Victoria

Not if the USA wishes to stay competitive with the Chinese. I know it sucks for our hobbies, and for travel, etc. but this is really key to the US economy. As ever, thanks for the info this post elicited, Ryyannon. Can you believe I still have my old Lloyds bank account, and haven't made at least inquiries like yours, in all these years?

FIVE accounts? Crikey. Oh, just checked, including A. Kahlert, who so many people welcomed so cordially. When I read his intro post, I WAS going to say something chippy like "Not another one", since his syntax reminded one of this Manzen creep. But it would've been very rude to a stranger. Perhaps sometimes it's apposite to be rude...

I knew you'd say something of the sort. Almost all my OEMs are 115/95, such as my OEM rubber diver. It took me AGES to find a JV strap of that size -- due to the fact that even the OEM buckles give me a powerful nickel allergy chafing under my wrist. To the side, not so much. If I'm spending that kind of money, I might as well get one I'll actually use in comfort. Thanks.

According to V, Don's doesn't. http://rlx.homestead.com/don6.html

Revealing a PM or any kind of personal communication publicly without a person's consent is, IMO, the worst thing a person can do online. But since Herr Manzen is on a time-out, and hardly an elegant person at the best of times, perhaps Mods would be interested in knowing he's not taking this seriously. Here is his charming little Valentine to me: "was willst du machen,du bist doch die voll F*TZE" I won't translate, but he uses the equivalent of the c-word in English to address a lady. Nuff said. EDIT: Ahh. A duplicate account? ...the clot thickens.

Hey now. If this thread has revealed ANYTHING is that us replica people aren't exactly hurtin' for money.

Once an Ar$e always an Ar$e. @Shundi: Another well-reasoned reply, thanks for taking this out of the dregs above. I have to say that I'd be shocked if Bonati earned anything less than $3m Euro per year though. Even with incentives.

Ironically, the kind of politics Mr. Cohen has tends leftwards. And VWs are very popular amongst the granola bar-Birkenstock-treehugging crowd. I never understood that. (Don't worry, I'll be just as naughty in my description, about wingnuts one day) A fair point. I'm surprised some timepiece company hasn't used him as their spokesman yet. I notice he is much more into watches since his sojourn at Real and definitely at the LA Galaxy -- two cities which are watch MECCAS. *tease* Yes, well, we all know about Arsenal players and their "tastes", hello Mr. Dennis Bergkamp and Sol Campbell. (Yes, I'm still bitter about Sol) @Kruzer00 and T: Marvellous replies. One full of careful reasoning, the other the same which made me laugh regarding the Casio. Now THAT would be a challenge.

Possibly. The Risti post "disappeared". Either Guy doesn't want people talking of this, because it's true, but embarrassing to Panerai -- or it really was a hoax. Well, sometimes moves are also about challenges. When you're a Metrosexual, anything is possible.

Don't feel bad, Demon. Even Orthodox Jews are allowed to break Sabbath laws if it's a necessity. Religion is there to guide, not to stifle, as a rabbi once told me. No Kevlar, eh? Tricky, tricky. I'm guessing the rubber diver strap is not to your taste either? I would say go to Internationalwatchman's unusual hide section, and have a peak. http://www.internationalwatchman.com/exotic.html Strapcode/Taikonaut have cheapish straps, which seem like synthetics, so you're all right there. http://www.strapcode.com/ Other options which are EU-based at that, are ABP and Camille Fournet. http://www.abp-paris.com/watchbands_creati...rid=7&cid=1 http://www.camillefournet.com/ Exotics seem the way to go. You can ask for a special backing which is not leather-bound.

TT, he'll never understand this. Allow the daughter of a German mother to translate this so there are no problems: "By RWG your Insults not welcome are For 30 Days Klappe Must return freundly be If not, typisch, soo bl

Tobal, welcome to RWG. My darling, I have to tell you -- you couldn't have chosen a less auspicious way of posting on the forum if you tried. This is the kind of post the forum gets ALL the time here. It is usually ignored, or even lightly flamed. Each forum has its way of handling things, but newbies with one post are usually told: 1- Hit the Search button a lot 2- Research what is out there 3- Go to the Panerai forum and read and read and read for hours 4- After you've read and researched, if you still have questions, then post 5- Be sure you are specific about your tastes One more suggestion, check out the "Wristcheck" threads. They are found in the General Discussion area, and are easy to spot as they have "5 stars" on them. That's how I, when newbie, chose my first PAM. Good luck! P.S.: It's usual for people to start with a 111 or 112. It's a rite of PAM passage. But hey.

Careful, Jack. An uncle of mine collected Purdey shotguns, but apparently had some "dummies" made for display. His house in Henley was burgled, and the thieves were so angered that their haul was not as costly as they thought -- that they came back and vandalised his whole home. My cousin Kate was seconds away from God knows what, as she was coming up the drive as they left. (If you remember the final episode of the Good Life/Good Neighbours, the very same thing. Was big in the hooligan-70s) I'm sure you guys have formed a Neighbourhood Watch by now -- Americans always seem to have those stickers on their windows -- but I'd keep your rosewood box out of sight for now.

