Victoria

Yep, that type of punch is what I meant by "pliers" style punch. How does it work for you?

Well, I bought a $20 one on Fleabay so mine is not the best to go on. I ruined a $$ Simona Anticata using it, so it's time to buy a more professional one.

Basically, I take a little ruler, and space out the hole I need. Check the millimetre width of the holes on the pliers, and go for the closest one which fits (slotting it before to see if I got it right).

You have to punch it CLEANLY in one decisive stroke, else it leaves a bit of leather hanging off which is unsightly.

Once you get a hang of it, taking these pliers to $300 straps is a breeze. Not for the faint of heart though.

If you're like me, and buy lots of straps from the forum strapmakers, you prefer getting the hole just right. I love single-hole straps.

I always thought GQ were full of sh*t, this just proves it.

I'm not exactly sure they got it wrong. If you're in a conservative business environment, a chunky Chronograph, which they specifically point out, doesn't look right.

They counsel guys to keep that for the weekends. I agree.

There's nothing more chintzy on a banker-type than a huge ole Tag SLR or similar, under their sleeve. It screams "reckless" which is the last thing I want a banker to be with my money.

BTW, the magazine doesn't mention the demise of big watches. But we all know it's inevitable, right? Still, there are big-ass watches, and then there are Panerai. It's called pedigree.

Seriously, did our fathers even know what moisturiser was?

Some of our mothers didn't know what moisturiser was either.

http://www.michaels.com/art/online/display...oductNum=gc0700

That's the one I use...

I use one similar to this one.

Peepshow, I think your straps are awesome! They are certainly an option if you don't want to go the USD229 route on TC, even given that they now offer the PAVs with the GPF Mod-Dep buckles.

My personal favourite is the tan one, BTW.

I don't think it's so bad, Victoria. In fact, except for a few entries, it's a pretty lucid discussion of the current state of Ameican politics, or at least the contest to see who becomes the next Democratic presidential nominee.

Beanyboy, Admin posted a reminder of the rules yesterday, I believe. I think that was his way of reminding people that there are certain rules in place on RWG. Sometimes things are let go, but politics is the ONE CORROSIVE TOPIC which ruins the atmosphere of a place more than any other.

I pity anyone that gets embroiled in this thread. Way to make enemies needlessly.

This is a detestful thread. I cannot believe, seeing how it contravenes the "no politics" rule and drips vitriol, why it hasn't been closed yet.

This Surftech RULES!

And mind, Sssurfer, I don't like Mini-Fiddy cases, automatics, and cyclops on Panerai watches. Despite all of this, your Franken has totally seduced me.

I MUST ask -- what is that gorgeous strap? I didn't see you mention it. EDIT: I read your explanation! Hirsch Liberty strap, customised by you. Magnifico.

The 063 for Monday. Wanted to resurrect this thread for Victoria.

Thanks, Porsche! Beauty...wow.

I met a guy in Austria who had a 125. I misspoke and told him, "Nice 090" but he graciously didn't correct me.

And what is this about peanut butter?

Bzzzt. Wrong. It's about this.

I was curious about Mr. Habacuc's previous "works" or gallery exhibits.

Found one dated 2005.

I didn't know having a potter in one's garden was artistic. My grandma must've been Michelangelo.

Sorry V...I know you wanted real pictures in NY...but, you gotta admit; That Bavarian Mass is hilarious!

Now that the visit is over, and I see no photos are forthcoming from you mugs , I can relax! Do you know, he loves nothing better than another good Mass (as Steins are called) -- of Bavarian beer, so there!

And I'll just have to make do with these outside shots from AP.

"Ehhhh. Three dollar."

As His Holiness's visit to New York ends, a last statement of Faith before the throngs of admirers and the press:

Here comes the Papamobile out into Yankee Stadium as I type.

I'm hoping one of you is there, took a photo or summat.

Racist pig.

The phrase: "All your bases are belong to me"

As you imagined, Fitmic, it's an English-language corruption of all "your bases belong to us". Just a bad translation, sometimes called "Engrish", from East Asian languages to English.

BTW, I recently found out who Will Wright was. The apparently very well-known inventor of "The Sims", which recently hit 100 million games sold. Heck, even I have bought that game once.

Do all computer nerds have to look like this...?

er... isn't it precisely what you're doing right now? Being shocked by this and reacting, asking yourselft tons of questions about man's relation to nature and so on (and you're totaly right to do so).

Pas du tout, du tout!

Perhaps it is true of his country, at least one hopes. But the overwhelming reaction around the world (which he fully expected, and indeed, planned his stunt around) was that of making HIM better known, not the cause he wishes to highlight.

When Chris Ofili flings elephant dung and fingerpaints a figure of a woman around it, calling it the Virgin Mary, he is not wanting to spark a religious discussion.

He knows full well this will make famous; so does every shock artist -- even bad publicity, is publicity and the more outr

...I'm serious! Else I'll go feral on yo' ass.

(That's not a caption entry, by the way)

I'm sticking to non-watch topics as I ease myself back into the RWG saddle on Monday.

