What does "GRAIL" mean to you?

For me, my Grail is buying a Speedy new to get the AD experience. 

At the price it is and will be when I believe I will be able to make it happen, it will be my only AD purchase, and likely will be my only watch purchase over $1K. Because of the uncertainty of life, I put my chances of making that dream actually happen at about 40%. 

Additionally, because of my pragmatic nature, I rarely buy watches for more than about $100, so selling them all to get the Speedy is unlikely to make a difference. 

So #3 is the closest to my situation. 

So for you it's not just about the watch but the entire experience of anticipation and ceremony of acquiring that dream watch.

A grail watch is one you desire so badly that it makes your body react every time you see one.  It must be extremely difficult to obtain either monetarily or due to availability.  It needs to be special.  I have been extremely fortunate to obtain one of three grail watches.

On my wrist and making me smile. 

If a few hundred thousand dollars were to fall on me, I would be rocking these great pieces.

For me it's number 2. My current grail is the Vacheron constantin Historiques. Simply love this piece, everything about it. As much as I like it, I'd doubt I would sell my others for it 

Yes, the journey, not just the destination. 

The Speedy spoke to me as a Grail because 1) it's a Chronograph & I like the look of them, and 2) because of the journeys it and NASA took to get to the moon. Those journeys will mirror mine in achieving the purchase of the watch.

Reaching the moon was thought to be impossible, and where I was personally 15 years ago, buying a Speedy from an AD also would have been thought impossible. 

Little by little, challenge by challenge, setback by setback, triumph by triumph the goals were realized by Omega & NASA & I hope to make my goal a reality & pass that legacy to my children. 

Assuming “grail” is alluding to the Holy Grail, then meaning 3 is closest. It should be a watch that is exceeding difficult, if not impossible, to attain. Next: what does “strap monster” mean? 

My grail was/is the JLC Reverso Duoface.  It is a watch I dreamed about and researched for decades.  Something I longed after and worked hard to be able to make part of my collection.  It has the most meaning for me out of any of my timepieces because of the history and love I have harbored for this watch for so very long.  I think that pursuit and strong connection are what makes a watch a grail piece for me.   

Part of me felt weird when I got my Reverso last year because I did tend to think of a grail watch as something one simply pursued but never attained, and in my teens/20's a watch at that price surely seemed unobtainable to me.  So when I got mine I started thinking, "do I need to pick a new grail now, is that how this works?".  

I still consider my Reverso as my personal and original grail watch, but now that I know more about watches it would be easy to say my new or next grail is an A. Lange Sohne Zeitwerk Minute Repeater.  

#3 for me I think. Partially because my ideal version of this watch is more or less yet to exist, and partially because I know it will be the most expensive watch I may some day acquire. Ideally its a GS spring drive with no power reserve on the front, in a nice blue or white with a bright pop of color on the logo and seconds hand. Oh and sharp, angular lugs. Might never exist, might never be in my budget. Definitely something to daydream about lo

The watch that I dream about but probably will never have, worrying simultaneously that it would be a big disappointment should the dream ever come true. Thus its unobtainability is both frustration and relief.

So it's also the occasion that signifies a life milestone. I'm pulling for that speedy to be on your wrist soon 😎🤞

Bingo

I think there has to be an element of difficulty in the aquisition.  People use the term for any watch they really want, but many times they're talking about watches they can have but don't yet.

For instance, I really want a BB58, but I don' thave the money right now.  Last time I had the money I chose something else.  I think it's likely I'll be able to get one in the next year.  So while I've spent a lot of time thinking about this watch and don't have one yet, it's not hard to see having it...hence it's not a grail.

Anything by A. Lange & Söhne on the other hand...these are watches that I could possibly afford but am unlikely to buy.  I'd have trouble spending that much on a watch, I just don't see myself as a person with enough money to justify it.  And if I did, I'd be likely to buy several other watches.  So in addition to being amazing, beautiful timepieces, these are watches that would require a very special set of circumstances for me to ever own.  

TL;DR

Not grail

Grail

for me, "Grail" used to mean something ridiculously expensive that I'd never own unless I won the lottery. 

nowadays, I don't use the term at all. Not only does it mean something different for everyone (thereby losing the benefit of having a 'shorthand' term for something) but I don't have any particular single watch that I've been 'questing' for. 

