I need your help deciding on a grail watch!
Currently I am saving up for a university graduation watch. Although I still have a long way to go saving for any of these watches, I find myself thinking about them alot. I know at the end it's all about what speaks to me as a person, but i am also curious about your opinions.
So there are three options, represented by the pictures above:
Rolex Datejust Ref. 16200 from the 1990s. It's a classic and a statement, even if it is propably one of the most understated Rolex Models. I like the Idea of owning a Rolex, and I really like this one. I mostly dress somewhat chic and love the rugget dresswatch that the datejust represents. 36mm is also a very nice size to me.Price: around 5500 Euro
Chopard Mille Miglia Ref. 8331 from the 1990s. It has a very nice size for me, 39mm. It is heavily motorsport themed wich isn't something I am interested in, but I love the design. Price: around 2500 Euro
Sinn 903st (modern or from the 1990s). I remember that the Navitimer was the first watch that really spoke to me when I was young. I saw it one time in a shop window and was very faszinated. I really like bussy watches. This model from sinn speaks to me even more for several reasons, 1. I am studying near Frankfurt and curently work In Frankfurt, the city were Sinn is located, 2. It is way more rugget and tooly than the Breitling and 3. It's also cheaper. his would be the perfect watch, but It's also very beefy (41mm x 47mm x 15mm) and I am hesitant towards these sizes. But I have to say that I didn't try this, nor these other watches on my wrist. Price: around 2500 Euro.
I never spend more tha 500 Euro on a watch, and either of the three would be a monumental purchase, but as a graduation gift to myself I would like to do my first big purchase. So what would you sugest I should do? Any Tipps on choosing a grail?
Hi, I'm Timon. I love to collect watches, research their history and share my personal story's about my hobby.
All are great in their own way! Consider what you want and what you'll wear! It's a hard choice but if you evaluate each, you'll find the piece you value most above the others!
Can't go wrong with the Rolex DateJust 16200. Just make sure you buy from a authorized dealer. Buy the seller NOT the watch. Also make sure you have the budget to service the watch. I bought this when I landed my first professional career after graduation as a Senior Financial Accountant for IBM. Good luck with your search. Stay Thirsty My Man 👊🏽🍻
Sinn 903. Solid quality and history.
But to be honest. Save have patient. After graduating there are so many costs waiting for you. New or first job could mean moving to another city. New apartment, deposits, furnitures, suits, wedding, further education, saving up for pension.
It's your decission. You know or you should know your finances better then we.
But my advice:
Wait...chill...and get something that scratch your itch.
Like the Zeppelin 8888-2. Yes, it's quartz. But you can get it way under the listed price of 300 and it looks live much better than on picture.
Sinn 903. Solid quality and history.
But to be honest. Save have patient. After graduating there are so many costs waiting for you. New or first job could mean moving to another city. New apartment, deposits, furnitures, suits, wedding, further education, saving up for pension.
It's your decission. You know or you should know your finances better then we.
But my advice:
Wait...chill...and get something that scratch your itch.
Like the Zeppelin 8888-2. Yes, it's quartz. But you can get it way under the listed price of 300 and it looks live much better than on picture.
Thank you, that's watch and life advice! That's very valuable to me.
All are great in their own way! Consider what you want and what you'll wear! It's a hard choice but if you evaluate each, you'll find the piece you value most above the others!
Thank you! I will sertenly have time to contemplate on my choose.
Can't go wrong with the Rolex DateJust 16200. Just make sure you buy from a authorized dealer. Buy the seller NOT the watch. Also make sure you have the budget to service the watch. I bought this when I landed my first professional career after graduation as a Senior Financial Accountant for IBM. Good luck with your search. Stay Thirsty My Man 👊🏽🍻
Cheers on that my friend! Living the dream 💪
Thank you, that's watch and life advice! That's very valuable to me.
We all went through that time 😉
Sinn is aviation, Chopard is automotive. rolex is ugly and pretentious. What are you into? Cars? Airplanes? Boats? What's your lifestyle like besides drinking cheap beer at uni parties?
Sinn is aviation, Chopard is automotive. rolex is ugly and pretentious. What are you into? Cars? Airplanes? Boats? What's your lifestyle like besides drinking cheap beer at uni parties?
That's a good question! I am before anything else into design. If I had to choose from your options, I'll take boats and of course cheap beer! You're right in that Rolex is a lot of status signaling, but personally I like the older less blingy stuff.
Rolex fam
Sinn is aviation, Chopard is automotive. rolex is ugly and pretentious. What are you into? Cars? Airplanes? Boats? What's your lifestyle like besides drinking cheap beer at uni parties?
I am very sporty and sit a lot in office towers or the library, when I can I travel to different parts of north Africa.
Get one of the Rolex, just make sure it is in good condition. I strongly recommend it on the Oyster, those old Jubilee are no good.
if it were me, then i would buy the Rolex, but with a white dial if possible. it more suitable for various types of events.
No bad choices there! But if it were my money? The Rolex DJ.
Why? It’s a classic. It’s the most versatile. Servicing costs likely lower compared to a chronograph.
Let us know what you decide. And pics when you get it!
I’d say the Rolex. It’s more versatile.
I'd go Rolex. That one just looks like a quality dress watch and doesn't scream "LOOK AT ME! I'M WEARING A ROLEX!"
If I were you and if I could... would go for the Rolex.
