Victoria

One of the finest people on this forum: FxrAndy. Cheers and beers, mate.

(My third reply in one hour -- I'll bow out until later because it's too much) That's it in a nutshell! If it would become a pattern. To the best of our collective knowledge, this is the first time this has happened. So far, it's been handled in a transparent way by Pugwash, who indeed, should be separated from the topic itself. The topic is: "Does RWG as a forum condone reviews of rep watches which are gifted to the reviewer for an IMPARTIAL review?" Yae or nay.

No, it's not that. You were clear, Pugwash. Since I've been "on your corner" so far, let me take a somewhat oppositional stance now. Why does it surprise you that certain people wouldn't pay attention to your estimate of a watch? Because that sounded pompous, you see. And if there is one thing I AM an expert on, is being pompous. Anyway! AMK000 said it best. You've been nothing but truthful throughout. Haven't read the Repgeeks thread, but even more kudos for publishing it.

I haven't gotten to the other replies, yet, so I don't know how this pans out but... I agree with Emmzy. I take only the technical from a "professional" review. Then I hunt around for other "lay" opinions -- people closer to me, in terms of knowledge and expertise. The reason is that a lot of the things rep watch experts find bad in a watch, I could overlook. I'm pretty sure that's what he meant. Followup: Ahh, I see it garnered a bit of controversy. The inverted commas ("official") were not some kind of slap, IMHO. I used them in much the same way above! And Pix' reply below that, is almost exactly what I think on the topic!

You know the only bad outcome about this topic? That a newbie would get cold feet about doing a watch review, after having read this thread. I hope not, though. Qui s'excuse, s'accuse, By-Tor! Don't give in to the cynics, please. (Honestly, though, I think there are few on RWG. We're talking of potential rather than something which happened)

I just checked IMDB. Quite so! Maybe they took pity on your snowbound selves. Country Date Croatia 24 January 2008 Greece 24 January 2008 Israel 24 January 2008 Kuwait 24 January 2008 Russia 24 January 2008 Singapore 24 January 2008 Indonesia 25 January 2008 Norway 25 January 2008 Philippines 25 January 2008 USA 25 January 2008 Oman 30 January 2008 Estonia 1 February 2008 Iceland 1 February 2008 Spain 1 February 2008 Turkey 1 February 2008 Belgium 6 February 2008 France 6 February 2008 Argentina 7 February 2008 Hungary 7 February 2008 Portugal 7 February 2008 Germany 14 February 2008 Australia 21 February 2008 Netherlands 21 February 2008 Switzerland 21 February 2008 (German speaking region) Brazil 22 February 2008 Finland 22 February 2008 Italy 22 February 2008 UK 22 February 2008 New Zealand 28 February 2008 South Korea 28 February 2008 Denmark 29 February 2008 Poland 7 March 2008 Sweden 7 March 2008 Venezuela 25 April 2008 Japan May 2008 Titanic? There will always be movie snobs, but I must say, critics have been kinder than usual, and it has a very impressive 8.1 rating on IMDB. I still liked Die Hard 4 and Transformers as action flicks, better, but this is 'no' 'alf bad', as they say in East London.

Dibs on By-Tor's Explorers! Kidding aside, let me just say that if this is in some way acted on, that I would not like to see Pugwash's Top Gun watch be its first victim. I think it's commendable that he took the bull by the horns, and started this thread -- his motives are transparent. Having him fall on his sword, as I suspect he's already considering..., would be MUCH TOO HARSH.

Recently, on Risti, I read that the 232 owners are completely baffled by why the 249 has taken off, but the 232 (despite predictions that it'll soar "any minute") remains stuck at list price. Apparently, it's quite easy to get one, and no queue needed. I remember mentioning this myself in that thread, about the Fidestro vis-

Wow! On 8 November, I posted that a Fiddy was going for $20k on Risti. 3 months and change later, and it's 23k! That's almost a thou per month gain... Unreal.

I was on the phone with my soldier-cousin today (huge Sly fan) and he said it comes out late February in the UK. We seem to get certain films one month later, but pity the Japanese who get it in May! Never been interested in one -- a bit too butch perhaps. @Doc: The rice field landmine scene was a bit much, granted, but for its genre, not a bad film!

At the end of the day, we're at the behest of the Mod Team, and their say-so. I just think it might encourage true dishonesty (double IDs, though I realise you guys are on top of that), if the rules were strengthened. Not Pugwash obviously. OTOH, you can see the difference instantly between this and other rep watch forums. Just the fact that there is dissension even in the Mod ranks, is good. It creates a feeling of accountability and fair play. Whatever happens, I for one will be comfortable with the final decision.

