Where did all the experts go?

[bigfatpauli]

Hello,

Years ago, this forum used to be flooded with really interesting, esoteric knowledge of Rolex shared by people who really knew their stuff. The first time I heard about a "Bart Simpson" cornet was here. The first time I started learning about the stop-start history of the Daytona was on here, etc.

But now it is primarily a mix of "how do I get a Rolex" (universally, go grey) or "is this Rolex over-polished" (universally, yes) or "is this a good deal" (universally, I wouldn't) with a few incomings mixed in...

Where did all the experts go? Where did all the amazing information posts go?

The other day we had one of said posts - about Rolex hands not being in-house. It felt like half the replies where, "why are you posting this?" so I believe the culture has fundamentally shifted away from knowledge based posts.

So I ask, where did all the education go?

-Paul

[Dsmith1974]

Originally Posted by bigfatpauli

Hello,



Years ago, this forum used to be flooded with really interesting, esoteric knowledge of Rolex shared by people who really knew their stuff. The first time I heard about a "Bart Simpson" cornet was here. The first time I started learning about the stop-start history of the Daytona was on here, etc.



But now it is primarily a mix of "how do I get a Rolex" (universally, go grey) or "is this Rolex over-polished" (universally, yes) or "is this a good deal" (universally, I wouldn't) with a few incomings mixed in...



Where did all the experts go? Where did all the amazing information posts go?



The other day we had one of said posts - about Rolex hands not being in-house. It felt like half the replies where, "why are you posting this?" so I believe the culture has fundamentally shifted away from knowledge based posts.



So I ask, where did all the education go?



-Paul

There’s still content based posts with movements being dis-assembled and I often learn something new and interesting. I can’t say what it was like five years ago and there’s probably more noise now. Then again there are many new owners and not all are necessarily interested in watches beyond an investment or statement.

Does TRF have significantly more members now than five years ago?



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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by bigfatpauli

Hello,

Years ago, this forum used to be flooded with really interesting, esoteric knowledge of Rolex shared by people who really knew their stuff. The first time I heard about a "Bart Simpson" cornet was here. The first time I started learning about the stop-start history of the Daytona was on here, etc.

But now it is primarily a mix of "how do I get a Rolex" (universally, go grey) or "is this Rolex over-polished" (universally, yes) or "is this a good deal" (universally, I wouldn't) with a few incomings mixed in...

Where did all the experts go? Where did all the amazing information posts go?

The other day we had one of said posts - about Rolex hands not being in-house. It felt like half the replies where, "why are you posting this?" so I believe the culture has fundamentally shifted away from knowledge based posts.

So I ask, where did all the education go?

-Paul

Things change for the better and sometimes for the worse. The forum has changed. I agree those members and the knowledge they share are sorely missed here.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Things change for the better and sometimes for the worse. The forum has changed. I agree those members and the knowledge they share are sorely missed here.

OP only here for 2 years and last 2 years has been mostly bitching about shortages, grey dealers, nicknames, valuations etc. I remember when Forum was purely Rolex enthusiasts for most part. A lot of focus was in vintage as well so yes things do change. It would be nice to shift back and away from the same thread topics over and over again.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by HL65

OP only here for 2 years and last 2 years has been mostly bitching about shortages, grey dealers, nicknames, valuations etc. I remember when Forum was purely Rolex enthusiasts for most part. A lot of focus was in vintage as well so yes things do change. It would be nice to shift back and away from the same thread topics over and over again.

can we bring back Mon

[Naples09]

Originally Posted by HL65

OP only here for 2 years and last 2 years has been mostly bitching about shortages, grey dealers, nicknames, valuations etc. I remember when Forum was purely Rolex enthusiasts for most part. A lot of focus was in vintage as well so yes things do change. It would be nice to shift back and away from the same thread topics over and over again.

X2

Originally Posted by brandrea

can we bring back Mon

We need to bring back the safe cracker. He was a riot.