I dont think I have a single grail watch. I just cant ever see myself getting something, no matter the price, that make me go "this is THE one". So I guess its #2 for me! I like the propsect of a new watch, and the harder it is to get the bigger satisfaction (in theory). So far it hasnt failed me. I guess Im also equating this to an Exit-watch which I dont believe exists for any enthusiast.

Is it weird that I don't have a “grail” watch?! …I just like watches and if I so happen to have extra $$$ in the bank that I can afford a higher end or slightly more expensive watch, then I will but never considered any of them Grails? 😟

I’ve been fortunate enough to acquire some great pieces. So, for me probably #2, but ‘grail’ seems like a bit of a grand term for that. 

My ‘grail’ don’t exist. If it does, that would be the day I stop looking

It's quite interesting to read a lot of people's responses here. I think the general construct a lot of people have is that money is the limiting resource or factor here. As a result lots of more expensive pieces make it to the list. If their prices were low would it still be the same?

😂 What if the grail watch is the one and only just like the real Holy Grail? Cannot be purchased. Money isn't the factor. Must be found in the deepest of ancient relics. What will that look like? And would most people just not care about such a grail then?

My defintion

A grail watch is the watch that you love, but requires planning and sacrifice to acquire.

For me a grail is a watch that tests you, makes you learn, take risks, possibly you don't even really know EXACTLY what it is until you find it.

I had 'a' grail, got it now which is great but its not a exit watch, its not the end and maybe there will be another one day.

My grail was an original version of a 1968 Alpina Seastrong 10, I wanted good condition and the broad arrow hour (not minute) hand.  Took 5 years of searching, research and quite a few failed deals.  Finally it required a 'leap of faith' but I found my grail.
 

Grail is the summit of the mountain. But like many climbers, once you summit Everest it is off to K2 or a different continents’ highest peak. When it comes to watches, if I had a grail it would be a Richard Mille. Never be able to afford one but if a lottery were to fall my way....

My answer in the About section of my WC profile:

A "grail" is often a mere vision. It is both tangible and intangible all at once.  As I've embarked on my quest for "the" grail, its shape has changed many times. It emerges out of the fog of my mind, briefly coming into view only to be obscured again. Just out of grasp. Clarity will come in time. But not today...

My grail shifts and changes often like a dream but my definition comes close to #3. The madness that is the watch game makes me lust for several watches any of which were I lucky enough to acquire I would happily pronounce it to be my grail. I think I'll know it's the grail if/when I get to touch it and it elicits an emotional response. 

My grail watch is the platinum Daytona.  I still remember it sitting in the case, available for sale and on my wrist yet several tens of thousands of dollars out of reach.  I think this hits definitions 1, 3 and 4 dead on for me.

Everything is a grail shaped beacon. 

For me it's the idea of a perfect watch that I've never seen, rather than one that's hard to get (be that availability or price).

Remember what Indy taught us about the grail being the cup of a carpenter.

for me it would be option 4. 

I have stopped playing this game. 
looks at his PP Aquanaut 5167A-001

My grail watch would be the Patek Philippe 5740/1G Perpetual Calendar.

Although i would be terrified to wear this watch as it cost more than most cars and a lot of houses out there.

This would be my exit watch.... 1 day(if ever) I can afford this watch... It would be my last one.

I love everything about this watch, Very wearable, Timeless design, Would work well with Leather or Rubber strap too... I love a watch with Moonphase, It's part of the Holy Trinity... It's just perfect.... to me.

For me, my grail watch was the Speedmaster Professional. Like Max, I have been obsessed with the watch for years. Today it is on my wrist and I am so grateful. I wanted this watch since I was a kid dreaming about moon rockets and spacesuits. It took 44 years, but I got it. The rest of the watches I buy will almost certainly cost much less than the Speedmaster. I am still buying watches...I don't think that'll ever stop. My answer is closest to #3 I guess because I never thought I'd actually get it.

My first grail piece was an Omega Speedmaster. Unfortunately, what I've found is that there's always another "must have" watch on the horizon (grail or otherwise). It almost feels like an addiction...

BTW - my next grail piece is a 2018 Heuer Monaco Gulf Edition...

For me my definition of grail is number 3, the watch I dream of but will probably never own - I would love to own a #patekphilippe 5970 - will I ever own it? Probably not, it’s free to dream 🤣

Three shall be the number thou shalt count.