Not for nothing, Doc, are straps referred to as "shoes" when posting them. "My 127 gets new shoes!" etc. And I'll bet these'll last you longer too.

Ooh, this? http://www.panatime.com/2411nykst5mm.html

Absolutely. Just curious -- how much do you think Bonati makes at Panerai? Also, I'm sure they're banking on Bonati transforming the U-Boat marque into "another" Panerai... ...since apparently, David can't popularise it, like Sly could PAMs. Say what you want about Stallone, but he honoured the marque, as much as made it fashionable. I don't think Beckham can even spell "watch". (I like him, actually, but come on, he's a fashionista bird brain) And just to say that Richard Cohen's scathing judgementalism on U-Boat timepiece owners was MORE than a little redolent of Mr. Ward Churchill. You remember him: the ex-U of Colorado prof who called Twin Tower workers "Little Eichmanns".

According to reports I've read here and there, the driving force behind the Panerai explosion, Angelo Bonati, Panerai's CEO since 1997 is leaving for the Italo Fontana "U-Boat" company. http://www.uboatwatch.it/main.html Departure date is apparently set for the rather inauspicious April Fool's Day, 2008. Oh Mr. Bonati, how can you leave this... For this? Or, in other words, from Sylvester Stallone to David Beckham. EDIT BEFORE POSTING: Here is an article on Slate by Richard Cohen slating the U-Boat marque as evocative of Hitler's plaything... http://www.slate.com/id/2155600/pagenum/2 Mr. Hitler, Do You Have the Time? The despicable U-Boat watch: "Clearly, I am some sort of fuddy-duddy. The U-Boat watch, created by Italo Fontana, apparently sells well enough for it to go for almost $3,000. But, just as clearly, the name resonates with the people who buy the watch

A strapmaker was commenting to me the other day, how he is always low-balled by gen Panerai owners, for his straps. He said something like, "They can afford a $5000-$7000 watch but want to haggle about a $200 strap??". I said, it's true, makes no sense, but that also a lot of middle-class people who scrimp and save for a gen PAM, SIMPLY CANNOT afford a $200 strap. I didn't say that sometimes even when you can, spending $200-$400 for a strap is really obscene. I hope my parents never find my bank statement for my Jules Verne...

Not every day you hear this kind of thing, Demon, especially in today's anti-religious climate, and therefore -- magnificent. Strap King Dluddy gave you my suggestion too: the Kevlar strap. But I suggest getting it from Angus of Pure Time, for $95 shipped. Comes with this super duper buckle! You can go to his section here, on RWG and check it out. It's a sticky.

I gave you a Gold Star at first, thinking this was invaluable if slightly dodgy info. I mean, wouldn't car theft be astronomical if that tip were true? And then I input the *#06# thingie. Nada. That's when I gave you a funny. @Phaedo: I have a Nokia, and the 4th didn't work. Could I be doing something wrong?

Thanks, Robb! I am getting raves on Repgeeks too. Very happy. Just for you, an extra Wristcheck! And with special thanks to Predfan and Pugwash for the NATO inspiration.

Some interesting screencaptures, for you all. There's a whole village in China, where everyone copies Great Masters all day. This "Van Gogh" is sold by the painter for a whole U$1... The producer must know how difficult it is to get a good Lange rep. An ex-Burberry Welsh factory worker, who now keeps pigeons. The Burberry flat cap is the only legit item in the whole documentary. Shop steward wearing a Paul Newman Daytona rep? And wouldn't it be funny if this Chinese Anti-Counterfeiter detective were wearing an Omega Broadarrow rep? This however, ISN'T funny at all. The infamous Durex condom with "holes" going to Africa. :thumbdown: I hope you guys have some thoughts to share after watching this. I do, but I'll be back after dinner to post them. It was a most interesting documentary. Thanks, Demon and Confused69u!

FRIDAY Ladies and gentlemen, the OEM Jules Verne Alligator Nubuck, on the DSN 113! My mother is a hard lady to please -- but even she was impressed. "That's the best strap you ever bought". Deep inside my Louis Vuitton Cabas Clear Ambre Monogramme Mezzo Tote. Mother and Daughter, stylin'. SATURDAY That JV strap is hard to top, but I think I did it below. Presenting my new Silix Daytona with silver registers!! Gorgeous pointy crown guards! I know it's not as good as Freddy's, Ubi's or By-Tor's, but by golly, for 37 Euro, this PLAYS. HOT. SUNDAY Hey, what's this? A NATO strap on the Silix Rolex Explorer? Ka-ching! ...sorry I'm a bit late posting, but hope this Wristcheck was worth waiting for! HAGWE!

This is Davidsen's 127, and just peeping to the side, is his 112 again. I dunno...A`s look good to me. EDIT: Two more. Davidsen 232. Davidsen 113. ...just for the sake of thread reference.