Victoria

Hello, Stanley. I am on my PAM...let's see...fantasy mini-Fiddy, 111h, 118, 199, 152/4, 076, 127, 217, 190, 210, 183 -- in one and a half-months. Beat that, Stanley. And call me. It seems we could hang... I like watches. The End.

DAYUM!!

These days I just edit my post, but this is important info: Kostas/V told me he's going to be VERY busy for the next 5-6 weeks, and hardly posting on the forums. I would PM him this thread, FxrAndy, so he sees your hommage.

Great colour! WHAT AN EFFORT! I don't care if it came out a little rough. This is too what I have been thinking of doing, since soon my parents will throw me out of the house for buying so many straps, and my boyfriend will dump me for the same reason. And, FxrAndy, if we can't beat 'em, join 'em! Kudos, baby. You're my new hero. (Fave thumbnail #1)

You leave the 1950s alone! Everyone loved America! Everyone was wealthy and healthy, smoked five packs of Camels per day, didn't need South Beach diets, our teeth were straight and white just with a dab of Baking soda, and we rode around in small yachts!! GO EDSEL! Anyway, to go OT on the OT area: http://www.adclassix.com/watchindex.htm Oldies watch advertising. My faves: http://www.adclassix.com/ads/55rolex.htm "Men who Guide Canada's Advance Wear Rolexes" ...who knew? http://www.adclassix.com/a3/60bulovapresidentwatch.html "Bulova Presidential, 4 years in the making" (Silix got reps already!) http://www.adclassix.com/a3/60elginwatches.html "Elgin, more rugged! More waterproof!" Plus

Magnifico! So unusual. I don't think I've seen one yet. Congrats. P.S.: Bought my first Radiomir yesterday...and also my last strap. Promise. Maybe. God, someone stop me, stage an intervention, arggggggh... Anyway, it's the Metta Catherina, woo! 200 years old baby! That's as old as my father's best suit.

Hey guys, girls, and Stephane. Busy Monday, so here are some late, but still happenin' wristies from me. Let me just note that the choices today have been a little on the serious side*! What's up guys? Are you all gainfully employed or what? (*Except X's lovely B&R, and I usually don't like that model) MONDAY My Greg Stevens Crazy Horse arrived, woo! Here it is on Paul's faulty PAM 190, which however, is lovely overall don't you think? Got a little artistic here, to highlight his buckle and the reverse side of the rugged Crazy Horse. NICE AND THICK, just like I like 'em....... TUESDAY Tuesdays are usually my favourite day of the week, so I'll go mellow with this gen Nixon Clique watch, which costs less than $100. That's a good day on Elliot's site for me.................... And yes, Kollektor, Nixon watches do look like a 70s TV set! Maybe with Love American Style or Barney Miller blaring.

Oh My God...first thought, Woody Allen must be devastated...RIP.

My mother liked my fantasy Hublot Big Bang in gold/black so much, she swiped it to wear on Saturday. "It's got pizzazz!", she exclaimed. And so it does. #1 Like mother, like daughter? Maybe not. She is even more petite than I, and I think it looks better on me. But shhh! Mum's the word. #2 The Deployant logo buckle. It's surprisingly comfortable, considering another member had to cut the generous tongue on his HBB Aspen. I didn't have to. #3 Deployant close-up. It's shinier than this, believe me. It was just caught in the light. #4 The caseback peek-a-boo. #5 Put-putting around SoFla in a rental car I had, due to mine getting a tune-up. But my HBB made me feel better!

Nor I. I came across them a German rep forum and thought they would be fun here too. Anyone know exactly the association Sylvester Stallone must have with Panerai, or Arnold with them or Audemars Piguet? Do they get free watches, I wonder, or an input on their own watches if bought. I'm torn between liking the fact that Stallone made the Panerai de rigueur with many in Hollyweird, and being slightly appalled by it.

