Victoria

LV Sub! Oh dear. The one negative, other than the inadvisability of going near an AD with a rep obviously, is that you went from primarily a chum to a high-roller customer. I think every time you go inside now, he'll be half-expecting to sell you something, if he just plays his cards right. That sucks. Good call on giving it a wide-berth from now on though, Llsteve.

Sean, I'm sure you hit search, but I just remembered this thread from Reklamkillen: http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showto...mp;#entry373024 That's a Bob Carbon. This is a gen 253 on a specially-made Manifatture Firenze strap (a lot more money but to-die-for).

Beautiful, beautiful, gorgeous. You lucky dog! For the stingray, have you tried InternationalWatchman? http://www.internationalwatchman.com/exotic.html $25.00 each...can't beat that with a rubber hose.

I'm afraid I agree with that, Sean. The 253 needs a dark strap. Having said that, as V will tell you, that GeF La Spezia in Cognac is the same as used by the Xa-Mas Strapmasters site -- a legendary hide. The buckle is nice and CHUNKY. Very unique! You can check it out, third from left in the photo below: L to R: Taikonaut white Kangaroo; MF Hammered Brown Calf; GeF La Spezia Cognac; Kaktus Havanna Drifter; Simona Vintage Blue. (On the watches, L to R: Kaktus Black Calf; Mario Paci XIV Biscotto; OF Mario Paci Medici Tan)

Loads of places. You can try these two: http://timeconnection.biz/page/timeco/CTGY/Buckles_Cat Like this: (There's a 33% off discount using a coupon at another forum -- Repgeeks) & Don's buckles (famous strapmaker from Canada) http://rlx.homestead.com/don6.html -- scroll all the way down @Jnagy below: Ah, sorry no clue where you can get one.

Good eye, Manny. Not sure if posting my selections have made people realise, but I love post-punk and reggae most of all. And I love "clean" sounds -- Joy Division are the epitome of that. Check out Shiny Toy Guns, if you like that, Manuel!

You know, Spooky, I know what with the GTG and President's Day things have been naturally slow on RWG, but I think your review really was good. Deserves a lot more replies than just 3... (Same for TeeJay's two threads)

Ooh, nice, Pug. Since I'm in the market for one, care to share your source for the MooCroc?

Yay! I had to take a peak after 280 replies. I figured the photo revelations might've died down. Glad you all had a blast too!

Who is Jim Cramer? I thought it was Schultz from Hogan's Heroes who said that? I'll tell you why I don't think he was not a rep-owner. He was clueless. He had heard of Mario Paci, but no clue about Greg Stevens, Manifatture Firenze, Simona straps. He didn't know about the tang buckles or anything. I mentioned "historics" and he said he read that in "the book", once. I presume he meant the Panerai history book which comes in the pearwood box. Rep watch owners are forced to know more than others. It's inherent in the hobby, unless you're a boob. Having seen Golfman's 111 helped. I really think he was a gen, Freddy. It's vastly different from my 111h, seen below. But yeah, he was flirting with me, Dluddy. However, this thread isn't about me, or that situation -- it's about the Ten Second Rule. Does it work for you?

It is very rude. However, since I am reserved and was raised in a "cold" culture, I really like handsy people, as Latins like the French, Italians, Spanish are. It's exciting to me. (He was Cuban-American, by the accent) How often do you talk about watches to strangers? I do a lot. Thanks! I didn't think of it this way until you mentioned it. In fact, I felt rather scummy after I got home. I'm getting that gen PAM sooner than later, I think. P.S.: This isn't about Panerais. It's about all watches. Something similar has happened to me wearing a Rolex.

Which member posted about receiving a rep watch, and giving it the Ten Second Rule? If he can't find any glaring flaws in that brief moment, he keeps it. Chances are, if one can't, even knowledgeable people around us can't either. So I FINALLY had my first Panerai encounter, my first Panerai "moment" at (of all places) Brandsmart USA -- a discount warehouse where I was buying my new DVD-R. Already at the checkout, I was wearing my Andrew PAM 111h, on DSN's steel bracelet. Hardly an amazing rep. Skinny crown, bad lume, badly fitted bracelet. I felt two eyes on me, burrowing into my skin. I turn around, and there was a gen PAM 111 on the wrist of a guy next to me. He grins at me, I grin back, and says, "Nice watch". We get into conversation (about straps!), as our queues move up, and then the worst thing happened. He took my wrist (surprisingly) and looked at it closely. 6 seconds, 7 seconds, 8 seconds...my heart was in my mouth. "Really nice on the bracelet. I have to get one." Either this man was an Oscar-winning actor, or he really believed it was a gen PAM. I was chuffed. EDIT: Please post your "Ten Second" Brief Encounters about any replica.

