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Classic Review
Walt reviewed a mid-1990s 14270 Explorer. The original review can be found here:
Part 1: www.timezone.com
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Part 2: www.timezone.com
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At the time, the review would likely have embarrassed Rolex's QC team. Crudely finished parts, machine gouges and sloppy oiling are the sorts of deficiencies that have come to define inexpensive movements from outside Switzerland. Walt provided photographic evidence that supported his conclusion that at least some Rolexes of this era had crudely finished movements. A few forums users of the era would have taken Walt's objective reporting and run with the idea that Rolex was selling an $800 watch for $2500, which resulted in an ego driven conflict between pro- and anti- Rolex enthusiasts.
WPS history. Where to find it, please.
I vaguely remember back at the start of the century when Timezone ruled the internet watch world (Richard Paige was the founder who then sold the site and retired to Hawai?) And some time after the birth of TZ The Purist was created. Walt Odets wrote a ve...
Cut my teeth on TZ almost thirty years ago… sad to see how the community deteriorated after the Rolex Explorer incident
It was a harbinger of the darkness and anonymity of the web
There's a band here in Oregon called "The String Cheese Incident"
The Rolex Explorer incident would sound just as funny and incongruous to people outside the watch enthusiast bubble! Unfortunate that it is a web darkness episode.
Classic Review
Walt reviewed a mid-1990s 14270 Explorer. The original review can be found here: Part 1: www.timezone.com / Part 2: www.timezone.com / At the time, the review would likely have embarrassed Rolex's QC team. Crudely finished parts, machine g...
I remember TZ and the purists
Back then was just getting watch info to supplement my watchtime and iw and wrist watch annual (or whatever it was). Don’t remember the intricacies of the community then.
And Amanico (A) & Bill (B) & so forth to Z
There are many who have been instrumental in the transformation of this site from The Purists to today’s WatchProSite, speaking as one who’s been around 20 years. Primary difference from other sites? We are not selling you stuff; we are sharing knowledge ...
here is a nice recent article about Walt Odet
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/fashion/watch-reviews-online-walt-odets.html It is paywalled however. It includes descriptions of TZ by him and Richard Paige. Best Andreas
I remember TimeZone.
Was fun for awhile but I thought some of the interactions became needlessly confrontational. I also got the impression that at least one brand moderator was playing goalie, if you get my drift. “So it goes.”
William Massena
Of the eponymous brand. I found him infuriating at first but more and more hilarious as time went on. Best Andreas
Wow. I just read Walt Odets's review of the Rolex Explorer 14270 from TZ
Now...I've only been reading watch reviews for +/-4 years but I've not read anything quite like it. Whew!