Victoria

*sounds of jaw dropping on the floor* :clap: Have you named it yet? Since it's goatskin, I suggest "chupacabra".

Horrible, horrible, my deepest condolences not just to the people lost, but to the architectural wonders (which contrary to popular ideas are not all located in Athens) in peril. It's hard to put up OT threads about every single event, nor truly needed, but it would've been nice for someone to have done so about the 8.0 earthquake in Lima. I only mentioned something in the Shoutbox. I've been there, and though fault-ridden as so many South American cities are, it's a GORGEOUS city, architecturally. Deeply Roman Catholic that I am, the churches alone I will never forget. I wonder what was lost, as I didn't keep up with the news afterwards. Back to Greece. I recall an historical anecdote about another fire, this time suspected arson, when the Royal Family were almost burned alive in 1917, at their country retreat of Tatoi. WWI was raging, and Greece (despite a lot of arm-pulling from both the Central and Entente Powers), remained neutral. It was thought this was because of Queen Sophie, a sister of the infamous Kaiser Bill. In reality, she couldn't have been more British in her demeanour, if you tried. So one day, the entire Royal Family were taking a tramp in the woods outside of Tatoi, and suddenly they saw a MASSIVE fire raging towards them. They unceremoniously started to run, and run, and the women started to fall behind. That's when King Constantine, all 6'4" of him, picked up two women by the armpits and raised them over his shoulder, and ran. One was the Queen, the other, her lady-in-waiting. Thus, the entire Royal Family were saved, and the trees surrounding Tatoi actually spared the Royal Palace. I daresay Greece has seen a lot of fires in its time, and they are a strong nation, with a strong people willing to shoulder many burdens, from top to bottom. My best wishes to all.

One of the most beautiful pics I've ever seen on RWG. And I'm not talking about the watch.

MONDAY Ladies and Gentlemen -- think what you will about cartels. Talk all you want about ball-busting prices from Bangkok to Hong Kong. Discuss amongst yourselves about why my HBB is so expensive. I don't care! All I know is TEEJAY ROCKS!!! This generous chap, a gentle soul, is full of goodwill for his fellow man, and in my case, his fellow woman. So when he offered me his amazing, wonderful Vacheron Constantin Overseas, whose review you'll no doubt remember, did I leap at the chance?!? No. I turned him flat down, thinking one day, some day he would use it...and then a few Wrist-checks later I saw our fair Stephane sporting it, and my heart said, gosh, my dad would love this. And just like that, it arrived last week, and the surprise is here to greet him Monday! TEEJAY, TAKE A BOW!! Mwah!! You are getting a great Christmas Prezzie. Even if I have to hock my straps and bras! A face only a dad could love? You bet. He said the watch doesn't do anything for him. Fine and swell. But the VCO has beautiful, classic lines, seen here in its deployant. If only I could wear this... You know how difficult it is to get a shy father to do a Wrist-check? So obviously, that's not what I'm wearing today. Got a doc's appointment, and since people commented on how great the Cartier Santos looked like last time, I'm taking out the blinged version. Hello Gorgeous. TUESDAY Remember all I said about the DSN PAM 112h, with its threaded lugs, and its wonky printing? Forget it. I wubs! :wub: Custom-made Zeugma strap made out of an old Turkish doctor's bag. #225, in case you want it, ERWINNER. It's evens stevens which I like more -- the DSN PAM 112h, or the Zeugma...strap and case! And in hommage to TWP's gorgeous lume shot, here is my very first attempt ever. ...you have no idea how it glows. :wub:

As Lanikai says, "AssSS-right!". I hate people who dislike others because they're rich old coots who have all the money in the world to enjoy themselves. Jealous 'tards. Good! More! Flaunt it baby! Next stop: Vacheron Constantin

I am almost sure I have met you, "Gerald". I'm sure that Gramps is seated inside the Biltmore Hotel's Palme D'or dining area, or perhaps their "English gentleman's club"-like Bar. I have this dream of meeting him there one day, him wearing his Patek Sky Moon, me wearing my Patek Sky Moon, and we exchange knowing winks, lift our cigars in the air, and toast Paul of WoeMart. Please, like he's fooling anyone.

Oh no! Don't worry, Erwinner, the delivery guy was a pizza delivery guy. I had ordered a late-night Pasta Alfredo. But you know...recently some packages WERE taking FOREVER to get there. TMG's pigskin straps had registered delivery, and it was no where to be found in the porters' area or in the mailbox. Also, the Metta Catherina certificate of authenticity, crucial if ever I want to resell it, was missing for a month. Wouldn't you know it. The moment I went to the post office and created a stink on Saturday, THE VERY NEXT MONDAY those two items, and others, show up, really really late. The Metta Catherina envelope even had a small rip as if someone was curious to see what was inside (the very nice seller unfortunately wrote with a Sharpie pen, "Certificate of Authenticity" outside the envelope -- !!). So, we are paying close attention to this situation. I like USPS, but everyone is human... P.S.: Delivery has been impeccable since! @GTD: Sorry for threadjacking.

