Victoria

Today, this tiny guy

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?

When dealing with dealers, trust is the only thing a rep watch consumer has to base his or herself on.

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."

Although I appreciate it, I'm not EVEN IN THE BALLPARK when it comes to the pros like By-Tor, Pugs, Jiro or Bazz. I get lucky from time to time - but they are 10s and I'd rank my stuff 5ish. . .

I once had about 15 top-tier straps and a number of nice reps. A modded 183, a DSN 005, DSN 113, Inge, Omega Moon, ???

I made a career change, had another kid, etc and I had to make a few sacrifices to fund other hobbies. My bills always stay paid, but my "fun money" got tight - so I unloaded all of them and kept my one gen (GMT II). When I do post, I mainly post at RWI, although I visit all the major forums.

I've got an 089 on order and two cheap straps. I'll photograph the HELL out of it when it comes in and see if I can "Wow" any of you. I'm going to fix the CG and maybe send it off for a lume job and a 'tick' at '9' since I got the one without it. With those two things, it will be pretty solid. I'm a little nervous about the 7750, but I only think I need a few months out of it before I can pull the trigger on my first gen PAM (fingers crossed).

About Davidsen - he is top notch. Both my watches came with a few "glitches". Stripped lug, stripped CG screw, all of which could be fixed with spring bars (River's are better) or some Loc-tite. You have to expect it won't be PERFECT as we are paying (Was $300ish, now creaping up towards the $400 mark) for a watch that is 99% accurate to a $4000+ gen. All in all, he puts out my favorite watches and I plan on getting an 005 or 112 from him fairly soon (could be sooner if I win my fantasy football league!).

Thanks for your kinds words and feel free to PM if you have questions.

Go order that sucker and enjoy!

-WD

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.

@Victoria yes you do know my personal problems but let me do some explaining

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!

Sell the SSD and buy the Pilot?

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!

Yes a very instigative post from a newb. How many watches have you bought, and how many didn't work? I have bought hundreds of fake watches. Yes HUNDREDS. Yes some have been defective. No I have never publicly whined. This is not wal-mart. It is a market of illicit goods.

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!

@Victoria, if this collector have personal issues, he should have adviced his customer about how bad mods he would be able to do and give him the choice to be refunded the money before giving a fenomenal sh*t as response.

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.

So have a happy Christmas time my friends

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 have a sonicare elite and yet have found myself brushing more with a oral b pulsar -- it isn't big & bulk & has pretty much the same effect -- i actually prefer the pulsar to the sonicare elite

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 when did Liberal become a dirty word?

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.

I wrestled with the same decision when I got a horrible "modded" fiddy from the same collector. With all the positive reviews he usually gets, I thought maybe it was a one off and didn't reveal the name. Now I'm not so sure.

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.

so, when is rep coming out?

Lovely article. Thanks so much.

Gorgeous.

Although Marie Antoinette never actually held these, IIRC, you can see this pocketwatch is fit for a queen.

These days, Queens and Princesses are much more discrete. Here's the present Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and the future Queen Mary of Denmark. The Crown Princess is wearing a watch I have -- the comparatively humble Cartier Tank Fran

Thinking of buying an electric toothbrush as apparently they clean better

So my dentist says.

Any members use one?

Yes. I was a hard bristle girl until two years ago when I finally caved into modernity. I used to mildly scoff at people for being rather lazy when using these -- but then I realised I have a microwave oven and an automatic car.

I have been doing some research and the Oral B triumph or Sonicare seem to be pretty good

Any advice?

Research it carefully on e-opinion before buying yours, Ajoesmith, but I have the Sonicare 7551 (I think that's right. I threw away the packaging).

It's packed with extra goodies seen below, which will come in handy since you have to change the heads AT LEAST every 6 months -- heads are expensive if bought separately. I change them every month, for sanitary reasons.

It's programmable, although it defaults to about "4 cycles" of cleaning, separated for each quadrant of your mouth. You hear a little buzz-sound change, which means move on to the top, bottom, etc.

A full-overnight charge lasts you 2-3 weeks, depending if you're maniacal about brushing your teeth after every meal, as I am. That's invaluable if you're travelling to a foreign country, and don't want to lug around big adapters for it.

On the front, you will see green LEDs which turn progressively yellow to let you know how much of a charge you have. Brilliant.

