Dear fellow Purists,

It’s been many months since the migration to the new platform and I thought this would be an appropriate time to do some naval gazing, consider where we have come from and where we want to go.

Obviously PuristSPro is a complex organic structure made up of all of YOU, with varying ideas, approaches and personalities, but with the common thread of an interest in mechanical and related timepieces. We do, however, have some say in the directions we want to head and how we want to travel.

What differentiates us from other watch sites on the internet? For me it is what I loosely call the ‘purist ideals’. These are principally of mutual respect of others and their opinions, a focus on the higher pursuits of art and craft, not just on fashion, and a focus on the merits, or otherwise, of the watches themselves, without consideration of monetary value.

I have always looked for unbiased information and I would hate to see advertisements or manufacture influence creeping in. I understand that we feed off that industry and how much involvement and influence they have is an ethical fine line, but this should be monitored.

It seems rather counterproductive that two platforms, Network 54 and PuristSPro, continue side-by-side. There is surely greater strength in unity. At the very least the AP Forum should be available on the Brand list and not just the drop down tabs (where only the ‘initiated’ can easily find it) and have a common login. The other Network 54 Forums could easily be integrated into PuristSPro: WatchRap could continue as a more technical Forum to discuss the finer points of horology and the other Purist ‘lifestyle’ and ‘intellectual’ Forums would add a lot to the ‘tone’ of PuristSPro.

We have seen many PuristS come and go. I am reminded of the ‘lost souls’ as I look back through the archives of posts collected here. In contrast, we have seen the numbers of registered members and visitors grow dramatically. I for one remember when I first discovered PuristS four years ago; I read and absorbed so much back then, but was a little in awe of the knowledgeable people on this forum and did not post very often. I feel that we have to give back now to these ‘newbies’ so they can learn as we did (and still are).

The Moderators do an amazing job and contribute their experience and expertise freely to us. I would like to have some productive dialogue so that we can all share in the future of this great site and Thomas’ wonderful legacy.

So, what are your hopes and aspirations for PuristSPro? What can we do better? What should be changed? Please share your ideas…

Kind regards

Andrew

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