Victoria

Keep smiling Vic it is just the way of the game, almost the fun part but that is getting the watch, I always like to wait a while before i open the package, it makes it more fun. I hope you get this sorted though.

Thanks for the encouragement, FxrAndy.

Here is an update, purely to make you guys laugh/scratch your heads/make you go, "Aww come on now Vic!":

The dealer contacted me LAAAATE his time again, asking for more info (8x). Then I get another email saying that his power went out, and he can't stay by the computer 24 hours a day.

I have to admit, that one made me laugh.

I'm just glad his dog didn't eat his homework.

I kind of like it myself, I've been looking for a strap that has a washed out look to go with my 113. With a nice tan I think it looks sharp. Maybe that's gay

Don't hate me, but the white dial PAMs do nothing for me. And that background does make the watch look a little fey. You half expect the wearer to be in a Laura Ashley summer frock...

Who's a very clever boy, then!

Incredible, heart-meltingly beautiful watch! Look at that movement. The watch is a cross between a Breguet and a Blancpain, and that's the best of all worlds. WOW.

I actually own about 20 straps, and had some more passing by. In my opinion the stiffer straps are more comfortable. Because I wear the straps a little loose it is better when it is stiff - just a little like a bracelett. The cordovans become the shape of you wrist after wearing a little time.

Ahh, interesting. Let me just say that if any newbie is reading this, when you buy a PAM from even the elite dealers, you're almost certain to need a new strap. The ones I've gotten have been substandard, down to the buckle.

Well, I don't blame them. As you can see, the straps are as dear as the watch themselves! But there is no way you can buy a rep Panerai, and expect to walk out with your new PAM on your wrist, if you don't want to look a fool.

The coupon is valid for GeF and all others from Elliots TC store too. There are three methods to get these pricy straps: E's store with 33%discount, E's store daily specials, or paneristi and viapaneristi sales corner. The GeF cordovans are for 77,77 or 88,88 on the daily specials.

Regards, Ole

Cool. Thanks! Didn't know about the GeF ones too.

By the way. $55.55? $77.77. $88.88? Is Elliot a numerologist or what?

T'aint me......!

No....men who think they're men..... like that.....and ladies don't pander to it.....

I am not a lady, I am a young grande dame!

Well, guys, the dealer sent me yet another "Please explain to me again what has happened email?" for the, oh I don't know, 7th time in a row? He always does so LAAAATE in the day his time, so that it's closing time, and another day passes by without resolution as mentioned above.

I got tought. I told him in an email that if by tomorrow, my time, he doesn't give me definitive info on whether he will be sending me the replacement parts for the CG (not to mention, acknowledging a payment I sent him for a new watch, stupid stupid on my part to have bought another watch from him during this...), I would reveal his name and a run-down of what has happened to date.

Let's just say if that happens, from what others told me here 3 weeks ago, it won't come as a major surprise.

*bangs head on monitor*

Wouldn't be true anyway.

Ken

The female of the species can speak twice as much as the male. She has to. He never listens.

My Vaccum modded 177H

Both shots are stunning, TWP. That strap goes well with the lume!

Hello, I was just wondering if anyone can help me find some good Alain Silberstein reps? Could anyone please send me some names and LINKS of the dealers as I have no idea where to purchase reps from?!?! Thank you very much for you time guys!

I was checking out fellow poster/dealer, Narikaa's section yesterday and eyed this charming AS Krono:

http://www.rwg.cc/members/Silberstein-Boli...rono-t6455.html

Yes .. i check it out on a daily basis myself ... the colour that comes really close to that is the peli del sole ... but it is a waterproof strap a little stiffer than the others ...

Wait, the one I bought is waterproof, or the pelli del sole? I don't like the texture of the waterproof ones, preferrably a natural hide, but then, I'm flexible if the colour is killer.

there is a mix up on the pics from elliot .... i have the noce ... and when i ordered i,t it said noce but mara almost shipped the mocha ... noce is the brownish red marrone tones ... same one if you remember the crayola crayons "noce" ... if it is noce you will be very happy with it, those marrones and reddish browns look good on the PAM'S check with Elliot ... you will be really happy with noce, if i can sense your colour taste...both OFMP and GeF have NOCE

I remember the crayon colour! I still have a box of Crayolas with "indian red", which I hope my future kid will use someday.

You have a good eye for what I like. Deep burnished reds, chocolate browns, darker greys, blacks with black stitches. Nothing too flashy, or yellowish, as I am light, but sometimes yellows make me look sallow.

Anyway, lanikai, thanks for the heads up here (and you know where), about this. I am skint at the moment, but I always say that and end up buying stuff anyway.

Ms. Barret ... the pic on that on the Medici "mocha" is way off.....

Oh no, I was afraid of that. It looks smokey grey, but it said "Noce" which is nut in Italian, if memory serves. Still, I love browns, but that's disappointing.

you will be happy with the article though .... dark browns go well witht the PAM's... i am the last person to know about fashion... just what my eye's tell me .... that moch is a good looking strap ... actually there aren't many OFMP's that I don't like

CHECK OUT ... Elliot's specials today .. he has the GeF in the PAV hide ... same one on the OFMP 91 for `129usd .. it's a 125/80 though a bit long for you

I saw that!

