Victoria

That sounds good! You know how you can tell? The Europelli Baseball strap has a spongey look and feel to it, like this one. Also, by the shape of the holes. In case you don't want to go the OEM route, Oker, here is Peepshow's suggestion. And below that, my alternative. http://www.europelli.com/VitelloSeries.html https://www.manifatturefirenze.it/home.php/...tcat/39/idart/1 A kiss! From Oker.

And I even tried to debase myself to make sure you understood where I was coming from, Abat! Boo, you suck. @Ryyannon: Actually, you know, that's one of the reasons I believe in God. It keeps me humble...

Remember Bob Ross?! He was AWESOME, always made me happy. I couldn't find one of his trademark "Let's put in a happy cloud" Youtube video, but here is one in his memory. Trippy! He would've loved it.

Meh, that's an honest reaction but not the one I hoped for, Abat! This will come out the wrong way, but you know what you describe is ignorance not stupidity. There is a cure for ignorance (knowledge). There is no cure for stupidity. I didn't quote that from anyone. It's one of my own. Things Victoria is ignorant about: Cars Cookery Music Television Shows like Seinfeld, Friends, Coronation Street MANY other things Just to put it into context.

Ahem.

They can be, but not exclusively. The majority of Panerai watches come with a calf strap, in either tan or black.

I once likened bloggers to 18th century pamphleteers, wondering if we'll find a Th.omas Paine amongst them. I think so. Did he invent formaldehyde too? One of the commenters at a site said that s/he didn't recognise more than half the names, so though these are mostly "popular" intellectual choices (Orhan Pamuk, Christopher Hitchens, Th.omas Friedmann, Gary Kasparov, heh God), and not "real" ones, they are still esoteric enough for most people. Since this site is about cheating the system, I'd be remiss not to give you this link: http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/intellectuals/ Vote early, vote often!

Here's another wrinkle. It didn't happen to me (yet), but I heard of one case where FedEx issued you a tax statement, AFTER delivering her strap to you. So you could be down another $30-$60 for VAT, or whatever. This is why, my dear Mj, I buy her straps second-hand, albeit at 99%-100% condition. I've only twice bought from her directly, and then only during her sales in the Risti Acc. Corner ($160 shipped). Unfortunately, these are very rare.

Nice choice. She's very young too. (I have a Six Degrees of Separation to her, to boot) :lol: Only living intellectuals, else I'm going to write-in Jean-Fran

Oh, hello! I thought that was the link mentioned above. Is the Wiki entry, to which I contributed, only for Supporting members or for everyone? Sorry for the confusion.

"Risti" Accessories Corner. hxxp://www.network54.com/Forum/353393/ Exed out because there can be no link from them to us, ever. The original 5218-218/A had a PVD coated buckle, but it's difficult to find OEM straps sold in combination with the buckle (especially this kind). You can post a Want to Buy (WTB) post there, if necessary. Sans buckle, be prepared to pay anywhere from $80 to $150 (average $110) for a normal black OEM PAM strap, from 90%-100% condition. BTW, not to rain on your parade, but many Panerai owners don't like the OEM straps. That's why they're often available.

I got three Simona straps in the post during my holiday, and I'm currently wearing her Vintage tan. The smell is amazing. I've heard from other renowned members that her stitchwork is sub-par, her holes are crooked, etc. but I do have to tell you -- I'm getting very sweet on her straps. The Anticata is a masterpiece. What is your opinion of them? (Someone had a .sig here in praise of Simona's straps, but I forget who) ADDED: This I believe is fellow member, Q's shot of his Vintage Tan on a gen 005. I'll remove it if the member disapproves.

Wrong thread, I fancy.

If I may dare a suggestion to Mods: The glossary is actually a very important part of rep watches. As you all know, I contributed a lot of time and effort compiling it, as did others. But I personally did so for the newbies, who are often in the most earnest need of it. Though this was solicited in the Supporter Area, and I knew full well it was intended for Supporters only, I urge you to make it public instead of "pay". If I were a newbie, that single-handedly would ENCOURAGE me to upgrade. Thanks either way.

This is what frightens me. That I may go to an unscrupulous AD and purchase a fake for $$$. I hope to count with your eyes, guys, when I buy my gen...I'm posting copious photos on RWG. Asad, I'm sorry if you got taken.

Oh no! I genuinely thought Asad was just winding the experts up. Kind of like "test your knowledge of reps". Asad, if that's true, don't darling...that's bad news for everyone.

The Foreign Policy (Prospect) magazine are conducting their "Top 5 Public Intellectuals" poll. I thought RWG might get a kick out of seeing who these people consider intellectuals... http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php...d=4262#criteria If forced to choose, of those offered, I'd select: 1. J

What a treasure you and Sssurfer are, PAMman. One can only hope to have your eye and knowledge about Panerai reps. So why don't they? Seriously, they would make a heck of a lot more money, than concentrating on Breitlings and IWC. The market for Panerai is insatiable, so it's a deep mystery to us all. @TK471: Thanks for posting pics of your real gen! I still want the 005, but the base 000 is beginning to look mighty scrumptious.

In all the time I have bought from David, using his EMS service, the latest a package has arrived is 7 days. Usually I get it within 3-5. Only Jay/Silix' service is faster from China. I agree with Cheezus. Be sure it's not stuck in Customs, or in the airport depot -- as unusual as either of those situations are in the US. @55evp: Oh it's not SHIPPED yet?? Then don't worry about it. Really.

Hehe. Cheezus. In honour of the Pope's pronunciation of Jesus, no doubt. That's how people from Chermany say it.

I used to think criticising Metrosexuality was a class thing. You know, big burly blue-collar guys making fun of effeminate city-boys. In fact, Metrosexuality (one of those odious terms invented by the media) is enabling men who previously never considered good grooming a part of their lives, of all backgrounds. The more ridiculous manifestations, like Beckham's Sarongs, sometimes obscure the fact that careful grooming and wanting to look good also means guys will want nice watches. That's good for our hobby. Lovely. One of my favourite of your pictured lady friends. I was being fabulous on the pistes of Austria. Alone. @Freddy below: Enjoying the snow in Canada. Ever tried to convince a guy from Canada to go on holiday in the snow?

Anyone know how Rob is doing these days? Did he post anything after all the auctions were over? I could IM, but I don't want to disturb him.

Any moment now, someone is going to point out Freddy's huge vagina. P.S.: Every woman would give their eyeteeth for a straight guy like Freddy. I know I would.

Not that I disagree entirely. But once you've seen and held a Davidsen watch, especially next to other PAM reps, there is no contest. It looks and FEELS much more finished. Again, it's about accuracy versus quality. Since I am not trying to fool PAM experts, I go for the quality -- which then translates into confidence in wearing it. That's a Davidsen watch for me. P.S.: Only once did I get a semblence of that feeling, in a non-DSN. It was an Eddie Lee Fiddy.

Since you lived in Slovenia, and Austria is close by, maybe you can comment Laz. I noticed that Central European men are not into big watches at all. The biggest watch I saw there and in Hungary was a regular Rolex. Yes, I did see a Panerai, but that was on an American tourist's wrist. One waiter at a Salzburg restaurant complimented me on my "Luminox" (it was actually not a Panerai!) so I'm not suggesting they are totally unaware of the marque. It's not that. But there are some trends that may seem like they're disappearing, but I rather think they never actually hit the big time in certain places.