TRF - what 3 things have you learned here?

[Roger Lococco]

I've only been a member of TRF for a month, but I've learned a ton. I thought it might be interesting to share lessons learned as a collection of best practices so to speak.

I'll start ...

1. Buy great watches if you love them when you see them at ADs ... The number one lesson learned for me. In practice, it led me to buy my 116500LN white last week when I wasn't really looking to make a purchase.

2. Only polish nice watches sparingly ... I always assumed that the polishing you get during service intervals was the best part - but I now know that if your watch really doesn't need a polish, then it's probably best to defer or perhaps ask for a light polish only.

3. How to best fit an SD43 ... this is a more micro observation, but the thread on the SD43 fitting was awesome. Even the AD I went to hadn't heard the trick about removing the diver's extension. The board has tons of great tips like this.

Finally, a thanks to the moderators who have made this the best watch board there is.

[mountainjogger]

1. That this is by far the best Rolex forum, with the best members and best info in the world.

2. Rinse and repeat.

3. Rinse and repeat.

[r8t3d_M]

1. Buy the seller, not the watch.

2. I've learned a lot about vintage pieces that I never even knew existed.

3. Last but not least, that I'm not the only person in the world that has a watch collecting problem...

[tyler1980]

1. Its not an investment no matter how many times someone says it is

2. Stickers are a big deal

3. Your AD doesnt actually know Rolex's internal strategy any more than you do

[mgd55]

1. Buy the seller, not the watch. And you will always be enabled.

2. The Explorer II community is unique and leans more WIS (especially people into the 4- and 5-digit variants) than the overall population, imho

3. There’s not a technical question that won’t be answered by someone who’s an expert, typically by more than one, which is extremely valuable


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Yobber76]

1. AD's don't know poop!

2. When in doubt, buy!

3. If you can't decide on which Rolex, buy all of them!

[JTL31]

I learned: 1.)Buy what you like/not based on speculations, however buy the seller 1st.
2.)Rolex keeps secrets better than gov’t agencies and that frustrates TRF members.
3.) TRF members are pis*ed as hell about availability of professional SS watches thus ask questions about grey’s vs. AD relationships & warranty policies, many times per day.

[goldmoon]

Originally Posted by Yobber76

1. AD's don't know poop!

2. When in doubt, buy!

3. If you can't decide on which Rolex, buy all of them!

This right here.

Emphasis on number 1. Not all ADs, but most I've encountered.

[Hamish]

1. I
2. Love
3. Watches

[Rashid.bk]

Learned much more than three obviously bet here's a few standouts.

How an automatic watch actually works and how to properly wind it.
Buy the seller.
Rolex history and watch specific details, for example:
-reference numbers
-how to properly use a GMT
-the green dial on the Hulk has gold in it, but Rolex stopped advertising it
-different dial variations
-what the dots mean on the crown
-etc

[Kobus]

-what the dots mean on the crown


Had to google that.
Triplock - 300m or both ?

Pity the pictures in this thread in missing?
thread 86413
I can not post a link because of post count <10. Can someone search that thread and please post link, otherwise I will have to go and welcome a few new members.

[dafuture]

1. Buy the seller
2. Save to add and be patient
3. I'm not alone in my addiction

[Bt122]

That everyone here is obsessed with watches and can’t sit still, trade up trade down etc

[zjd168]

1) AD knows nothing about next Rolex moves, nor does anyone
2) Where all of these price increase craps come from
3) Latest updates on hot models from all over the world

[Gimoozaabi]

1. Is great community and people will always help you with the necessary information.

2. The true appreciation for Rolex watches is acquired. Rolex is very often disliked by beginner collectors (me included) but through the knowledge, received from TRF of course, the taste evolves.

3. TRF is addictive fun!

Sent from my MI 5 using Tapatalk

[Anson880621]

I learn a lot of dial type
Some vintage piece market price
Serial and year of the watch

[Smokey.Bubbles]

1. This is a dangerous place for anyone who loves watches. I only asked for directions and I now have a Submariner on my wrist and are on a SD43 waiting list!

2. For the love of God, anyone new here see point 1 and run for you life!!

3. If you are still reading this, it is too late...

[Rolexsd4000]

Everyone in here is a WIS


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jctrolex]

1. Most people here are OCD
2. My obsession with watches is actually normal to to 0.000000000000000001% of the population
3. There are people who would ask if it is safe to wear a Submariner on the beach.

[nac060]

Originally Posted by jctrolex

1. Most people here are OCD

I'll agree with this 100% , as with most people on forums, but watch geeks seem to be on another level.

[Onequik135i]

All that was mentioned as listed above along with adding to my already existing OCD such as keeping a closer eye to time accuracy & even down loading the Atomic App clock to my I phone which I have never done in the past until recently.

[schoolboy]

1. Basic watch vocabulary, like: bezel, dial, crown, case, crown guards, bezel insert...

2. There are a lot of hard to spot little things that people are into. Like open 6 and 9, roulette date wheel, flat four bezel insert, and the latest one was a gmt stick dial!

3. Being part of this forum is a very neat experience. It’s like having a bunch of pen pals that all like watches, and all can teach me a lot

Great thread OP


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[joli160]

Originally Posted by schoolboy

1. Basic watch vocabulary, like: bezel, dial, crown, case, crown guards, bezel insert...

2. There are a lot of hard to spot little things that people are into. Like open 6 and 9, roulette date wheel, flat four bezel insert, and the latest one was a gmt stick dial!

3. Being part of this forum is a very neat experience. It’s like having a bunch of pen pals that all like watches, and all can teach me a lot

Great thread OP


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My listing

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by joli160

My listing

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jamiewabbit]

Best forum with people who share generously.

[Wools]

1 - Buy your first Rolex watch from an AD (Which is an authorised dealer as it took me a few days to figure out!)

2 - The Rolex Forums is one of the nicest collectives of individuals a person could hope to bump into online.

3 - Ultimately, our preferences; Polished centre links, 2 tone, chronographs, coloured bezels, 4 digits, 5 digits, 6 digits, mean nothing. Enjoy what you love and love what you want.

[Fabrice M]

1/ every time I think I know it all, I realize I know nothing and still have much to learn.
2/ Having a great relationship with your AD is crucial. I make a point to keep in touch and pass by their place of work, so that they always keep me in mind.
3/ when buying pre-owned or vintage wait for a great pieces. Patience is you best strategy.

[Speed]

1. The average discount I should expect on a SS Sub is ~ 8.39%
2. Rolex watches are sometimes sold at COSTCO
3. There will be a price increase.

[fskywalker]

1- Buy the seller first
2- Taste for watches change through time
3-Stay away if want to keep your money save (too many enablers)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[SWISSAHOLICS]

1. It's safe to wear my Rolex in the pool, gym, sauna, jacuzzi, mountains, plane, sky-diving, hiking, bowling, golfing, etc.

2. Never look at my Rolex watches through a loupe.

3. TRF = Total Rolex Fans (love this place)