Victoria

No worries! No offence meant or taken. Will do thanks, Lanikai. Also read the posts above, and might just take sssurfer's offer at some later date, for the brown dials! Meanwhile, I think the 199 or a destro, so I'll keep you guys informed. P.S.: Drool over the movements, Tourby! You guys are so lucky.

I don't mind the mods. Thanks for the info about that chap! Well, I believe I can't go to that forum until I do a VIP upgrade. But there's another sticky wicket. I have totally changed tack, and now I want to buy this one: http://www.pam111.com/product_info.php?cPa...products_id=982 ($119, with diver strap and deployant) Paul again, but I'm still limited financially, and I want to do the VIP upgrade soon. Joe had an excellent review about a year ago, on it -- comparing his gen 199, to a rep he had bought, and modded. He mentioned Paul by name, though I'm not sure he actually bought it from him. http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=1698

I do have it badly. One thing is that I have YET to really covet a Radiomir, though. I dunno. To me the crown guard is the most distinctive feature of the PAM, and it feels less of one without it. Perhaps a newbie snobbery, that I'll get over one day.

It's a good/bad addiction! And yes, I will email both of them before placing the orders, especially for the pesky bridge thing. LOL! Right. In fact, I made my boyfriend read this and the other thread earlier tonight. Don't worry, he loved it.

Great, I will Lanikai! If he doesn't have this PAM in the brown dial, or one in destro version, I'll just keep looking though. And The Zigmeister or Flav will definitely be getting my money, eventually.

First, love this thread. Love the watches, and second the call for no Paint proggie censorship! Secondly, I have nothing really to add, save to say that King Leopold II of Belgium was famous for his pr0n collection at the time, which was said to include the largest collection of pornographic watches, along these lines. I tried to Google, but no pix came up. Also, an anecdote: I once interned at a sports photography studio, whose staff photogs seemed to follow Anna Kournikova around like glue. One day, the head photog got a smashing, but today rather common-place shot of Anna adjust her knickers surreptiously behind her. We sent them all over to interested customers, including ESPN the Magazine, SI, and European newspapers. I was in front of the computer, when I got this email from Marca, in Spain: "Anna pic great!!1 Please have you more erotics?" I have dined out on that story for years.

Since starting 3 weeks ago: 1- Patek Phillippe Sky Moon Tourbillon (Paul): Flawless and gorgeous. Does not have a lot of power reserve, but a good shake every night keeps it running. Arrived in 7 full days from placing order. 2- Gucci Twirl (Andrew): Impeccable. Arrived in 4 working days. 3- Rolex Daytona/Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chrono (Jay @ watchsilix not silix-prime): AP RO arrived with broken bracelet. Daytona doesn't keep time very well, though it's a Quartz. The bracelet also had some problems, which I however, was able to fix myself. Arrived in 10 full days. He said he would send a replacement bracelet for the AP RO this Monday. On hold. 4- Vacheron Constantin 31-day Retrograding Calender (Joshua): Problem with first order, which wasn't caught until 3 days after being given the EMS. This was a substitute, at $10 more which he graciously comped. Arrived without the right strap. Strap on its way, but I placed a Cartier Tankissime watch order to sweeten the sourness for him. The watch itself is gorgeous and runs like a charm. Took 3 weeks to arrive... 5- Fantasy Mini-Fiddy PAM (Paul): See massive thread in the Panerai area. Not a horror story, but not good either. Paul hasn't at the time of writing said if he'll address the problem. I have good hopes he will. Took 2 weeks to arrive... 6- Vacheron Constantin Rose Gold Moon phase watch and Mont Blanc Pen (Paul): Arrived in a record-breaking 3 days after he confirmed EMS tracking #. Package locked in the porter's area of my condo overnight, so can't verify until Friday. Ack! Still to come: Pam 111h (Andrew), 2 weeks; Cartier Tankissime (Joshua), ordered Monday; about to order, Omega SP007 (Andrew). That's 50% so far of the ones I received and have vetted which presented some kind of problem, both serious and fixable. Shipping seems to be a luck of the draw. It's not encouraging, but as long as you know what to expect once you've received your first order, it's worth doing, IMHO.