[bigfatpauli]

Originally Posted by HL65

OP only here for 2 years and last 2 years has been mostly bitching about shortages, grey dealers, nicknames, valuations etc. I remember when Forum was purely Rolex enthusiasts for most part. A lot of focus was in vintage as well so yes things do change. It would be nice to shift back and away from the same thread topics over and over again.

It's nice to see I'm not entirely alone in my feelings.

Although I registered about 2 years ago, I've been a regular reader on TRF since 2007 or so. About two years ago my goto watch forum became a little to slanted for my tastes so that's really when I started registering else where to see what other forum would have a better cultural fit for me.

What you are talking about - a time when the forum really was for the enthusiasts - was really the golden age in my glassy eyes. I guess I am just feeling nostalgic for the times when it seemed every post was a treasure trove of insight and information.

Perhaps I have shifted, too, in that I know a lot more than I did 10 years ago so less is new to me. I suppose anyone into a hobby for long enough does experience that to a degree.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by bigfatpauli

It's nice to see I'm not entirely alone in my feelings.

Although I registered about 2 years ago, I've been a regular reader on TRF since 2007 or so. About two years ago my goto watch forum became a little to slanted for my tastes so that's really when I started registering else where to see what other forum would have a better cultural fit for me.

What you are talking about - a time when the forum really was for the enthusiasts - was really the golden age in my glassy eyes. I guess I am just feeling nostalgic for the times when it seemed every post was a treasure trove of insight and information.

Perhaps I have shifted, too, in that I know a lot more than I did 10 years ago so less is new to me. I suppose anyone into a hobby for long enough does experience that to a degree.

If you've been reading here since 2007, surely you must be able to start a few interesting threads yourself. Be the change you want to see, and all that

[bigfatpauli]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

If you've been reading here since 2007, surely you must be able to start a few interesting threads yourself. Be the change you want to see, and all that

Maybe. Certainly I know thing or two but as most of my knowledge of Rolex comes from here or a similar neighbouring watch community, it would be more of a regurgitation rather then adding new content, only adding to the noise already present.

For example;

Did you know that Rolex doesn't make their own hands?

It reads as a silly post when I say it - or as if I am trying to steal credit. We all know that now. But yesterday, this was a really exciting read. A post like Peter's, however, appears to have a lot of new information (judging from my, and others, reaction). At least new to many people here.

His post was gold. Mine was yesterday's news.

[travisb]

Originally Posted by HL65

OP only here for 2 years and last 2 years has been mostly bitching about shortages, grey dealers, nicknames, valuations etc. I remember when Forum was purely Rolex enthusiasts for most part. A lot of focus was in vintage as well so yes things do change. It would be nice to shift back and away from the same thread topics over and over again.

X 1,000
Well said Ken. Couldn’t agree more.


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[HK_Expat]

Originally Posted by hl65

op only here for 2 years and last 2 years has been mostly bitching about shortages, grey dealers, nicknames, valuations etc. I remember when forum was purely rolex enthusiasts for most part. A lot of focus was in vintage as well so yes things do change. It would be nice to shift back and away from the same thread topics over and over again.

+1

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by HL65

OP only here for 2 years and last 2 years has been mostly bitching about shortages, grey dealers, nicknames, valuations etc. I remember when Forum was purely Rolex enthusiasts for most part. A lot of focus was in vintage as well so yes things do change. It would be nice to shift back and away from the same thread topics over and over again.

Well said.

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by hl65

op only here for 2 years and last 2 years has been mostly bitching about shortages, grey dealers, nicknames, valuations etc. I remember when forum was purely rolex enthusiasts for most part. A lot of focus was in vintage as well so yes things do change. It would be nice to shift back and away from the same thread topics over and over again.

I also agree ... we’ll said Ken...

[donas]

Originally Posted by HL65

OP only here for 2 years and last 2 years has been mostly bitching about shortages, grey dealers, nicknames, valuations etc. I remember when Forum was purely Rolex enthusiasts for most part. A lot of focus was in vintage as well so yes things do change. It would be nice to shift back and away from the same thread topics over and over again.

