Victoria

Waloo, did you check out my recent Lange 1 (Timezone) pictorial review? http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=61072 These are very hard-to-find watches. In the thread, one of the trusted forum collectors (as rep watch dealers are referred to here) showed his (Richard) Lange watches, in three dial colours. He and others were unanimous in saying the Lange 1 reps are awful, and besides as mentioned, difficult to find. However, I am PMing you a recent link I received. Caveat emptor. It's not from a known dealer HERE, but it is the only other place where these rare watches are found.

Thanks! All down to you and your girlfriend having modelled it. Should you feel it appropriate, BT, please show her these photos. Oh cripes, that's good. Sizing a watch down is no problem, but when the watch doesn't fit from the box, you can almost bin it. I usually have to take from 4-6 links from any watch I receive, though I do like to wear mine tight. Yes, it's a screw-down! Don't berate me for the n00b question, but seeing how the caseback is rock solid closed, and it's a screw-down crown, does this mean it COULD tolerate a dip in the jacuzzi? Some silicone on the crown, perhaps? Thanks! I just twirled it again, gently, and it did finally move. The pearl is at the 6 o'clock posish now though.

No problems, Doug. And here is a promise kept. Photos of my new Tag Ladies Link. Extras not seen in the 14-16 December 2007 Wristcheck: Thoughts: For

I don't blame you, Golfman! You know, I know when people say that the Crazy Horse isn't the best hide. That it's overpriced. Yes, yes. But MAN. Panerai and Greg's Crazy Horse were meant to be together like Ike and Tina Turner, err, I mean...Torvill & Dean.

FRIDAY I'm late to the Wristies, but I have some surprises! Here's my lovely new Narikaa Ladies Tag Link watch, as reviewed by By-Tor here. It's SMALL. Very small. That's my tiny Rolex 25mm MOP Salmon dial next to it. You little beauty! Only thing though -- I was scared I hadn't asked Narikaa for extra links, having read in By-Tor's review that the Tag Links were meant for Asian lady wrists, and not Caucasian ones. That's as may be, but I need to have it sized by two or three links! (You can see my current nickle SS allergy, and traces of "lotion rash" on my palm. ) SATURDAY Check out my little lizard buddy next to the TWP PAM 217. Gorgeous Toscana Siena Carbon strap. It's been off and on again in the Daily Specials, sometimes as low as $19.99. Bah, I bought it for twice that. Worth every penny -- look at that sparkle! SUNDAY You gots Christmas parties? Me too. You gots bling? Me too. My Elgin diamond gold watch, Narikaa's Mont Blanc vermeil and gold-leaf rollerball pen, and my favourite Alexandrite ring. Have a great weekend guys!

Interesting. The watch's provenance is very dodgy (check out the questions asked & answered section); two months old and no papers. You know there was a Fiddy stolen from a Risti member around two months ago -- it disappeared from the back of a FedEx lorry. IIRC, it wasn't in its box. It was traced to an eBay dealer, and the owner didn't keep others updated so I don't know what happened. I see at least one Risti member asking a question about it, and others even openly trying to buy it OUTSIDE of eBay, which contravenes their rules. Phone number and everything, hooboy, that's desperation. The strap is the butterscotch one, and the case looks like a rep box BUT I think the watch itself is real. This could be that missing Fiddy...or it could be another Fiddy that went missing, like a famous Risti member's 127 that was lifted from the table en pleine GTG in NYC! Check it out: hxxp://www.network54.com/Forum/385842/ "Operation Save the Fiddy". Beautiful. Anyway, Wan, hope this isn't a scam... EDIT: Oh 117? Fake. Looks like an Eddie Lee Special at that. Message to eBay to alert them coming up.