Having experienced my first taste of Panerai-mania, I want more! Yes, even with my PAM 111h on its way, I still want more. I have long wanted one with a brown or choco dial, and after seeing this spread on a 65 y.o. vintage movement 203, I want it. http://www.network54.com/Forum/169624/thre...intage+Movement (I'm also partial to a Destro, FYI) For reasons already mentioned, I only want to purchase a brown-dial PAM from Andrew or Josh. I'd like opinions about these in terms of authenticity, or any suggestions you may have: http://www.ttwristwatch.com/index.php?main...products_id=470 ($188.00) http://www.perfectclones88.com/pn20301-1950-days-p-549.html ($138.00/black dial tho', why?) Don't worry about the 47mm. Turns out the 44mm looks GOOD on me, wrist-shots will confirm later. How this is possible, since I have a similar slim arm to Kollektor's wife I don't know, but I'll take it! Going to research on my own, but any info would be appreciated.

Yuck. Comparing my mini-Fiddy CG to this one is like a Yugo owner staring at a Rolls Royce. I feel sick.

Calabrese-Canadian. "Non

LOL! I actually thought this was a site for ex-gay watches. I said, wow, talk about a niche market! Hehe. Okay, last post on this thread. It deserves to die, die! Although I do have to thank whomever it was who posted those three lady "cop" pics. Laughed for hours.

Stephen Fry = legend! And hey, Boris Johnson wears a PAM. How gay can it be? Remember his rugger tackle?

Even my father has more than one tie and pair of shoes, Emmzy! They don't make 'em like that anymore, except for David Niven (oh wait, he's dead).

Yes, yes it does. http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/7961/wilde1nw9.jpg ...wait, so if wearing a Panerai makes a man gay, it makes a woman extra-feminine, not a lesbian! Woo. I was worried for a moment. I think I'll go inform my boyfriend, Gertrude.

EEK! On the other side. And I thought the right-hand side of the CG was the only problem. What horrible workmanship all around... Thanks! I have already asked Paul for a complete crown guard replacement with screws, and though I hear in this thread that this might not be the wisest thing, because not all fit well, at least I'll have spare parts. Now, let's see what he says. I am curious to know how certain dealers react, individually, because it's easy to be nice and pleasant in the good times. So far, Joshua was impeccable in dealing with my small problem, and Jay too, though I think he minded that I posted my problems on the board. But he too is sending me a replacement part. The only one who hasn't had to rectify anything so far, for me, is Andrew...

Drat. I had no idea one had to show proof of purchase. I am so innocent sometimes...on the other hand, if it's lost, you can say it was a comparatively cheapish watch, maybe a Seiko, and have the dealer send you a bogus receipt. Heck, one could go to a stationer's and buy a receipt pad and do it onself. Wow, this place brings out my criminal instincts! ("naww, Vicky, in a rep forum, really???" Hehe). Ahh, Andrew is Andrew. Paul's savings swayed me, and my first purchase with him was brilliant. I may stick to him for pens and boxes, and reps like Cartiers, but not the really big stuff -- like the Ocean SP 007. It struck me that Paul did too, for whatever reason. Oh, Andrew does AR coating, and the like, but he said he won't mod watches when I asked about the cannon pin fix. Heh. Nah, forget it, you're right. Being from "Europe" (well, I'm British, we don't consider ourselves really European), I know how it is. I read that guy's woes in FRENCH GUYANA. Even there you can't escape their more scrutinising Customs. Later in the thread: Wow, an additional $150. Sucks...but I will certainly let you know, Lanikai! Just now, I want to save for the lume job, and cannon pin fix on my Andrew PAM 111h, on which I am now placing all my hopes. This mini-Fiddy will be a kind of beater, and perhaps it gives me a little motivation to buy another PAM. As if I needed it. I really want a choc dial, as I bought the GeF marrone strap already which I think will be gorgeous with it... I know you said "long-winded" about your reply, but that's not the word I would use. Everyone in this thread, from Flavor, to SSsurfer, to you, have offered time and knowledge which has made me feel 10x better about this. Thanks, Lanikai, guys!

