Victoria

I wouldn't flame u Mademoiselle.

Because you are a demoiselle

Mais pas une d'Avignon!

and because you stated you would become VIP asap

It's raining and boring where I am, so I decided to go to the Dark Side today, to see what they had on sale. The atmosphere is GOOD, but it's not like this place. It's more sophistikated here...

Anyway, I posted on a few threads since I donated a LITTLE something to become VIP there. But I'm even thinking of donating more than $30 here, when we finally get that sorted out. If my funds haven't completed depleted themselves buying straps...

Fred, thanks for asking the n00b question I've longed to ask but was too shy too (I was scared of Stephane! Before he found mercy in his heart).

I take it you bought this from Josh? He had it for $108 shipped, and I sure would like to buy one but hesitated before getting this knowledge.

Thanks to all who answered.

There are the "Size matters" collections - RobertK and Tanfangilo come to mind.

There are the "Quality over Quantity" collections - TTK, Ubi, Richard and Euno come to mind.

There are the "Franken" Collections - Ubi, Ollie, Freddie and Saabin come to mind.

There are the Panerai "Straps Make the watch" collections - V and Rolli come to mind.

There are the "Pictures to die for" collections - TTK, By-Tor, Bazz and Puggy come to mind.

Comprehensive, as so far as I can see, a very true reply, dluddy. I was going to mention V and his straps in my intro post too.

Can we have a subcategory in this category of "admire-taste" thread? Which response do you admire most?

:X that's not a good sign if PAMs are that instantly recognizable to someone gay..

it means there's more truth to this than i'd like to believe

maybe it is a gay sign.. like wearing an earring on your right ear, that sort of thing.. or a thumb ring for lesb's..

damn, Panerai = gay signal

This is weird. I consider myself in the know, but perhaps I'm naive still. I never knew about the lesbiab-thumb ring thing. Hmm, I must pay attention now, since I thought it was a mere general fad, like tattoos and piercings.

By the way, so what? It's not a "signal" or a "secret code" to wear a Panerai watch, to announce you're gay, but even if it were I repeat, so what?

If you get that vibe from a man, just pipe up about your wife, or girlfriend, or mention how you'd like to lick the ginormous knockers on the female bartender in the club. They'll get the hint right enough.

I'm sure you're not juvenile enough to care about that, if you meant it seriously and not as I took it, with humour, but just on the off-chance there is SOMEONE, ANYONE here who is rethinking getting a PAM because of this "signal" thingie, that's [censored].

Wear what you like, and wear it well. And for God's sakes, get it modded.

You don't want to be the only gay guy in the bath house with bad lume.

V,

The Nixons somehow feel like wannabe watches. Just can't get into them at all. Here's the disaster they tried to push on me: http://www.streetmachine.dk/news/1172665820.jpg . Reminds me of a Miami art deco piece in the early 70s... like something in the Woody Allen movie, Sleeper. Don't much care for the one you showed me either. Just not my style.

YES! On all similes. Especially the Orgasmatron reference (I'm sure that's what you meant, ahem).

But call me crazy, not that you don't already, but I rather like the look of that watch they showed you. Oh, I wouldn't buy it. But I sense potential in it, and in the company, if they get their act together and stop pandering to the cool snowboard crowd only.

APs... thanks for the compliment on taste, but I'm the kind of guy who will wear a black Metallica T-shirt with my AP LOL.

Anyway, first time I saw Euno and Ubi going nuts over the Genta designs I just didn't get it either. Like everyone here says, they seem to be an acquired taste, like the PP Jumbo. To some, they at the top of the Most Wanted list of the Fashion Police, but to others they are the ultimate classics. There's a dichotomy with their designs because they're clearly dated on the one hand, and timeless on the other. Just wish we could go back in time and make the AP Jumbo a bit larger...

I'm just concerned that all of us with our Jumbos this, and PAMs that will look awful in 5 years, when spaghetti-thin Guccis make a comeback.

I don't care either way, and I love my PAMs, but also, I wouldn't be wearing a bouffant hairstyle today, either. Some things just don't date well.

(And let's hope Kollektor, that you still don't have a mullet... )

Well ..... I thgough it over.

There are two collections that I like more than mine.

Trustys and Joshuas ...... they have a huge collection

Hardy-dee-har, AMK000!

And all of you male members fail in this very simple test. Not one person mentioned MY collection. Don't you know when a woman asks a question, you're supposed to compliment her, regardless of the truth?? Sheesh, what aren't you guys married??

Hehe.

P.S.: I just made a small contribution over at The Dark Side, and I feel awful. This is my "home" if you will, for reps, not there. If their PayPal is working, why can't ours be?? I want to support US, pfff.

