Victoria

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

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. 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.

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. 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.

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.

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. 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.

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 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.

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. Thanks, Ole! You too!

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) 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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

The motherlode. Bliss. Thank you, Pugwash!

For the same reason a man I know collects the same edition of Model A truck? They're not cheap either. I don't think there is anything obscene in this, but to each his own opinion of course. He is obviously rich, and he's enjoying himself. As they say in the North, nowt wrong with that. Or to quote Zero Mostel in the original The Producers, "If you got it, flaunt it baby!!". (Now, if you tell me he's a gangster or something, then my outrage button might be pushed; but on paper, pff, I hope he gets more!)

You know what I thought when I saw that pic? "Hayek looks like a Russian oligarch". By the way, good eye with the Herm

*cracks the whip* But then, men like that.

I want to be fair, and agree with Piraeus, but the problem is indeed this. With another dealer, I was told it takes 2 days minimum before receiving my EMS tracking number because of "very much quality control" in his words. Sounded great to me, and when I got it, well, you know. Kaputt. Now I ask for them to re-double check their QC before sending it out to me. I did so of Andrew, on a very important watch bought for my ailing father. I said, I know you'll take care of me if something goes wrong, but if it's something that can be avoided in the first place (sticky dials, bad bracelets), I'd really appreciate it. Very next refresh, there was his personal assurance he would do so. That's customer service!

Not yet, TTK! I am also about to buy from another dealer who posts frequently here, and will no doubt, eventually get to you. LOL! Must remember that one.

TeeJay, I'll still err on the side of discretion, as yet. If he fails to respond tonight as I just resent my payment info and replacement details, then I'll pipe up. I will say that more CIA-personalitied members might recall I named the dealer, in the 50% bad rep thread (it's obviously the one with a non-watch item mentioned). I had been told frequently by members here that most of the high-volume sellers are all prone to mistakes, but that only Andrew/Josh stand 100% behind their watches when problems arise. (The difference is that there was one problem then. Now it's three...)

Mister/Miss Tourby: Please check my recent post in the Membership Upgrade (General Disc.) thread. You'll find I was informed there is STILL a problem, and I have to wait at least a week before it is addressed by travelling admins.