Victoria

That and the trade deficit are the only things people can point to, to beat the USA over the head with, "economically". Lowest unemployment rate in years, a healthy economy in the middle of a war, the housing bubble which has moved on to North Carolina, Tennessee, etc. These are good times in the USA. But we're due for an end of decade correction, as ever. I don't pity whomever becomes the next president of this country. Ahem, but back to Australia. Migration swells in Australia: http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/migrat...6530678741.html "AUSTRALIA'S population is growing at its fastest rate in nearly two decades, thanks to rising fertility rates and an immigration boom bigger than that during the aftermath of both world wars. The number of Australians grew by 1.5 per cent, or 315,700 people, over the year to June 30, topping 21 million for the first time. Australia now ranks above the world average for population growth of 1.2 per cent, and only just behind the rapidly expanding Indian population, which is growing by 1.6 per cent and expected to overtake China by 2050 as the most populous country." People usually have more babies in good times, because they feel better about the world. Like the 80s in the USA.

Mark, congrats on the job! But arggh, I just ordered three pens from Narikaa yesterday, and none were the Starwalker (which I had my eye on). Your timing is lousy! But your review was a delight. Thank you so much for it. And the photos! I will place another order soon with Mr. N. P.S.: Loved the touch of the Post-It with the kind of writing the Starwalker does! @Rolexman below: Ordered 3. Thanks so much! My parents will love it.

What you wrote, is what I wrote Paul word-for-word, once. It only takes 5 seconds, the merest glance, to ascertain certain faults. But they don't -- largely I think, because the watches arrive all wrapped up in clingfilm, and they don't want to open them up. No excuse, of course. I felt the same way. It doesn't get better. It just gets "different". The more watches you buy, the better it is, however. At one point, when I was at 40 rep watches, more than 1/2 had some kind of QC issue. They were all replaced or refunded or in some way compensated for. Even Paul gave me the case for the rusted out PAM 199. But it takes PATIENCE, this hobby. If not, sadly, you should start saving for gens. I don't say that to be mean, Francisco, believe me.

Welcome! May I ask why you need photographs of watches, without watermarks? Sorry, I'm suspicious by nature.

I have one watch coming from him. I'll apprise him of this situation and thread in my next email. I also got a private PM, which I will include in the email, so fear not. UPDATE: Email sent.

Laz! I can't believe this, I only just mentioned you in a thread about Ladies Watches yesterday. Uncanny. I had forgotten about your best friend. I'm so sorry again. May your return see you with more peace in your heart, if not less suffering...welcome back.

Hmm, again, we all have our criteria for judging people on whether or not they "could" own a highly expensive watch, but this is more a technical thread, guys. The examples given here have been WONDERFUL. Keep 'em coming, please! B16a2's menu should be called a Chinese menu because they're about Chinese watches. Where are all the various Rolex experts?? Those are the really important watches, for so many on here. P.S.: I've never been to Applebee's, either, but I want to. Yet, I could be naked, and I still "look" well-to-do. I don't know what it is, but it is. I think it's my bearing.

After 1 month and 4 days, Cleobis, 11 of them. http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?s=&amp...st&p=293293 Not everyone is as crazy as Deltatahoe or as I am, but (and if someome figures this out they should be nominated for that prize they're always giving out in Sweden) the attraction to Panerai watches is something very primordial. It messes with your insides.

That would be my suggestion too, zmankillian. We get these types of questions a lot, as you can imagine, so it's hard to pinpoint any one collector (as they are called here ) to you. However, I see your local time is 5 hours ahead of me. Precious Time and Narikaa are both in the UK. You might want to give them a look-see first, if it applies. Have a good time on RWG!

Now that is one cool little boy! Dare I say it, a rockstar.

Delightful! It reminds me of Jeremy Clarkson recently testing an Australian muscle car on Top Gear (which he loved), but saying you almost expected to pour a beer on it to make it stop.

I'm taking it the Kwanzaa skin is delayed, then? Typical. Never mind. Happy Kwanzaa, people!

Surprising for some used to entrenched left-wing anti-Americanism, but Australians are a very different kind of people. "Why I love Australia" is a magnificent read. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/..._australia.html Excerpt: "Why? Because Australia's geographic and historical isolation has bred a wisdom about the structure of peace -- a wisdom that eludes most other countries. Australia has no illusions about the "international community'' and its feckless institutions. An island of tranquility in a roiling region, Australia understands that peace and prosperity do not come with the air we breathe, but are maintained by power -- once the power of the British Empire, now the power of the United States." The air we breathe...nice way to bring it back on topic.

