I didn't see this post at RWI (but will have to go look) but I tend to agree with what Phoband says (thanks for including me in your post... I feel special now! ) especially about how ratings may lead to corruption...
I disagree about the golden age of reps... I think we are in the silver age... I think the golden age is still comming with good end links, AR coating, reliable movements with correct subdials for almost anything... basically good dept store watch quality, with luxury watch appearance at dept store prices.
@Admin it might be good to advertise that fact that RWG does not support or endorse any dealer or offer any kind of backing for them... what with all the talk of "stick to OUR dealers and you will be ok" it might be very easy for noobs to walk in thinking that OUR dealers are somehow a part of the site or that the site vouches for them somehow...
I know that's what I thought when I first came in...