Regrettably, yes: http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?s=&amp...st&p=371738

Wow, I had heard from my postman that the Christmas rush is down, so I thought, maybe people aren't out there spending on/sending presents. Slow-down of the economy and all that. Guess it's still okay in some areas. Yay! Wonder if this is why we collect watches? What other affordable commodity gives us so much pleasure, than the rush of happiness you get when you know a watch is coming or arrived? Let's see...sex? No, that's not a commodity. That's a luxury. Eh. Look at what I found at CQout, searching for a cheaper 005. http://www.cqout.com/c_item.asp?id=1830954

Davidsen hasn't answered my PM to him in 2 days; not a bad thing, since I've been thinking -- maybe I like the 005 SO MUCH that I'll buy a gen of it next summer. Why have this one, if so? That was always my rationale with the 111, since I thought that was going to be my choice for the gen. I thus never bothered to get a modded one from DSN, TWP or Angus, or anyone. Maybe I SHOULD get the 232 for Christmas, since I know I can't afford the gen of that now. But your 005 is so pretty; I love it so much. Decisions, decisions. Any help would be appreciated... EDIT: Oh! Link to a gen 005 being sold in Ozlandia, with pics for your drooling pleasure. hxxp://www.clockmaker.com.au/w/2129.html (Hmm, those markers DO look rather green)

I know this is a light-hearted thread, but don't feed the trolls please. It hurts me. Thanks, Jfreeman.

Great followup idea, HikeUSA! 80% of my reps are under $200. I have a plethora of watches to choose from, therefore. In no special order: Rolex SS Day-Date with Linen/Tuxedo Dial: USD130 from Azmindreader Hublot Big Bang "Aspen":

Cleobis, let me know if my opinion is skewed because I know you are a classical singer (I'm thinking of all the people you will meet in your profession). Beautiful, but too informal. As you say, perhaps not a Super Rep yet. Of the choices you gave us, this is the one. Precious Time in the UK has one, IIRC. Classic, but perhaps too classic. You need something that will make you stand out, be in fashion, and yet be both for formal occasions and leisure moments. Along the lines you quoted, I would also suggest an AP ROO. Boa sorte! P.S.: Congrats on getting upgraded!

The choices in this Wristcheck have been flawless. In fact, on Repgeeks too. There's a RG Audemars Piguet there that is to kill for. Gen, TMG?

I find that very correct, Flamemax. Where we differ is expectations. You have them before you purchase. I do too, but mostly, I have them after I purchase a watch -- if the collector will stand behind his product or not. It seems RWG talks about this topic more than other fora, and that's a great thing, IMHO. But here is my reply with my own philosophy about the matter in that infamous "Joshua/Andrew" thread by Chronus some time ago. It went on to 10 pages. http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?s=&amp...st&p=305847 Since not everyone will click, here is the gist: "Maybe I was born cynical, but I automatically expect people in business to fudge, and yes, sometimes to lie. Armed with that knowledge, I go in search not of the honest broker, but of the professional one."

You are one heck of a writer, at that. That's quite a reply and never once did my eyes glaze over (as people must with my posts). Where have you been hiding? RWI? Damn, I have to go chivvy you out some time. Can't wait to see that 089. @Inmotion: Savage and Tootall straps are THE BEST! Did Savage take 15 emails to get it just right with you? Because his attention to detail is out of this world. Not even Greg Stevens was so thorough.

Thanks for the explanation, TWP. I knew you'd come up with some legitimate reason why the watch was sent out as it was. My MAIN concern was that since the most prominent modder in our world has cited bad modding as the main reason he's stepping back from the forum, that you wouldn't be hounded like a beast because of this. Obviously, you don't have duplicate accounts and the like, and you're a trusted collector who I myself have bought from, so you have more clout. But given the atmosphere, I was genuinely concerned. It's important to give people some idea of your personal struggles but apologies if that wasn't warranted. BTW, hope you are better. You have an email from me about our unfinished business waiting when you have the time. I'm glad it's being sorted out Keeno. Don't be too hard on yourself. Good luck!

This one. Go with what you know. You got a sweetheart deal with the SSD (I'd like to have your friends!), but SSDs are a dime a dozen now. I have bought raffle tickets in two forums where I could score two of 'em. Tourby's Pilot watches are unique and therefore worth it, IMHO. Good luck, Vlydog!

I'm afraid I agree 100% with Jfreeman. I am now onto 81 watches (counting three watches still to receive) since June. I have yet to encounter one merchant who didn't send me an item that didn't have any problem. NOT ONE. EDIT: Not that all the watches had problems. I meant about the individual collector. Ironically, the only flawless ones I have received are from member trades. So whilst rodwc is bang on in his analysis, what can we do when we boycott collectors? Who do we go to? One collector even told me the sales from the forum members are as nothing compared to his outside customers. (A strapmaker told me the same, BTW). Recently someone posted that the infamous Paul/Abay/Womart was posting pics of his brand-new pool, which he got despite the negative notices on RWG. In fact, he was pointing it out with glee as if to say, I don't need you people to make money. My point is simple: of course, complain. Of course, demand rectification. Of course, demand good after-purchase service. But our demands need to tempered with common sense, patience, and less hubris about what we mean to these lot of men and women half-way around the world.

...not sure what happened yesterday, as RWG was down for me, and my Inbox said 100% full all the time (it wasn't), but here I am with the late Wristies. I think it's too late for Kostas to see it. WEDNESDAY Both straps I will show you look alike in colour. Both straps are on very similar watches, the Andrew PAM 111 and base DSN 112. But these are very special straps, on two of my favourite watches. Here's a preview: This is V's vintage hide, which I got from RWG member Vlydog. It looks just a little like the Metta Catherina, but with a charm of its own. In V's honour, I got, shall we say, a little 'creative' in the Wristchecks. THURSDAY The Andrew 111h on this unusual Rio strap. Looks like the moths got at it. Can you guess which watch is on top of which?

Watchdude, I was going to PM you but this is worthy of a post -- you are one of the best photogs I've seen on this forum. Where have you been lurking, since I've never seen your Wristchecks! Amazing camera work, worthy of By-Tor, Pugwash, Jiro, Bazz, and the other camera luminaries here. Look at that other furry strap top right in the fourth photo. That's either a Taikonaut or a Manifatture Firenze. Again, which ever it is, flawless straps, and the watch -- well forget it. I want that Davidsen 005. Sold. Thanks!

I can't say you're wrong, Luisik, or anyone who feels this way. It's just hard because I know some background to the problems. Let's just not hound anyone, please... I'm sure he'll make it right. @Keeno: Darling, I agree with that. Hopefully, this will allow him to reappraise his situation.

Happy Christmas, V! To you and your family, both here and to come. I was going to surprise you by posting one of your straps in this Midweek Wristcheck, but not sure you will see it. Oh well. Safe travels! Remember, "HIDES...HIDES".

I originally bought the Pulsar (it wasn't $6, more like double that at my local supermarket at the time). I liked it, but it was bulky, and made my gums bleed. Whomever posted that it's more expensive at the dentists, is right. I tried to buy the Sonicare my dentist had in his office, but it was well over $220. I got mine on eBay, brand new, for about $170 shipped, so that's a huge savings. The thing with the Sonicare is that the bristles are tiny. It's a tiny head. When you first turn it on, you feel like a thousand feathers are rubbing up against your teeth. Takes some getting used to, but it's fantastic. After I got it, (though you still MUST floss) I have never gotten plaque again. Toothpaste I use is Aquafresh's "Extreme Clean" Arctic flavour. It leaves your tongue and teeth really tingly. This British girl ain't letting the side down with bad teeth.

Since 1922, when David Lloyd-George became the last Liberal Prime Minister of the UK. Oh and Pug, it's freedom of religion, not "from" for a reason. That means the State cannot say to the People, practise our religion. It just means you are free to worship or not, as you please. Atheism is also an imposition of their values on society, and that's just not going to happen. People will fight back. Minor victory today -- I said "Merry Christmas" at Macy's and the roof didn't collapse. I blame Global Climate Change.

First, I'd say always post a review even if you think it'll prejudice your future chances with him, because the community need to know. However, it's hard if the matter was settled equitably since you feel like a heel. I know I would too. Another thing, Keeno, guys, please I know this is hard, but take into consideration that if this is the collector I am thinking of, that the person has personal issues at the moment. We're all human, right? I think when he reads this, should he want to delurk, I think he might consider stepping back, slowing down, whatever. He's a great guy, but something is off since I personally get PMed a bit about his modding, and it's not good stuff. He must be worn out. Anyway, good luck, Keeno in sorting this out.