Let Down by a Grail?

I think, fundamentally, that ‘grail’ obsession is a negative thing in collecting. No matter what you buy, it is still just a watch. It cannot warm your soul. It cannot give you the answer to life the universe and everything which is 42, of course. It cannot bring God to you on command for a cup of tea.

A watch, any watch, is just a watch. If anyone ever asked Tyler Durden about his grail watch . . . He would rip them up and down until they barely knew what way was up.

Enjoy watches. I do. But, understand it is just a thing - a possession of you and not reversed.

Rant over. Is it 5 yet, and where is the bar!

I've only ever gotten one watch that I considered a real grail. I researched it for over a year, looked at countless pictures, watched reviews, considered pros and cons, considered other options, but kept coming back to this one. It was also the most expensive watch I've ever bought, and all sight unseen. It was the Omega Planet Ocean 39.5.

I have to say, it lived up to my expectations. I couldn't get it off the wrist for the first two months. It has met all expectations, and I'd still say it's my favorite, and probably best watch. It has also cured me of chasing other grails, because nothing else seems to be a better fit.

Why Planet Ocean over the 300 Pro?

Bracelet, and size on the wrist.

Disappointed. Turned out to be a simple wooden bowl-cup thing and I couldn't even leave the room with it without the building falling down around me. 😀

My problem with Grail (or dream) watches is that they make everything else pale in comparison, which mean that other great watches I buy (to have something else, sometimes or as reserves) not get the love they actually deserve...

The Citizen below was my first grail, the sunny Casio my second, the black dial Casio my third and the lovely thin Skagen titanium, my last...

And my newer watches that sadly enough pale in comparison...

The day I get a call from for the Explore II (black or polar) will undoubtedly be a “grail moment” since I’ve waited for nearly 3 years; but I believe once the watch is integrated in my collection, then the euphoria will slowly wane as I love all my watches equally … right down to the Casios. The chase, the anticipation, chats with fellow enthusiasts and intel collecting via YouTube/internet are the best aspects for me.

The two most grail like watches I have had (if we are including an element of financial pain) are a day date 36 and an aquanaut.

Would have to say neither were a let down in terms of the physical item. They were /are handsome things that brought me joy.

As the mighty oz says though - a grail could be disappointing in the sense that it’s just a watch. So it should never be allowed to impact your life more than being a fun bit of jewellery..

Daytona was a grail until I skipped over Rolex for VC. The VCs haven't been grails but they put the Daytona in perspective.

Then I purchased the PD copy to see if I could live with the bold/ flashy design only to be faced with the reality of screw down pushers. What a dreadful piece of engineering that is. "Hang on, don't start yet, I'm trying to unscrew this little... oh, too late." Chances are I'll still get one, but the grail label has slipped, and I don't think I'll ever put another watch on that pedestal.

I think going forward grails to me will mean watches that aren't expensive but are out of production and difficult to find. So my two grails at the moment are the Jean Marcel Quadrum II (white) and Atelier Wen Odyssey Hao (white).

These weren’t necessarily grails, but my Zodiac ZO9209 and Tudor 1926 are far and away the most expensive watches in my collection.

While I love them both, I’ve since realized that I don’t love wearing them any more than I love wearing many of my watches that were much less costly.

That got me thinking, and over the last year or so I’ve come to realize that there’s no reason for me ever to spend more than $1000 on a watch (rarely more than $500, really). Those two watches are nice as hell and are certainly worth their respective prices, but if I can get just as much enjoyment out of a $400 watch, why spend the extra money?

If you have more than one, they aren’t “grails”.

If you had one, but now have another, the first was never a “grail”. And this one probably isn’t either.

You know what? Just stop with all the grail talk, I don’t think any of us are mature for that.

My grail was basic (for a grail). Steel submariner date. I spent about a year and a half stalking it on YouTube before finally going to my AD and inquiring about it. Honestly I thought I’d never get one. During the workday on a random Tuesday while in a meeting, I had a missed call from my rep and freaked out! I couldn’t believe it. I immediately called him back following my meeting and zoomed straight to the store.

It felt unreal once it was finally fitted to my wrist and I walked out the door feeling like a million bucks. To this day, I wear it more than my other watches. I don’t have an insane collection for it to compete with and it just goes with everything.

All that said, it doesn’t give me butterflies like it did the day I got it, but I love the hell out of that thing, and it’s just a watch. It’s an expensive toy for adults and that’s ok! It still makes me smile and that’s all I can ask for:D

I don't know that I have a grail, abut I did have some watches I've wanted or at least wanted to try for a long time that ended up being disappointing. One example is when I was dead set on buying a Tudor GMT after weeks of research and making sure the style and build is what Im looking for only to finally go to the AD, try on a couple and be incredibly disappointed by how it actually looked and felt in person.

