TURF was on the internet from 1998 to 2001 and during those four years, the forum that discussed Rolex watches attracted many Rolex experts and lovers from all over the world. Some of the people who posted to TURF used screen names while others posted under their real names. John F Kennedy, unclesam, S King, Mikel, BobJ, Matthias, Frans Hens, DAC, R Day, Devin Winton, Timor, Rolecks Puhlease, Baron Harkonnen, Rex, Art, Frank Ferrara, Remington, Siapa, John Ireland, bergzy, Gilbert Martinez, Olaf, John M Polston, John Raba, John L, James Dowling, Conor, WL Leong, Tom Gref, John Quinn, raul, Tangent, Rudy Venturi, Sir Rex of Vantage, CP, Nick Garcia Creighton, David, Stephan, Ed Heliosz, Jay Bond, Albert, Max, Robban, Bryan Goh, Mike Ferber, Richard Paige, Eric, Dan T, Birol, Gary S, Ariel Rosler, copernicus, Carlos, Matthew K.A., boo tay, Tommy, CRL, C.Veltman, Frederick, VWCH, etc etc were just a few of the hundreds of people who posted to TURF. Some merely made inquiries while others posted excellent articles on Rolex watches and many expressed their love and opinions of this magical brand. There were outstanding posts from John F Kennedy who was a prof at the University of San Francisco, Tom Gref a watchmaker, C Veltman, a vintage watch collector, Joh Raba, attorney, Frans Hens, chef, and several others who were most knowledgeable about Rolex watches and their history. I was the sole moderator throughout. I used the screen name "kayes".
Over the four years of TURF's presence on the internet, thousands of posts were made to the forum and out of these many posts I have selected the best and compiled them under "Turf Nuggets". Any person who wants to know more about Rolex watches must read these nuggets which provide an uncanny insight into the brand that is hard to find elsewhere.
Thank you for posting this wonderful archive of posts from the good old days of TURF. I discovered TURF in the early 2000s after it had moved to newturfers, and learned so much from the posters. John F Kennedy always struck me as a very exacting and helpful man. Bryan Goh posted a beautiful ode to the Submariner he bought in Singapore and took to Britain, which he sold in what he described as 'a fit of madness'. Sadly, both TURF and newturfers have been eaten by the internet. What you have posted may be the only remaining content online from that great site. Thank you again, for your work moderating TURF, and for posting this collection.
ReplyDeleteIt is a pleasure to hear from you. Very pleased to know you enjoy reading Turf Nuggets. They provide an insight to why people love Rolex watches and the greatness of the marque. I had to stop moderating TURF in 2001 because it was taking a toll on me and I was afraid I might lose my job. We got over a million hits a month and it was a very very busy forum. Many days I got hardly two hours of sleep. John F Kennedy emailed me a few years ago to say he was taking up a teaching job in Australia. I hope he finds this blog of mine soon. Nowadays I spent most of my time posting to Facebook under the screen name "Kayes Cyk". Thanks very much for commenting on my blog. I thought nobody reads it!
ReplyDeleteJust so you know, I came across your blog after random searches for TURF, and posts by John Kennedy and Bryan Goh. I've moderated a few forums in the past, and the high traffic ones can be incredibly time consuming. It's very understandable that you would step away from that role; I had to, as well. Glad to know JFK is still teaching, he seems like a great sort.
ReplyDeleteTURF archives were instrumental to me understanding more about the brand and watches, but also about their rich and wonderful history, and the emotional connection people can have with their Rolexes. In my case, I got my Sea-Dweller in 2004 and Green Sub in 2007, and haven't looked back. I do have numerous other brands, but I always return to the crown. There's just something about their design, I can't understand it, but just enjoy it. They are truly watches for life. If you have any more TURF nuggets, I'd be happy to read them. Thanks again, Kayes. Stay safe and healthy. :-)