Hello all,
I just got into the rep scene about a year ago and I haven't really posted much on this forum simply because I felt overwhelmed by the breadth of knowledge many members seemed to have.
At first, it was difficult to figure out types of watches, let alone the good ones. Many of us, I'm sure, were in similar situations when we first started and we still must keep up with the current fashions and changes in horology in order to be a viable forum. Through careful research, luck, and lots of trial and error, many of us (including myself) have built up a fairly impressive collection of replica watches.
While this is all well and good, what distinguishes one replica watch from another is the care which is taken to pay homage to the genuine article and the care of the watch in general.
From The Zigmeister's avatar and words, I'm guessing he's a pilot/works in aviation and, as such, must have a steady hand, rational mind, and above all, a passion for what he does. His passion has been translated into some of the best how-to's and advice on watchmaking and servicing that I've ever read.
We must remember that those with genuine passion are generally some of the most charismatic and caring people on the planet, and it stands to reason that they feel that anything less than perfection is failure or an insult to their art. As such, it is natural that one who cares so much for his art would feel discouraged and possibly insulted by other members' words of encouragement encroaching upon his duty to be the best at his art.
While The Zigmeister's letter saddens me, the overarching principles of said letter frighten me even more: Are we slipping in terms of quality? Will there be enough information to help prevent newcomers and veterans alike from being scammed by dishonest dealers and the seemingly exponential decrease in quality control?
These questions are not mine to answer, they are the responsibility of every member on this forum. As members have mentioned in above comments, it is time for people to evaluate their roles and their contributions and really ask themselves if they are contributing to RWG as informative, collaborative members, or if they are simply looking for a scam.
I can only hope that we continue to see informative and insightful tutorials from forum members such as The Zigmeister, however I hope that this letter serves to motivate and inspire other enthusiasts to step up to the plate and really think about this not as a forum but (as corny as it may seem) as a family and a community.
I hope that RWG moves into 2008 with a clear sense of purpose and community and I also hope that those with so much passion for perfection in replicas can translate and apply that passion in the same way that The Zigmeister has. If that occurs, I have no doubt in my mind that RWG will continue to flourish and be the premier replica watch site.
-Shundi