I think a lot of people go through similar experiences of chasing after a watch only to be disappointed by it which is why I think its so damn important to try on as many watches you can as many times you can before buying it so you know beforehand. I see so many people post "oh I saw so and so buy this watch and I was so excited until I got it in the mail and now Im stuck with a watch I don't actually like".

What a dreadful piece of engineering that is. "Hang on, don't start yet, I'm trying to unscrew this little... oh, too late."

😂😂

It always baffled me that nobody ever says this! Screw down pushers would drive me mad. Well, that and the big chrono hands that virtually never move. Anyway, Don’t buy a chrono for diving, that’s what timing bezels are for.

I will never know............

For the longest time, this watch here was my holy grail: https://www.breitling.com/us-en/watches/navitimer/navitimer-b02-chronograph-41/PB02301A1B1/

But at that price and knowing where I am at in life, I couldn't justify buying a watch at that price. And that is okay!

100% spot on… had exact letdown moment years ago when I finally got to try on the Heuer Monaco and quickly realized it was way too large/bulky, completely comical/unwearable on my 6.75” wrist. The journey leading up to that moment was fun though!

Ranger :)

I like the Ranger, but wish it was a bit smaller and with white colored numerals and hands. Otherwise, for me, a great watch.

My Grail, Seiko SLA043 limited edition. Thanks to @PeterKotsa I stopped lusting after a BB41 and fell for this beautie, hard. I'm about two thirds of the way there saving the required cash and I simply can't wait. I know I'll suffer the usual buyers remorse, I always do, but I'll get over it and enjoy this for the rest of my days before passing it to my son.

Still LOVING mine..its got great colour in the sun🔥🔥

I wish it was 37mm with BGW9 lume & white also but it’s close enough and I enjoy the hell out of mine :) I’m totally with you though on the 1016 NOS :)

Thanks to you Pete I am also mesmerised by it and your Monta Noble in blue you had on recently, that thing is beautiful….

I totally get it. Every time I see a picture of the Ranger, it gets my attention. I can imagine growing on me should I have gotten it instead of the Explorer back in 2021.

I saved and waited for months only to get a watch, didn't fulfill my needs or made me happy, it sat there just looking all watchy and stuff.

I'm surprised you didn't mention anything about that relatively minor issue of disintegrating people who chose other "grails".

Well they chose poorly, so that's to be expected. Pretty sure it's in the watch enthusiast fine print somewhere...

I sold my speedmaster sapphire sandwich and a few other watches for a jlc reverso duo Face I had wanted this watch for a long time and when it arrived it was everything I thought it would be absolutely amazing. But I never felt connected to it. It was just not me so I sold it and got a speedmaster again 😳

You can pick one up on the secondary market fairly reasonable...JMO..dont give up!!

Over the last 12 months I have been fortunate in acquiring two grail watches.

The first was initially a disappointment. The second was stunning.

The first was a 40mm Oris Sixty-Five and, unable to afford a new one, I was lucky to pick up a “pre-loved” one in good condition at a reasonable price. Unfortunately it came on the rubber/silicone strap and with the big gap at the lugs it just didn’t sing to me. I tried a couple of after market bracelets (one supposedly for the very model but with very poor fitting end links). I debated giving it up but decided to shell out (quite a lot) for the OEM bracelet and I am pleased to say that that has transformed it, it sings to me now and I love it. And perhaps love it all the more for the roller coaster.

The second was a 1960s Grand Seiko automatic. Vintage watches can be a bit of a minefield. A few had been available in UK and Europe over the last couple of years but - though in good condition - these were well out of reach. Sourcing one from Japan was more affordable (even after shipping and duty) but spotting a good one from a good dealer was the challenge. For a while I followed a few dealers who are meticulous in pointing out the scratches and flaws in their stock (complete with detailed close up photos) and show the guts of the watch (some don’t) and eventually saw a good example at a good price. When it arrived all the flagged scratches/marks were imperceptible or barely perceptible to the naked eye so, in the hand, the watch is way better than I had dared to hope/expect and it is clearly wholly original and unpolished.

In both cases above the financial stretch really helped me as the time and enforced patience while saving up: (i) gave me time to see what was on offer (good and bad) so I had a feel for what to look out for; (ii) stopped me lunging for what would likely have been a poor decision; and (iii) gave me loads of time to research and learn and ultimately enjoy the search.

Enjoy the journey!

For me the grail is to be searched, not to be found. As others said "never meet your heroes", my grail can only be a watch I actually don't own. That's why I dream pretty high (Moser, PF, VC, FPJ...), because it let me room for so many other great watches in the middle. And it forces me to keep some rationnality when buying watches.