Victoria

Thanks guys!

Congrats Cornerstone!! And to By-Tor, "Mr Review" too!

Wow. Not sure I following what's going on in this thread. I'm still trying to digest the fact that vbarrett knows who this is in the picture. Very impressive.

Thanks, Tx Walker.

Just to keep this on topic, Princess Viktoria-Luise (called Sissi by her intimates, like the famed Empress of Austria) was a watch collector. She and her father both. When Red soldiers invaded her husband's palace in Brunswick in November 1918, they tried to palm off her watch collection from her bedroom. She stopped them with a sour look in her eye.

In fact, one of the first outsized, pilot type wrist-watches I EVER saw being worn by a man, was one of Kaiser Wilhelm II en pleine Guerre Mondiale, surrounded by his two grandsons, Prince Louis Ferdinand and Prince Hubertus.

This must've been circa 1916, because he was already wearing puttees (didn't become the WWI norm uniform until around 1916).

I have also been searching for that photograph for years, so if anyone finds it, please PM!

P.S.: Remember, I am a Historian. And it so happens that this is my speciality subject. I am VERY flattered at the kind word, but really, it's like being astonished a medical doctor knows what bronchitis is.

i can see this one on my 127...it would be enough for a couple of 100 bony gator straps...

Great minds think alike! And strapaholics rarely disagree.

Completely wrong. In the UK, we don't have firearms simply because we don't need them. Anyone waves a Sig Sauer p220 at me and they'll get a face full of Stanley.

Nice Stanley! But even Bear Grylls needed a wee knifey bigger than that in the Everglades.

Who needsa gun when you've got a watchcat like mine......

I'll see your pussy, and raise you a Florida gator.

And yes, that was me taking the photo less than a foot away. It wun't no zoo, neither, and I assure you he was very much alive.

from all the pics you've posted I have a PAM127, and Euno's BlackBerry...sorry guys...no guns in my house...

could someone explain me why it is so popular to have a gun in the USA?

That's simple.

It's because of what Europeans are always saying they have, that Americans don't -- tradition based on long cultural history.

- We Europeans come from the feudal tradition when Lords and masters were the only ones allowed to possess firearms, or weaponry, being enjoined not to hunt, fish and shoot in select property at the point of death.

Americans do not.

- We Europeans were prevented from taming our comparatively smaller land, by homesteading it, farming enormous tracts of unclaimed territories because it was given out as prizes for Court favorites, generals, and other worthies.

Americans were not.

- Americans declared their independence YEARS before anyone in Europe, and the rest of the Americas did so.

Europeans did not, since those shambolic republics which followed the American Revolution were ludicrous at best (Haiti), and overturned at worst (France). Switzerland being the perennial odd man out, of course, has a tradition of being heavily armed at the private level.

- Americans had slaves which needed to be controlled. Later, when slavery was abolished, owning a gun became a right of passage, as a way to snub one's nose at the past.

Europeans did not.

- Americans think an armed citizenry keeps excessive government intrusion out of their private lives.

Europeans do not.

So, to recap, it's a question of tradition based on culture, rule of law, force of isolation, anti-government sentiment, and protection of property and family from marauding attackers (including neighbours). That your typical middle-class person owns a lot of crap worth robbing, much more than any other citizens around the world, I'm sure plays a role.

As my old history tutor used to say:

It's really a very easy thing to understand. But you have to WANT to understand. Otherwise, you will never understand.

It's just a small house targeting a small number of old fashioned fascist-enthusiasts with decent bank accounts.

Harsh! Why fascist-enthusiasts? Not challenging, just genuinely want to know. Is it because of the XaMas in close proximity to the death skull and rose?

(The Fascist cult of death, etc)

One time I told my father that Panerai was the watch of the Italian "maiale" submariners, who bombed Allied cruisers. He pointed out that his uncle was one such victim of those "subs", and why would I wear such a tribute to those who had killed my own kin?

I countered with, "for the same reason you and mum had a Volkswagen in the 70s". You know, Hitler's pet project? A car for "the masses".

He grunted, and changed the conversation.

P.S.: I wonder if people like Paolo Di Canio would wear this new watch. *g*

for your Saab leather if you really want it to look "new" there should be people in your area that re-paint leather.. using leather paints.. (with air brushing) .. it beats replacing the seats. .. we have guy's here that do majic to bently leather that people wear ing "designer" jeans leave the blue from the denim on the white leather seats.... NIGHTMARE ...

Talking of nightmares, guess what I had the bright idea of doing just now?

Clive had mentioned something about petroleum and beeswax as an alternative for Lord Sheraton. Well, Miss Genius over here decided to rub some pure liquid beeswax (lightly lemon scented) used for my mother's antique furtniture -- a very expensive product used in museums!

