Victoria

I hope you are female, and smiling saucily back!

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.

No There! Happier now?

IF I could choose only between these two reps, I would go for the mini fiddy (your initial choice)

That being said, if you decide to sell either of them on the second hand market, you will not lose a lot of money. New members are more confident buying locally.

Hope this helps a bit.

BR

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.

1. Start with a 111. It is part of the ritual

2. Plan ahead: You will end up with more than one panerai. Having a bad one for start, guarantees that it will get no wrist time in the future.

3. Stay with manuals in the beginning. P.R.display and autos with dates are harder to get right in low price.

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!

Not cool, and it has the wrong box/papers...

http://cgi.ebay.com/FRANCK-MULLER-18K-CASA...1QQcmdZViewItem

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.

Is it me or have the good deals in our trade forum disappeared? I have bought several of my reps over the years from fellow members in the trade section, but I can't tell you the last time I was tempted. It seems to me like 90% of the reps I see in there are hardly even discounted. I understand when you see modded MBW's and the like. But -$20 under dealer list for a used fake watch does not appeal to me. Am I alone in this?

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?

THAT would make my day.

"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"

Perhaps a bad rep?

THAT would make my day.

I still think it is some sort of Bvlgari Diagono...

That's what I thought too, since as I mentioned above, it's precisely the watch I have, used for sporting occasions like tennis, etc.

But the bezel is all wrong.

Some of you guys crack me up. Like there's a way to eliminate gayness.

BTW, I think the watch is a Chopard Luc Pro 1 Diver. ON EDIT: Actually, I don't. I didn't look at the zoom pic or the strap closely enough. It's a Cartier chrono. Oh, and BTW, you guys who don't like "gay" watches better get rid of those 187's because the flamingest designer on HGTV wears one on a regular basis...

Last night, I went to the Bvlgari site and actually, like a fool, looked at their watches for hours (okay, 20 minutes) trying to determine if it were one, or not. I have a real Bvlgari, and the wristband is very distinctive, which Mayor Newsom's resembled.

But I think you are right about the Cartier chrono, actually. And for the record, with his slicked back hair, and elegant demeanour, I would've sworn he were not a Pannie-lover, but more into Vacheron Constantins.

If he were the Parisian mayor, he certainly would sport at least a Breguet.

I wasn't aware of posting any opinion about homosexuality, politics, or religion. What I thought I was doing was criticizing some of the politically correct, high-minded moral judgments that pour out whenever someone even implies that he is less than totally accepting of homosexual behavior or any other kind of behavior.

Warburg, you posted an opinion about homosexuality being a behaviour. That is an opinion, and please do not reply that it is or isn't:

I'm simply uninterested in discussing such a weighty topic on A REPLICA WATCH FORUM with total strangers. That's something best reserved for friends, family, at the voting booth...and failing all else, in the OT area of this forum, don't you think?

The analogy between "homophobia" (silly word) and racism os irrational. A person's race is an intrinsic, biologically based state. Homosexuality is a form of behavior. It is not bigoted to disapprove of a person's behavior.

Warburg, I'm just a newbie, and somehow my words were what inflamed this thread into something which were not intended.

Even so, I'd like to ask, no to plead with people for this thread not to descend further than what it has, by posting our opinions about homosexuality (or politics, religion, anything outside of the context of rep watches).

If we do, it could be visceral, never-ending, and frankly, silly.

There is, although I haven't checked because I have never found a need to chat OT on a forum before, an "Off Topic" area on this site, yes?

I suggest that if we want to discuss these contentious topics, that we do so there. We're here mostly to have fun. Let's do so.

Rudolph Valentino -- Cartier Tank.

Photo of Rudy wearing his Tank:

http://www.sunrisesilents.com/Images_blogs...1_valentino.jpg

Where to buy a rep (!):

http://thehollywoodcollection.stores.yahoo.../valtimtim.html

85USD. Not bad...

The sad thing is how none of our dealers carry any Blancpain reps whatsoever. That is indeed a disappointment, because they are really a very respectable brand. As you can see just by looking at the DR's watch, it wouldn't be a very hard thing to copy, either...

That's exactly what I was thinking! In effect, they are as sleek, elegant as the simplest Patek or A. Lange & S

my 1/2 pounder

I knew there was a reason I always prefered Wendy's.

By the way, to yank this thread from the cesspool of bile, and in line with the Alberto Santos-Dumont post earlier, which watches were worn by famous men and women? I'll start it off with:

Rudolph Valentino -- Cartier Tank.

He, as most of us watch-lovers know, popularised the trend (previously considered for women only, and therefore for men, a sign of effeminacy) of men wearing wristwatches. It started with World War I, but it didn't catch on until he was seen everywhere with his Tank.

TT

LOL! That sums him up perfectly, I thought. A bit of a scruff, but showing that even scruffs have taste.

That is a very dull watch indeed. No seconds hand? Come on. What's the point of that even being automatic if you can't see it sweep?

In the beginning, I thought rather like you do. It's very plain, rather unimposing, and very lo-fi, if you will.

And then, I kept looking at it, kept reading what this squirrelly professor manchild had to say about it, and I tell you, I fell in love with it. I rushed to see if even Joshua carried it, but none of my 4 usual suspects do. Sigh.

At best he should have chosen:

Now, see. This is modern-man for you. The more complications the better.

It seems that the Professor knows himself very well, because he stated that he's already a jumpy, rather ADD type of person, who doesn't need needless distractions.