Aww. I'm not much for cats (100% dog person), but the ones you guys have shown here are lovely. Rosie and Pammie. Great combo, Teejay!

TeeJay, what ARE YOU DOING?? Two stellar reviews in less than one week, madness! Great stuff. How to describe the impact of this photo? Or the simple lines of this: Wrapped up in this: Magic! ...don't care for the silvery hands. I think it's distracting somehow. And that rubber strap's gotta go (I know I know, I read why). But this is a seriously humping watch. Thanks for the awesome effort!

Was it Corgi who bought this? Or Pix? Either gentleman would know better, Crystal. Just to say it looks like the REVERSE side of the world's most expensive watch: Vacheron Constantin Tour d'Ile

I passed 200 straps around Christmas, and I'm still going, Lifter. Panerai is alllll about collecting. It's the original recycle watch. Just to note, please please buy one Strap Culture strap at a time. Then you can see if you like the texture, thickness, and smell (they sometimes smell really badly -- bad leather construction, I suppose). Good show about the V strap!

MONDAY In Corgiland, there's snow. But in Funland USA, aka South Florida, it's been raining ALL WEEKEND. I've had to put away my PAMs and beautiful leather straps... ...and put on my Andrew Gucci Twirl in YG! TUESDAY There's nothing, and I do mean nothing, so elegant on a lady as the Cartier Tank Classique. (Just another Manic Monday. Whoa-OA, wish it were Sunday! That's my funday, whoa-oa)

Thanks SO MUCH guys! I will claim the good taste part because I'm conceited. But there are a lot more proficient members here about straps. You truly cannot go wrong in listening to what Savage, V, Tootall, and others have to say. And yes, Lifter, that SC one you fell in love with I think will suit. Good luck! 15% Risti discount -- don't forget to mention that you read that forum. Check out the Photo Gallery Strap Culture have: http://www.strapculture.com/customercorner.html It shows you customers' photos of their PAM/SC strap combos. This is DELICIOUS: This is more your speed though (THICK -- SC HM Legend SCLG-M882)

Lifter, I mean this sincerely, not because he's a strapmaker here or because I like him... But you cannot GO WRONG if you buy this strap: http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=67564 It even has what I do believe is a repro of the Holy Grail of PAM buckles. More than that, I cannot say. Either way, I'll let you know if I find something like you want.

Dude, I do not like thick straps, but I tell you, I fell in love with this one and bought it yesterday (in the Risti Acc. Corner): It's the one with the chisel tail by Julien Landa, a Risti-strapmaker. Look at the quality of that leather, and the personalied touch! StrapCulture's got nuttin' on him.

WOW! :thumbsupsmileyanim: Spooky, you may think I dashed through your post, but I assure you I gobbled up each word. What treats we've been getting recently -- Seadweller4000, then TeeJay, now you! Guess what? Sold. I'm guessing you got it from WBK, so I'll be PMing him about this. 190k for a Cartier. OMG. Are they kidding?

Sorry to hear about that, J. I posted a similar thread once. http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showto...mp;#entry319438 And here is the answer ("How to Remove a Scratch from a Sapphire Crystal"). I got the micron paste on FleaBay. http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tre...32539&rid=0

Nice! Already helping out your fellow newbies, Lifter. A star is born.

Daily Beater - PAM 112 Dress Watch - Rolex SS Day-Date Tux Dial Smart Casual - Cartier La Do

Sean, it's been said before, but allow me again -- some guys LOVE StrapCulture. They love the feel, the thickness, the machoness of the strap. Me, I like the buckle, but the leather is ABYSMAL. No East Asian leather will ever ever come to the feet of an Italian hide (the one exception seems to be HKTan's). However, that said, the Toscana you reference is very ugly, no offence. I have a very similar one, in "cioccolata", seen here: http://timeconnection.biz/Merchant2/mercha...Product_Count=3 Eh. I really would buy a better strap second-hand on Risti. Savage has some really cool straps going at the moment. http://www.network54.com/Forum/353393/thre...%27s+and+26%27s And these are great. http://www.network54.com/Forum/353393/thre...eugma.......%29 So, to recap, if pressed of the choices you gave us, the Strap Culture one -- but look around. I'm SURE you'll find better stuff. @Savage: Hey there!