Victoria

Not bad, not bad. Relieves the monotony of the all-black. But if it's "Military Time", where are the 24hr markers? Not even on top, to designate them! EDIT: Oh, doh. I see it now. I thought that was a datewheel! That's more like it. Minor quibble with the photo: seems to be showing 10:05, but it says "21:00 hours". Picky picky.

Incredible, Nanuq. Being a city girl, I had no idea the dangers faced in the Great White North -- bears, I suspected, but packs of wolves which attacked people and dogs (especially bulldogs, which are bred for fierce protection...), that was too much. Be safe, Nanuq. Take that axe you showed one time, with you. Merry Christmas!

Watching Headline News when a story came on -- a mad pack of wolves attacked a group of three lady joggers, and their dogs. The ladies sensibly had pepper spray on them (I do too when I go jogging), as the wolves were apparently emboldened to attack humans and dogs for a quick snack. This happened on Ft. Rich, near Anchorage. Extract: "Neither the three women nor their dogs heard the pack of wolves creeping up behind them as they jogged on Artillery Road in the frigid morning air. Camas Barkemeyer, 26, her dogs Buddy, a 3-year-old American bulldog, and Ginger, a 6-year-old husky, were among that group on Fort Richardson a little after 10 a.m. Thursday. One minute it was peaceful. Then she glanced back and saw the pack of about eight wolves spanning the road, only a few feet behind. A melee ensued, accompanied by screaming, snarling, blood and pepper spray. "The thought went through my head: 'What dog? What dog am I going to let go?' " Barkemeyer said. "It was the most terrifying thing I've ever been through." This is the tough American Staffordshire bulldog that was attacked by said wolves, a rising problem in the area...hope you don't live nearby, Nanuq.

OUTSTANDING strap, Jackyl! What IS it? @HikeUSA: Best photos so far in this early Wristcheck!

MONDAY Apposite snowy ExpII choice for Christmas, By-Tor! Here are my Christmas watches. I hope Shundi likes! You've seen the Nantucket watch. You've seen the Newport watch. Here's my "Palm Beach watch", which Lilly Pulitzer would love. With my (empty) Oscar De La Renta coin purse, because I'm skint. TUESDAY Christmas is about family and sharing good stuff, so here is another duo-Wristie: mum rocking that Tiffanys watch, and me with the HBB RG from RWG member, Raimondo68. The busiest house in the world -- Santa's House! What did you ask Santa to give you this Christmas? I asked for...more watches! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

Ahem, since a self-deprecating thread has gone south comedy-wise, something I'd never thought I'd see the British do, allow me to pedantically say that even Native Americans are foreigners here. Their forebears crossed the Bering Straits. Quick, someone quote Groucho Marx!

Hey :sss: -- thanks for your concern. To answer both your questions. Yes. Yes. Today, I wore my HBB RG (from Italy!) and didn't experience one moment's worth of itching or irritation. So I just have to lay off FOR A WHILE, the SS bracelet watches and coat the buckles of my PAMs in clear varnish. A small sacrifice to be able to wear my Panerai, Rolexes and Cartiers, in comfort. @ChickenManny: Wow! That is information overload, and very appreciated. Thanks!!

Another Scooby! I heard Narikaa sells a phenomenal link/pin remover. And you can't beat that price. http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=60762

Oh dear. It's good to know you won't be able to see it though, Ken. How do you take it off, with nail varnish/polish remover?? Obviously, an acetone substitute. That is a shame, Kenberg. Retiring a favourite piece must be awful for watch lovers like us. (It was the Andrew PAM 113 that I was wearing yesterday BUT I never had that reaction before. I can deduct it was the StrapCulture buckle, which I rarely wear) Good insight! We were at 80% humidity (81F) yesterday. The South of the USA is unusually high in humidity, so paradise comes with a price. EDIT: ...well, I'm wearing a gen Tiffany watch right now, which I showed in the Wristcheck, and no problems. It does seem to be my reps. Anyway, I'll try that clear polish! Ciao for now, guys!

Thanks, TeeJay! I do have a Spartacus Bund strap, as a matter of fact, from HKTAN. It's too masculine on me. I'm so sorry to hear of Emily's psoriasis...now that truly is a problem, but hopefully, she copes well! Obviously, people with allergic predispositions (as I am currently) will get these rashes more often, but I wonder if the pricier reps out there are made of less nickel content, or it's all the same? I only say this because I have yet to experience any rashes with the Davidsen PAMs I have...how about those high-end SFSO cases, etc.? @Scoobs: Thanks so much too! Don't worry. Every problem has a solution, except death. *g* @Jetsons: Very kind of you, thank you. ...no, I haven't YET washed the bands with soap & water, as I heard one must in another thread. I am sure going to have to, but I was always scared the cheapo reps I have wouldn't survive the "dip". I will, don't worry. BTW, interesting observation on gen Rolexes and nickel content. I have never experienced an ounce of bother with the gen Rollies BUT as you know, these allergies take time to develop. OTOH, I have smallish ladies all-gold Rolexes and only one SS DJ. Hmm.

