Today and the Number 2

[The GMT Master]

Hey all,

Today, the number 2 has quite a lot going on for me. Firstly, there's the date - it's the 22nd, which means it's my birthday! Got a big night out planned, so I'm really looking forward to it. It also happens to be my 20th birthday - the number of decades I've graced/plagued (delete as applicable ), again comes to two.

Two years ago today was when I received my first (and only, to date) Rolex watch, a beautiful Datejust 116200 on an Oyster band, with a black Arabic dial. It's one I picked out, a unique looking watch, and a combination I've not come across again - I'm not bothered about if it's rare or not, but it's nice to have something that feels unique to me. The dial I chose has also been removed from the master catalogue this year as well, which I feel is a shame - for me, the dial is classic Rolex through and through, with a modern twist. The newer lume filled Arabics just don't have the same timeless appeal, in my opinion




In addition, to coincide with the watch, I decided to finally pluck up the courage and join TRF that same day. I'd been a long time lurker, looking to learn a bit more about the brand for my work - I still can't believe how much information TRF has provided, and I feel lucky that such a fine collection of Rolex experts exists on the internet. I don't think I'd:

a) Know half as much about the brand or
b) Be half as enthusiastic about the brand

had I not discovered this site. I also hope that I've been able to make a decent contribution to the forums, and that I haven't gotten under the skin of fellow members too much



So, to sum up, a big thankyou to the TRF community - many faces have come and gone in this two year time period, and there have been highs and lows. I've had the honour of meeting 7 different TRF members, all of whom have been brilliant - the one thing I've noticed with every single meeting is that I've been able to get on with them as if I've known them for years. The London GTG was fantastic, one of my highlights of the year, and I can only owe that to TRF.

Despite the difficulties that the forum has had to endure in recent times, I'm glad that the core ethos of TRF hasn't changed - to provide a helpful and insightful resource for the watches that we all love. As well as that, there aren't any high-and-mighty members who intimidate those who haven't found all the answers yet - we might poke fun from time to time, but for the most part, it's all very well natured. I'm glad that things aren't taken too seriously here - where would TRF be without our crack team of hijackers?

Today has a lot of "2s" with a lot of meaning for me - thankyou TRF And tonight, in the grand tradition of Leo, Raf, Dalip and Tristan, I'm going to have a good few tonight to celebrate!



Thanks for reading, and here's to another 2 excellent years on TRF!

Chris