There Are Pandas, and Then There Are Pandas.
And this isn't either of them! The Pandas we're talking about here, are watches, not bears. And what got me thinking about them (again) was a link posted this morning by @cm.rook who pointed a few of us to the very attractive (and not terribly priced) Yema "Rallygraph" Panda which, in it's most traditional arrangement, looks like the one on the left, but can also be had in the version on the right: The model on the left is a true Panda, while the model on the right is called a reverse Panda. The reason for that distinction is clear--Panda bears, only come in the first arrangement. Now at this point, everyone should be thinking about the most well-know Panda, The Rolex Panda, which is actually a Daytona, and among Rolex Daytonas, the most famous of which is the Paul Newman Daytona, which was famous first, because it was Paul's, and second because it sold at auction for $17.8 million (US Dollars). The story of that auction is well-known so I'll only...
Nov 8, 2019
Fit: Online comments suggest ordering a size 10, for example, rather than 10.5 (as a typical ideal fit). How about width? Is a standard D actually D width or slightly narrower or wider? D and 3E seem to be the only width options.
Models: So many.... Any advice/preferences/etc. in picking the style? An attempt at summarizing *boot* style variations:
- Original -- including a leather sole...
- Evans -- grippy sole, otherwise original style?
- Addison Wingtip -- fanciest?
- Rockford Cap-toe -- fancier...
- Harwell Chukka -- lower cut & fancier...
- Montague Chelsea -- slip-ons & grippy sole
- Courtland -- grippy sole & boxier toe??
- 'Cortado' -- full Vibram sole
I'll likely go for the Original, though the Evans is also appealing. Are leather or rubber soles 'better'?Color: How do the various color options wear over time? The black and brown are my likely choices, but which one?! :) Thoughts on color versatility with outfits? Is Cordovan No. 8 color a slightly reddish brown? Any dye leakage with wetness (rain, sweat, etc.)?
Any other advice is appreciated, such as 'Care.'