Victoria

And "queens" would never wear a Panerai. Too butch.

Don't mind me, I'm on an one-person crusade to enlighten the world about this, but "soccer" is a British term. We invented it, we popularised it, and it's not an American word. It is in fact used by all English-speaking people for football, save in the British Isles themselves. By the way, I would never wear that tacky watch worn by Rafa Benitez and Jos

Most Americans don't know what I'm talking about, but other Europeans will remember: remember the Prell or L'Oreal shampoo advert on television, some years ago? It featured David Ginola shaking his hair around, showing off how great it looked after he washed it. In Italy, the version they got was Paolo Maldini. Both the French and the Italians have no problems with this, although in Britain we still laugh when remembering Ginola's ad. Anyway! Oh, I once saw David Ginola, and he was wearing a Tag Heuer.

Getting back to Panerais. As everyone knows, Sly Stallone loves and single-handedly revived the Panerai watch. He's a hyphenated Italian, and I'm fairly sure he's straight. The point is, both these men are Latin males, and Latin males (with all due respect to my fellow Brits, and Germans) tend to have less hang-ups with looking stylish. It's great that men are finally getting into what we women have always known gives us hours and hours of pleasure: buying stuff which we like. Ooh, fireworks display starting, ciao guys!

I did too. Maybe I still do, but he says he is, and that should be good enough for anyone since who cares either way.

Another vote for the black, but in grey stitching if you can. (V, is that the famous Greek leather you got after searching for a hide for a while? The strap in the other pics looked so much better! ...or is it from the Ferrari?)

OH MY GOD. Gangway for Kenberg closing this thread soon. Da Gay Topic is back! P.S.: Okay, in all seriousness, here's my take on it as I await the fireworks display. Being a gay male does not equal effeminacy, though that's how it often manifests itself in the minds of straight men. This makes these men uncomfortable because they equate effeminacy with weakness, which is the opposite of what makes a man a man in ALL cultures. Remember that Cristiano Ronaldo pic I posted? The guy is straight (in fact, accused of having raped a girl), but he's also a stylish modern man, known colloquially today as a "metrosexual". And so what? He likes looking good, and we women are gaga over men who like looking good, so all you slobs out there take note -- that's why you don't get dates, or you get dates from female slobs. In fact, I bet you anything most of the Panerai-owning males here are mostly heterosexual, but they like the Panerai for a combination of intricacy, insider knowledge, and testosterone-inducing stylishness. Good for them! ...although the strap thing IS a bit gayer. *ggg* Victoria

Chris and Geo, thanks for the replies! I was telling my parents just now that having this forum makes a newbie feel a heck of a lot better. The moment I can get that $30 for the VIP upgrade (now that I read it's working again!), I'll do so. In the meantime, I'm reading both your replies with my jaw hanging on the floor. You know why? Yesterday, I decided that I would take my two little screwdrivers, and shorten a link on the rep Daytona myself. It costs about $5-10 at the watchmakers. I DID IT! Man, I felt so proud of myself. What a rush! Now I have some idea of what you guys feel, when you talk about Frankentonas. SOO good. But your suggestions above, whilst I can use them for future knowledge, are waaaaay beyond my capacities at the moment. I'm taking baby steps with links and straps. I couldn't imagine any dremel tool in my hands for a good year. Sigh. No reply from Paul yet, but it seems I may have to send this one back. $28 S/H for a $119 watch. Dunno if I want that...

I had ordered my very first PAM from Paul a fortnight ago, and it had come yesterday! I rushed to get it from the porters' station just now. http://www.pam111.com/product_info.php?cPa...roducts_id=1093 It's a fantasy mini-Fiddy, which you guys here told me was a good deal. I loved it, and it looks AWESOME on me. No wrist shots as yet, because I want the strap and everything to be just right. But there are two problems, and I ask your help, RWG'ers. I'm awaiting an email from Paul, as we speak. - The CROWN does not want to screw in tightly, and looks like it is out all the time. Photo: http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/9863/minifiddypin1rf6.jpg - The crown GUARD is completely loose, and when I put the watch on, it immediately opens and stays in this position. Photo: http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/4739/mi...ddyguardpr1.jpg ...with my 1.40mm Bergeon screwdriver, I was able to tighten the screw on the crown guard, and though it still flaps open, it's a WEENCY bit better. About the crown itself, maybe I'm such a newbie that I don't know it's supposed to jut out like that, but something tells me that's not right. I'm excited , and sad at the same time. HELP, please. (Happy Fourth, to all to whom it applies, by the way!)

Right! It's Pug's photo that made me want it. I will definitely post a wrist shot, but no earlier than Saturday since I'm having my nails done then. Blood red nails and a PAM. Mmm. *g*

Cats, Kruzer, thanks! Like vlydog I too await an answer, because I searched on eBay and nothing came up for "coated watch screwdrivers". Cats -- I don't know how often I'll be changing the straps, but if I know my personality, it'll be daily if not twice-daily AT LEAST. My fantasy mini-Fiddy is from Paul with brown leather strap/tang buckle, and my Pam 111h is from Andrew, coming with the sporty rubber strap and deployant. Of the two, without even seeing them yet, I'm sure the mini-Fiddy will look more elegant on my wrist, and the Pam 111h will be the most authentic for my budget, so far. I have seen some of V's straps in other threads, but fear my strap budget has been blown already. Some of the straps here literally make my eyes bulge. I want them all, ALL. But I think even $50 would be a lot. Boo. Stupid cash-flow.

http://www.taikonaut-time.com/product-desc....asp?ProdId=394 ARGH! Hope the chavs never see this, as I would scream if Panerai were discovered by them.