Hey, SSsurfer. In closed position, the lever is completely loose. It holds, but it has no tension whatsoever. I'm scared to move it around for fear of flapping completely open. That's why the idea of swapping the CGs is so appealing to me, since it would solve all these cosmetic and mechanical problems. Once the stem is shortened and tightened (because I recently heard it rattle inside), then the new CG would fit better and look better (no loose lever, no dimple). THEORETICALLY. I will take it to the watchsmiths by Tuesday, and see. THANKS SSSURFER! "Where there is life, there is hope, and where there are rep watches, there is adventure!" Feel free to .sig this people.

"The great question that has never been answered, and which I have not yet been able to answer, despite my thirty years of research into the feminine soul, is “What does a woman want?”" - Sigmund Freud Easy. Love. Protection. A laugh. And not to be judged. Please send this to men in need of guidance, and women in need of a hug.

Maybe Nasser didn't have a Platinum American Express?

POSSIBLY NOT WORK SAFE Perfect Woman: Perfect Man: Personally, I look like neither, but I do own a rep Rolex.

Riffram, as ever with posting questions on a board when you're a newbie, try (a) not to pose a question. Veterans hate that. But if needs be, ( b ) give as much info as you possibly can in your question. You need to tell us where you are located to give you a sound, compete reply, since any forum these days is highly international. USA/Canada/UK from the Far East: According to one reputable collector, 2 or more watches no problem. Rest of Europe " " ": Problem. In some cases, big problem even if only with one rep watch. Hit "search" and input "Customs" and you will receive a plethora of advice, based on others' woes. Good luck!

I think you look very nice wearing it, "Ryyannon".

P.S.: I you! You go, Phantom!! Snottiest people on earth. AD assistants. Even more than Gucci boutique shopgirls. WTF.

Thanks for taking the time to read it. I see you have two posts to your name. WELCOME to RWG, sayiiimd! Amazing. I have had a few people tell me something similar, when I told them my story (it comes up when you're talking about gifts, kid memories, or watches, sometimes all three). I was never into Star Wars, but just so that you know, I love Snoopy too.

Hey! GTD could be a woman. Crazy, but could happen. *points to self, who is definitely crazy* GTD, that Toscana brown strap is awesome. I have two, and they are so comfortable to wear, as well as versatile. Because you didn't say anything, I am guessing the Fiddy strap is the rep strap? It looks good, though. A bit like the Giovanni e Figlio Valdarno Nero, which is as smooth as butter. I highly recommend it for the for Fiddies. http://timeconnection.biz/Merchant2/mercha...Product_Count=6 Sometimes, it's on Elliot's specials, but not always. It's $179 full price, but $88.88 on special. Big difference. I got one before anyone else did, when it first came out. P.S.: I went to answer the door just now, and the delivery guy said "NICE WATCH!"...my DSN PAM 112h on custom-made dark Butterscotch Zeugma strap. YAY!!!

Thanks, Kollektor. I know for sure you share my discomfort... NO WAY! I had thought of that when I first saw the 112 out of the box, but dismissed it because maybe I'm a newbie, and don't know; or maybe I'm just imagining things. Yes, that's EXACTLY the thing. Luminor looks tilted somehow. Confirmed here. Didn't want to say, because I was embarrassed. Thanks for taking the leap for me. And by the way, the dimple, and the slight twist are things which I would happily entrust to a modder. But my thinking is that if it's mechanical, especially on a replacement watch, that the collector should take care of that. Well, in for a penny, in for a pound. The PAM 112 has thread problems. Again, too embarrassed to mention this originally since I thought it might be seen as petty. But I think DSN figured that might be an issue, because he sent me (completely unsolicited by me) two springbar screws just in case. My guess is that his factory made all these cases, and they caught the thread problem on the 112 -- you're not the first person to mention this -- too late. So instead of throwing them away, he just either tried to improve the casings himself (sometimes not very well), or sent them as is... EDIT UPDATE: Just received an email from David. Since I didn't want to seem like a perpetual whiner, I didn't mention the PAM 112 problems, which as you see, are small. Well, small if you consider threaded lugs, crooked or off-kilter dial printing, and a dimple on the crown guard small. But the springbar mystery has been solved. He sent them thinking I had asked for them. Slight miscommunication problem, is all. However, if he sent them thinking I had asked for them, it begs the question -- if he hadn't, I would've had to scramble and get springbars from River, etc. to be able to wear the PAM 112!! Hello. Fortunately, I had ordered by coincidence these very River springbars JUST IN CASE. They are taking a while to come though. I'm sorry to hear that, Kollektor. His original Fiddy lever was perfect. Nice and tight, which apparently is a common tell with reps when it is not. Another thing, his crown guard had no 'dimple' showing in the Fiddy but both the new Fiddy and PAM 112 have this cosmetic issue. Good suggestion! I immediately ran to it, and did as you suggested. Nada. The CG is just too lowset to allow the crown to pop out to its full length, I believe. Alas. But thanks for the effort! I have, twice, the first time in my ecstatic email of premature thanks. And both times in my usual detailed fashion, so it sits easy on the eyes of a foreigner. 1- 2- 3- Etc. Nothing. Ah well. I have hopes.

