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Thank you, Forum!

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 7:42 am
by Amor Vincit Omnia
Hello there!
Bought my first CW this week (C8 Mk I Black/Brown) Ordered Sunday and on the wrist by Tuesday! It makes me smile every time I look down.
Like many people in their 50s I grew up with cheap manuals (who remembers that first Timex for their 8th birthday?) and went through all the horrible digital stuff of the 70s/80s.
My first quality watch was (still is!) a 1990 Seamaster Multifunction - I still adore it. I also have a lovely simple Omega manual that's about as old as me! The C8 is my first automatic, however.
I did actually buy a black Divine Carre for my god-daughter's 18th a couple of years ago, which is how I discovered CW...browsing! So I knew about the quality of these watches.
I'm tempted by almost everything on the site. The Malvern is a classic, but the "dress" department is covered nicely by the Omegas. I do like the look of the motorsport series, though...this expensive hobby could get even more expensive!
These were my first words on the CW forum, exactly 10 years ago today. By a somewhat serendipitous amalgam of good fortune and late planning, I am quoting them in post number 25,000.

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I wasn’t quite sure what to expect that day. I rather thought I might be chewed to pieces by the basking sharks, the sort of thing that I had heard about on other types of Internet forum. If you had told me that in 10 years I would be one of the Forum Admin Team with a total of 25,000 posts, I would probably have snorted and said something like, “In yer dreams, sunbeam!”

I had bought a watch, that was all. I knew that I liked watches and was interested in them, but I never expected it to become quite such a “thing”.

I got quite a few replies fairly quickly. Overall, the members seemed to be better at welcoming Newbies in those days. Although a few of those who responded are no longer posting, there are still quite a few who are around now and have become good friends over the years.

I learned a lot in those early days. That I continue to enjoy perusing and contributing on the forum says a great deal for the quality of the members. I’ve been lucky enough to meet quite a few of them over the years, at GTGs and Admin Team visits to CW Towers.

I was flattered and honoured when, about four years ago, Kip contacted me and asked if I would be prepared to take on the position of moderator. It’s been a pleasure and privilege to work with him and with my fellow team members: currently Richard, Guy and Steve, but let’s not forget Gary and Ian who are not around much these days.

I think my favourite moment has to be the day when we finally launched the CW Archive, read Kip’s rather moving post about the fulfilment of a dream, and heard of Mike France’s reaction to it. For some reason, although Kip and downer did most of the real donkey work, the language teacher on the team got to provide quite a lot of the text; it was a labour of love and I absolutely enjoyed every minute of it.

Really, all I want to say is “Thank You”. As well as being a place where strange and like-minded people can discuss small objects of interest and desire, the forum has also been a place to let off steam, a place to seek and give solace in times of need, a place to learn and develop and expand one’s knowledge and understanding, at the same time as reducing the girth of one’s wallet. It’s also a place to have a bit of fun. Huge thanks to everyone, but especially to Kip and my friends in the “executive washroom with the gold plated taps”, for putting up with me. :clap:

And thank you to Hans, who started it all off in the first place.

Thanks for reading. Here’s to the next stage of the journey. :D

Re: Thank you, Forum!

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 8:04 am
by strapline
Well...I'm very much a newbie on this forum, Steve, but I always enjoy my brief interactions with you. I've also enjoyed many of your posts and threads since being on the forum. Recently, I have enjoyed the countless photos of your UN, as well as the joy you take from wearing it. Twenty-five thousand posts is quite something. Add all those sentences and paragraphs together and I'd imagine there's a book or two's worth in terms of content. I know you want to write a travel book of some sort; your time on this forum should mean that you've certainly served your apprenticeship as a writer.

Keep up the good work...

Des :D

Re: Thank you, Forum!

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 8:39 am
by 0uatiOW
That’s quite a feat Steve. I’ve enjoyed your elegant musings, been surprised at some of the linguistic twisters you’ve unleashed (including your lightly acerbic replies, often so well disguised), and thank you today for using the word “serendipitous”. I’d expect nothing less from a language teacher.

