I don’t think anyone buys an expensive mechanical watch because it’s more accurate. Of course a quartz will keep time as well but I like my watch that will run forever just powered by the movement of my arm.

It’s a bit like paying £4000 for a push bike. It doesn’t get you to your destination 10 times faster than a £400 bike. But the journey may be more enjoyable.

If you really want to push the boat out…….

I’d prefer something a bit more understated..

This Omega looks like it meets all your criteria.

If your buying brand new you should get a serious discount in the current market.

wheres the “watch live” button then?

There’s a watch live link on here[/url]

I hope you’ve got a TV licence otherwise you’re going to prison.

The first Seiko looks like an Omega wannabe!

They make good watches though, if a bit boring (in the way that reliable Japanese cars are boring)

I know what you mean. Although the limited edition Japanese market stuff is better. How about this one? Only $7,000

Believe it or not I chose my Oris over a Rolex!

I can understand that. There are very few Rolexes I’d have but Oris make some good watches.

If you can stump up a little more, get an understated Omega.

Not sure what you would get.

How about a Quartz Seamaster for £650?

How about this Seiko? Japanese only model. Pretty rare in the UK.

Or this Hamilton?

Two time zones. Can be had on different coloured straps.

Oris are good as well. I’m not sure what you would get for £500.

What is your Tag like? Steel?

Any features you want on the watch? Stop watch? Water resistant?

I was trying to get 125 by multiplying ?x?x? =125, hence the 3.34xx

Now I’m really confused. How did you get 3.34?

3.34 x 3.34 x 3.34 = about 37

Oh hang on.. 3.34 x 3.34 = 11.2, 11.2 x 11.2 = 125.

So 3.34 is the 4th root whatever that is called.

I thought it was great.

I went in May when strolling around was a bit more pleasant. And you could sit on a boat in the harbour and have tapas.

I found the waiters etc friendly. But then it’s always a good idea to try to speak a little of the language. Or just shout in english obviously.

Do you have to start at the beginning of the Baroque Cycle or can you jump in straight into Cryptonomicon?

Well he wrote Crytptonomicon first and it does stand alone. But it gives away a lot of the twists in the Baroque Cycle.

So I’d start with Quicksilver. If you hate it you can still read Cryptonomicon.

I’ve got a Passat 130 TDI. They can be got for fairly silly money now.

Lots more boot space than the Audi A4 due to the less sexy shape. Great on motorways.

I’m not sure if that’s too basic for you.

Also got Alias Grace by Margaret Attwood

i wasn’t that impressed by that one. But I thought The Blind Assassin was brilliant.

I think I may need to build my stamina for a 900 pager

It took me a while to get through.

Stephenson tends to write huge novels. His Baroque cycle is three 900 pagers. I may start that again once I’ve finished my current one.

I’ve just finished Neal Stephenson’s Anathem which started slowly. It’s about 900 pages. The first 150 pages were hard work but after that it flew by.

I’m now reading a biography of Robert Hooke mostly because of Stephenson’s book Quicksilver

in all these cases HMRC … get first dibs on any money and the people who hold vouchers are last

I don’t think HMRC does anymore. They have to queue with the rest of the creditors. Possibly the only popular piece of legislation Labour have introduced.

It does seem a bit harsh on Cavendish. Perhaps he’ll have to win the Green jersey to get a gong.

Why did Adlington ‘only’ get an OBE for winning two Golds when Kelly Holmes was Damed for winning two Golds?

I assume Holmes already had something. Also it was Holmes’ last Olympics. Hopefully Adlington will win a lot more.

Anyone know the order of importance of CBE, OBE, MBE?

It goes…

Commander…

Officer…

Member of the Order of the British Empire.

Co Op on line are good.

Wide range of brands and you can get next day delivery if it’s in stock.

I had a LaCie one for a while.

I was very reliable until my wife dropped it off the desk. It’s now useless.

I’ll probably get another LaCie though.