Victoria

I must say, I was rather stunned by those who had longed to see the Bob Blue Shark strap in Part 2. I had about 2-4 PMs and replies about it, both publicly and privately, and you are no writer if you don't SOMETIMES listen to the requests of your readers. Ahem. So the sharky is back today, bumping the Strap Culture strap for another week! Speaking of which, next week I plan to photograph a new set of straps against a background of other suits, or shirts, the better to mix things up a bit. Even I felt it was getting to be a bit repetitive, whether dear old dad's suits look spiffing or not. (Don't worry, these togs below will see a comeback later in the year) So stay tuned then for a sport-casual wardrobe change. Here's a hint: country gentlemen and those handy with a twelve-bore will surely want to check next week's installment. Without further ado, I give you the Great Panerai Strap Caper, Part 3. STRAP NUMBER 1 - "BOB Shark Strap for Breitling, cobalt blue, 24/20 mm" (For Panerai 24/22 on request/seasonally) LEATHER MAKERS: Waccex MERCHANTS: Waccex.com COST: U$34.80 BANG FOR BUCK VALUE: Decent RESALE VALUE: $15-$25 at 95% condition SALE AVAILABILITY: Auction bids available via eBay store, or Buy it Now for U$34.99. Infrequently found on accessory sections in forums. DESCRIPTION: I was lucky to find this strap available at the Sales section on RWI. Really, it is an one of a kind colour, not quite the described cobalt, not quite Prussian blue, or robin's egg blue -- but a combination of all three. Certainly, the Bob Blue Shark is NOT for the faint of heart. A person will see you wearing this a mile away. This is the kind of strap you wear on a motorcyle, at a yacht party, or as a good carbon strap alternative, whilst holidaying at the beach. Kids will love you, and women will give you "the eye". Note, the texture is a bit rubbery, although genuine sharkskin, but for that price it's a steal. SIZE RANGE: Tricky since Breitling sizes are not Panerai sizes but it is listed as 120/80 mm in 24/20 mm (I have it for Panerais at 24/22). PM Christian or Markus at Waccex or RWG for more info. BUCKLE: Logoless tang "thumbnail" springbar buckle in SS, included. DRESS COLOURS: Denims, khakis, and just about anything in corduroy. With such a potent blue, obviously stay away from reds, browns and greens, but whites and blacks are amazing against it. Despite its summery tone, I can see a man in a turtle-neck beige sweater and the Bob blue sharky looking smashing this Christmas. BEST PANERAI WATCH MATCH: PAM 004 (any PVD), PAM 202, PAM 252 (North Pole), PAM 199 (shown) PHOTO COMPARISON #1 (CAMEL/TAN OVERCOAT) PHOTO COMPARISON #2 (BLACK SUIT) PHOTO COMPARISON #3 (GREY SUIT) STRAP NUMBER 2 - "Mario Paci Special Edition "Allora a Ora" in Senape with new Pre-V Natural buckle" LEATHER MAKERS: Cuoierie Meccaniche Brelli di Ciampi MERCHANTS: Timeconnection.biz COST: U$199.00 BANG FOR BUCK VALUE: Excellent RESALE VALUE: $70-90 at 85-95% condition SALE AVAILABILITY: Frequently offered for U$109.00 in Daily Specials. Sometimes offered alongside the Anacardo in other forums' specials. DESCRIPTION: I have YET to see a Panerai watch which this strap doesn't compliment. Wow, what a versatile strap, and if you need ONE tan strap in your arsenal, this baby is it. It's got a rough craggy leather look to it that is so macho, you can imagine Gary Cooper wearing it in High Noon. If you've got tanned muscly or spindly white arms, the Senape doesn't care. It'll make you look good regardless. And take special note Titanium and Cali-dial owners! This one's special. SIZE RANGE: 115/75 to 130/85 in 24/24 to 115/80 in 26/26 BUCKLE: Included. Sewn-in brushed Pre-V natural buckle (no logo) DRESS COLOURS: Wear it with cowboy boots or boat shoes. I can't think of one colour which will look bad with it. I especially think white bermuda shorts, a blue polo shirt, and a sweater wrapped around the shoulders, as well as jeans and a tee, cannot fail. This is a strap you can wear with a grey business suit, and it'll still look serious. BEST PANERAI WATCH MATCH: PAM 177, PAM 249, PAM 232/233 PHOTO COMPARISON #1 (CAMEL/TAN OVERCOAT) PHOTO COMPARISON #2 (BLACK SUIT) PHOTO COMPARISON #3 (GREY SUIT) NEXT WEEK, PART FOUR (New comparison gear): - Strap Culture's Legend Historic Brown #2 - Toscana Arruginito

As I'd written earlier, I was on www.iwcflieger.com today, having chanced on this IWC watches spread. Since Search didn't come up with a previous post, here are some pics for your IWC delectation. Conference held on 19 April 2007, at the Hotel Real in Nyon. (Wearing an IWC?? Ahh, maybe a Da Vinci Kurt Klaus design) The Da Vinci Chrono above. Portofino Automatics.

