Victoria

Wow, I can't believe a lot of the people of this forum seem not to have watched Ocean's 13, yet! THIS IS A WATCH LOVER'S DREAM OF A FILM, and that wasn't caps lock, believe me. As we know, Brad Pitt is enamoured with Rolexes; he's got a solid gold Daytona that somehow looks good on him (but looks quite tacky on anyone else, save that one guy who posted it against his black V-neck sweater). Clooney's watches ran the gamut from Audemar Piguets (2), a VC, to a PAM, and I do believe there was even a Bell & Ross thrown into the mix. However, I did a little research on the one watch which stood out for me, which was Al Pacino's -- what seemed a magnificent gold Sky Moon tourbillon. According to a gen watch forum, it's a very special Tiffany's watch, possibly made for him as a promo for the film. "The Tiffany Grand 8-day Jump Hour" (U$ 36,000) http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tre...66698&rid=0 Though it's not 100% confirmed it is that watch, as Pacino's watch is made of rose gold, Tiffany's were end-credited (of course). Off-Topic: The film itself was fun, for what it is -- a panoply of Big Name Stars having fun, as in Sinatra's day. Not excellent, because it's not exactly a heist film, or a sting film, but rather a revenge-set-up film, which is quite different in tone to Ocean's 11. However, it was much better than 12 (could hardly be any worse...), and had no love story whatsoever, which this chick appreciated.

I know. I know. Gag me with a spoon, too. But I love his watch. Anyone have a clue what it might be?

Question: I know a very snobby guy from Singapore who is always talking about his Mario Paci straps, etc. for his Pannie. What are the chances in these Asian countries, that the Pannies are real, if the reps are plethoric in volume there? I would love to be able to tell if his is real or not, but like me (if his is indeed not original), I'm sure he counts on your average person not knowing the diff.

EXACTLY. They were so-so packed. The others have come better packaged, and I'm told Joshua's is virtually unwrappable it's so thick. Aww. Well the way things stand, Jay has not replied yet. We'll see...thanks anyway!

Heh, great quote. Me, I'm just concerned that people are disrespected, or even bullied if they are not paying members. I recently mentioned that in the happily defunct SF Pride thread, where I was shocked to have the VIP status thrown in my face. I said it was the equivalent of a rich guy going up to a homeless person, and telling them they are worthless in society, because you contribute, and they don't. (Well, I said something about being smelly, but basically that's what I meant) What with the upgrade system being down, this whole VIP status thingie is really annoying, elitist, and leaves a bad taste in my mouth if there are some here who think they are better than others. That's not cool IRL, and it shouldn't be cool here. Anyway, off to enjoy me day. Ciao all.

Wait, am I missing something, or has this situation changed (checked just this instant)? "The upgrade system is currently anavailable while we are implementing a new payment provider. Thanks for your patience" At the moment our hands are tied, I thought.

That's a good suggestion about Customs, and also I seem to remember that sometimes no matter how right you get an address, packages are mishandled in China. I care enough about my own reputation, not to want people to think I gypped the guy, as well, by not sending it back to him (though it wouldn't have been my fault). On the other hand, if he sends me the bracelet or links, etc. and THEN it turns out the watch is a dud, would he be duty-bound to replace the watch anyway? The already defective part doesn't inspire much confidence in the soundness of the timepiece... Sorry if these questions have been asked by other n00bs. I usually do hit search, but I'm off to bed (at last!).

Might go for this latter option, if he suggests it. I am naturally poised! I am also unbelievably modest. When you have 5 orders coming in from Chinese guys who don't exactly share your timezone, and you're asking questions/buying stuff every night, the answer would be a resounding, "No".

I tried to make that part as visible as I could, but even with my nice digital camera, it might not show that it has no "hollow" end, where a pin might be screwed in. It's a clean level break, leaving no hole in that end. I already feel a newbie fool asking this, but that does usually mean one gets to keep this first watch? I don't want to send this one back for anywhere up to $20-$30 to China, but don't know what is the accepted custom. I rather suspected as much. The only problem with that, is that recently, on this or another forum, I pointed out one chap who had been waiting for a reply about his defective watch, going on 2 months. He immediately logged on, and wrote to that person that he was away from his business for a while, but that he was "back" now. Let's hope in my case, it won't be 2 months to reply, because I'd faint. Thanks, as usual, sssurfer!

