give you the Great Panerai Strap Caper, Part 4.

STRAP NUMBER 1

- "StrapCulture's Historic Brown #2 w/ Beige Stitch AND Legend Special Brown w/ Beige Stitch"

LEATHER MAKERS: Strap Culture of Hong Kong

MERCHANTS: StrapCulture.com

COST: SC Rad Legend SCLG-R970 = $108, SC Rad Legend SCLG-R972 = U$108

BANG FOR BUCK VALUE: Overpriced

RESALE VALUE: $80-90 at 95% condition

SALE AVAILABILITY: Frequently found on accessory sections in forums. One gen forum has a standing 15% off discount simply by mentioning their name.

DESCRIPTION: I don't know of a single more covetted strap than the Strap Culture ones, especially amongst male Paneristi. Who can resist that coolest of all buckles with either the Skull-n-Swords, or the hatchets in relief? Only Gregoire's anchor buckles rival it for wow factor. There are a lot of positives about the Strap Culture straps. They are durable and yet sporty-chic. They come in a handy leatherette pouch with a limited edition credit card, denoting your name and item number. Most importantly, Customer Service is fantastic, and will try to help you quickly and efficiently any time you contact them. But there is one glaring negative that cannot be ignored -- the leather of these straps is awful. The brown one I review below smells as if its been stuck in a brine combination of creosote and turpentine for a month. The red one is as tough as concrete, with no "give" to the hide. Paneristi have come to expect more of their strap quality for the $100+ price they pay, and I'm afraid the Hong Kong merchants just don't offer that quality (yet). If I could give you a piece of advice, it would be to buy an used strap on the forums, and try it out. Or even yet, buy the buckle separately, and mount it on your other straps. I wish I could rate this better than "Overpriced" but I have to calls 'em like I sees 'em.

SIZE RANGE: Radiomir only sizes, 135/80 mm in 27/26mm. Others vary.

BUCKLE: Included. Either polished SS screw-in buckle in Skull-n-Sword logo or "SC" hatchet buckle (must specify). Extra buckles sold separately.

DRESS COLOURS: Rugged, macho heavy fabrics like wools and denims were tailor-made for these straps. This is an ass-kicking strap which would look awesome on a motorcycle or wearing Doc Martens. The darker the tones the better, with blacks, browns, navy blues all working seemlessly together. Definitely do not counsel professionals or office workers to wear these straps, save the Legend black version. And even then, not with the Skull buckle. Prison inmates and Hells' Angels, on the other hand, knock yourselves out.

BEST PANERAI WATCH MATCH: PAM 183, PAM 232, PAM 190. Too tight on PAM 127.

PHOTO COMPARISON #1 (Barbour Jacket - Sage)

PHOTO COMPARISON #2 (Barbour Jacket - Blue)

PHOTO COMPARISON #3 (Shirt/Blouse - White)

PHOTO COMPARISON #4 (Shirt/Blouse - Black)

LEATHER DETAIL

BUCKLE DETAIL

STRAP NUMBER 2

- "Toscana Arruginito...a Whisky colored vintage strap with a Natural Pre-V Logo buckle"

LEATHER MAKERS: Cuoierie Meccaniche Brelli di Ciampi

MERCHANTS: Timeconnection.biz

COST: U$169.00

BANG FOR BUCK VALUE: Very Good

RESALE VALUE: $70-90 at 95% condition

SALE AVAILABILITY: Infrequently offered in Daily Specials. Sometimes offered alongside the Fiero in other forums' specials.

DESCRIPTION: The merchant put it best -- this is a Jim Beam whisky reddish strap which grows and grows on you, the more you look at it. Is it a showstopper like the Toscana Fiero? No. But it shares the same kaleidescope effect of turning a dozen different colours as you turn your wrist around. Now brown, now red, is that honey gold? And do I see black in there too, somehow?? Yes! For all you guys who think a reddish strap is too feminine, or just never considered it before, try the Arruginito -- the name means "rusty/rouged" and it's the PERFECT shade for all your Vintage Marina PAM lovers. You'll love it. Ladies, you too!

SIZE RANGE: 115/75 to 130/85 in 24/24 to 125/80 in 26/24

BUCKLE: Included. Sewn-in brushed Pre-V natural buckle with "Toscana" logo on watch side

DRESS COLOURS: If the first strap is for the tough boys amongst you, this strap is for the jocks. Take it to the football game, or to the soccer match, and you'll stand out at the same time as blending in. It can do that because it's versatile, always a big consideration for me in choosing straps to review. Throw any colour at it, save purple, and it'll work. I've even seen someone wearing a Hawaiian shirt with this strap on, on another forum, and it looked good. Is it work-friendly? Why not. Just make sure you match your tie with it, and it'll make the other guys look less confident around you.

BEST PANERAI WATCH MATCH: PAM 111, PAM 113, PAM 127/217, Tailor-made for VINTAGE PAMs

PHOTO COMPARISON #1 (Barbour Jacket - Sage)

PHOTO COMPARISON #2 (Barbour Jacket - Blue)

PHOTO COMPARISON #3 (Shirt/Blouse - White)

PHOTO COMPARISON #4 (Shirt/Blouse - Black)

LEATHER DETAIL

BUCKLE DETAIL

NEXT WEEK, PART FIVE:

- Tootall's "Moroccan Sunset"

- Savage's Chisel Cut "Albion"

NOTE: I composed and lost this post 2 times...there is a glitch in my Firefox with scrolling down to choose photos on Image Shack, etc. If you have a clue what is going on, please post a reply or PM me. The browser just "quits" on me.

"If buying a $332,000 Aston Martin DBS is in your budget for this year, why not spend a little more and get a $35,000 Jaeger LeCoultre wristwatch. It's not just a watch that looks great, it can actually lock, unlock and possibly activate the alarm (maybe) from a distance. Even though Bond has dabbled in BMWs lately, his heart's still with Aston Martin—except his version of the watch can drive the car, shoot missiles, electrocute sharks and orally pleasure a woman to completion. Plus, his is free."

Remember that scene in Casino Royale, when Bond is in the Bahamas playing poker?

The slimey baddie is losing badly, not having enough to cover the ante, so he says, "See this? This is my Aston Martin", and throws his cute little DB5 token keyring on the pot.

Wellllllllll, lookie here, lookie here!

...I especially loved how Craig asked for the valet stub.