To that end, I'd like to ask any NY RWGer if they wouldn't mind sharing their photos of the Pope's visit to their city with me. I'm especially interested in snaps at Sunday's Yankee Stadium Mass.

But really, any NYC photo of the Pope will do.

Thanks, guys!

P.S.: Please don't go off on tangents in this thread. It's a simple request. Thanks again!

Duh, the teacher was wrong.

Some of the most amazing art in the history of ... er, ever was done with a religious theme. You'd have to be a munce-head to denounce it because it's got an imaginary theme.

Kid later put these paintings on the steps of his State's Capitol -- both situations were testing the limits of free speech, and religion -- not to mention the separation of Church and State.

ps. WTF? We're discussing religion again?

I've seen you go ballistic when religion is the topic. It contradicts your posture of Man of Reason, above all else. And I'll remind you of it every time you dismiss people like Dani with a sneer, like you did earlier.

"You can't argue with that level of ... well, you know."

And lots of publicity for me! Guillermo was a very sick guy and would have died in the streets anyway.”" I mean, we're all going to die someday, anyway, right?

Separated at birth?

Guillermo "Schmuc" Vargas

Divine

@Ryyannon: The original Hairspray is one of my favourite cult films! Talking about true artists, the world would be a more magnificent space with more John Waters around.

Strawman. You're making something up and telling me how I'd react.

I was ready for this.

I'm done here, as it's obvious this thread and its ilk is not the place for a call for calm, reasoned thought.

Wait, come back! *waves frantically*

Tell me how you would react to this?

"A student at Tomah High School drew a landscape picture for an art class containing a road, clouds, and mountains with a cross in the background and the words “JOHN 3:16 – A sign of love” written in the sky. The teacher of the class told the student to either remove the scriptural reference or cover it up with a border."

The student refused.

"The teacher gave the student a grade of zero for the assignment. The student also received two detentions."

Which side appeals to you? The budding young artist with a Christian theme, or the teacher who disallowed it and punished him for it?

Snipping clarification, which went a long way to explain your point of view.

All I'm asking for is a sense of proportion.

Inherent in this statement, is the idea that you are a proportionate person. If this was a Christian artist making a religious statement in a public place, being given funds so to do by local government, I suspect your dispassion would've taken a dive.

The artist wanted a reaction. He's getting one.

I don't have a comeback to this. It's expressed your stance perfectly and shows exactly where you're coming from.

You can't argue with that level of ... well, you know.

Great. You're dismissive of Dani because he's judgemental about homeless people, despite giving clothes and helping one charity out (in effect, suspending his judgement for the good of the homeless).

But you feel this was honky-dorry and give every benefit of a doubt to a low-life skunk of an artist. Jeez.

It's just bad art. The fact there was a dog involved doesn't change that.

On the level of artistry, it doesn't.

But on the humane level, it breaks every moral and ethical rule civilised people have about exploitation.

Bad artists trade on the average person's renowned gift of "not getting it". They know their subversive message will be secondary to the outrage the public feels at the actuality of the art presented. In turn, artists and their pseudo-intellectual acolytes laugh at the public because THEY DIDN'T GET IT.

Chris Ofili-types know this penchant, and that's why they fling elephant dung on a canvas and call it the Holy Virgin Mary.

Again I ask -- where is the artistry anymore? The talent? The genius of the technician, like Picasso? His Demoiselles d'Avignon ushered in the modern age.

By all means, art can be shocking. But do us all a favour Mr. "Habacuc" and at least donate some money to the local RSPCA in your country too. Or maybe, if one doesn't exist, and that's why you did this (allegedly)...take a page from activists and open one.

Try and persuade a dog to simulate death for starving.

Then reconsider whether that may be a hoax or reality.

That's a good point.

Some repeat gallery visitors who were interviewed said the dog looked downcast being tied up, and got skinnier and skinnier, more depressed each time they saw her.

We really only have this "artist"'s word and that of the gallery staff that he fed and gave water to the dog. How do we really know he did?

And the reason for putting up that show is [censored]. Why did not the "artist" get himself roped and starved, instead of an innocent live being?

To think it was an official organ that will pay him (in effect to repeat his stunt) to do this...the firestorm this would've generated in other countries is unthinkable.

Some people liken "Habacuc"'s idea with that of Santiago Serra. From Wiki:

"Santiago Sierra (born 1966) is a Spanish artist. He lives in Mexico City.

Santiago Sierra's work reflects on the uselessness of capitalism, for instance he paid a group of workers to move a heavy rock from a point A to a point B and vice versa. On another occasion he paid drug-addicted prostitutes from Brazil in their drug of choice to let them have a line tattooed across their backs."

You know, as disgusting as this is too, especially payment in drugs (ugh) -- given human free will, it's less egregious TO ME. A dog can't be paid or say no.

You can say that again !!

Are you lads making fun of my Bavaro-Austrian heritage??????

The funniest thing happened in Salzburg, when some tourists were commenting on street performers doing the Schuhplattler. One foreign lady (I think Spanish or so) was conversing in English with a bunch of locals. After her 100th inane question, they told her they learnt this folk dance at school.

You could tell she believed it.