Yes, it's pricey, but it should last you for years. Mine looks mint and it's been the world over.

Any suggestions?

Quick! To the Batcave!

Ladies Watches: http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?s=&amp...st&p=366887

You really have to give us much more info than you did, but a suggestion I am taking out of my keister is a MOP Rolex in ladies size (25mm). They have it with bling or without. Ladies don't wear teency, spaghetti watches anymore, so even if she has tiny wrists, be sure she actually wants that. Ask member Carlsbadrolex about giving one's wife a watch she doesn't want, one day.

Dude, this is awesome. Thank you for expending the energy to post these wonderful shots. It makes me WANT ONE SO BADLY, you have no idea.

That's an Europelli baseball strap with white stitching, and I think perhaps an OF Paci or Paci IX on the 113? Or another Europelli, perhaps oiled down? Whichever, they are perfect.

*drool*

@Golfman: Your wristcheck is gorgeous, but what happened to that mod business? I tried to Search "005 Golfman" but I just came up with your SS allergy (which I recently got, so thanks inadvertently for that thread!). Joshua unfortunately is not an option, as I like to have it modded out of the box, but thanks so much for the heads up!

@Inmotion: Thanks. ...you're a great guy, and I hope that 112 works still.

Early Wednesday morning here (about 6'o'clock as you can see from my Yachtie). Leaving to the office soon with this one on my wrist.

Wow, a fresh wristcheck from By-Tor! And I see the new windowsill too!

@Dluddy: Love it, you're so proud of that thing, I can tell.

My own Wristchecks, if they happen, will be later Wednesday.

Could have been worse, Vicky:

At least he wasn't spanking his monkey

I also once saw a guy choking his chicken in Hackney.

Let me know what you think. I just found another piece of leather and can't wait for it to arrive Meanwhile, I have plenty of leather left over in the above colors, if any of you are interested.

Brent, love the brown with cream stitching. Let me have first crack at it, should you make more, please.

Ha, I'm afraid so...nothing I can do since my supporter status hasn't been converted.

Good God, I just remembered that thread of yours in the Introduction area.

You have my deepest apologies, and hope I've been a little more helpful than I was in those replies to you. I was clearly mistaken then and you were right.

If a Moderator can upgrade his membership, please, I think you'll find Brsmith1 has been waiting a very long time, patiently, for his upgrade. I know you're all overworked, so thanks guys!

Great news indeed Dani.. The thing I hate MOST in this world is cruelty against animals.

Not being a vegetarian, I can't say that, V. I love a juicy prime rib. I also wear leather (on my Panerai straps, for example). So to say that would make me hypocritical.

But I will say that unnecessary cruelty to animals is disgusting.

I once saw a guy beating his burro in the mountains of Bolivia. I just cried, because even if I had remonstrated with him he would've kept on doing it after I left. People close to the land often behave like this.

The one on the right is the better of the 2.

That's funny. Brsmith1 will know why.

The crown in the other one just looks massive. It would bug me but the other details are important too.

Thanks for the replies, Red and ZD.

005 is the only historic luminor model that I own to date...while I wish it could be a little more accurate it's my favorite model. Your pictures make me anxious to get mine back from The Zigmeister soon as I miss wearing it.

I have loved it ever since I saw it somewhere else -- even before the one worn by b12a6, with vanilla Bob strap, which I loved so much I got two straps.

My only nit-pick...maybe it's just the lighting in the pictures but do the hands still have C3 on them and the face have C1?

Davidsen had one C3 model which looked like the Hulk.

Guys like lume, you see.

One of the RWI members posted a pic of a GEN 005, and clearly you see the markers shouldn't be this green.

Now that you mention it, ZainoDetail, either it's a lighting problem or you're bang on. Thanks!

A long-time order I had with a collector is just not going to happen, I've figured out. So I'll order that watch from Mr. Davidsen.

It's the famous 005, which has the problem in all the reps of having the "mosca" (the logo) slanted the wrong way. But Davidsen's is correct, though I've read there are other problems -- it's too big, for one.

What do you think?

It comes with C1 lume. It did have C3 lume, at one point, but the markers were too green and I believe that's not correct anyway.

The 005 is the one watch I really covetted when I started this Panerai love affair. I'll get the 232 later.