How dear and kind, Mrs. FxrAndy is. Thank you both so much for the effort! (She's got lovely hands, as smooth as a cherub's!) I must say, I am rather impressed. The white dial doesn't at all look masculine, as I thought. I am still partial to the Porto, or 3717, as Jeff mentioned, but this is now not out of the question either. I've been on www.iwcflieger.com a lot today, and every time I look at these watches, a little part of me whistles in appreciation. Okay, I wouldn't wear a Saint-Exupery, Ingy or Cousteau Diver, but they are very elegant.

THAT'S IT, I'M GOING INTO STRAPMAKING. Sheesh, every else is doing it, why not the Strap Queen??!! CBR, really, great straps, and I cannot BELIEVE these are your first efforts. Are you kidding me? Wow. The one above is my fave. It really compliments an ungainly Panerai which is difficult to match for texture and styling, IMHO. V's Connolly was great though, but yours looks hip and smart at the same time.

Not too shabby! Would've looked a little better in rose gold, I think, but Mrs. TMG looks great either way, I'm sure. And tell her to come on here once in a while, will ya...sad I'm the only girl now, since Rima and Denise left.

Don't worry, this past month was the height of summer holidays. If any of you have been on forums, you know there is a considerable ebb in replies/seemingly thus "interest", by its membership. Take heart people! By November this place will be off the hook.

Yes, there is, but that still doesn't help Sssurfer with his problem. The other day, people were telling me they couldn't access RWI, but I could (later that day, even I couldn't). Not sure if it's some kind of glitch on their side, or on your IP, but since I'm on there too, I'll let them know. Is your ID the same as here? That would help.

MONDAY My mood is as sombre today as the clouds which broke here earlier, for Labour Day. So I'm wearing the Grigio Toscana strap on my busted PAM 199 from Paul... The Grigio is awesome for all those big bezel PAMs, so 024, Arktos owners take note. TUESDAY I suspect Tuesday will be just as rainy, so no way will I put on the nicer straps. Here is my new Velcro in "Panerai" blue. The DSN 112, of course. Like Stephane, I am in love with the PAM 112's simplicity, and like him, I change the straps 1 or 2 times per day. (I'll be back to my chipper self tomorrow, for Part 3 of the Great Panerai Strap Caper. Might be a little late though)

*cries* My deepest condolences and hugs...RIP Euno's Daddy.

RWG is unbearably slow right now, so forgive no personalised replies -- takes too long to load... Just to say thank you to all who have replied so far with ideas, RCHK, FxrAndy, Deltatahoe, Lazarini, Maximilian, everyone! I am getting progressively more snobby with the PAMs but oddly, not so much with non-PAMs. I have no problems with the Porto being quartz, as you say, Pix. With your idea in mind, I've shot a PM to a collector we all know and love. I'm sure he'll get a Porto chrono in black with panda dials for me -- in quartz! http://www.ioffer.com/i/IWC-Portuguese-Qua...-watch-27151161 That's so-so because of the lack of panda dials. Now, normally I cannot stand those things, but I admit, it softens the Porto to make it more feminine to my eyes. The skeletons look like the Chronoswiss I have, and are less IWCish than the others, but thanks for the links! I can't believe you took such time looking these up for me, Pix. I hope to retribute in kind one day! Genuine croc black strap, I think! I can't wait, thanks for that in advance. Dude, could it be that Mlle Tautou wears no watch?? Heartbreaking. I have to find my copy of L'Auberge Espagnole, toute-de-suite.

Thanks for the reply, and advice, Dangerman. And you too Fitmic! http://www.watchsilix.com/product.asp?id=1741 http://www.watchsilix.com/product.asp?id=1041 Since I am going to wait for the Porto (being the one I like), I wonder if I can wet my feet with this Big Pilot. However, why does it look like it has a blue dial? Is it the AR? On the description is says 'black dial'. Any hints if this cheapo is worth it? I still have time until Jays sends me the package Tuesday, to decide to include another one. @Fitmic specifically: I know, I know. A Panerai girl shouldn't be talking about how masculine a watch looks. But the thing is...as I keep saying, the sleek lines of the PAMs do not look masculine on a woman, whereas I feel the Ingy would. It's got a much too solid case outline, like the VCO, to my mind. I hope you can see that too.

