Victoria

WOW! So far a perfect match, Section8! But the good ones are always taken. Congrats. Tin and pewter tankards are always nice. (I am actually the most similar to Rima! Except for the long walks bit. I just don't look good in Timberlands)

Here is my recent post on the matter: http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?s=&amp...st&p=311072 Go-between tackiness, I called it then. But as my dear old grannie used to say, better out than in, so start clicking! (Except my boyfriend)

Neither for me. I appended another watch to the order, so I think I added to his burdens though. ;( But not once has he failed to answer my PMs about watch info, so in case he emails me back with my latest question, I will again ask about you, Aegis. If you could PM me with the email you used, that would help -- he said last time that he didn't recognise your ID, "Aegis". If you're comfortable with that, of course.

You don't need a drink to have fun. Although it's fun to drink.

So can religion. So can money. So can...sex. I know what you're saying, Dluddy. Remember, I came down strongly against political discussion in one thread. I believe that's the only topic which poisons the atmosphere for days, even if we all claim we're open-minded. But it's also my opinion that debate amongst peers can be about any topic in the world, so long as you have respect for each other, not just for their views. Look at me and Pugwash. We had a great debate ensemble about religion, and I think neither of us think any the less of the other, because we did. That's the way to go! P.S.: The gun thread is closed, but stay tuned one day for a gun and watches wrist-check. An one-off, but I keep my promises.

I too want the closest to OEM logo buckle as possible, but so far, have had no joy. The logo ones offered by Davidsen are not GPFs, and a real Panerista would know the difference. I once found a guy on *Bay (a Floridian watch dealer, at that) who sold the exact same ones as DSN's*, charging USD55 + shipping for each, but his account was suspended. I presume Panerai had him closed down. *I bought two. A few days later, I bought the first DSN Fiddy, which came with one logo buckle, the other the plain "PANERAI", despite having requested two logos. As Rolexsandwich reiterated, sometimes it takes a few packages from DSN, so eventually I got the other.

They come standard with the two Davidsen Fiddy straps (of better quality than your average rep strap, which is abysmal. Still not very good, though). I personally have too many of the Pre-V "Panerai" only buckles, so I always ask for the logo PAM buckle from David. If he has them, he sends them, but you have to make SPECIAL note of that in your email.

Here are some quick philosophical reasons from a fellow noob about why you should become a VIP: 1) Supporting a hobbyist forum which provides you with informative help, both on the public and private (PM) level. 2) Realising that this forum accrues substantial offshore account bills, which sometimes Admin personally pays (not fair on him). 3) A community of kindred souls, of exceptional character and spirit. All rep forums have their great points, but RWG is the best of the lot. 4) It's the most international of the forums, from my experience. More viewpoints, more relevant information. 5) Being a newbie is difficult in any forum. Buying a VIP membership shows at the very least, that what you may lack in knowledge, you make up in good faith. The practical benefits are numerous, such as having access to speciality collector (dealer) forums, and their specific websites/emails. But personally, I'm here for the camaraderie of like-minded rep watch collecting folk.

Going right on to my wallpaper desktop, after the requisite week after Corpsman and Puggy's wallpapers. Thanks, TWP! Yesterday, I was driving around and decided to stop at a Starbucks. For whatever reason, they have the best customer service personnel of all similar establishments -- they are smart, affable and upbeat. I take out my wallet to pay, and the girl says: "OH MY GOD WHAT A WATCH, what is THAT?!" "Oh hey, you like watches? Thanks! (pause, showing my wrist to her, with a big ole, thankful grin on my face) "That's the most beautiful watch I've ever seen. Sure looks expensive though" "You'd be surprised (wink), just keep working hard." I've never had more compliments on any watch in all my life, as when I wear the HBB.

Instead of hitting yet another agree tick mark, I decided to actually post an agreement. Remember though, that Gap was and I believe is still a rather expensive label for your average person in the UK. Their cotton, back in the mid-90s when I made the jump from Benetton to the Gap (then to Banana Republic)...was excellent. I still wear their tan jodhpurs, which look amazing on me with little black ankle boots. 10 years and not a tear, still holding their form. But yeah, fashionista-wise, the Gap is the dross now. I am grateful to them for making simple clean lines popular, after the boxy square shoulders of the 80s, and the polyester dreck which passed for fashion in the 70s. To go back on topic, I'm glad Lanikai and TeeJay are in agreement about the nouveaux riches and their watches. Just remember though, to some people, you guys maybe nouveaux riches with your PAMs and lovely 007 Omegas, because there is always some person poorer than you.

No, he's angry he had to go back to the attractive sales clerk and like a chump, ask for his money back.

Back in the 1980s, someone I knew (ahem) bought himself a Maserati. It had to be serviced every six months -- that is, full tune-up, because it's such a high performance engine. I forget exactly, but it was well over U$2500 to do so. And a broken part inside (I believe it was an ashtray) cost U$1000. Soon after, the person sold the car, but hey, you live once, right? Come on, you know you want that Ferrari!

You're my hero. Welcome from an expat based in America now, originally from West London.

Blimey. What just happened? I feel the need, I feel the need for BREITLING!!

Not touching this, George. (Don't worry. I remember. I would never belittle your pain. I get you) I'm telling you. Miss Understood had better watch out! Miss Take is here for RWG!

