Would you compromise on an unobtainable grail watch or pass altogether?

I started out thinking that I had to "move up the ladder", buying ever more expensive watches until I could buy my "grail". Over time I realized that buying more expensive watches wouldn't make me any happier, and would only introduce worries about damage and servicing. So, I decided to opt out of the ladder climbing, and grail chasing, to stick with more affordable watches.

I think @TheGary made a great suggestion, if it's the style and not the name you're after.

Pass

This question is rather apropos for me. I have two watches I’m saving up money for - a Zenith Chronomaster and a Glashutte Original PanoMatic Lunar. I genuinely want the Zenith and would take it over a Daytona. The GO, however, I feel like I want the Lange One but compromising for a GO because I assume I won’t ever get a Lange One.

I think a fair bit of it is about the journey and anticipation rather than the destination. Cliche as all get out, I know, but still apropos.

But to answer you question, I think I would pass as a compromise would never quite scratch that itch. Getting watches similar to a so-called "grail" is OK, as long as you aren't fooling yourself on the compromise, and get that/those watches based on the fact that you actually like those watches.

I would say looks wise the Zenith is right up there with the Daytona, arguably a better looking dial! Great choice.

GO is a fantastic watch in its own right but I know what you mean with the Lange. Personally I don’t think that’s a compromise at all though.

You really cant go wrong with the Omega or the Tudor for that matter. we all compromise on alot of things in life. Work hard save for what you really want ..JMO

Despite having the money, I’m never going to spend $19,000 on my dream Breguet Classique, so I bought myself the $62 Escapement Time lookalike. I love it and am happy.

Gonna pick up one of those palm dial Paganis for the same reason. Would simply never buy the Rolex original.

But there are other “grails” that I’m gonna buy when the time is right, with no substitutes.

Hmmm. So an ultimate watch for me would be a VC Overseas or Lange Datograph.

Realistically, the Overseas would be the only one where I might have any remote chance.

But since we're talking unrealistic, would I compromise on the Datograph? No, I'd probably just talk myself out of it and set my sights on something totally different.

Would never settle and would never buy a substitute or clomage. My two cents, buy what you want within your budget and avoid copy cats, because it will always remind you what it is not. Some people can live with that, cool, but I know it would bug me. Put the name aside and begin to research what you really want; looks, functionality, dimensions. Factor new vs. used. Every price point has excellent watches that are not derivative and can more than scratch that itch without feeling like you settled.

For me it would come down to why I wanted the grail. What makes it a grail. Sometimes it has characteristics we love and that is core to why we aspire to it (thin chronograph, perpetual calendars, etc....). Other times we are purely buying the mystique. If it's the latter I would pass. If it's the former not only would I buy substitutes, but it becomes a jumping off point for study and collection. So I think it all starts with understanding our personal motivations.

Never settle because you will feel like you settled. I have achieved a grail watch which I could never imagine I would own. "Keep your eyes on the prize" and find a way to put that grail on your wrist.

As you say, even if you had the money to buy your grail, could you justify it?

In my example the answer would be no because the Daytona is so much over retail I couldn’t bring myself to spend that kind of money on a watch when I think of all the better uses it could have.

Pass for me. There are no alternatives to the watches that I'm really wanting so if I'm being priced out of the object of my obsession I would be open to buying a totally different watch at a lower price point that I'm also really pining for. At least that way I'm adding a watch I really, really want instead of a shadowy reminder of a stellar watch that was just beyond my reach. Currently saving for a Bulgari and figure it will take at least a year or so but that journey has already begun.

Great advice. Using your line of thinking the Zenith would be my choice in my example - fantastic design, within a budget I’m comfortable with and realistically obtainable.

Congrats on getting your grail.

If the sacrifice is worth it (money, trades, time) then it truly is a grail watch. If it isn’t, maybe it’s just a watch you really like but are not willing to get it at any cost.

Some of my less realistic grails like certain models of Vacheron Constantin really don’t have close comparisons, so no . . . But not really bothered by it bc honestly some grails are just for thinking about. In reality I prob wouldn’t buy certain watches anyway bc I just don’t run with crowds that parade around with the holy trinity brands etc.

I agree here . . . GO holds its own and has a vibrant community around its watches. It superficially might look like a Lange but I think there are flourishes that make it it’s own thing. Think personally I’d go for a Lange Saxonia Cooper Blue myself . . . But that’s also maybe be thinking “that’s sort of more affordable?” . . . Do like that starry night look though.

And it is surprising to me just how much satisfaction one can get from an affordable watch. I recently added this $17 Casio to my collection, and I am really pleased with it. Out of the 30 or so watches in my collection, I own 5 Casios that cost less than $50. When one considers the "happiness" these affordable watches provide (admittedly a subjective consideration), against their cost, there is a lot of bang for the buck.

I agree - you can build an amazing collection of watches at any budget. It’s one of the great things about this hobby.

I’d pass. But I don’t have any watches I’d consider grails, just 3 watches to complete my collection. The 3 watches I want aren’t hard to find, just don’t have the funds at the moment. But if they were hard to get, I’d pass on alternatives. I know I’d still want the exact watch that I was intending to buy. Since I’ve never sold a watch, I’d be stuck with “the grail” and the alternative.

100%

totally agree with your line of reasoning 👍

I would pass altogether. If I were to buy a knock off or cheaper version I would always be thinking that I got the cheaper watch while wanted the real deal. I would feel as if I was missing something

I would also pass. A compromise/homage would never make me happy and there are lots of great watches at every budget.

Also, there is always a watch that is out of reach. It can be very rewarding to save up and get a watch that seemed unobtainable in the past. But whether that watch is a nice Seiko or a patek piece unique does not matter. The motivation and feeling you get are the same.

I would much rather have a beer and talk watches with a person who worked hard for a realistic personal grail than someone who bought a royal oak and didnt even think about it.

I’m enjoying the process of saving up and taking my time in grail pursuit!

And I think it’s inherently a more satisfying when it’s a long tortuous process. No clomages for me.

Of course, middle class salary guy me has some hard caps on how much I can spend. Not sure what the cap is … slightly more than my current priciest watch?

Also gotta mention:

I don’t lust for any Rolex model. Something about knowing Rolex dislikes me as a customer makes me happy to oblige and not be a customer. I’m happy to pursue grails from companies that are ambivalent, or even might want me as a customer 😘

They don't even make a decent homage of my grail watch, I had to settle for a homage of the re-issue. I'd get one in a second if I could.

This is worth reading more than once. With the money you saved you can buy some amazing “mid-tier” brands or modes and afford servicing them. I’d rather have wider, more eclectic collection than just 3 expensive pieces.

I actually like Tudor Root beer GMT better than the Rolex , so lucky me 🙂

So this is my grail chronograph.

https://parmigiani.com/en/watches/tondagraph-gt-steel-silver-black-2/

It's cheaper than a Daytona on the secondary market if you go in steel and it makes me happier. The only reason I feel like I'd be settling is that I want the rose gold lol but that's another 45k and idt it's justified.

Now when I get the call for the snoopy 50th speedmaster, I may revisit how many Chronos I need in my rotation as I want to be small with my collection so I can really wear them all often. I just believe in buying what makes you happy and if it's watch ABC since you were 5 years old then get it but if you change your mind at some point because something makes you feel more joy, then be honest with yourself and that's all you have to be true to.