I knew that question would be asked. Unfortunately, and perhaps it can be seen in one of the photos, I think it that buckle link was not a screw type, but an ingrained pin type which resulted in a "clean" break. I have looked, and looked for any kind of fallen pin or screw in the packages, on the floor, inside the baggie -- nothing. To me, this suggests that it was sent that way...which quality control failed to spot. I could be and hope to be wrong, of course. Sexy is just the word for Silix's prices, especially in the lower-quality items found on his junior site. They were very hard to resist for those two specific watches. On the other hand, and this is just a minor opinion, I notice a world of difference in customer service between say an Andrew and others. All very polite, helpful, and eager, Andrew for me at least, UNTIL NOW, has been a sheer dream to work with, going "above and beyond" in his trade. For sure not! We all know that we are (1) dealing with a dodgy trade to begin with (2) it is out of the vendor's control what happens outside of his shop (3) and we should be patient in general, with anything coming from so distant away. Having said that, this was to me, a disappointment that easily could've been rectified with a little closer inspection of said goods. P.S.: Never told you this, but your "collection" photos of your watches were stunning, and cinched a few purchase decisions for me (the VC, e.g.). Thanks Pix!

This may be an imposition on this thread, but what do you guys who are knowledgeable about it, think of this PAM strap from Bob: BOB OSTRICH FOR PANERAI DEPLOYMENT - HONEY ...looks funky! But is funky necessarily good for a PAM 111h?

As mentioned in another thread, Jay and Angela have two sites. One, on which Jay's reputation was made, is silix-prime.com. But there is another one, which obviously is where he chucks his super-bargains, watchsilix.com. Placed two very nicely-priced, but not terribly authentic timepiece orders at this latter site, which arrived almost two weeks later. Decent, I'd say, considering I'm still waiting on the much vaunted Josh's order, placed three days before Jay's order. Such is the rep business, and the vagaries of EMS. Anyway, one was a Rolex Daytona in black; the other an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak with working chronos. I got the package, put it on a white towel, and opened it gingerly just like I read in forums to do, in case any pins fall off, etc. You can see them better that way. Daytona was great from what I saw. Strap closed, nothing jiggled inside, and the time was easy to set. Sure, cheapo, but a good cheapo (so far). And then I took out the AP Royal Oak from the plastic baggie...and it came apart like butter in my hands. The buckle was broken. Jay asked me to wait two days for his quality control to vet these two watches, but man, wow. It surely can't be a shipping prob, since the Daytona was unharmed whatsoever. Here are some photos: http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/5347/si...brokenssyl5.jpg http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/9257/cl...pflawap1ke0.jpg http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/4641/sidebyside1cz4.jpg Emailed him twice so far, and when I first contacted him, he was working late into Saturday night, China-time. No reply as yet, but I'm only hoping he'll send me a replacement of some kind, because for 61 EUR, it isn't worth sending back to China. I will definitely work with Jay here, and have no wish to cast any aspersions on any reputable seller, but I am at a loss. Should I ask for another watch, or another bracelet, or what, given all that I've said above? Okay, first semi-bad experience as a newbie rep collector. So far, awesome experiences from Andrew (who is a first-class gent!), and Paul (who is a super nice guy).

I hate my age being shown there, sssurfer! What on earth? A lady has her secrets, RWG Forum! I might as well post my bra size too (don't go there!). Good news, everyone. Paul this very moment confirmed that the fantasy mini-Fiddy is on its way to me. Just yesterday he intimated it might take weeks...that's the way of the Chinese rep trade, I guess. You ask around, sometimes you get the rep your customer wants, and sometimes not. I'll post photos when I upgrade my account, as soon as that's back on line. Thanks all!

Wow, sssurfer, thanks for taking the time (pun intended) of checking out the watches available for that price! I had a quick look at the 140, and I really like it, even though rose-gold isn't a big fave of mine in general. I'll check out the other one, and let Paul know either way, that I want a PAM now.

Heh, about "what is a girl supposed to do?" line. I might just use it! Yes, I have paid for my watch, and this is the second time by two respected dealers who offer something on their website, not available in real life. I understand they deal with a hundred details every day, but if they don't have it in stock, and it's not easy to get (which is the case with both of these purchases), then for goodness' sakes, take it out of your site! My frustration boileth over, but not enough to make me forget my manners -- your points are excellent, thanks!

You're right about that 086. It's growing on me. It's just that except I can't find it on the Panerai official site...but that means nothing, I'm sure. As for the 111h, sure! But as I say, I'm at the $119 range right now, as its my first. Find me one at that price with Paul, and I'll snap it up. Until then, I'm saving. Okay, off to work out, ciao guys, and thanks!