This is how the Governator, one day future President of the United States if you believe Matt Groenig, got his first Panerai watch, a Pre-V Slytech at the opening of Planet Hollywood in Kaleefournya. Arnie and Sly first strike up the Cohibas, and lo! what does Signor Stallone have hiding inside the humidor? Why a present for the rugged Austrian with the funny accent! Sly 1: 0 Arnold And judging by the length of their stogies, Arnold couldn't take his eyes off of his new bonanza, still gazing at it 30 minutes later. You can tell he's already judging what size Orbita winder he's going to have to purchase for his new toy. Been there, done that, Arnie. Sly 2: 0 Arnold But then Arnold and his natural dominant attitude took over, and he was showing his new watch to anyone who would take a peek. "Look, I got me a Paneerye. It's aw-zome!", he said as their lickspittles stared at them with adoration. Or maybe people were curious how two human beings could look so much ike their own waxworks at Madame Tussaud's... And is it me, or does Sly look very "bottom" in this photo? Sly 2: 10 Arnold So there we are. The famous story of how Arnold Schwarzenegger got his first PAM from the Italian Stallion, and the rest is history. But you know what they say -- a picture speaks a thousand words, especially when it tanks at the Box Office. Spy Kids 3-D, indeed, WTF.

Nooo. Unless you're the thread starter! @Corgi: EXACTLY. I've often wondered precisely that. Not sure if it's a cultural quirk, or what, but I was teasing Andrew the other day that if only he would get this and that detail right, he could become a gajillionaire. He just LOL'ed back. And he's not bush league, so not sure why they don't act on your and others' suggestions.

Babola, that's exactly the one, and thank you so much for telling me this. Another member also concurs with you, in a PM to me. Something tells me to save up for the Davidsen Fiddy, new. I'll let my WTB post up for a day, then perhaps close it. Thank you so much, now TWICE, and for such detailed information.

Yes. I didn't want to hurt the members' feelings, though, but it was overstated. Real-time replying so I haven't read the rest of your so-far sensible reply, but this point is BANG ON. It's like they fear the market is saturated, and just reworking old favourites will not bring in new revenue. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. (Similarly, is this why they push out such shoddy goods, with incorrect markings, bad lume, etc. etc. because they feel this is the only way we'll be back to buy more? To get a more "correct" version, the Ultimate version, which as we all know, is hardly EVER that) I do have to say that one thing that prevents an increase in variety, from this standpoint, is the utter lack of advertising these collectors have at their disposal. Their trade is dangerous legally, and even physically, and so they can't put themselves out there to increase their profits. Emails advertising their site, should they go that route, would be rightfully ignored as spam, 99% of the time. Sure, you can reply that they don't really need to advertise. That good products have good word-of-mouth. Perhaps. But that may mean something on the macro level, but not specifically to them.

(Thanks, Ken, too!) Would be interested in a member's Fiddy, but as I say, if Davidsen (whom I addressed as "Dear Davidsen" in my email, doh!) would only accept PayPal, I'd probably mortgage my house to get his Fiddy. Apparently, his Fiddy "package" is awesome, with those straps and everything, too. Yet, I would want to support Flavor or The Zigmeister or one of the modders, eventually, though. I think that's important in our small community. -- My mother inquired how big our community of quality rep watch aficionados is, by the way. I think 10,000 is about right? That's factoring in lurkers, one-time registrants, and the occasionally savvy -- I'll probably end up buying one with Andrew, though. *g*

In transition. (Also, one spends more time when one is a newbie, for hours and hours in front of one's computer, scrolling, checking, comparing all the reputable collectors' pages. After you get some knowledge, you can instantly pick out the flaws, and therefore, your viewing time is shortened) Now, I know I didn't say anything anyone else here didn't figure out already, but as someone who is still new to the game, I can say that the rep industry is narrowing in vendor numbers (consolidating), due to strength of product, or elbowing tactics, as any industry tends to. In the beginning of any free-market enterprise, there are many players, many many products, and a variety of quality to choose from. So, what we're seeing with Andrew, Joshua, and other strong collectors is that they are figuring out their customer base want quality, are willing to pay for it, and are primarily interested in certain models or marques of watches. Just an opinion, however. I could be dead wrong.

Germans always stick together. Thanks, FxrAndy!