I feel for you, CBR. Giving a gift which is thrown back at our face is terrible. I've been in that position IN REVERSE with (guess who!) my father, who bought me a lovely, rose gold Mikimoto ring when I was younger, but not at all my style. I had wanted something else and the guy who worked and slaved for our family had his daughter basically snub a gift he gave with all his heart, just because she didn't like it. Ack, I feel so disgusted with myself just remembering this... My only excuse being is that I had asked him repeatedly for that other gift, which he knew about, unlike you and your wife's Cartier Santos' wish. There is no moral to the story really. Just to tell you I for one understand. I do think you're just hot under the collar now, and might reconsider later about purchasing that Cartier. She's your wife, no matter what. And you seem like a great husband, thinking about her and all. Equally, I hope you tell her how much it hurt your heart and your pride as a loving husband to be dissed in this way. Communication, as I don't need to tell you, being so important both ways. And hey! It's good you have a place to come to to 'unload', too, right?

Hey, did you Dangerman, or others see a French film from a few years back, called [url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119038/]Le D

TTK, I don't see any progress or sense of goodwill in your replies to me, despite my extending you an olive branch. You reply with yet more rambling misogynistic and class conscious observations. What can I do? I literally DO NOT know what I can do in this situation. I am at a loss to know how to relate to you. You shouldn't feel in any way, shape or form threatened by me. But here I am, on this forum, here to stay. Forums change, people come and go, some people we like, some we don't. Most usually avoid those they don't like, or keep their interaction with them at a minimum. Neither you nor I are a hundred dollar bill that everyone is going to like, and as adults, we know that. So I ask you again, let's have peace between you and me, for the good of this forum. Click on your account, enter vbarrett in "ignore user", and be happy. I'm just not worth it. Really. However, I'm at your disposal via PM from now on.

Ken, I apologise for not heeding your warning, but I felt something had to be said. I have been trying all day to get my dad to give me his guns, but they're under lock and key... I'll try to post a photo soon, possibly with all my PAMs alongside. Hope you can understand and forgive me.

TTK, why are you doing this to me? Why would you say this to anyone? Where does this bitterness and vitriol come from? Is your intent to humiliate me, or to turn people against me, by inferring that I am fat, and therefore hope that the guys here will lose interest in me as "a female" because I'm not attractive? Is this why you think guys here reply to me? Because they think I'm pretty or something? No, they reply because I'm nice, gentle, and wish only the best for RWG. Maybe I'm not a lady, I'm a young Grande Dame..., but I'm ladylike. I hope a part of you sees this. But TTK, I genuinely don't understand this need for you to do this. I have absolutely nothing against you... ...except when you touch on my family. I would forgive you a MILLION times, no matter how much you hurt me in this and other threads, indeed other forums, with your personal snipes and attacks on me. But do not reference my family like this. That's just not on. I am speaking to you from my heart, as one adult to another. Please. I'm begging you here. Let's have peace, yes?

This is no way is a retort against you, Pugwash, but in a small way, your reply is reminded me of an anecdote. When Consuelo Vanderbilt arrived in her new home of Blenheim Palace, on her way to becoming the new Duchess of Marlborough, you know how the mayor of Woodstock (bedecked in his chains of office, as usual) greeted her? "Welcome, ma'am. You'll be happy in your new surroundings, we trust, now that you have a chance to be in a civilised country with history and culture. The Mayoress and I live in a house which is 300 years older than America." I quote from memory, from her autobiography, you understand so forgive me if I got the exact wording wrong. But that was the gist of it. As long as I live, I'll never know why we British delight in making these comparisons to Americans' faces. My grandfather, bless his soul, was the worst of the lot.

Ken, he may not want to reveal is eBay ID, the internet being what it is -- I'm sure you capiche what I'm sayin'... If it was meant in jest, well then, never mind. *g*

Wow, you're one of the few people I know who comes back to their home, and doesn't feel happy instead of slightly sad! Being "European" (I don't consider myself European, I'm British), I too get frustrated with South Florida's comparative lack of history and culture, as I grew up understanding those two things to be. Miami was founded in 1896, and really, you'd be hard-pressed to find buildings over 50 years old here -- so all that awe-inspiring, ancient architecture is completely missing here. I miss that. Yes, we have a city ballet company, an opera company, a philarmonic, great cinemas, and attractions, but that SOLIDNESS that the continent and the UK have is utterly missing, you know what I mean? But in compensation, all the pitfalls of ancient cities and cultures are avoided. Buildings and bridges are not corroded, ugly, depressing and the streets don't smell of wee. Bureaucracy is at a minimum, and police are vigilant but not ever-present with surveillance as, e.g., in Stockholm and London. I only say this because I recently noticed you're from South Florida too. If you were from Idaho or some boofoo city in Jersey, you might think the same thing, but I assure you, people from Scunthorpe, Rennes, and Nagoya do too. EDIT: OH! You had "South Florida" as your location before, now it says Tampa. TAMPA! Wow. My condolences dude. Hope you get back to Yourup soon.

WELCOME BACK, GIO!! I hope you have great anecdotes about living the good life. The replies were lacking because we were SWAMPED with posts the moment we came back online, 2 days after you left. I guess it got lost in the mix! Don't worry, you were missed!