Can't speak about Josh, but if even Paul offered free shipping and sent the item(s) EMS, I can't imagine that Joshua wouldn't. I too have my eye on his Noobmariner, still at a very decent price. For the record, Paul's packages were often the speediest of them all...despite what was in them.

Yes. Although it's not a forum-approved collector or anything, I have dealt with Joe whose eBay ID is Pstrapusa. If you do a search on eBay for "Panerai case", you'll see his 2/4/8 varieties, which run you from USD25 to USD50, not including shipping. hxxp://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZpstrapusa (change xx to tt) He ships these Priority and the 8-'pack' arrived the very next day, once! I highly recommend using Joe's service. Having said that, River is a great seller too. At least there are options. EDIT: See the 8-case above the Radiomir base shot!

I am beginning to warm to the IWC Pilot (chrono). But the Ingy is just a TOUCH too butch, you know? It's truly shaped like a man's watch -- like the Vacheron Constantin Overseas which I tried on in last Monday's Wrist-Check. It's bulky and just not right for me. The Pilot might work out, because of the strap and more flowing lines. NICE! Thank you, Raymond! Yes, I will certainly read it. I was on the RWI IWC section just now, and sad to hear the Porto is just not a dependable watch.

Coincidentally, I was checking out his forum just last night. I can assure you the suits are there, and a varied, lovely selection can be had -- but Sandelman, I believe you must be a VIP member to view that area. Could be wrong. Good deal that you PMed Ken. He should be up any moment. Good luck! @TT: Drat! Foiled again. Moving right along.

"Old", huh?

Quite. My point. It's one of those innocent "getting to know ourselves" threads which actually has the opposite effect, because for some people there is nothing so off-putting as finding out exactly where you stand politically. It colours some people's whole perception of that person, their thought processes, values, what you can talk to them about, how you think they will react, what their opinions might be like, and in some disgusting cases, if you can trust them or not. This is instead of finding out the usual way, by subtle interaction, close observation, a chance remark here and there spanning years. Of course, this takes time, and time is not a commodity on the click-and-pick internet. Fortunately, I'm not even scrolling up except on the one or two people I am interested in, and even then, it was a foregone conclusion where they stood based on what I said above. That they may or may not be diametrically opposed to me is of no concern to me whatsoever, and I will still love their minds just like I did before. But not all people are common sensical and some take politics as the ultimate zero-sum game of life. Yuck. Hateful thing, politics.

Admin, are we signed up for "Adult Finder" as well as Ad-Sense? Eww...I'd say the same thing for nekkid guys. Maybe not in Miami though. EDIT: Please note my recent avatar change. I ain't against the skin, just the go-between tackiness.

Hmm. Well, not sure what's going on, but maybe it has to do with the email header. I entitled mine, "Summer Special payment", or similar. That's why he responded in the usual 24hrs, as you say, Carl. The one thing that gets a collector's attention is the word payment, and if it's time sensitive, put that in too.

WHOA! I had to scroll up because though I've seen that .sig cartoon endless times, I had completely ignored its message. Anyway, Mars Attacks! already beat them to it. Ack ack ack ack.

I'm leaning towards the Porto, I admit, FxrAndy! I have read about these movement probs Corpsman mentioned though, so I am concerned. Big Pilot...not too sure, Plaifender. Maybe a Flieger.

It's intimidating in any hi-power situation, like at a corporate conference table and in front of a JC chairwoman. Just be careful with the bling-bling: others usually have the same idea, and if their bling is real, YOU will end up looking like a real schmuck. Honestly, in Vegas, I'd go with two watches. My best gen, and my best sports rep watch. This means my gen de Grisogno Instrumentino and possibly now, my Hublot White Magic. A Rolex for either category doesn't hurt, and the good part is that you can get away with a good rep too.

Makes your toes curl up in ecstacy? Check. Makes you break out in a cold sweat and your breath hot and sticky? Check. When finishing reading threads, you break out a cigarette, a Macanudo, or a Yoplait yoghurt? What? Like I'm the only one who eats yoghurt, post-coitus. Come on!

A) Awww. B ) Only the best, so start saving guys! C) My boyfriend may get wind of this, being a VIP member now and all...

Um, oops. Thanks, Ken! Sorry to hear about the problems, but where there's an RWG, there's a way!