Anyways... If you're looking to build a project, budget for both money AND time! Set some acceptable price ranges/figures for what you feel comfortable spending per part, and keep an eye out for those items (buying what meets your criteria at that given time). Keep focus on your goal, and you'll find yourself at the end of it; maybe sooner, maybe later

Good words, Ubi.

Interestingly, I have found that when you have a hobby, any hobby, money comes. I don't know how that is, but I've noticed that true with collectors from antiques, to Beanie Babies...

Maybe there's some rep hobby karma god out there? And if so, can we call him Apu?

Hmmm, Madame V.

Not even you, Stephane! Mademoiselle, as yet, please!

Hard choice as I see many members with tastes close enough to mine.

At the end of the day, don't we compare to our own tastes ? Yes of course.

I think Pug is the one having the closest taste to mine.

But his IWCs, on me? Never. That doesn't prevent me from admiring his taste, and general demeanour which SHOWS even through this blasted internet medium thingie.

Stephane

For the record, your collection and posting attitude is my next favourite, followed by By-Tor. In each case, you chaps wear watches that I could never see myself wearing (unlike Pix' watches, some of which I have, like his Vacheron Constantin!).

The true mark of admiration is separating yourself from the object of your esteem.

If you still like what the person represents, even if you couldn't/wouldn't want to copy it, that's true admiration. IMHO, of course.

Come now, not all, but most good-looking men have their sexuality questioned at one time or another. Beckham is fortunate enough to have his little affairs with maids and models plastered all over the tabloids.

And as I mentioned in another thread, Cristiano Ronaldo was accused of raping a girl. Now, rape isn't a normal sexual expression, since it's not about sex, it's about power. And to me, rape by a man suggests deep-seated misogyny, so...

And not all planned photos are that fortunate either:

Very brokeback mountain'esque

The diff for me is that Beckham LOVES his metrosexuality, and in a documentary the BBC did of the Beckhams (or was it C4?), he was seen going around in his kitchen, being teased by his wife, saying, "I'm a gay icon, I'm a gay icon".

He's aware of it, and perfectly fine with being liked by gay men. See, he's a modern guy. Maybe a little too modern for my taste, but that's fine if he's comfortable with it.

But with Cristiano Ronaldo, one gets the impression that if someone told him that gay men loved him, or hinted to him that perhaps his look is gay, he'd punch someone in the nose.

Edit: Jesus.. Speaking of hairstyles.. I just noticed that's exactly how I had mine done today! .......

Heh. Seriously?

I like mine.

You show me yours, and I'll show you mine!

... yes, this will take a while.

Not another one... FYI, the Boner Bowl was won by Cialis.

After perusing wrist-checks, and reading posts, I have come to the conclusion that I love certain posters TASTE in watches, etc.

At times, it could be because of a watch I think looks classy, or a strap I covet, or a certain aura they project in general. But definitely I'd love to compliment them, overall, just never had the right occasion to.

Until now.

EUNOMIANS

Example: http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?s=&amp...st&p=285167

A fine eye for detail; always quality over quantity; and with a simple, RESTRAINED elegance (restraint is not modern man's fort

see link here.

The infamous CertiDato...God, how some people are lowlife scum.

Thanks for the keen eye, wheaton26.

Hey V-

Why wouldn't you walk into the Worth Avenue Tourneau with Reps on? I do all the time. And they ooh and aah.

Wow, really? My mother was the first one in the family with a rep (Rolex DJ no bling), and though she's the type of person to make OTHERS feel 1 inch tall, they spotted the fake just like that. She was fine, but I would've been mortified.

Mind, this was in the late '90s, when reps were more shall we say, Cro-Magnon.

Still wearing this old thing because I've been waiting on a shipment from Silix and Trustytime...is a month normal? It's never taken this long

Jay has only recently gone back to being a full-time seller, in the past month he posted here once. So maybe he's playing catch-up. It is Andrew who I notice is slower than usual (it was in the beginning 3-5 days, China to USA, which is astounding. Now it's 2/3 weeks).

So hang in there. Andrew did tell me that his staff had to get on EMS' case recently.

David Beckham has a special place in sports.. Cristiano Ronaldo is getting there, but there are not many athletes that can match Becks' status as a sports icon, at least not in Europe.

This C-Ron reference reminds me of of By-Tor's post.

I agree with that, Ape, but the prob is that Beckham is pure man. He's a new breed of man, who can wear a FREAKING sarong, and still not make you question his sexuality, unlike Jagger, Bowie, and all his precursor British "pop" stars.

Cristiano Ronaldo...well, despite my defence of him not being gay, that boy just screams effeminate gay. And boys looking for heroes to emulate just don't respond to that. He's a great player yes, but then there's this:

Pearls and a man-purse TOGETHER. Christ almighty...