Incredible pics, Kollektor! Please thank your wife on behalf of the group, as well. I actually feel a little better now, since by far, the PAM was the one which looked most at home on your wife's dainty wrists. Whatever the Panerai has, it also has charisma, style, presence that other watches just don't have; and perhaps that's what allows it to look good on women too. The worst, the Breitling, yipes. Now THAT looked hideous on her. And me wanting a white steelfish, on brown leather band too, since I had heard that with Andrew's are guaranteed for swimming use. Ah well. Thanks again!

Ahh, yes. But do your muscles bulge? Don't worry, most of my reply was tongue-in-cheek. And I wouldn't be caught dead in Broward.

Oh gosh, sssurfer, I haven't been checking this original thread of mine, as closely as I should've. Thanks for all the tips, replies, and leg-humping! You better believe I enjoyed it. Slightly concerned about the sapphire info, because wasn't it someone here whose mineral glass watch exploded embarrassingly in a restaurant? That's why I was favouring sapphire in all the other watches I've bought. P.S.: No post on the Fourth of July. ARGH! The wait is killing me! I want my PAMs and I want them now! That's a direct quote from Sly Stallone.

If they're well-connected, and they lived or live in Miami, chances are I have met them socially, Lanikai. Heck, I've even met Carlos Ponce, and until I was introduced to him, I had no idea who he was. That's what happens when you live in South Beach, and Palm Beach, not in some dumpy outpost like Hawaii. *runs!* P.S.: He wasn't wearing a Panerai that day. I could be wrong but he was wearing a very refined VC tourbillon with croc strap. But then, poor thing, he tries his best when he's in Palm Beach, because those old snobs put people like him in his place. I don't know how many times he's applied to the Everglades Club, but he stands zero chance of being a member...

I'm going to read this entire Panerai area, to bone up on straps, lume jobs, canon pin wotsits, etc. So on doing so, I read this. Ahem. I'm 5'6" and I have stood right next to Sly Stallone, upon meeting him by chance in Worth Avenue (Palm Beach). He's 5'9" or so. I know you were probably exaggerating for comic effect, but he's not THAT small. By the way, his arms were very masculinely muscled -- not behemoths, but pumped. Much larger than in photos. I also once read in an old Hollywood actor's autobio that Rudolph Valentino was the darkest white man that person had ever seen (almost caramel), and I had the very same impression with Sly. A gorgeous deep natural tan, like a real Southern Italian.

My mini-Fiddy is coming with a leather strap, but my 111h is coming with a rubber strap WITH deployant on it already. In anticipation of these two watches, I've bought: 1) An extra Panerai deployant 2) 2 Tang buckles, one OEM polished buckle, one generic black buckle, both 22mm 3) About 10-12 leather straps (I've lost count...), two of which are specificly made for the deployant, one GeF which comes with a really nice buckle already 4) The Bergeron 1.40mm/1.60mm screwdriver set Question: Am I missing anything? Other than a screw loose in my head?

I don't often use this abbreviation, but...LMAO! Hilarious, Kollektor. Reminds me that someone told me there is a custom with Chinese fortune cookies. You add "in bed" at the end of whatever nugget of wisdom you get. The other day, I ordered cantonese and got this: A thrilling time is in your immediate future...in bed. Woo!

My mum was born in Hannover...

http://www.jomashop.com/audemars-piguet-67...-d062cr-01.html Gag me with a spoon! "Ladies watch". WTF.

I'm going to give you another link, which you can use as a compare-contrast reference guide. PLEASE use it at your own discretion, but I've bought gens from them, and have no complaints so far. They don't even charge your credit card if they don't have the watch in stock at that very moment, which sometimes can take a few days to get. Emails are so-so, but delivery is very prompt (1 week tops, in my experience, priority shipping @ no charge), and they do have a customer service number. http://www.jacobtime.com/

Ay. What have I done? Straps already bought, too...maybe a dozen. Oh well, I'm looking on the bright side until I actually get it on my hand. Failing all else, I can pay for my new hobby as a clown in kid's parties.

Pros: My mother is German, so I'm in like Flynn conversationally; I get along just great with wives. Cons: I hate motorcycles. Also, my boyfriend is a hot-tempered Italian. I think we best stick to flirtation on forums, and the like. *g*

Hey, Jay. (Just sent you a reply email, which I answered before seeing this) Yes, I emailed you THE SECOND we got the watch, because I literally opened the package, took out the Daytona, put it on the towel, took out the AP RO...which then fell apart in my hands. The link was already broken. No pins or anything were noticeable inside the bag, or on the towel, as I noted above. As I just mentioned in my email to you, I am grateful you are a serious rep dealer. I can vouch for the fact that though I did send off 3 emails to you Fri-Sun my time, you did eventually respond in good time, and with a professional solution. Also, please note that though I was having "problems" with your reps, I did link THREE times to your watchsilix.com, when members requested a lower-priced rep site of confidence. I wouldn't have done that without knowing you are a reputable dealer, confirmed by others in this, and other threads. All will be well, I am sure!