Page not responding. That happens a lot to *bay links on RWG, I notice. Could it be an url-ban-to-Bay from Admin? Or is it that you are logged into your account, CC, and have c/p'ed the link with that "info" on it (thus we can't see the page).

I am an Europeanist par excellence, but having lived in the East, I know the mindset a LITTLE, however didn't help that I lived in perfectionist Japan. There street vendor ladies wrap up your purchases with such delicacy, such refinity, and even though it costs a few bob, WITH SUCH TIME (15 minutes for a $5 bauble), that I can only compare that to the grace of Maison Chanel vendeuses, who treat every purchase as if it is an honour FOR THEM to handle it, no matter its cost. EDIT: Is it a small wonder then, that the Japanese are culturally in love with France? There is a samurai tradition of chivalry, of delicacy of course, which I believe they think matches well with the attitudes of outer perfection of Versailles. When reality doesn't meet expectations, some Japanese tourists are so shocked, they have a syndrome for it: Paris Syndrome. But China is not Japan, and also just because there is a cultural flavour, it doesn't mean it has to be followed by all people. Yet, I believe others have pointed this out in the forum, isn't Davidsen Japanese living in Hong Kong? Has his perfectionism, his craft, suffered because of this? China will get to Japan's level of proficiency. It's the middle step in a Capitalist business mindset, putting quality control above all else, or at least showing remorse, and responsibility when things go wrong. The last step is of course reindemnification, whether lawsuit money, or prison. Whoa, I'm getting way ahead of myself, with this weighty talk. But I'm just giving this whingy thread a little fibre to chew on.

You are absolutely right, TK471. Thanks for keeping me grounded, too. Please read my reply above, for the modder part. I'm not quite there yet, as a collector. Step 1: Buy one rep watch. WOW! It runs, Canal St is great! Step 2: Hmm, you know, there are better models out there. Internet? Step 3: But is this site reputable? Why is it asking for my mother's maiden name and blood type? Step 4: Register on RWG, etc. Step 5: Crikey. I know absolutely nothing about rep watches. Let me start posting immediately and reach 1000 posts! Step 6: Second watch is great! More more! Step 7: Third watch has issues, but I can live with them! Ooops, first watch suddenly started having issues. Step 8: Let's diversify merchants, or find better ones, even if they cost more. Step 9: NICE WATCHES! Step 10: I am almost at 500 posts! And 500 straps!! Step 11: This sucks man. 50 watches, 30 problems. Not a good rate of return. What's next? Step 12: Davidsen Step 13: Same old, same old. Step 14: Modding? ... Step 1,000,000: Sssurfer

Thanks, Subzero1, for your reply. This is a genuine question, not a "challenge" question: Should one give Davidsen more leeway in mistakes since he is an artisan, unlike "mere" collectors like J&A? Maybe my/our approach to DSN is wrong? Though clearly my expectations are commensurate with money spent, perhaps their individuality needs more patience, not less, from a buyer. On the other hand, it's hard to praise him when certain other parts of the order were wrong. Trifling things, like missing parts, or wrong colour bands (second time in a row), but again, at that level of price, one would expect much closer attention to detail. And his reply about the missing parts is utter silence. Guess what? A fellow newbie, but newbier than I, just PMed me this morning, as I was replying to posts here. I told him practically the same thing you just told me, even though I am currently unhappy, and disappointed with DSN. I said that getting a working, near-perfect Davidsen watch must be amazing, because as flawed as mine were, it blows the others out of the water. I have to be honest with you, and say that without a bit of friendly arm-twisting, dealing with Davidsen hasn't been easy. It still isn't. He's replied, and with counsel from others, I am about to reply that I want to send this back to him, as well as the first faulty Fiddy, as promised. We'll see. I'm not replying until I consider every option, but my gut instinct is to let the original chap solve the problem. Thanks again!

Hey Graman. Scoobs said it, but I'll repeat it, Welcome. You've debuted on a contentious, but not unfriendly thread, so thanks for weighing in with your points! (Oh, actually, it was unfriendly to me. But since I constitute a small part of RWG, and the insults I believe were made invisible so as to stay on-topic -- thanks -- overall, I wouldn't call it unfriendly)

You never never put a foot wrong! Especially not in those Gucci loafers. @Scoobs: Thank you!! Your avatar never fails to make me smile, Scoobs. @Swdivad: Welcome back! Great Tantalum strap, which I had seen but never complimented before. @TeeJay: YAY! Good for you. And there is a reason for my erm, silence. Stay tuned tomorrow, okay? All will be revealed. *g* Well, I returned from my rum-do, and have taken off the Santos, putting on my newly-beloved PAM 112. The Santos is a big-faced watch, but though it weighs more than most watches, I feel like I just put on Swemoose's rock on my wrist.

The Panerai logo aligned to the "E" on the 005. That's how it is called in Italian, according to the invaluable SSsurfer.

When I saw that, I said, WOW. Now THAT brother is a strap. FxrAndy had better get cracking, experience-wise! If not, my custom will go to Savage. Good. You only need one addiction, Volker, rep watches!