You know by now I start with thanks to all, but really, thanks guys. Sssurfer, Lazarini, and V for the advice about not sending the timepiece back to Paul (I had decided not to, since I totally agree, it can be modded here by another member). I'm not going to make this more than what it is -- namely, a newbie mistake on her first cheapo fantasy PAM watch. Okay, lesson learnt. But in the spirit of trying to help other newbies, here are some rather detailed pics of my "Frankenrai": (I think you're right, SSsurfer. Look at Angus' crown guard and then mine below) http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/1795/crownangustv3.jpg http://img466.imageshack.us/img466/1231/closeupguard1ld7.jpg Totally the same, substandard mounting highlighted in red. (Then a freaky pic after removing the CG itself) http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/2079/holesguard1dt3.jpg Looks like something out of Star Wars. (Looking like a plain old Radiomir here, except for those ugly holes to the side) http://img472.imageshack.us/img472/6822/sansguard1oa1.jpg Eh. (I remounted it upside as suggested) http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/5757/up...wnguard1qc0.jpg FUGAZE! Awaiting a response from Paul, but I sent him an email asking him for at least another crown guard, and SCREWS as these are substandard too. They feel loose in the holes, no matter how tight you screw them. I'm SURE that Andrew's Pam111h will be much more authentic, less problematic, and that one I will send to one of you guys, to Ziggify the lume. This one barely shows lume, and overall, I counsel anyone thinking of buying the mini-Fiddy NOT to, given my experiences. I'm outties! Thanks for reading this sorry Pannie tale!

Thanks, likewise.

Hey, thanks for the delurk, Budda. Post more often!

No. Dating Jordan is having a "beard". If he's gay, there are less lawless ways of going about it. (Ooh! Lucy Lawless, lesbian icon. This thread just won't quit!) Definitely. And the Breitling Steelfish. Oscar Wilde wore it to his dying day.

Joshua is considered one of the best, if not the best, and something went awry in QC with his order too... (It's minor, and it's being dealt with, but still).

I wanted to buy the buckle that V used which he said Angus/Puretime had (didn't find it BTW), so I went to Puretime's Photobucket site. Here is the Mini-Fiddy: http://s16.photobucket.com/albums/b14/pure...t=DSCN04311.jpg That crown sure looks like mine, doesn't it? Maybe it's just the way it is, jutting out like that. However, here is the vintaged mini-Fiddy V had aged: http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u114/wi...ge/IMG_3097.jpg http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u114/wi...ge/IMG_3102.jpg Crown just looks more flush to the watch itself. I've tried and tried, but it won't go 'in' and if I try any more, I'll break the stem... Meh, I'll deal with this in the morning. ;-/

Thanks guys! Here is a progress report. First, Paul wrote back asking me to push the crown down, wind the watch, and then wind it back. Also, to check his Q&A section for info. I had already done it, but fair play to him. Second, I had already taken my 1.40mm screwdriver to the two screws in the crown guard. The lower screw doesn't seem to screw down that much, but the upper one did rotate a few times. It doesn't flap open SO MUCH any more, but there is no tension whatsoever in the crown guard. It feels "loosey-goosey". Maybe this is because I've never felt a real PAM crown guard in my hands, but in my mind, I had a much stronger mechanism in mind. Something almost impregnable, that would have resistance when you pulled it back to release the crown. This one is like butter. The tiniest pull, and it flaps open. Of course, this is a rep, but other reps offer sturdier constructions I think. Two more shots. Crown out: http://img464.imageshack.us/img464/4264/cr...ailclosejv6.jpg Crown in: http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/5808/crowninoo0.jpg In the same mini-Fiddy case which had been antiqued, in the other thread, I didn't see so much of the crown visible. Is mine normal? If it is, then I'll not ask for a replacement. Also, I am going to an AD and try to see how a real one feels, tomorrow. Obviously, not wearing my new PAM.

Thanks, sssurfer! I think I am veering towards asking Paul for a replacement watch. (No reply as yet. No worries, he will) From the Silix thread, I remember that people told me it's the custom for the dealer to send you the new watch, and then you send the original back to him. I would like to do that as cheaply as possible, but fear it being lost without tracking, and insurance, which is $$$. It all depends on what he responds, but this crown guard/gasket business saddens me. They do quality control, no? That's what they all tell me, and yet, twice with two vendors now, items that EASILY could've been seen as faulty to the naked eye got away from them. Such is the rep business. I'm just one of thousands of customers.

Drag queens, I was thinking! Just to make sure that no one misunderstands my comic intent.