This will be a cop out answer, but it's honest. A grail watch is personal. A grail watch is what you want. A grail watch is something you have lusted after for years and can't get it out of your head. It's not a list you toss online for other people's thoughts.
And in saying all of that, let me quickly add that there's nothing wrong with asking people what they think, but a committee cannot decide your grail. No way, no how.
Omega Aqua Terra.
We share the same grail. Rolex.
That is very pretty!
Thanks
You’ve got plenty time while you’re saving so make sure you try them all on, take a pic and compare them. Zero in on the one you like best.
If you think it’s “one and done” and you’ll never want or buy another Rolex then the Rolex isn’t a bad buy. But if you really think that down the road you’re going to be able to afford and choose to buy another one then it might be worth holding off now. There’ll be so many other calls on your cash in the foreseeable future.
Personally I like that Sinn. Appreciate it’s on the large size, especially the thickness but the lug to lug seems OK. If it wears well for you then it seems like it would have plenty of nostalgia for you, and you could wear it more frequently without worrying in the same way as with the Rolex.
Of the three, the Chopard does the least for me. A nice watch but the Sinn seems much more interesting and sportier. The Chopard, IMHO, looks more of an old man’s watch - one to get once all your hair has fallen out and you and your belly are cruising around on a motor launch - just IMHO. By the way I have the same view of Jaguar motor cars - the F Type turns my head but I only ever see 70 year old guys in them!
Have fun saving - I’m sure you’ll see plenty others before making a decision.
Thanks alot! Maybe I am able to change the image of that Chopard but I know what you mean.
This will be a cop out answer, but it's honest. A grail watch is personal. A grail watch is what you want. A grail watch is something you have lusted after for years and can't get it out of your head. It's not a list you toss online for other people's thoughts.
And in saying all of that, let me quickly add that there's nothing wrong with asking people what they think, but a committee cannot decide your grail. No way, no how.
Thanks a lot! Don't worry, at the end I will make my decision for me and along my personal preference. But I thought I would be fun to ask you guys and I got some solid advice so far.
I am very sporty and sit a lot in office towers or the library, when I can I travel to different parts of north Africa.
Sporty office rat... LMAO
That's a good question! I am before anything else into design. If I had to choose from your options, I'll take boats and of course cheap beer! You're right in that Rolex is a lot of status signaling, but personally I like the older less blingy stuff.
I am generally weary of buying old mechanical stuff, for obvious reasons. Although they say old in watches isn't as bad as old in cars. But I still have a hard time overcoming the prejudice. But not ebveryone thinks this way.
You certainly don't need a status watch fresh out of college coz you have no status yet. Two, IMHO, an old rolex on the cheaper side doesn't really exude status, more like a wonna-be who cant afford the really expensive status thing (unless of course it's an heirloom piece; then it's a different story). I liked the Navitimer-inspired looks of the Sinn. And I believe that design isn't exclusive to Breitling historically. Look into the history of the Sinn and see how much claim they have to this dial type (coz you don't want to end up with an homage watch either). The Chopard is another story: for the real status/muscle Chopards you need to take their LUC line. Mille Miglia is more of an entry level (ETA movement?) piece with heady automotive thematic. Having said that, it's looked like this for the past 20 years and is almost iconic in its looks by now. I know you said if you had to choose, boats would be your thing but you neither presented a diver, not a marine chronometer inspired watches, so I am directing between the 3 shown options.
I am generally weary of buying old mechanical stuff, for obvious reasons. Although they say old in watches isn't as bad as old in cars. But I still have a hard time overcoming the prejudice. But not ebveryone thinks this way.
You certainly don't need a status watch fresh out of college coz you have no status yet. Two, IMHO, an old rolex on the cheaper side doesn't really exude status, more like a wonna-be who cant afford the really expensive status thing (unless of course it's an heirloom piece; then it's a different story). I liked the Navitimer-inspired looks of the Sinn. And I believe that design isn't exclusive to Breitling historically. Look into the history of the Sinn and see how much claim they have to this dial type (coz you don't want to end up with an homage watch either). The Chopard is another story: for the real status/muscle Chopards you need to take their LUC line. Mille Miglia is more of an entry level (ETA movement?) piece with heady automotive thematic. Having said that, it's looked like this for the past 20 years and is almost iconic in its looks by now. I know you said if you had to choose, boats would be your thing but you neither presented a diver, not a marine chronometer inspired watches, so I am directing between the 3 shown options.
In case of the Sinn 903, they bought the rights to the design from Breitling alongside the machines to produce them in the late 70s. So they have the rights to manufacture and improved the design by making it waterproof to 100m. Olech and Wajs did the same, theirs is called the Aviation I believe.
I'm leaning towards the Sinn. The Chopard is a very tight second. Now we just have to find a third choice 🤔
I'm leaning towards the Sinn. The Chopard is a very tight second. Now we just have to find a third choice 🤔
Are you prepared for your first luxury watch to be from a company that's really not all that luxury brand?
I would go with the Datejust. I have one of similar vintage (2001) and I love it dearly. It’s my favorite of all (out of 150 watches or so!).
So classic and timeless. And very well supported by watchmakers all over the world.
I too would say the DJ but also take a look at the Explorer I, I really love watching videos about someone’s inherited Explorer I. Then the person would tell us a story about how their dad wore it everyday and on various adventures when he was still living. One of these days I want my kids to tell someone a story like that.