Victoria

My fave. Lovely collection, Mezz! Because I have a collector's mentality, and I can never have enough watches, I don't know why people want smaller collections. I'm like that old dude with the gen Patek Sky Moon Tourbillon, who had 102 Pateks before owning the Sky Moon. I "get" him. I first admired your collection. Then I did a mental calculation of how much your reps must cost. I see a DSN 112, two MBW Rolexes, probably a full ceramic HBB, and that fantastic MBW AP ROO. That's around $3500, not including your the SFSO and Chopard XL you mentioned. That's a pretty tidy sum, if so. I'm guessing your next move is a gen? @Mezz below: I was already indiscrete in putting a dollar value, so I won't take up your offer to know the true estimate. ...just to say that I like your rationale behind your spending, and I see that you are a more refined collector than I. You go for quality, whereas I go for sheer quantity, as if the delight of owning is more important than appreciating (not the case, but I can see where others may think so -- not that you were suggesting that!). As an aside, someone recently mentioned another poster's writing elegance, and may I say that I enjoy yours tremendously. No matter how offhand, I know whenever I read a post marked "Mezzanine" it'll be a well-written one. Well, thanks again, and Merry Christmas, Mezz!

Heh. I'm too quick on the draw. I'll update the comment, since my followup wouldn't be changed. Dude, it's this little thing called Christmas shopping. Remember? Le Parking is le crap. P.S.: I'm against performance enhancing drugs, but not for shoppers.

It's spinnin', spinnin'! (That's one freaky movement. Clive is right, but the Chinese are going to have to put their thinking caps on for that one)

Extraordinary shot, TMG. It's like a little Christmas present...

Thanks for that, Andreww. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.

My desktop with better photos is with the Geek Squad, so please forgive this impromptu Christmas card shot. My deepest thanks go to the moderating staff for their patience and kindness; my warmest thanks go to the wonderful people I've met in this hobby; my most heartfelt thanks go to my friends. Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year, one and all.

I'll second that. Always spent Hogmanay with my grandmother's family for New Years (an Aberdeenshire lass, originally, RIP). NOring, great beer selection and even better watch! If that was the one advertised here, I think I had my on it. Happy Christmas, be safe in the oil rig this New Year!

Thanks, GiD. I can't take the credit for finding this -- it was Ryya who sent it to me during a low point to make me laugh. Must've watched it 10x the first time. I almost weed myself. On a serious note, some day some Asian person is going to have to explain to me why Bollywood films always have a dance sequence, why they are 3 hours long, why in the dance sequences there are singer-actors which don't appear in the film itself, and why they constantly keep changing scenery, almost maniacally.

An American classic, POTR! So far, 4 original posts, 3 gens. More gens to come, in this Wristcheck? @SCOOBS below: Thanks, Scoobs! You gotta know that I chose a black strap just for you, as I hinted I would in your Black Strap thread. ...I'm also reminded that you like smaller watches on ladies, so the Tiffany's watch will certainly please you and others.

:wub: Et tu, Tech? Only mine's a rep. (And the Jennifer Connelly boob shot was for you)

FRIDAY Slinky. Sexy. Panerai. My DSN PAM 112 on a Don Croc strap. (Oh, and Jennifer Connelly's right boob) SATURDAY The lovely Andrew PAM 113 on a Dirk Bacchetta Miele strap. Mama Claus approves. SUNDAY I'm busting out the old lady cocktail clutch, my Tiffany & Co watch, and the ice for my last (formal) Christmas party. A lady holds her liquor like her handbag -- tight. ...have a safe weekend all!

David, thanks for posting this, truly. This is precisely the kind of pro-noobie thread that I dearly wanted to continue, and think it's brilliant for its common sense tips. Thanks for unlocking some of your knowledge for the noobs. Look forward to seeing what others have to say as well. Merry Christmas!

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I forgot about that black strap! Frankly, I have so many straps I really don't know which ones I've posted. Pix and I have identical tastes. On my PAM Purdey 154. Before V told me it's not OEM, I thought I had bought a very affordable (U$60) OEM waffle-pattern strap. Came with the OEM baggie and everything. From an Austrian vendor on Fl

Well, Scoobs -- now that you rolled over like the only hooker in town when HMS Horny docked, and got yourself the Angus Fiddy, I don't feel so bad posting these. 47mm/26mm black carbon strap (Toscana Siena) on the Fidestro! (Close enough. ) You requested more carbon strap photos, but the ones I have on my 177h are the only ones of the Toscana so far (I will for you later, though). Here is the Don Carbon, however. And here I am doing a "Slai" (peak-a-boo PAM shot): (Probably one of the best shots I've ever taken of me) ...enjoy your Fiddy!

When I started posting here, and was still a member (problems with PayPal prevented an upgrade) it took about a month to figure out I liked the place, but actually about a week to know it was a helpful place. After I was upgraded, I did a little Search for the oldest members who haven't upgraded AND who had over 300 posts. I was shocked. There were and ARE quite a few. But I kept tabs on two, and lo-and-behold, they were both upgraded since then. Yay. The good news is we may have 8000 members, but about 900 average log on every day. 186 out of 900 isn't TOOOOO bad. But not great either. But that's why I am targetting the newbies, and trying to PM them with info, to make their stay here more pleasant, so they add that reason to find this a forum worthy of their 30 Euro. Because it seems some of the oldest folks here just won't or can't upgrade. P.S.: BTW, By-Tor, you were one of those I kept tabs on as an old poster, until by coincidence, someone put me wise. LOL.