Has turned the Metta a darkish brown/red...sigh. I'm hoping this will dissipate in time, as you said in the other thread, Lanikai (I think it's "wet" so I briefly put it against the a/c vent, then decided that's an even worse idea!).

But I really should've stopped at the Lord Sheraton.

The long strap side (which was the one I tested the beeswax on, only) is now about 2 shades darker than the buckle strap side. We'll see...

P.S.: On Risti, where I got this strap, I recently saw a listing for another Metta Catherina in "rare black" leather. HAH! I bet you they just used beeswax...

you may want to try "hide food" .. go to RR-Bently dealership or Mercedes dealer may have it.. try a little on the inside of the strap rub it in with your fingers.. then buff it with a lint free cloth.. it works well on the plush leathers and really shines on the stiffer Range Rover leather ... good luck

Sure, I've heard of that! It's supposed to be great, but never put two-and-two together. Thanks Lanikai

Bought it directly on eBay just in case (I have an old Saab whose bucket seats need reconditioning anyway). There were a few vendors, but I went to the one for U$17.50 because he had 99.8% feedback instead of the other guy who had 99.1% feedback -- 12 recent negatives, eech.

I will see what others have to say, but at least that's an option, now. Thanks again!

P.S.: I really miss V. Hope he can refurbish his home soon, and come back...

That depends...

Got any pictures you can send me...

jk

Sure! Hundreds of wrist-shots!

Me, I don't care what a man looks like, as long as he has a brain, and a nice Castle to put it in.

Wow! that means everybody who have a porto, have a problem?

V

Hey Magagne. I was going to welcome you last night to the forum, having of course seen you on RWI many times, but forgot.

And yes, it would seem just about all the Porto owners have a problem with the seconds@6, hence no replies. I myself was considering buying this watch, but was dissuaded when I asked about it, quite recently.

Sucks, huh?

SOS Clive, Paneristi!

During a recent thread, I asked about stains on straps. Highflyingclive suggested Lord Sheraton's Pure Beeswax Balsam, in general for strap care. Well, I bought it on eBay from an UK vendor, and just received it.

Most of my straps are in excellent condition. I use Meltonian Neutral, as directed by Fabrizio of Mario Paci fame.

But even Meltonian Neutral didn't help to restore lustre on my treasured Metta Catherina strap, a 200 year-old leather. I used it very sparingly, and very carefully. But it still looks dull, not like V's Metta:

Or this one:

(I'll upload a photo of mine later)

What do you guys suggest, for such a delicate strap? Do I go with Lord Sheraton, or...? Thanks for any advice!

lol in austria accent... how funny

Starring Hans Moser.

Why Miss V - you have me blushing!

Err, well, Jake, I meant my boyfriend is an Aries. Why, what did you think I meant?

I guess I should check with my wife to see what sign she is

For the record, one of the worst matched star signs for me is a Virgo male, and a guy I dated was AWESOME, romance-wise. It's all in the wrists.

The Triangle indice at 12. Look past the blur, close one eye, squint, whatever it takes to concentrate on it... It is off. The bottom is centered on the nice looking coronet, but the top left corner is inline with '59-sec' while the top right corner extends well PAST '1-sec', where, if it were centered correctly it would start a little before '59' and finish a little past '1'. Blurring makes that hard to notice, no?

Not enough? Ok, look at the CG's in the "nice" shot from the 'top'... Mirror finish, right? Ok, stop drooling on your kb, and redirect your attention to the lugs....

Mirror finish, righ..NOPE. The case isn't finished consistently. The CG's obviously have been extensively reworked and polished, while the rest of the case is still brushed finish.

Both niggling little issues on an otherwise nearly perfect FAKE, obscured by blurred photos, undoubtedly in hopes that they would go unnoticed.

Holy merde. That snotty fake Sub-wearing AD assistant never stood a chance!

My apologies if I unknowingly used an avatar that is a member of the family or ancestor of anyone else on this or any other watch-related forum.

If someone used a photograph of my ancestor as their avatar, I'd wet myself. What an honour.

And WHO the HELL is related to Gollum??

I'm sorry, but this needed to be asked.

I'm impressed it was an automatic (probably an invicta),,,,I've met literally 100s of college professors over the years and of course the first thing I check out is the watch they are wearing, and so far the vast majority are cheap quartz, some are top selling authors who could easily afford a huge collection of nice automatic gens. My guess is that most professors do not want to look materialistic (this also explains most of their clothing). It might go back to this idea that their brain is too busy with "important" things to worry about the material world. I mean, if my socks don't match, perhaps I'm too busy unifying the four fundamental forces in physics...