I told Elliot the 115/75 GeF strap fit me perfectly, as I wear it on the second strap hole from the dial. He said that the 125/80 would be too big for me, so though I'd love that one you mentioned, lanikai, it's just not for me. Now I'm addicted to his site. First thing I check every morning!

And that's bad, because I'd love to buy some stuff from V, and others too.

Because of the recent events with paypal and all the trouble with the upgrading facility, the RWG team has decided to give all members of RWG will have FULL access to the entire forum for the rest of the month.(Except the VIP forum) This goes for both the apprentice members and the regular members. You can for the rest of the month post watches for free in the watch trade area and read all posts in all areas. Enjoy!

Can't thank you enough! Although I did like Tourby's mention that I'll be the first powermax poster without VIP status, in another month's time.

I am a member of asmallworld,

Very nice! Actually, it used to be more exclusive in the beginning as you know, and one could get excellent insider info back then, but it's still worth an invite...which I have yet to get.

And no, that's not a play to get one, fear not.

The Palm Beach grapevine does me just fine.

can you explain something more of quintessentially?

Certainly.

It's similar in tone, exclusivity, in-the-know to asmallworld, but it is basically more hands-on a club since it IS a concierge service -- or "Lifestyle management" as they call it. Whether tickets for Beverly Sills' farewell memorial at the Met, or executive boxes at Yankee stadium, or a jet to fly your chihuahua to Ibiza, they can do it all...

I believe it was started around 2003/4, as the brainchild of Ben Elliott (nephew of Camilla Parker-Bowles, now Duchess of Cornwall), and thru' its services, River, you meet the same set as you would in asmallworld.

Worth a look-see, especially since as a member of ASW, you're almost guaranteed acceptance.

Considering that the cost of this strap is the same price for most of the Pam reps., I too think that the price is absurd.

I have found that over the years, a little time spent on paneristi.com, one can find these straps, and ones like it for 1/2 the cost.

I couldn't agree more, but equally, I think when one is starting out you need to treat yourself, and your PAM, to something special. THEN you can start trolling for discounts.

I have a number of MP staps, brand new for the neighborhood price of 100.00. Still expensive, but realistic. Spend some time on the strap and accessories section of Panerisiti, and you will be much happier.

I think I posted this elsewhere, but lookie!! I just got this for the PAM 199, whose prominent bezel I think will look smashing contrasted to this colour:

http://mariopaci.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv...Product_Count=3

I got it on sale though. $119. That's also what I paid for the rep.

Yes, that's the real thing.

I grabbed this strap from a canadian guy on *bay, and after some weeks of wearing I ordered the black and the tan cordovan from Elliot (of course with a discount form another boards coupon ). I am absolutely addicted to these straps.

They are not so soft as others and give you the right touch and feel with a heavy watch.

Ooh, question:

Are PAMs better with a stiffer strap or a softer strap, in your guys' opinion?

When I ordered the Cordovan, I thought I was getting a buttery soft one (Eliott has since told me "cordovan" is made literally from the horse's rump), but was very pleasantly surprised when it was slightly stiff, yet not heavy at all. Also, I know the discount you mention, but since this is a GeF not a Mario Paci, I wonder if there's a discount I wasn't aware of? Lemme know, please.

Enjoy wearing, Ole

Thanks, Ole! You too!

If I ever saw someone w/ a VERTU phone, which I haven't, despite living and working in the most image conscious city in America,

What! DC is not more image-conscious than LA or NYC, let alone Paris!

(I'll thrown in the 20 blocks that are South Beach too)

my initial thought would be "Poser." Then again that's probably what people think when they see my "Patek." That being said, I'd bet the Chinese could copy the functions on the OEM VERTU (which are undoubtedly also made in China) 1:1. You could always pretend to be talking to the concierge.."No, I said the chef's bar at L'Atelier, not a table....OK...Does that suite have a view of the Park?....OK...Cool...thanks."

If you carry VEPTU phone, though I'm afraid you will look like a poser...a poser without a concierge.

That's actually the whole point of owning a VERTU phone, which I saw the other day when I was in the Tourneau shop in Worth Avenue. I also think they're a bit tatty, but I loved the concierge service and that's the whole point of owning one.

It would be like owning a Mercedes, but with a Ford Pinto engine.

On the other hand, who needs concierge service is one is a member of "a small world" or "Quintessentially". But the VEPTU has to go.

Info assimilated... As I thought... Indeed, another morning has passed without an email confirming the state of play. To be honest, I'm on the verge of just taking the watch into a local repair shop, who I am more than happy to give the business to. The only thing preventing me from doing it, is I dont see why I should spend a penny to have an item repaired which arrived faulty, and was clearly never QCd in the beginning

I'm sorry for your own troubles, TeeJay.

And yep...and it was you who warned me about that very seller too, in terms of getting satisfaction (heh, that sounded dodgy). Still, maybe it'll work out in the end and I don't want to prejudice anyone's reputation without giving every chance to rectify a situation.

In happier news, I've just placed an order from what seems to me, a brilliant dealer we all know and sometimes love on RWG. Even if an overused simile, I can say the whole procedure went swimmingly. I did the backstrok all the way.

God, I can finally go to bed...whew, this rep business is putting a crimp on my beauty sleep!

@vbarrett: Consider it dropped. I probably misunderstood you. Just don't call me Norwegian, ok.

ACK! What is wrong with me? Apologies! I suppose I saw "By-Tor" and made some Nordic connexion to the God of Thunder. Boo on me.

Mini-update:

The dealer got back to me at this time of the night, his time in China (3 emails asking the same thing, "please explain to me once again what is the problem").

I told him, I confess a little coldly, that I have explained it to him FIVE times, with photographic evidence of what is wrong.

That I wasn't sure if someone else was handling his correspondence, but it didn't seem like the dealer I had dealt previously (indeed, the expressions, and general "voice" of the emails were completely different. Maybe he was on holiday, who knows).

But I have noticed one quirk when trying to get a recalcitrant dealer to help you out:

They tend to answer your email REALLY late in the working day, so that another day passes by without a satisfactory response or addressing the problem, all the while looking as if they are at least talking to you. That's also what I meant about the runaround. Not only asking you to explain again and again what is wrong, but these insulting stall tactics too.

I'm this close to admitting who the vendor is, but I'll give it another week and then post in the dealer review section, especially if it's not solved by then.

greetings all.

yes, this is my pam's coming out party and my first ever panerai. i am extremely pleased with the watch and the masterful job Flav did on the modifications. i would not only like to thank Homer for the crown and certainly Flavor Flav for his artistry and the great photographs, but to all the RWG members who have been so generous with their opinions and advice since i joined.

...first pam but certainly not my last.

Vlydog, I wish I could say that I'm jealous, but I can't. I just love that you have such a beauty Flavor has modded for you, so impeccably. Wear it in good health, and in happiness!

As if I needed any more motivation, I shall be hooking up with the master modder at some point, for my PAM 111h (to date, the most authentic of my reps). Ya hear, Flava?

That is a great looking watch, and looks devilishly well with her! It's a hyper masculine watch, but as you can see, it couldn't look less macho on her, if she tried.

I wonder, how do men feel when they see a woman wearing a Daytona, in real life? Whether in pics or especially in front of you? Always wondered.

P.S.: Tangentially, this is the 7th year in a row I haven't been to the Henley Regatta, held this same weekend. So many lovely watches usually on parade at that event. Sniff.

What on earth makes you think I was trying to "influence" you with the link? It's quite apparent that you have made up your mind long time ago. I posted it for fun... because it was a nice link. I thought it was something that a real football fan would appreciate.

Maybe Pele was the better player of these two, maybe he wasn't. Frankly, I think it would have been potentially good, entertaining and interesting debate. You think the matter isn't debatable, and that I'm "ignorant" and "I just don't know" because I disagree with you...about some silly football player? Sounds quite immature to me.

Let me stop right here, By-Tor.

I notice that you and I don't have good chemistry, for whatever reason, and this is influencing this debate. My awkward syntax made it seem to you that I called you ignorant by my words "just don't know".

By that I meant "you either know your taste/opinion about Pele, or you don't". I was in no way, shape or form calling you ignorant, but if that is what you got out of it, I apologise.

In this forum, I love to chat about all kinds of things, but when I notice that an OT statement within a thread is becoming a little protracted, I clam up. Please don't take this as a sign of lack of debate skills, or even worse, a sign of standoffishness.

I'll be the first one to admit I'm arrogant, but I'm also unfailingly polite, and once you get to know me, warm-hearted.

But if I rub you the wrong way, however, I pray you please leave me alone by not engaging me in OT conversation. I can't make myself any clearer than that, By-Tor. It's unusual for an Englishwoman to be so frank, but I've learnt a thing or two about that in the US -- and I'm sure a Norwegian can appreciate the honest attitude, yes?

Catch you around the boards tomorrow, my time.

Yes, Others are experiencing a problem as well.

It is reported and Admin will deal with it on his return form a weekend break!

Offshore

I forgot to thank you, Offshore, for the info. I will be awaiting news with alacrity since I am buying so many straps I fear not having enough money to upgrade later...

Debatable.

Not in my opinion. And therein lies the rub. It's not a question that will be settled ever amongst people who favour one over the other.

To me, Pele is a class apart. His skills were non-pareil, he could do it all, and not just with his left leg. What he did throughout his career speaks volumes, with or without his teammates. Although if you want to make the argument that Argentina were worse teams than Brazil teams, please do. I'll be the first one to smile in agreement.

There is only one Pele. Note, I don't try to influence you by showing you links. Either you know, or you don't. And in a rep watch forum, it doesn't matter which, really.

I don't think even he is wearing enough manufacture product on his wrists to satisfy a Russian oligarch......maybe a Romanov from fin de si

In case it's not been mentioned recently, this is a pretty damned good list:

http://jitteryjim.com/?page_id=432

I've contributed a few grabs and suggest you do the same.

The motherlode. Bliss. Thank you, Pugwash!