I was reading everything slowly, in detail, digesting the ratings -- and I thought, oh dear, this must've cost him AT LEAST $350 to Europe. Wow. As DuDro said, people who don't have a Fiddy MUST jump on that, since it has superlume. That alone is a pretty penny to mod. Looks OUTSTANDING, b16a2. The Fiddy is just such a cool watch to have, and I don't care if people think it looks like a wall clock on small wrists. LOVELY watch, great review, thanks so much! Oh, straps. Yeah, you think it's a nice strap, but it's not. Sorry to be blunt. That's a rep strap, and people who know, will know. http://timeconnection.biz/page/timeco/CTGY/Special Best straps around, and when on Daily Special, watch out. $10 combined int'l shipping. Another link: http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46676 And one more: hxxp://www.network54.com/Forum/353393/ Wear the Fiddy in good health! Thanks for the Bob Vanilla heads up too.

ROFLMAO. That made me laugh, Andy. As much as the photo. Let us think: what would make a 2k lb. moose run up and dangle on electric poles. Ahhhh, could that sled with the little wheels be a clue? Inexperience! First the Hollywood writers went on strike, now Santa's reindeer??????

Guys, I think anyone of us would kill for a Tourby watch, but something tells me that Dutchy wants to give a watch with a famous marque for his dad. People would be right to think that an older Swatch-wearer doesn't really care about marques, but I suspect Dutchy wants to change that OR wants to honour his dad's lifetime of hard work with a watch OTHER people recognise too. "My son gave me this" (shows watch). That has a lot of impact on people if it's a well-known marque, like Longines. I could be wrong though, but that's the impression Dutchy is giving me. Dutchy, though it's sold out, keep trying Jomashop's Longines section: http://www.jomashop.com/longines-l4-709-4-73-6.html Longines La Grande Classique Steel Mens Watch L4.709.4.73.6 Longines-L4.709.4.73.6 Retail Price: $950.00 JomaPricedRite@: $617.50 You Save: 35% U$617.50 for a LONGINES. That's a steal. Even with international shipping. I just saw this watch (for women) in a jewelery shop this weekend, and it's lovely. It was right next to the icky Bertoluccis, so I didn't linger and try it on. I'm trying to think of another marque like this, which is a luxury watch, which ON TOP of that is recognisable in the Netherlands. YET affordable. It's hard. Also, something not too vanilla -- so Concord is out. Rado/Movado too. Ebel perhaps? For the same amount of money as you would spend on those Longines in the NL or the UK, you could get a discounted Ebel at this site (got a bit of gold though): http://www.jacobtime.com/osc/product_info....+1955k41%2F6611 I've bought from them both, and they're legit. Obviously, that was my experience, so please be careful Dutchy. Can't think of anything else at the moment, but those look good. @Dutchy: Good show. I'm glad at least you saw what is out there, in terms of savings! My dad is cheap too (don't worry, it's not a character fault, on the contrary) but somehow has always liked to dress well, and to wear a nice watch. I know MANY dads out there, that think it's a scandal to pay $1250 for a watch. That's until they wear a nice one, of course -- then they want more. Good luck, Dutchy!

LOL. No, it's just the confusion of the nicknames. Never having seen the Ice Bang in rep form I presumed Dave's was the one referred to. As Velasco said, the Ice Bang (not the Bling Bang) is a very specially designed watch. He seemed to suggest it's out there, however. Could we get away with all those diamonds in rep form? I seriously don't think so. But I said the same thing about the Gaytona.

Narikaa, thanks for the heads up. I have been tracking the book and it's available AGAIN on Amazon! Not only did I get: Wristwatch Annual 2008: The Catalog of Producers, Models, and Specifications (Wristwatch Annual) (Paperback) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0789209314 But this too: Watches International: Volume VII (Watches International) (Paperback) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0847828808 Will check this out from my local library, for those of you who are fascinated by the Hello Kitty Women: The Cult of the Luxury Brand: Inside Asia's Love Affair With Luxury (Hardcover) http://www.amazon.com/Cult-Luxury-Brand-In...880&sr=1-28 "Well researched and highly readable, this book goes well beyond merely documenting the luxe phenomenon in Asia. It explains how cultural concepts such as guanxi, conformity and kiasu are given their spiritual edge today through the way luxury brands are used as personal props. It is a fascinating read, and adds texture and flabour to understanding how the Asian century is taking shape. Mark Blair, author of 360 Brand in Asia and President - International Clients, Ogilvy & Mather Asia Pacific" (Fascinating, but heh, the Asian century) @Lord Rasta: That was a really nice gesture. Bless your heart.

Andreas, I just bought my boyfriend an affordably priced Breitling for Bentley 6.75 (I believe it is) in the sales forum. I posted a close-up of them in the "Too Busy" thread, but here they are for your convenience: Those of you who have only seen Breitlings online or at a distance will never know just how macho, sexy this watch is. Hold one, one day, you'll see. Then buy the rep. Even a poor one like this, is very beautiful.

Darn it, Francisco. I have a cousin going to Bangkok during his gap year next year, and I had planned to join him there...ah well. Your informative report is hardly grounds for a special trip over. Still, I suspect it's all about connections, knowing the right things to say, and the right kinds of money to flaunt. I have "una cara dura", you know? I'm a tough bargainer face-to-face. If you don't impose yourself, you get squat, especially in the East. Sorry about your trip over to what must be the Holy Grail area for Rolex collectors, and many besides. Thanks for the info though!