My experiences in academia are identical, Chris.

Most professors, whether in the US or elsewhere are slovenly and nerdy, traipsing around in Chuck Taylor hightops and ill-fitting short-sleeved shirts from Sears. Their watches of choice seem to be Casios with little calculators on them, bought that time when J Byron's had a sale in 1982.

Having been around more Universities than I care to list, due to my dad's profession and my own academic-centred life, I am always staggered to find one prof who stands out sartorially or horologically.

It's a lost cause.

Just once I came upon one of the nattiest academics I've ever met.

Joachim Fest, one of the foremost professors of German history of our time (he died last year). He wore the most beautiful, discrete watch, yet one with complications. I never screwed up the courage to ask the marque.

From head to toe, he was impeccable. As was his writing...RIP.

(And since I'm flinging RIPs around, RIP Luciano Pavarotti)

Puggy,

I can reset her to 100 or so for a small fee

I can do a lot more than that, to other moderators. And ain't talkin' money.

I am an Aries...

I'm a Leo. Apparently, a female Leo-male Aries combination is the most potent sexual combination of all the star signs.

Just throwing it out there.

Sorry Roby, I have no expert opinion on the watches. It's just that this thread remind me of one I read on RWI the other day.

A person posted that he was given shoddy treatment when he asked about the authenticity of a watch he was considering. He either got silence or a snotty remark, I forget, but the upshot is the forum regulars treated his question like newbie dreck. Some time later, he came back, posted a pic of a gen Rolex, and told the members "Hey you didn't help me, but look at the gen I purchased anyway".

Well, the regulars blasted the watch, saying it was a fake, look at the rehaut, blah blah -- when it was of course, authentic. He didn't say, but he did intimate this was on RWG (maybe RWG1?).

In all my time here, I don't recall a single newbie receiving this dismissive, hierarchical type of behaviour from veterans. I've been on for nearly 3 months.

On the contrary, except for really newbie questions like, "Where can I buy the best sub?", everyone tries their best to help out if they can.

I'm glad to see this thread is no exception.

Whatever you decide, I wish you luck.

@vbarret

wondering how good is your german???

It's my Muttersprache, literally, but whenever I speak or write German, some German corrects me. Never fails. Including my mother. They're worse than the French.

Can we quote you on that Fr

Yess Mr. repaustria you are funny guy, I like you.

Know this

MariaBest Watch is only best watches, you pay big money alle else is china street garbage

Only Maria give qualitat A++++ it is true.

I have been machining replica for 10 jahrs, I am worhld famous.

OK enough talk now

Best Wische

This is Charlyjakob on Risti:

"When i look for my Ebay Feedback...i have only 100 % Positive Feedback...only long times waiting (Rainingtime). You are the first People what have Problems with my Straps...I stay not only in Paneristi Forum. The Strap is not good enough....and i send not other Strap to you... okay !!...what is the Problem...you have became back the money from me Quickly per Paypal....But i have SAME not Answer from you ...where is my Strap !!

I s not Problem for me....i make many NICE STRAPS !!!! for REALITY Price.

Thank you for the Talk !!!!

Sorry....now i see....this Post come not from Anonymus....why you give positive Feedback....when you not want the Strap ?????

Please i not want speak with you...i have not interesting for this.

When i have a Problem with the Strap from my Seller, i give not good Feedback....i want back my money !!!!

When i have my money back i give the Feedback."

I think my favourite was "Please i not want speak with you...i have not interesting for this." You?

(For all the world, it sounds like a German who has been in the Far East for a LONG time. Which is it. Nice week!)

Why bother so much about look alike authenticity and gens. A replica watch is only a replica .Why don't you just enjoy it,with the add ons that make you feel good? ( wondering)...

I've answered this very question on three forums, as honestly as I could: but too frequently and in depth to repeat, Wjlamp, forgive me. Just to say that for other guys here, it's a kind of challenge -- a Franken project. It gives them satisfaction to make them look as close to gen as possible.

For me, it's very simple. I want people to think I have a gen Panerai on my wrist. This is why I started with a fantasy Mini-Fiddy, and ended up at Davidsens, 2 months later. Soon, I'll be into modding them.

Yes, I know. I'm unique and alone in all of the 3 forums I frequent, because I have yet to hear one person say it as baldly, and as boldly as I have.

So now you know, yes?

Has anyone else received theirs??? VB??

Not yet, sweetie. Didn't even receive my tracking yet, which is unusual for Jay. He must really have been swamped with last minute orders.

I will post my two Rollies the moment I get them -- in this thread!