Heya Andy. I checked out and replied to Rima's Watch Collection thread, where she said she had a 6.5" wrist. I said then that I thought we were about the same, but actually, on measuring mine is closer to 5.7". 47mm can indeed be passed off by the right lady, if she has a beefier frame than I. But I think the 44mm might just be my ceiling though.

Oh, and allow me to pre-empt further replies about the gender. No, I'm happy with a 44mm, not a 40mm. Thanks.

Let's not start that whole Pride argument again, Andy. PUHLEASE. *g* I've mentioned it a few times before, but yes, I'm a woman. Victoria is the name, reps are my game.

BR, Everythingape, FxrAndy, thanks collectively so far for your replies! Just to save bandwidth here as a humble newbie, until that Upgrade Membership section works again. I suppose I should wait for that baby Fiddy, and might reconsider my hasty email to Paul as I waited for replies here. I'm actually now wondering if this aren't worth it, better than my first link, of that price range (other than my original choice): http://www.pam111.com/product_info.php?cPa...products_id=969 (Arktos) http://www.pam111.com/product_info.php?cPa...roducts_id=1013 (Luminor Marina Auto) RATIONALE I guess, at heart, when SOME of us newbies want a rep watch, we want a watch that even a Panerai semi-expert might, on first glance, think is genuine, but certainly not on closer inspection. We're not that naive. Here's my reverie: I and my Paul-PAM are at a coffeeshop in South Beach. I look up, and a man is staring at my Panerai, and our eyes lock. He gives me an appreciative nod, and I smile saucily back at him. That's it. No "Is it a Valjoux movement and I see the lume is all wrong, and that strap is HIDEOUS!" type of conversation. Just something which happens all over the world -- insider appreciation. Like sharing a naughty secret.

Not that I am not EXTREMELY grateful to you for the advice, but I have noticed that when a person asks for some specific advice, sometimes you get the Chinese menu of 1/2/3 of what-to-do, when you're starting out. That's awesome, seriously, but if someone could just give me specific advice on my question, I would be in seven heaven. Really, I'll take pics of my curled up toes, to prove it.

Recently, after saying "never nuh-uh, no way" did I ever want to buy a Panerai, I have fallen under the PAM spell. But not having too much courage, I decided to splurge all of $119 and buy a "fantasy" Panerai from Paul of Wo-Mart fame (now of Pam111.com fame). He's a really nice, communicative guy, plus one of his watches already arrived and was STUNNING. More about that later in another forum. I realise a lot of people like Josh's PAMs, but he's expensive, so just bear with me in the beginning. I'm a newbie just experimenting with watches, and want quantity over quality right now. Long story longer, the fantasy PAM I bought from Paul is difficult to get, and I WANT MY PANERAI NOW. Like yesterday. Been waiting a week already. *joneses* Here is what I ordered: PAM Manual Radiomir with funky Crown http://www.pam111.com/product_info.php?cPa...roducts_id=1093 And this is what I want to tell him tonight that I want to exchange it for: PAM 124 Power Reserve http://www.pam111.com/product_info.php?products_id=951 So, I'd like to know from you experts if this el-cheapo copy is JUST good enough to pass muster. I don't want to spend more than what I have, so though I do appreciate any future suggestions (I've already gotten great tips for the PAM 036 in tabaky brown to buy from Josh not Paul, using the search button!) -- but this is my price range now. P.S.: I'm on the Panerai site, as we speak, and it looks like Paul used the PAM 171 dial, but instead of a SS bracelet, he put on a leather one. I can live with that, as I've already gone bonkers on eBay and bought 4 leather straps in anticipation. Whew, this Panerai fever is BAD! Someone shoulda warned me!

I don't know about you, but I never buy from a (0) seller. NEVER. As to the other business, here's hoping it's not.

Many reasons, I hazard: 1) As time goes by, the reps get more authentic, have more attention paid to them, and thus the original owners feel they are worth more. 2) Sentimental attachment. The longer you wait, the more return you want for a long-worn piece. 3) Narikaa mentioned that a cultural angle. I second that idea. 4) As others said, they are super-modded and thus the discounts are not as steep, since they've been "improved" beyond anything available even from Josh and Andrew. 5) The housing bubble has burst. Maybe the rep watch bubble has too?

"To: The Honourable Gavin Newsom" Dear Sir, Dude, you totally harshed our RWG mellow with your substandard, rep Bvlgari wristwatch worn recently at "Pride". We, the undersigned, suggest you look into the following list of reputable vendors in future. http://www.ttwristwatch.com/ http://www.perfectclones88.com/ http://www.pam111.com/ http://www.silix-prime.com/ Tell them Dutchy sent ya. Sincerely, The Replica Watch Group"