Gone are the days of JJ....how I miss them (him)

[Tomas Eriksson]

The demographic has changed over time... That is the curse of watches become mainstream. What you are asking is still being discussed, on this forum to a smaller extent than before but there are still forums where collectors and entusiasts primarily have those discussions.

[2001jesper]

Vintage forum

[TswaneNguni]

What I know about Rolex ,I was taught on TRF .

[chloebear]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

What I know about Rolex ,I was taught on TRF .

Well said. I completely agree.

[bestwatch101]

Originally Posted by chloebear

Well said. I completely agree.

I do too

[Pw92676]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

What I know about Rolex ,I was taught on TRF .

Yes!!

[maxymax]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

What I know about Rolex ,I was taught on TRF .

This

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

What I know about Rolex ,I was taught on TRF .

Add me to this list.

It’s sort of amusing really. I feel like I know more about Rolex and the current market from what I gain here versus the people I actually by a Rolex from.

I think what’s happening here over the last X#of months is really blip. Sooner or later the economy will cool, all the hipster instagramians will flock to a different hotness, supply/ demand will find an equilibrium, whatever element shift you want to assign and the core enthusiasts will remain.

In the grand scheme of things I don’t mind the current SOF (state of the forum). In a year or two we will reminisce about these crazy times.

E-

[Roll the Lex]

Originally Posted by bigfatpauli

Where did all the amazing information posts go?

Use the search feature on the forums.

But seriously, I think it's just how the market changed. With the rise of Hodinkee/growing popularity of watches, the ability to show off online, a thriving economy, and most importantly booming valuations- Daytona, SS Pepsi, Hulk, etc- this is what you get. And let's not forget that despite the fact that Rolex makes very good watches, their marketing machine excels at promoting the brand as the ultimate status symbol.

The other thing is that Rolex models evolve at a very slow rate. So you can tear apart and analyze a movement and it's going to stay the same for several years.

To your average watch buyer most are going to be interested in learning which models you can flip it for 2x profit vs. the history of the movement.

[THC]

As long as we have Bas, Jocke, and Paul, I am in for the long haul

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by THC

As long as we have Bas, Jocke, and Paul, I am in for the long haul

Hey I dunked a sub dial in acetone today, I think I should be stripped of my title

[THC]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Hey I dunked a sub dial in acetone today, I think I should be stripped of my title

Ha, you took Jocke’s suggestion yesterday?

[Andad]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Hey I dunked a sub dial in acetone today, I think I should be stripped of my title

You should have PM’d me first Bas.

0/10 for you.

I have thought up a new title for you.

[watchmework]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Hey I dunked a sub dial in acetone today, I think I should be stripped of my title

A fitting post for your 19k post Bas

[chloebear]

I absolutely see your point. I think the super smart enthusiasts are still on here, but perhaps a bit drowned out. But there are a good number of great guys I count on for sage advice and esoteric knowledge that still make it the best place on the internet.

It's definitely the most gentlemanly place on the internet.

[12Relojes]

Originally Posted by chloebear

I absolutely see your point. I think the super smart enthusiasts are still on here, but perhaps a bit drowned out. But there are a good number of great guys I count on for sage advice and esoteric knowledge that still make it the best place on the internet.

It's definitely the most gentlemanly place on the internet.

x2. TRF is an escape for me and as Chloebear points out, it's hard to find a place with better manners. I stand in awe of those savants referenced by OP. I read that post on the hands and recently learned that Luminova is Japanese!

I chuckle every time I see a post about where it's safe to wear a Rolex and remember when I was that nervous. "I better learn how to handle something that can piss my wife off that much. It's like a super-power." I don't mind it though.

I'll start watching baseball in September. There's a guy in the stands that's been watching every game and has the stats on every player. So what? He doesn't change my fun and I don't see how I change his.