Please excuse the quality, but I thought WISes here might enjoy screengrabs. I went to see it but left it downloading for closeups. Glycine? Continuity glitch: he was seen on the boat ferrying the mercenaries, sans watch... But when he got off the boat, he was wearing this now famous watch -- the supposed PVD Fiddy. Nothing of the sort. Too thin to be a PAM. Action shot. I love "synchronise your watches" scenes in movies, don't you? Very Guns of Navarone. He looks great considering he's freaking 60-something, but his face is unrecognisably Stallone -- like the love child of Cher if impregnated by Sean Penn and Tom Hanks from The Da Vinci Code. Here he is, uh, "emoting". ...crackingly violent film -- loved it. Related TeeJay's Rambo's Panerai (thanks to Cool-Arrow for the reminder) Fitmic's Watches in Movies 894tom's Prop Watches in Movies

Maybe it's because I'm British, and trusting -- but I am used to Jeremy Clarkson being bloody-minded no matter if he owns a car or not. It may just be down to integrity. Do we trust a reviewer, or not? And I know who I trust. They've earned it.

The fact that there are so many potential reviewers out there, also keeps Pugwash and others honest. These are not $20,000 plasmas which CNET get as freebies to review. We can all own a $250 watch. For example, Bazonkers reviewed his PAM 229 first, but another member followed suit closely. If there is a big discrepancy in their opinions, people might justifily wonder. But there was none. Moreover, watch pics are crucial. We can judge for ourselves that way.

I have no problems with it, since I judge the reviewer first, and how trustworthy he or she is normally. I trust you, By-Tor, Pix, and others to give me a fair and balanced review. You've never disappointed me yet. EDIT: Full disclosure, of course, is a reason why you and others are trustworthy. There would only be a problem if provenance were hidden (which it's not).

Don't worry, V! I caught that earlier, and corrected it. Check out the Scoobs Wristie, and you'll see it. @Pugwash: That snow pic is WONDERFUL.

Well, in honour of President Nicolas Sarkozy having married Pirelli heiress, ex-super model, and songstress, Carla Bruni, today... ...I am playing: Quelqu'un ma dit EDIT: To embed Youtube viddies, check if the owner allows it, then do this: [ youtube ] ... [ / youtube] without the spacing.

Good God. Rachel Maddow, maybe... Speaking of outr

Teaching Math In 20,008 6. tlhIngan maH! peDoghQo', eghlu'meH QaQ jajvam. Klingon translator

And Western Union; don't know if you're comfortable with that, though. In case no one pipes up, I strongly recommend getting Fiddy hands from DSN. I keep comparing the gen online with my Fiddy, and it's nearly identical...

Woman's work is never done! (It hadn't come out too well, so not wanting ruin the elegance of the 3 photos, I didn't post it) Wearing this combo tonight, as I watch the first days of the Brazilian carnival on Globo Int'l. Who wants to samba with me? @Hike: CDs of samba-enredos? Sure, have loads! @Abt Samba replies: I actually have two left feet, so not sure anyone should dance anything with me.

Rodwc, you asked the same question about the Shoutbox, and I can't help but think there is something else at work here, than just asking "what's going on". Surely you couldn't have avoided having read a very active post on the topic by Admin, since I notice, you're an observant person: http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=66740&st=0 Time cures all bad ratings...

Prudes, feminists and men a little light in their loafers? Neither drooling nor offended! I saw this on Bo'R last night, and he called Tom Brady a super-Patriot for graciously dealing with this lady (who by her strident tone of voice, I thought was an old Mexican woman, not a young babe). I'm guessing Long Island boy that he is, he's going for the Giants, but it was great to see him compliment the always classy Mr. Brady. Abt. Watch: I thought it looked like a Paul Newman Daytona on an spandex bracelet...

In a thread entitled "Should Women Wear Panerai Watches?", I posted these pics: I came out very strongly against perverting the history and tradition of Panerai, by these "colourful" straps, especially the pink deployant strap on the hommage 217. Just seeing that makes me ill. Maybe on a 111 or similar, but never on the other historics... However, I realise a lot of us ladies like pastel straps. Quarks, this distates of mine doesn't answer your question though: Go to Don, who is a super strapmaker from Canada. He's got coloured crocs/gators for ladies, in the size you want, IIRC. http://rlx.homestead.com/don6.html (to the bottom)

For Mr. Scoobs, who wanted to see V's vintage with choco stitching, on a PAM 111h. Here it is, next to my Chloe clutch. Sizzling.