Victoria

Oh my God, Rolli. That just reminds me how much I wanted a destro. Now I don't have the money. You mean...? Oh, oh right. Never mind. Bad thoughts, bad girl.

Takes all kinds of tastes in life, incredible though -- I'm of the complete opposite opinion, admittedly through very limited experience. Ooh, mottled brown, very rough and ready. That and V's Simona are very very interesting to me. If the Fiddy goes to that certain someone, it would be this one above for him, or if he doesn't like it (too big), I may buy the Simona for me. Don straps, must try that one too. And FxrAndy, check out what a guy did using the process you described: He told me he got a cheap strap here: http://85.214.41.166/shop2/index.php?user=...=1&target=1 And then explained more or less what you did, to get that effect when I receive the strap. Only he said to dab it with bleach, rather than to immerse it in it. What do you think? Either way, thanks guys for all the great strap ideas!

FxrAndy, those standard issue rep straps look SWEET. Especially the one on the Fiddy. Nothing like it seems I'm getting: That looks a little more like a standard, vomit-projectile producing rep strap. Thank God I have Elliot's Big Balls today.

LOL! I hadn't noticed that until you pointed it out. Here's my chance to ask though: Do you guys know the correct terminology for each strap side? It just can't be "the longer piece" and "the one with the buckle", as I call them.

115/75 as usual. Been dealing with Markus, and it's been the only other deployant strap I have bought, other than a cheapo waterproofed one, that oddly, I feel is the same quality as the 3x more expensive Europelli! Looks the same too. Black with khaki stitches. Gosh, I hadn't thought of that! I am so used to receiving packages from my relatives in Germany without probs (they used to send me Fa soap, before it came to the US). Exotic hides...hmm, there goes my other orders along those lines from him. Can't risk it. Ostrich, as you say, should be okay but I have a gut feeling they must've seized it just the same. Well over a month now.

Back when I was the newbiest newbie, in that unfurtunate Gavin Newsom/Gay Pride Parade thread, someone told me much the same thing. I was offended and a little hurt, I admit. I felt as if a rich guy had pulled up in a Rolls Royce and waved a wad of bills to me, as a homeless person, saying that I was just a drain on society, and that I stink. Don't worry, FxrAndy. I know you and know you are not that type of person. But one month later, and now, I think I'd like to say something if I may. A MESSAGE TO MY FELLOW NEWBIES WHO ARE HESITATING TO DONATE Guys, it's one thing to come here once in a while, get info, and leave, never coming back. But if you like what you see, especially the level of expertise these people are offer you, which will save you TIME and MONEY as they did with me, THEN GIVE WHATEVER YOU CAN. Give $10, $20, the VIP upgrade $30 if you want. MORE if your circumstances permit. Believe me, you won't regret it. This is a great place, and it's not fair when someone is flat out asking you for help, not to give at least at little something. All people are welcome here; newbies, collectors, even people who don't contribute. This lot make you feel at home. Look at me, I'm living proof! But when Admin has to take money out of his pocket to keep this place going, that isn't right, so do the right thing. Newbies, don't let us down. Old-timers, you know the drill. Come on now. DONATE PLEASE! If you can't give today, so Admin can pay the bill which comes due in the forthcoming HOURS, then at least post your intent to, and keep the forum informed when you do. Call it good karma, call it taking one for the team, call it responsibility, but just dial in the payment please! We all win!

They also grow up resenting their father's tastes, from musical to political to watches. *g* But yes, I know what you mean. It also reminds me a little of what they said about our generation: My Boomer parents grew up appreciating everything French, from wine, to clothes, to general culture. But the pendulum has swung towards Italy for my (late) fellow Gen X'ers. Instead of Chanel and Dior, it's Armani and Versace, and so on down the taste line. For Boomers, the Rolex was the top dog but I personally appreciate the Omega more. That's certainly the case within my set of friends, as highlighted by this fellow (not to imply he's a friend! Hehe). TeeJay concurred, and he's a little younger than I am. Be done with it! Perish the thought, By-Tor. You'll just start a whole 'nuther obsession by then. I see Panerai holds no interest for you though... @V: You have extraordinary taste in straps, V. You NEVER EVER put a foot wrong. Like Corpsman, I want to know where you got that Metta strap... @ fellow SoFloridian, ssabripo: BEAUTIFUL PO! You just made me love the purchase I made, sight practically unseen. Ditto Corpsman. @guy with the guitar: you rock!

Wow. And the brown one is not far behind! Actually, I'm pleasantly surprised by the quality of the Toscanas. They're Elliots cheapest straps if you will, but I even like his distressed Toscana -- which usually I wouldn't because I'm not into shabby-chic anything. Thanks so much, Lazi baby!

I actually paid through the nose for that used Europelli, but I'm not complaining! I saw what I was getting, and made a judgement call, is all. Yes, it was the Europelli cordovan in black with tan stitch. Not a patch, and I mean not a PATCH on the GeF cordovan marrone which I adore. But I don't see myself selling it because (a) I wouldn't get the price I paid for it back ( I'm sentimental about my gear. You'll be the first to know, if I do, though DTTH!

