Christopher Ward Forum - A New Chapter

[Kip]

February 8, 2014

On December 11, 2005 the Christopher Ward Forum (CWF) was launched and hosted by our founder Hans van Hoogstraten. He has watched it grow over the past 8 years into something he never dreamed of.

The CWF was started in response to Hans being banned on the TimeZone forum. His comments regarding how impressed he was with his purchase of the C5 resulted in the accusation of being a CWL plant and subsequently banned. He then decided to start his own forum as a place for the fans of a new watch company, named Christopher Ward London (CWL), to visit and talk about the brand.

The CWF is first and foremost a forum about Christopher Ward watches, but did expand, as our membership grew, to include other brand discussions as well.

Over the past few years, as the forum has grown, Hans has found it increasingly difficult to keep up with the ever expanding forum and all the necessary upkeep. He has now found it necessary to, reluctantly, give up his position as owner, host and administrator of the forum.

We can never change the fact that if not for Hans, we would not exist. For this we shall be forever indebted to him.

On behalf of all the moderators, past and present, I say thank you Hans. It has been a pleasure and a wonderful learning experience. We hope that you will continue to visit with us.

Today starts a new chapter for the Christopher Ward Forum.

It is now official. The Forum is now owned by Christopher Ward London.

What does this mean for the forum?
To quote Peter Ellis, co-founder of CWL, "We said it ten years ago and we'll say it again now: the forum will have complete editorial independence. They have our word"

In other words....nothing changes. It will be as it has been. The forum will continue to operate independently of CWL and continue to allow all comments, negative or positive regarding the brand. The CWF has been, and will continue to be a sounding board for CWL.

What does this mean for you as a member?
You are still free to express your opinions today, just as you did yesterday. Just stay within the guidelines that we have operated under to date.

Over the next couple of months, I will be having talks with Mark at CWL regarding some upgrades and changes that need to be taken care of. Once we get the behind the scenes stuff taken care of, we shall begin work on more visible areas that need attention. As I mentioned before, you may see some subtle changes along the way.

I have quite a laundry list of items that need to be taken care and some improvements I would like to see. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to pm me with your ideas and or comments.

Kip

[scooter]

Thanks again to Hans.

Every success to the Forum in the future.

scooter

[reggie747]

I'm only fairly recent on board here but I do enjoy the banter and the shared knowledge that circulates.
Indeed, a turning point. Big thanks to Hans for the initial and subsequent service.

[welshlad]

Big thanks to Hans for everything in the past.

Here's to the next chapter of the CWF! Onwards and upwards...

[downer]

Yep. Thanks to Hans for all that he did for the CW forum, and thanks to Kip for keeping it going almost single-handedly over the past several years.

Here's to the next chapter.

[mabotham]

I'm looking forward to better forum discounts!!

That thread is under-used!

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[T140e]

Thanks to all you have started and continue to run this forum as someone who is getting into watches and had never heard of somethings a few months ago i.e. deployment strap, it is great to know that if I have a dumb question to ask I am welcomed by people who can pass on their experience and knowledge and thanks to Kip it must take alot of your time and patience.
Rob

[jmarchitect]

A huge thank you to Hans for starting the forum and for keeping it in tip-top shape. I am keen to see how things proceed from here.

[spacebrother]

Massive thanks to Hans for starting this awesome community, I look forwards to welcoming our new overlords owners!

[HendrixGreen]

I'm relatively new too. I do find this a fascinating forum, some much already learnt, with so much to learn. This is definitely a growing beast, when I joined last year, if I went 24 hours with out login in there were about 30-40 unread threads. Now this can be up would of 70. Thank you everyone .

I've seen the name Hans come up time and time again, but who are you?


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[highway62]

Thanks & here's hoping the forum develops as you would wish it to.

[MiniMpi]

Many heartfelt Thanks to Hans for sterling work in the setup and running of this great place.
I take my hat off to you sir.
Also , Kip has been the driving force of this forum and long may that continue.
I'm looking forward to the new chapter.

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[Berkshire]

Thank you Hans for what is a highly enjoyable and informative forum. I look forward to the next chapter and thank Kip for his continued work in developing and supporting our forum.

[Amor Vincit Omnia]

Interesting times! A massive "DANK U WEL" to Hans.
I think it's safe to say that without this forum I would probably have fewer watches and more cash!

[Bahnstormer_vRS]

Interesting times! A massive "DANK U WEL" to Hans.
I think it's safe to say that without this forum I would probably have fewer watches and more cash!

My sentiment and situation entirely as well.

Very many thanks to Hans. To Kip thank you also and keep up your sterling efforts.

Guy

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