Flappers never really made it to the 1930s as the lifestyle didn't survive the great depression. Besides, the amount of flapper culture (particularly language) that is still with us is an enormous legacy.

Gee, that's a swell way of making look lousy, bub! Especially since I think you're the bees knees! I have to go and hide now, 23 skiddoo!

If Posh N' Becks have the same impact as the flappers, it'll be an incredible personal achievement - but let's be honest, it's not going to happen.

But I always said that Beckham would one day end up in Hollywood, and there we have it. He's just one starring role away from Ocean's 14 to make the big time.

Have to work on that Mickey Mouse voice first, though...

I think perchance you're underplaying the cultural significance of the flappers.

LOL!

VB,

You have great taste in straps

Strap collecting is the best thing about owning a Panerai, isn't it? Taking it out of its package is akin in excitement factor to taking out a PLASMA screen TV from its box, and only slightly less expensive...

I really dig the new Paci "natural" buckle -and nice manicure too BTW!

And you too, Pix, though it's stil Mamzelle here. I agree with the Audrey Tautou/French manicure allusion at that.

I may be wearing this all weekend

Mmm, luscious choice. Your Senape looks much better than mine though.

As Ron Jeremy said to Jenna Jameson, "I think mines still a little stiff".

Just say "The strap costs more than the watch" and people will understand.

I have already hinted that! I was at Starbucks the other day, and though they have a really nice staff there -- everyone loves me and treats me fabulously -- there's always one sour-puss that stares at you like you give her the hibbie-jibbies, isn't there?

So this gal looks cooly at my PAM 118 with PAV 91, and says, "That watch is enormous." (read, hideously deformed). "Looks cheap". This seriously chaps my patooty, so I retort, "The strap alone costs much more than many Seikos I know."

Hint, she was wearing a Seiko.

Should you ever get called out, chances are that he's someone of us (even if personally I would never call anyone out).

In that case, try the secret 'Jetmid' word. Something like 'Oh, did Jetmid tell you that?'. Or 'Dunno, got it from Jetmid'...

Great, sssurfer, I'll do that! What does Jetmid mean? *g*

Bad news for the Beckhams', for they are about to find out that most Americans don't give a damn about Soccer or the Spice Girls. For all of the soccer fans out there, don't get me wrong, I love my World Cup, but here in the states, American football is king, and the Spice Girls are yesterday's news..

You're not wrong, entirely, but you're not looking at the big picture.

The Beckhams are the darlings of today because they represent a glamourous, exceedingly media savvy couple, who on top of everything, know the power of their own celebrity -- like a poor man's Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Beckham is no more about soccer than Victoria Beckham is about singing.

Their real worth, if you will, is the power of correctly representing their decade: from metrosexuality, and runway allure, to tabloid fluff frenzy.

It's an important gift to have, though if they're not careful, they could become dated as quickly as flappers in the 1930s.

Sigh. I was going for C

In the States, but I've gotten a package with reps about once a month for a year now--sometimes as many as 3 or 4 a month--never been pinched yet. Mind you, it's all luck of the draw with customs but it happens so rarely; to me I honestly don't give it a second thought.

Aussie customs I can't speak to, but I told Andrew that I think I overdid it by buying too many watches in one week (5, 16 in one month total). I was sure Homeland Security had my name and were going to get search warrants soon...and I was SURE that a gold Gucci and Omega SP 007 were going to be seized by Customs this time. Just had a funny feeling.

They arrived just great, and though it took an ungodly 4 days to clear JFK Customs, they weren't even opened that I could see.

Don't worry, you'll be fine! So will your watches! Mama make it all better.

Formal dinner tonight

The combination of that wonderful shirt cuff, and the IWC in gold (is it?), is sheer class, FxrAndy. And here I thought you were one of those long-haired hippie-wannabes always on a Hog.

My gen sub (please ignore the pasta sauce at 11 on the bezel...I just noticed that )

SEE! I'm not the only pasta klutz in the group!

P.S.: Nice shot, nice watch. And that reminds me, I have to go outside and take my own debut shots now. I hear thunder, so I hope the sun cooperates...also, I want to have some nice artistic shots, so let me think. I know! Be right back in an hour.

WOW.... V .... .. that looks even better than the first one you posted ... i did not think such was possible

Hey guys -- as of today, I'm a fully paid up member of the V-strap Owner Society, too.

What a gorgeous hide, and one which I've been eyeing for A WHOLE MONTH, since I saw him post on it. So I'm off the Elliot treadmill for a little while, and get to support one of our fellow members, as you so well put it, Lanikai.

Now. WHO NEXT WILL BUY A STRAP FROM V??

Hmm?

Thanks, V!