It's not that. I have 6 MPs already. I'm just not willing to spend that all over again... The problem is that I'm still waiting (more than one month...) for Markus' Bob straps from WACCEX. He too is kindness itself, and we have been emailing each other about this. I'm totally okay with waiting, but I refuse to buy further Bobs from his site if I don't have timely and proper delivery of that first one (the ostrich). We'll see.

SSsurfer, as ever lanikai, and you deltatahoe, thanks so much for all the info. I've digested it, and here's the deal: 1) This Fiddy may actually be for a certain someone...but shh! Because he sometimes reads the forum, capiche? 2) Elliot has another BIG BALLS special going on you know where, for just a few hours more, and I went for the the THIRD TIER! Let's hope we all get PAVs, and this will solve the Fiddy strap problem. 3) I got an Europelli from another member, and though he was kindness itself, I wasn't impressed at all with the quality, as compared to the Mario Pacis and the very very underrated GeFs. No offence meant though. Takes all tastes. But...God, I am in such deep doodoo moneywise now. One month of rep collecting has wiped me out. I have NOTHING left. Zip, nada. Seriously, thank goodness Admin sorted the VIP thingie today, because one more day, and I would've seemed like such a two-faced leech, not being able to keep my promise to upgrade. Whew, Stephane... P.S.: SSSurfer, I loved your translation! Grazie tanti.

I just got my last PAM, the Fiddy. Now the question is, what am I going to do for straps? I can't use the 24mm for the 26mm lugs, but there's no way I will be spending all that money all over again for straps for just one piece. So, question: I think someone told me that there is a "converter" or some gadget that one can use to be able to wear 24mm straps on the gigantesque Fiddy. True or false? Link, if true? Does anyone have a Fiddy and a 24mm strap that they can post together here, so I can get a visual of how awful that combination would look? TIA!

Admin, just so that I'm crystal about this, my donation was the VIP upgrade right? Don't worry, I shall be donating more in future, in short order, but that was my intent.

The good news is that you're going to get your watch. But with all due respect to Paul, I notice that his comms/customer service have been deteriorating to almost unacceptable levels of late. The penultimate time I ordered from him, he or his staff member must've given me some bogus tracking number because every time I kept checking it on EMS, it was still in Guangzhou's sorting centre. Suddenly, his package arrived (in very good time, one week) and it STILL said on EMS that the package was in China. USPS' site too, obviously. I've broached this topic of slowing down of customer service with him, but he's given me the silent treatment ever since I complained about the crown guard, so cableguy -- just know that the "no shipping" bait does come with strings attached. And they're enough to hang you at times...

I'm sorry to all the gun haters out there, but this combo is pure hotness. I love watches, and I love guns of all shapes & sizes. The two together for me are what it must be like to be a man, and watch Jessica Alba get slowly undressed. Corrr! Has there been a gun-rep watch thread on RWG already? I usually perform a "search" before asking questions, so that I don't get yelled at, but what the hay.

DUDE! You don't take PayPal. I would've been your best customer by now, if you did. Well, I admit that I like to be babied a bit and have fast comms, so perhaps it's just as well. BTW, I believe I done founded the watchamacallit. Is this it? http://www.watchesplanet.com/cgi-bin/shop...._detail_WP3.htm Seriously, Neil, very lovely watch. Hope watch and strap find a nice home.

Get out of here, Neil! You're really the late Lord Lichfield, aren't you? Gorgeous pics, even more gorgeous watch. I'd bareknuckle fight you for the strap.

GASP! Stunning, V, simply stunning. I am soo glad I listened to you, and didn't get a Crazy Horse hommage with black stitch. You are right. Yellow on this gorgeous Greek hide, well, pure class. I also like the thought that I carry a little piece of Hellas whenever I wear it, now. THANKS!

Thanks, Ken! Just wanted to motivate people, but my gut instinct was right. I am guessing when our overworked Admin gets around to it, I shall have VIP powers, and then RWG will see! EDIT POWERS!

My Confirmation Number: Not a good idea. (Please delete if this is not allowed...) You go girl Ken

In a watch forum, we're never that far away from handjobs. Spice up your world! Every boy and every girl! Panerai, hi-gh see you all right! An ugly-pretty watch, the Luminox. I can see it coming handy for underwater ops, but you'd stand out like a beacon in Afghanistan...

Oh, bless me, no. He was still limping, and came in for the last 15 minutes of the match just for, as they say in Spain, an "ol

I am going to ask a question I've been dying to, but don't kill me, By-Tor! Do you prefer your Omegas or Rolexes better?

Might be gone most of Monday, and this is my favourite RWG thread series. Don't want to miss out! MONDAY: Since it's raining kittens in SoFla, the never-worn before silicone Panerai strap from Andrew on the PAM 111h. TUESDAY: At the spa last week, waiting for my manicure, reading W's feature on Posh & Becks. PAM 118/PAV 91. Fetch! ...thinking of getting a Greg Stevens Crazy Horse with black stitch for my new Lion Purdey PAM. Thoughts? Too butch for me? He's advertising them on Paneristi, before apparently raising prices this September...........thanks to Laz for the heads up.