Grail Watch (long read, sorry)
My watch collecting journey has been a long convoluted trail. I‘ve worn a watch since I was about 10 and for the next 45 years or so I was a watch user and wearer but not a collector. The day after I sold my business and retired, I took off my watch and threw it in a drawer. The symbolism of no longer being tied to a watch and schedule was incredibly satisfying to me.
During my time working I wore nice watches, primarily Seiko’s and Citizens but nothing in the way of a Luxury watch. I lusted after a No Date Sub or possibly a Seamaster but never pulled the trigger because I always feared it might put off a prospective customer.
After 3 or 4 years of being watchless I began to miss wearing one and decided to buy myself something nice. I research anything I buy and researching on youtube quickly dragged me into the world of watch collecting.
I bought myself a nice No Wave Seamaster, dipped my toe into the wacky world of Vostok and bought several various Tudor, Longines, Mido type watches. I just couldn’t bring myself to pull the trigger on the Rolex though. The current pricing was a shock, the buying experience seemed somewhat insulting and to be honest, I wasn’t enamored of the new larger versions of the watches.
That lead me into vintage Rolex options and I decided what I really wanted was the exact watch I had been looking at in the mid-2000s. I didn’t need a NIB collectors’ piece but I didn’t want a polished to crap beater either. I found this one a few days ago and pulled the trigger. I can’t begin to say how happy I am with the purchase, to the point I’m seriously considering cutting my collection back to the 3 or 4 watches I love and selling those I merely like. To be honest, I almost resent putting on one of my other watches instead of this one, the Seamaster or my Pelagos.
Anyway, what are your thoughts on Grail Watches and have you purchased yours? Thanks!
Just drill the d@mn lugs!
Pretty cool story and congrats on the retirement! That’s a beautiful watch, too. 🚀💯
Do not sell them, the pleasure is in the variety, I was able to buy my grail until I was already in my 50s and I love to use it but I also like to use my other watches
Congrats, that’s a beauty. I’m with you, newer subs do nothing for me. I’d much rather have a BB58 than a modern sub. Not that I wouldn’t take a sub, it’s just that o don’t list offer the newer ones. I remember being a little put off the first time I saw one in person. Something about the lugs being so much wider than the bracelet seems inelegant to me.
Cool #rolex
Congratulations!
My thoughts on “grail watches” are still undefined. I hope to have a story like yours someday, though. The idea of experiencing so many different types, and still coming back to “the one” is I think why I’m into this hobby. I don’t know what that is, for me, yet.
Again, congrats on retirement and the new watch. Thanks for the share!
No such thing as a grail watch. There's always something else to lust after...
Hey Robert,
Congratulations on your retirement. That’s a beautiful no date sub, glad you accomplished your grail 🎉.
I don’t currently have any grail watches, there are certain watches I love but I haven’t gotten around to pulling the trigger yet as I’m not sure I’m in the right headspace to be wearing luxury watches when everything about me is not quite luxury 😅.
Congrats on your getting your grail, I wouldn't get rid of the others right away, after a while you may want to put them back in your wear rotation
Congrats that's a really beauty.
Hey Robert,
Congratulations on your retirement. That’s a beautiful no date sub, glad you accomplished your grail 🎉.
I don’t currently have any grail watches, there are certain watches I love but I haven’t gotten around to pulling the trigger yet as I’m not sure I’m in the right headspace to be wearing luxury watches when everything about me is not quite luxury 😅.
Folks post pictures with their Rolex watches and the interior of their luxury cars all the time. I need to post a picture of mine in the Subaru or the F-150. 😀
I don't believe in grail watches so I don't have one. I am happy with all the watches I have so I don't list after anything in particular. I like to believe I've reached the point in collecting where I never thought I would and I'm content.
Nice watch! Trim down if you can. I went from 34 down to 8. I am now settling in at 10 watches. If they are all at the quality that you want, you will love all of them. Interesting that you have a Sub, Pelegos, and SM300. They all occupy the same space in my opinion. Keep the Sub, get a dress watch and a GMT. Variety is the spice of life!
Nice watch! Trim down if you can. I went from 34 down to 8. I am now settling in at 10 watches. If they are all at the quality that you want, you will love all of them. Interesting that you have a Sub, Pelegos, and SM300. They all occupy the same space in my opinion. Keep the Sub, get a dress watch and a GMT. Variety is the spice of life!
Funny, I actually started out trying to build that “ultimate” collection and check all of the boxes. I have a Tudor BB GMT, a vintage dress watch, a cool vintage Seiko chronograph, a Longines HydroConquest Ceramic “big” watch, full lume, 24 hour complication, blue, orange, white etc. The problem was I wasn’t buying what I love, I was buying what my collection “needed”.
The truth is I like Divers and I like a specific size range in that 39-41mm slot. I like classic looks but I hate homages. I like quality. I like compact lug to lugs. I like good AR coating. I’m retired and have absolutely no need for a dress watch. The one or two times a year I wear a suit for a funeral the Sub or the Seamaster would be fine. As this has evolved it looks like I’m probably going to be a “one trick pony”.😊
Funny, I actually started out trying to build that “ultimate” collection and check all of the boxes. I have a Tudor BB GMT, a vintage dress watch, a cool vintage Seiko chronograph, a Longines HydroConquest Ceramic “big” watch, full lume, 24 hour complication, blue, orange, white etc. The problem was I wasn’t buying what I love, I was buying what my collection “needed”.
The truth is I like Divers and I like a specific size range in that 39-41mm slot. I like classic looks but I hate homages. I like quality. I like compact lug to lugs. I like good AR coating. I’m retired and have absolutely no need for a dress watch. The one or two times a year I wear a suit for a funeral the Sub or the Seamaster would be fine. As this has evolved it looks like I’m probably going to be a “one trick pony”.😊
Not a one trick pony! It is a one watch collection! Congrats!
Congrats on the hard work, interesting story to about the significance of taking a watch off at retirement.
Sub is a classic for a reason, mine spends a lot of time unworn for reasons I can’t quite put my finger on, glad you are making up for mine.
No grail buy yet, not sure I have a grail watch though.
Cheers
Funny, I actually started out trying to build that “ultimate” collection and check all of the boxes. I have a Tudor BB GMT, a vintage dress watch, a cool vintage Seiko chronograph, a Longines HydroConquest Ceramic “big” watch, full lume, 24 hour complication, blue, orange, white etc. The problem was I wasn’t buying what I love, I was buying what my collection “needed”.
The truth is I like Divers and I like a specific size range in that 39-41mm slot. I like classic looks but I hate homages. I like quality. I like compact lug to lugs. I like good AR coating. I’m retired and have absolutely no need for a dress watch. The one or two times a year I wear a suit for a funeral the Sub or the Seamaster would be fine. As this has evolved it looks like I’m probably going to be a “one trick pony”.😊
I too have fallen prey to the check all of the boxes, just now accepting and learning what I truly like or love if you can say that
Congrats Robert! I think you picked a superb example. i loved reading the story behind it🫡
Awsome story Robert, congrats! Beautiful watch! Wear it in good health
Congrats on your grail watch! My grail is Vacheron Constantin Overseas pink gold blue dial... haven't pulled the trigger yet though, I will see how the current volatile watch market is first 😅
What a masterpiece.
GO For Them ALL!!! I’m on a grail journey myself brother 🙌🏽