Magnificent reply, thank you so much :sss: So, basically with Panerai watches, one would have to be fairly close to tell if it's gen or not, unlike perhaps Rolexes? Some other tells I can think of, to add to your wonderful list, is the tint of the AR. It's too purple on 127s, if a rep. Also, it may be too blue on the 44mms. Another tell, in terms of authenticity, are fantasy PAMs. Obviously, if you see a non-working tourbillon, etc., it's not a gen.

Are you saying, if the person drives up in a beat up hoopdee wearing a $20,000 dollar watch (if real), that's what you consider a tell or...did you mean something more esoteric? I can see where that comes into play. But I myself am hyper conscious of my watches now, and whether gen or rep, I am always fussing with them, gazing at them, twirling them. Not that these weren't some kind of starting off point, Jon, but the Guide aimed for something a little more nuts and bolts -- the kind which guys here love to talk about. IOW, more technical stuff.

How lovely! It's a toss up of which I like best -- the 183 or the chocolate poodle. From what I can see, there are wristshots of various RWG members there, and it's not all Miss Perez' right?

I am not Australian, so I feel I cannot opine one way or another. I just want to say that democracies absolutely need changes, and this means by force, swings from one political party to another. First, it keeps the other parties honest. Second, it allows people to see what one party has to offer in power, other than just opposition and criping. Very rarely do you get a country like, e.g. Norway..., whose Labour Party dominated for 30 years STRAIGHT in power. Yipes. I wouldn't like that at all, but if it worked for them, bully. Howard was refreshing for me, and I've scant opinion of Rudd, but again, I'm not Australian. I just wish Australians well in the coming years. There should be no surprises what will happen, though, as Offshore said. @Dani: Spiderpig! Love it.

Now, we all have rep watches here, or that's the idea anyway. But for those of us who are newbies or inexperienced still: How about a quick-how-to guide on what veteran members use as criteria, for spotting a rep? For example: What is the first thing you target, when trying to spot a fake Rolex? The rehaut? The crown? The printing? The lume? How close do you have to be to the watch, to be able to ascertain its authenticity, FOR CERTAIN? With normal eyesight and being well-versed in the differences, would it be: across the room? 5 feet? A few inches? Same goes for those of you who specialise in Panerais, or Omegas, etc. The crown guards and crown, the "A" in Panerai, the pushers, the chronos, the positioning of the HE valve, etc. The level of expertise here is astounding. Many people say that gen owners don't have the ability to single out reps from gens, and I've found that to be true on some gen sites. But that doesn't mean every rep watch owner, especially those beginning, have the same knowledge. Perhaps some people would rather not know the "tells" their rep watches have, but some do. Please share if you can.

When I finally came to in the spaceship, I saw the Head Alien staring down at me. They're also big on Breitlings.

Demon, what the roguish Hambone said is what I was going to reply. I used ambient light, and no tripod to get the super-closeups of the Milgauss you saw. My now 2 year old Sony Cybershot has two levels of "macro" if you will. First, the macro function itself, and a small button which looks like a flower, which takes super-close ups in real time. Obviously, it also has (6x) zoom function. My Cybershot is now obsolete, but here is a magnificent review of it: http://www.416-1100.com/gallery/1074988 Here is the kind of photo you can take with this ULTRA slim, stabilising camera. Incredible. Loved it so much, I bought another a few months later.

ZainoDetail, times like these I wish we had more lady posters here other than Rima and myself. I recently bought Narikaa's (fast depleting stock of) Tag Heuer with black dial. http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=59885 This was based on By-Tor's magnus opus review of it here, which he got for his girlfriend (he's updated it yesterday saying the watch is still running beautifully). http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=14263 AWOL member, Lazarini, once asked for suggestions for getting a watch for his better half: http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=36006&st=0 In this thread, JDavis suggests the one I like of the ones you showed, and apparently so does yours! The Omega Aquaterra. http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?s=&amp...st&p=294091 Ajoesmith asked over a year ago, what was the most accurate Ladies rep watch out there: http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?s=&amp...st&p=129584 Here's another thread, about watches for ladies: http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?s=&amp...st&p=145330 Finally, over at Repgeeks, there is a whole section brimming full of photographs called "Women's Watches". http://www.repgeek.com/forumdisplay.php?f=78 NOTE: I frequently post photos of ladies rep watches in the Wristchecks. Here is a sampling, but I'm afraid I cannot post them all here, as I forget where they are. Left, me wearing the Cartier La Do

Good take on it, Jfreeman. I think like many people, that actors today use their own watches for films. When "glamour" films like Ocean's 13 come out, I have no doubt they use their own watches (save for Pacino's Tiffany special), but when it's an action movie, I suspect they get props to get them reps of their watches. Who in their right minds would throw down a pricey watch through a well, even with an unlimited budget? Even in Waterworld. OTOH, they do torch pricey cars all the time, don't they. I still pine for that 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California in Ferris Bueller.

I'll sign! Quite. That's China giving you all the bird.