That's still one of my fave straps EVER, Hambone. I am going out with that Tankissime as mentioned, but here is a quick wrist-check shot of the infamous 'uncle cracker' Fiddy. Looks totally different on me, than on you, and yet...not too shabby on either. How is this possible?

My first double post...ack, sorry guys. Please delete this.

As I said guys, this Fiddy is going back to its owner, having had the PayPal moneys refunded to me (albeit still pending). So I'm going back to Stage 1. I would PROBABLY buy a DSN Fiddy, despite the enormous cost which I can't afford now..., but he doesn't take PayPal. And for me, no PayPal, no deal. With anyone. Full stop. I just don't feel safe with WU, having had problems on eBay too many times with it. Here is the wrist-check before I send this Fiddy back! SWEET WATCH. And what is it with me and Panerai, that I can pull off first a 44mm ginormous watch, and then the chicken-house 47mm??? Or am I foolin' myself? Be honest, please. P.S.: My mother looked at it and said, wow, that looks great on you, which I had to agree. Maybe it's my long fingers, and generally dainty look which doesn't make me look like a lorry driver wearing a walkie-talkie on her wrist?

Who doesn't know the VB series, KEN!?!? Well, if you like cricket, which most North Americans do not...shame, shame. It's a beautiful game. Mind you, so is baseball, so we all win, yay! P.S.: Trying to keep it light guys, today. Not posting much since I'm licking my wounds. PayPal funds pending with the member, so all is well along those lines, but the disappointment lingers this rainy Sunday. Anyway, will be back bright-eyed and bushy-tailed on other threads tomorrow. And don't worry, Lanikai. I would never walk out looking like Bozo the Clownette. Pics to follow, crappy sapphire and all. P.P.S.: I really dislike "VB" as a rule. Victoria is so lovely, feminine, yet commanding, and Vic or Vicky is lovingly warm. Mind you, VB the beer is excellent, though I'm a Tres Equis girl myself.

Ahh, but factor in the watchmaker's fees, and shipping and handling...rather just get a new Fiddy. When I'm a little more advanced, and can take apart my watches, that should be more of an option. Right now, every time I put on a new strap on my watch, I feel like Abraham Louis Breguet himself.

At least it didn't happen in the middle of a restaurant, like with another member! That's not as callous as it sounds! Or is it... *g* Yeah. The sound is just very different from my father's 007 and the other sapphire rep watches I have. When Andrew quoted the replacement price, I was gobsmacked. So much? He replied, it's domed, Vic. And so it is. After posting this, I coincidentally saw a thread on this very topic on RWI -- is the sapphire in watch crystals really sapphire? You can read the very scientific reply given there. Again, would love to go with Davidsen, but will probably stick to the collector I have in mind in order to take advantage of a package being sent Monday. At least this happened before then... Very nice watch by the way. The Fiddy is a rockstar.

Blimey. That is bad news. By the way, I am in contact with Andrew about this. I think he originally thought I was blaming him or wanted a refund from him. *g* I assured him that it wasn't his fault at all. Just wanted some info about the crystal replacement. As me old Scottish grannie used to say, "Aye". (Actually, she would never have said that, but it sounds good on paper) I would like to, but cannot afford him despite the fantabulous quality. Also, I want to piggyback on an shipping order I have with a dealer, so will probably buy one with him... Hey, Cornerstone, thanks too. So very much. You know, it's funny. My recoup time in 'disappointment' is much much better than the first disastrous Paul mini-Fiddy, under a month ago. Then, I was devastated. It sounds silly, I know, but I'm human. Though I am still so very sad now, I'm better just one hour from when I posted this. I realised that there is a solution, be it refund, or what have you. And as for the Fiddy, there'll be others. Shame, because the Fiddy which looks SO BAD on so many butch guys, looked fabulous on my dainty wrist when I put it on, cracked sapphire and all.

BABOLA! I didn't see your comprehensive, and wonderful reply until now. Boy, did I wish I had... I would go for that too, but for the fact that I've bought so much, so soon. I'm like a crack junky on speed and acid and some peyote thrown in. Ah well. The 005 is obviously going to have to take a backseat for now. Thanks again!