If I recall, our first direct interaction was when you PM’d me to inform me you’d deleted one of my posts. I’m probably not alone there. I felt like a naughty schoolboy, which is appropriate really. Fun times!

I don’t know if this is the sort of milestone that elicits congratulations, but “Congratulations! Here’s to another 10 years & 25,000 posts”.

Re: Thank you, Forum!

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 8:55 am
by Amor Vincit Omnia
0uatiOW wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 8:39 am and thank you today for using the word “serendipitous”. I’d expect nothing less from a language teacher.
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If I recall, our first direct interaction was when you PM’d me to inform me you’d deleted one of my posts. I’m probably not alone there. I felt like a naughty schoolboy, which is appropriate really. Fun times!
It just breaks my heart every time I have to do it, Wyatt. :(

Re: Thank you, Forum!

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 9:31 am
by scooter
Congratulations on two epic achievements.

I welcomed you on your first post and am still here to congratulate you on your two impressive landmarks.

scooter

Re: Thank you, Forum!

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 9:37 am
by Kansas City Milkman
Congratulations AVO on both achievements.

This place wouldn't be the same without you and your contributions.

KCM

Re: Thank you, Forum!

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 9:39 am
by Thegreyman
Congratulations Steve, two fantastic milestones achieved at once, very appropriate.

You are a great guy to have on the forum, sharing a lot of interesting musings and raising the forum IQ quotient every time you log on!

gratulatio vestra merita accendit :)

Re: Thank you, Forum!

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 10:02 am
by Bahnstormer_vRS
Top notch and congratulations, Steve.

As ever the eloquent wordsmith, which makes your posts all the more enjoyable to read.

Its good to have you around and here's to the future. :cheers: :cheers:

Guy

Sent from my Xperia 5 using Tapatalk


Re: Thank you, Forum!

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 10:12 am
by Noush
And a big ole congrats from me too. The Maths nerd in me just loves the neat 2500 posts per annum, 6.85 (approximately) per day :)
It's been a joy interacting with you Steve, enhanced my life just that little bit all the way over the other side of the planet.
Live long, post often, enjoy the heck out of that UN and prosper. :thumbup:

And I'm looking forward to that book, sometime after the world returns to its correct axial orientation.
Perhaps in the not TOO long distant future a GTG at CW HQ for an Antipodean Interloper to join in and say hello. *sigh*

Re: Thank you, Forum!

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 10:40 am
by Kip
Congratulations Steve! A terrific milestone.

You have graced us with 10 years of your warmth, joy and hilarity. You have taken what you have learned here and passed on that knowledge to others. Your contributions are always appreciated.

Working with you on the Admin Team has been a joy and your (in)sanity helps to keep us in balance. Your thoughts are always "forum first". Your work on the CWArchive brought a class to it that would never have been achieved otherwise. The efforts you have put into being a moderator and making this a better place for everyone are greatly appreciated.

As for me, the honor of having you as a friend is one of my life's great fortunes. I so look forward to our continued work together and the next 10 years on this forum.

Re: Thank you, Forum!

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 11:14 am
by jkbarnes
Congratulations Steve! That last paragraph accurately captures how most of us view the forum.

:cheers: Here’s to another 10 years and 25,000 posts!

Re: Thank you, Forum!

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 11:38 am
by nbg
Congratulations Steve. A lovely pair of milestones.

I enjoy reading your posts, in particular the witty ones.

Neil

Re: Thank you, Forum!

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 11:48 am
by timor54
Congratulations on your longevity and significant milestones; 10 years, 25k posts and your machinations in achieving their convergence :thumbup:

Re: Thank you, Forum!

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 12:22 pm
by exHowfener
Two impressive milestones, topped off by being a moderator. Congratulations and thanks are in order!

Re: Thank you, Forum!

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 3:17 pm
by kiter65
Well done Steve :clap: :clap: