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Old 19 October 2019, 11:35 AM   #1
NYCWATCHCREW
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The History of TRF

Anyone have a good thread or idea as to how or why TRF came into existence?

From my limited research it looks like it was started back in 2004 by a guy named Mark who currently has limited involvement with the current operation of the forums.

I am aware that the forum is currently owned and operated by Steve. Does anyone have any other information as I am very curious.

All the best.

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Old 19 October 2019, 12:33 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by robcorbe1 View Post
Anyone have a good thread or idea as to how or why TRF came into existence?

From my limited research it looks like it was started back in 2004 by a guy named Mark who currently has limited involvement with the current operation of the forums.

I am aware that the forum is currently owned and operated by Steve. Does anyone have any other information as I am very curious.

All the best.

I was not on watch forums back then but from what I gather a group sort of migrated from another forum after they decided it was not for them anymore.

TRFs growth can be attributed to excellent moderation which is a tip of the cap to Steve’s stewardship.
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Old 19 October 2019, 12:45 PM   #3
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You both kinda nailed it.
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Old 20 October 2019, 12:16 AM   #4
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That's the net of it if you go back and read through the early threads. That's one thing about TRF..all the old posts are still on the site. Go back to thread 1 and scan through topics. Lot of interesting stuff there.
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Old 20 October 2019, 12:56 AM   #5
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So what happened to Mark, the founder? Looks like he hasn't been around since 2014.
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Old 20 October 2019, 01:21 AM   #6
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Cool topic Rob. I'd love to see how it all started.
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Old 20 October 2019, 01:56 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robcorbe1 View Post
Anyone have a good thread or idea as to how or why TRF came into existence?

From my limited research it looks like it was started back in 2004 by a guy named Mark who currently has limited involvement with the current operation of the forums.

I am aware that the forum is currently owned and operated by Steve. Does anyone have any other information as I am very curious.

All the best.

It was late 2004 early 2005 TRF was first started by the original founder Mark and with most of today's Mods all watch enthusiasts and not funded by Rolex in any way. But in those early days we had just a few loyal members around 35 in total, most of those from another well known forum but that's now water under the bridge. And look how we have grown over those years, now a very large forum indeed.So we must be very proud of what TRF and its now Admin Steve plus team of mods and all the loyal members what we have achieved today, the best Rolex and other watch forum on the net.The forum is not run for any gain whatsoever and site has now quite a large data base and a dedicated server which costs money.So all donations are used to keep forum running and up to speed,plus if a pledge member there are many advantages and no third party is involved in running forum .
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Old 20 October 2019, 02:09 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by padi56 View Post
It was late 2004 early 2005 TRF was first started by the original founder Mark and with most of today's Mods all watch enthusiasts and not funded by Rolex in any way. But in those early days we had just a few loyal members around 35 in total, most of those from another well known forum but that's now water under the bridge. And look how we have grown over those years, now a very large forum indeed.So we must be very proud of what TRF and its now Admin Steve plus team of mods and all the loyal members what we have achieved today, the best Rolex and other watch forum on the net.The forum is not run for any gain whatsoever and site has now quite a large data base and a dedicated server which costs money.So all donations are used to keep forum running and up to speed,plus if a pledge member there are many advantages and no third party is involved in running forum .


Thank you for taking the time for this detailed response!!! As I get further and further into the community I love to hear more about its roots...it’s funny I almost feel like I was on ancestry.com trying to figure out where my family came from

This link also had some great info by some of the original members...

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...+of+TRF&page=3


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Old 20 October 2019, 03:24 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by padi56 View Post
It was late 2004 early 2005 TRF was first started by the original founder Mark and with most of today's Mods all watch enthusiasts and not funded by Rolex in any way. But in those early days we had just a few loyal members around 35 in total, most of those from another well known forum but that's now water under the bridge. And look how we have grown over those years, now a very large forum indeed.So we must be very proud of what TRF and its now Admin Steve plus team of mods and all the loyal members what we have achieved today, the best Rolex and other watch forum on the net.The forum is not run for any gain whatsoever and site has now quite a large data base and a dedicated server which costs money.So all donations are used to keep forum running and up to speed,plus if a pledge member there are many advantages and no third party is involved in running forum .
I must need some sleep but this reminded me of this:

It was twenty years ago today
Sergeant Pepper taught the band to play,
They've been going in and out of style,
But they're guaranteed to raise the smile,
So may I introduce to you,
The act you've known for all these years,
Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
We're Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
We hope you will enjoy the show
Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sit back and let the evening go
Sergeant Pepper's Lonely
Sergeant Pepper's Lonely
Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
It's wonderful to be here,
It's certainly a thrill
You're such a lovely audience,
We'd like to take you home with us, we'd love to take you home
I don't really want to stop the show,
But I thought you might like to know,
That the singer's going to sing a song
And he wants you all to sing along,
So let me introduce to you
The one and only Billy Shears
And Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Oh ha ha
Yeah, dress down
I feel it, I feel it, I feel it
Oh baby now, I feel it, I feel it, I feel it
Baby, free now
Gotta be free now, gotta be free now, gotta be free
Don't like that
I think it'll probably be another day singing it
Yeah so just edit that then, it's nice
Yeah, and what you can do with the bits where you can't get it 'cause you haven't got enough breath
Just take over, yeah
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Old 22 October 2019, 07:57 AM   #10
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Alan Gow.
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Old 22 October 2019, 09:23 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by robcorbe1 View Post
This link also had some great info by some of the original members...

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...+of+TRF&page=3


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Interesting stuff. Can anyone shed light on the wankers/tossers debate?
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Old 22 October 2019, 09:32 AM   #12
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So what happened to Mark, the founder? Looks like he hasn't been around since 2014.
Same here purely out of interest sake.
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Old 22 October 2019, 09:35 AM   #13
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I'm glad to be part of it.
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Old 22 October 2019, 12:11 PM   #14
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Of course, everyone knows. TRF didn’t REALLY begin until I joined in 2008.....
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Old 22 October 2019, 02:15 PM   #15
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Of course, everyone knows. TRF didn’t REALLY begin until I joined in 2008.....
O' Boy!

No question You and Anna are the #1 couple on TRF.

And... You and Jocke have the best man crush on TRF.
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Old 22 October 2019, 10:46 PM   #16
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While many online forums decline dramatically in popularity and activity, TRF continues to thrive and remains an unmatched resource for Rolex and watch information and enthusiasm. I am a moderator on the largest marine aquarium site in the world. Activity has slowed to a relative trickle as people seem to prefer Facebook or other social media platforms for hobby information, much of which is often inaccurate or downright garbage. Long live the TRF community.
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Old 23 October 2019, 01:55 AM   #17
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While many online forums decline dramatically in popularity and activity, TRF continues to thrive and remains an unmatched resource for Rolex and watch information and enthusiasm.
You’re welcome Joey
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Old 23 October 2019, 02:06 AM   #18
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As long as everyone thinks it wasn't started by the CIA to gather information and monitor many of the world's elite, everything's okay.
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Old 23 October 2019, 02:23 AM   #19
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Awesome to learn about the history! I have enjoyed it in my short time as a member.
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Old 23 October 2019, 02:31 AM   #20
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Originally Posted by Watch This View Post
Alan Gow.


Wow. Blast from the past, pre historic Internet age 1999-2000ish

Haven’t seen or heard from him in ages.


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Old 23 October 2019, 06:34 AM   #21
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After the other place was falling apart Jocke and I were hanging out on another forum; he told me he was over here, but it wasn't until I met Darrel (DMAN) for coffee that I officially signed up. It was good to see the old gang in one place again.

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Old 23 October 2019, 06:38 AM   #22
GoingPlaces
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blansky View Post
I must need some sleep but this reminded me of this:

It was twenty years ago today
Sergeant Pepper taught the band to play,
They've been going in and out of style,
But they're guaranteed to raise the smile,
So may I introduce to you,
The act you've known for all these years,
Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
We're Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
We hope you will enjoy the show
Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sit back and let the evening go
Sergeant Pepper's Lonely
Sergeant Pepper's Lonely
Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
It's wonderful to be here,
It's certainly a thrill
You're such a lovely audience,
We'd like to take you home with us, we'd love to take you home
I don't really want to stop the show,
But I thought you might like to know,
That the singer's going to sing a song
And he wants you all to sing along,
So let me introduce to you
The one and only Billy Shears
And Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Oh ha ha
Yeah, dress down
I feel it, I feel it, I feel it
Oh baby now, I feel it, I feel it, I feel it
Baby, free now
Gotta be free now, gotta be free now, gotta be free
Don't like that
I think it'll probably be another day singing it
Yeah so just edit that then, it's nice
Yeah, and what you can do with the bits where you can't get it 'cause you haven't got enough breath
Just take over, yeah
Did you type all this or copy/paste?
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