As such, I can't think of a better, more elegant watch than the one he ultimately chose on this "grey market" (wish I knew where that market was...).

what is it with pretentious overweight british women with too many cats and the royal 'we'?

a tiresome stereotype. shameful that's so often true...

Nope. Sorry. Didn't understand a word, and Babelfish doesn't have a translator for the language, "Weak Lame & Touchy".

Found this watch site, not seen it before.

Looks very interesting

hxxp://www.watchluxus.com

See what you think

Wow, grinbo, awesome! I was meaning to ask if there was a site like this, earlier.

P.S.: Didn't know that Bally made watches!

and gays i know call each other fag. and african americans use the 'n word' towards each other all the time.

i don't.

you, being terminally clueless, evidently cannot see why i started this thread?

i saw someone who is a public figure and a known watch aficionado wearing watch i didn't recognize and was curious as to what it was.

very simple really.

or is english, or common sense, not in your lexicon?

1) There is nothing remotely insulting about "GLS", MOST especially as compared to that slur word against male homosexuals or the n-word. Nothing. Not when used for themselves, not when used for others.

You are absolutely determined to find an insult where none was meant. So be it. You have your personality, and now we know a part of it.

2) I'm glad you mentioned that. Having a spot of bother about Ann Widdecombe's watch, seen here:

http://www.junemendoza.co.uk/image/ptcs-anne_widdecombe.jpg

Perhaps you can help me out. What? Never heard of her. But of course you have. Googleisyourfriend!

I live near Brighton and therefore see gay pride occuring in what is as far as I know, the gay capital of England?

I'm British, so yes, I can confirm that Brighton is indeed the gay capital of England.

In fact, and bear with me, but "Brighton-and-Hove" is often referred to BY GAY PEOPLE IN BRITAIN, as "Soddom and Gomorrah".

I find such an attitude of self-deprecation not only refreshing, but alas, preciously, uniquely British. And that makes me proud, actually.

P.S.: Can anyone tell me what watch Ann Widdecombe is wearing in this portrait?

http://www.junemendoza.co.uk/image/ptcs-anne_widdecombe.jpg

*ggg*

you chose to use an offensive term towards gays and lesbian and their friends.

couch it in any pseudo polite terms you wish, now. but facts are facts and you said what you said.

i am far from a snob or a bully. i do support this forum financially. you don't. maybe someday you will. maybe not.

none of those facts are in dispute.

it's certainly possible to be an intolerant boor in six languages...

Perhaps I should explain, since maybe Portuguese is not in your lexicon of tongues.

GLS is a term USED BY gays, lesbians, and sympathisers in Brazil, for THEMSELVES. There is NOTHING offensive about it, unless you happen to think being called a sympathiser is offensive in YOUR language.

And for that little conundrum, there is no cure.

You are absolutely determined to find insults where none are aimed, or meant, and in fact, I rather suspect you started this thread to try to worm out this kind of reaction, which you secretly suspected some might espouse if prodded.

If I am wrong, I am wrong and I apologise. But I don't think I am.

I don't see many woman here perhaps due to the same type of reactions.

P.S. Newsom attracted a large amount of attention across the US and other countries when he challenged the Feds by allowing gay marriage in San Francisco. Love him or hate him he is politically noteworthy, at least in the the US.

Cheers!

I have to say that as a woman here, I have never had the least sniffy reaction directed at me personally.

On the contrary, no one, until this very moment, has ever mentioned my newbie status negatively, or made my sex an issue. I'm happy to say that that is the case even when I'm playing such (ironically, gay-centric) sports as tennis or golf, despite the idea that men feel their noses out of joint, when women are around.

It puts me to mind that if you are a sensitive, or an easily-insulted type of person, you'll always find some casual remark to be insulting. And by the good Lord's blessing, I wasn't born that way.

To quote the great-late, Greta Garbo (Patek-collector):

"Comrades: Don't make an issue of my womanhood."

I think vbarrett having only joined in the last week should be allowed more time to decide if he wishes to subscribe to our forum, I seriously doubt any of us contributed within our first week.

Ken

That's very gracious of you to say, Ken, considering this thread has descended into something none of us like.

Of course I will become a VIP member, if I should use this forum as much as I have this past week (having discovered it then). But the reference in direct response to what we were saying previously was not only baffling, as I said, but seemed to be viscerally snobbish.

Misdirected, frustrated anger does that to people, but I won't stand for it personally, and wouldn't like to see anyone else get such a cheap weird shot directed at them, in future.

In search of the perfect rouille leather band for my new PAM, last night, I came upon a completely unrelated watch review, which knocked my socks off.

A rather scruffy, geeky, professorial gentleman bought himself a grand graduation present: a Blancpain Villeret. One year later, he wrote a comprehensive review of it, that should be the matrix of all reviews.

http://professorguy.com/essays/bpreview.html

Written like a research thesis paper, it nonetheless captures the wonder and magic of owning a beloved piece, like the ones we do, even if they are reps. That the person is thoroughly enchanting, and has a childlike charm describing his personality (he could watch ice melt, and loves it), made it that much more personal and special.

On using the search button, I found another review on the same watch here, by one of the RWG crew (Dave):

http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showto...mp;hl=blancpain

...I can only say that both these reviews made me want to go out and buy one for either man in my life, father or boyfriend. Alas, none of our esteemed vendors carry it. One day, maybe!