Thanks, Alant! Merry Christmas right back atcha! No, there's no question of giving up on the watches. I will have to rotate the gens a little more, and apply that clear nail varnish/polish to the high-nickel areas like cheap rep bands, and the like. Also, I have to lay off the leather conditioners and Cape Cod cloths. Just wondering if others have had their own woes with nickel allergies, and if they can share their experiences. Mayo Clinic Link: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nickel-allergy/DS00826

After a lifetime of wearing watches, I've broken out with what seems to be a nickel allergy. This, I'm told by RWGers, is due to the fact that our beloved reps must have a higher than usual concentration of nickel in the SS bracelets or buckles. This sucks. EDIT: It also could be due to improper post-cleaning use of Cape Cod. You're supposed to rinse the bands with soap and water (see thread here). The solution I was given was to apply some clear nail polish on the needed areas. I'm hesitant to do so, in case I ruin the finish. Does anyone have (before or after) photos about how it will look? Yesterday, I wore the famous Yaarrrr! buckle from StrapCulture, on a pricey XaMas strap. I didn't wear it tightly, as would be usual. I lasted all of 30 minutes before the chafing got to be too much. There was an angry red ring around my wrist, which dissipated with some Cortisone-10 solution, overnight. Here is a general Nickel allergy info site: http://www.nickelallergyinformation.com/ They refer people to, amongst other products, a Nickel Solution ($22) site. The first product "detects" nickel in your jewelry, the second is a varnish (which really looks like clear nail polish). http://www.athenaallergy.com/welcome.htm Wonder if anyone has experience with these kinds of things? I love my watches, but I don't want to look like this one day: P.S.: One of the things they counsel you to stay away from are foods high in nickel content. These include potatoes, but also chocolates. Now, I hate chocolates, but just thought you'd like to know that, during this Festive season so full of these two foodstuffs.

But if they seize it, open it, and see a Panerai watch valued at U$5,000 in real terms, they WILL tax you the difference claimed, won't they? Having said that, I send my boyfriend presents all the time. Many times they have opened my sealed packages, but never have they asked him for extra duties. Touch wood.

What a good eye that Fitmic has! That was almost a Victoria-like observation. (Only I hadn't noticed it before. Good stuff) Rolli, no teasing from me. I don't know you as well as others, and well, we both have German blood. There is a limited tolerance of teasing before we break out the Mausers, you know? I just know I use your photos as my guide when choosing PAM watches. I don't get them as close to yours, but at least you give me a good rubric!

Handsome man, handsome watch, Raymond! I also loved the first shot; a smokey internet caf

What is it with apocalyptic films at the end of the year. Last year it was Children of Men, which was awesome. I haven't watched "I am Legend" (probably tomorrow), but here are some screenshots. Clearly, this isn't the Hamilton: But you can see why -- he wears two watches,

Never was a fan of the non-Seatimer Pasha Chrono, but this is a gorgeous piece, Omega.

Most of them show a burgeoning "male v. female" mindset. Boo. But this kid will grow up to be a writer for the next I Love Lucy.

Hey neighbour. Yes, as Fitmic said, the best option is TWP. Another option is Wackobirdkeeper, but he usually specialises in non-high-end pieces. He's also a dealer at other forums, not this one (Repgeeks, RWI). Another alternative is Narikaa, who is from the UK. Close enough. However, if you get a Chinese collector or anyone in the Far East to source you the watch, any USA-resident should be fine. You just have to stick to the collectors here, to get the most peace of mind. (Anyone else have a funny moment when clicking on this thread? "Hey the Chinese have finally made replicas of reps!")

Great review and photos, Pix, comme d'habitude! (That's French for this Frenchie is always doing something good). I read everything carefully, and since RWG is very slow so close to Christmas, I hope you will forgive a question: did you blindly pick out TOS from a list of dealers? Never having been on iOffer, I don't know how that works. You took a risk, but it paid off. I think your sleuthing about the Thailand provenance is correct. Not sure why, but straps/bands seem to be a very big priority for Thai-made products. I have a Chinese HBB and a Thai one from Narikaa, and the quality of the rubber isn't even close -- Thai is so much more gen. Strange, no? Thanks for posting this, and as usual with your posts, I will "digest" it again and again, later!

With your reviews, I click on a random embedded photo. I chose a winner today! Rolli, I know you're discrete, but question -- do you get your parts on Fleabay or does your watchmaker-modder track them down, etc.? Either way, your 111h is all the visual proof of why this should be MY first Panerai gen. Congrats!!

Cool people don't take tests.

They don't call it the DARWIN Award for nothing.

That has to be the prettiest shark strap I've seen (next to one I once saw Clive sporting), Pizzanoo. I have a "vegetable" strap from KWong, and since it's really very thick (6mm), I never thought to give KWong another chance. I really should. Thanks for the pics!

Hey Willith. A 24-strap Woj case just sold for a bit over $190 on Fleabay two days back. I gave a heads up to a member who wanted one, and I do hope it was at least one of us who got it. Too rich for my blood. I'll await the January fire sales, when people's credit cards come due.