Where Would YOU Draw the Grail Line?
So today's post from @JakeCahill got me thinking about Grails and how much a Grail would have to cost for me to not wear it regularly. I'm defining regularly as AT LEAST 5x a month. Yes, I know some of us have LARGE watch collections, but it's your GRAIL! It should be worn as much as possible.
For example, my grail is an Omega Speedmaster bought from an AD. Because my savings account is not yet of sufficient size, I do not have a specific reference number yet, but let's call it a ~$10K watch. That is a fraction of my annual income with a single digit as the denominator. Yes, I would still wear that as often as I could without being reckless about it.
So, using MSRP of the watch (retail if it can be had at retail, secondary market if not available at retail), where do you draw the line for not wearing your grail regularly (5x a month at minimum)?
*pictures used are only representative of the poll's price ranges.
**I'm in the USA and used USD to set the tiers.
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Todd
Long time watch appreciator, 2022 inductee into the obsession. Originator (or perpetrator depending on your point of view) of #WhimsicalWednesday, #MacroMay & #MacroMonday Omega Speedmaster simp. Like...
Utah, USA
Member since
Last active: 1 hr ago
19.05 cm
If I got my grail, it would make practically all of the rest of my collection irrelevant. I'd wear it daily, with no hesitation.
I've said it before, if my grail miraculously became available and I had to sell all my watches to get it I wouldn't even hesitate. The exceptions are the ones my wife got me because it would hurt her feelings and no way I'd do that on purpose.
So no limit for me.
That's a pretty big gap between $10K and $25K...
I don’t really have any desire to spend much more than $10k on any one watch. But I would hesitate to wear anything I value highly during high-risk activities no matter the price. But I would wear it for normal daily activities.
That's a pretty big gap between $10K and $25K...
Yeah, I screwed up
If I got my grail, it would make practically all of the rest of my collection irrelevant. I'd wear it daily, with no hesitation.
I've said it before, if my grail miraculously became available and I had to sell all my watches to get it I wouldn't even hesitate. The exceptions are the ones my wife got me because it would hurt her feelings and no way I'd do that on purpose.
So no limit for me.
I have 3 watches I can never part with because they were gifts from the wife, so if I had to sell everything else to get the Speedy, I'd still have a nice 4 watch collection. But yeah, the grail would be worn 90-95% of the time in that scenario.
If i couldn't wear it regularly i would never buy it. no matter how expensive a watch is supposed to be worn 👍😉
If I had a lange odysseus, I'd wear it every day, sleep woth it on, shower. Why take it off?
I have three figure watches that don't seem suitable for frequent wear, so without a massive lifestyle adjustment, I don't see that changing.
I'm an odd fellow, I would enjoy my grail just as much if it was never worn. I just came to the realization that I'm enjoying my watches that are on display as much as when I wear them. Having said that, there is a part of me that wrestled with this and felt bad for having such a large watch collection that I didn't wear, then I thought, wait, there are people who collect action figures, coins, stamps, gold, sea shells, etc. that only have them for display and they enjoy them just as much, so that is where my mind set is now. I just bought 4 new watches that are displayed in my unworn section of my Man Cave that I may never wear. I'm enjoying looking at them in pristine condition, in their boxes with stickers and all.
Like I said, I'm an odd fellow
For me there is no line, if you own a watch you should wear it as often as you like regardless of what you spent for it.
After 10 years in this hobby, I have identified where my comfort zone is.
The Tudor BlackBay is pretty much the perfect watch in my eyes, and I would not consider now buying any watch above €5000.
There are more important things in life (your family, your health, your home, your own retirement) that might require funds you would not want to be tied up in a watch
For me there is no line, if you own a watch you should wear it as often as you like regardless of what you spent for it.
For me, I would not have a Grail that I wouldn't wear, but I also would feel super uncomfortable wearing (hell, even owning one) a watch that cost more than I earn in a year.
So, to me, it's about finding that comfort zone where the Grail is a true Grail that doesn't exceed the comfort level of being able to wear it whenever I want.
For me, I would not have a Grail that I wouldn't wear, but I also would feel super uncomfortable wearing (hell, even owning one) a watch that cost more than I earn in a year.
So, to me, it's about finding that comfort zone where the Grail is a true Grail that doesn't exceed the comfort level of being able to wear it whenever I want.
More than ever- I think maybe you should consider a speedy 861 as @Max suggested on the most recent WC youtube. I know, I know, you said you want to buy new from the AD and get "the total experience" but in reality all you really get is warranty and a much higher price.
Might I suggest you try a preowned speedy first; and a price point that is much easier to swallow, you can always flip up later. For the record, my speedy is not my favorite watch, not ever close.
It's just function over cost. I wouldn't wear a $200 dress watch very often either.
If I'm strictly honest, I'd wear a super expensive steel sports watch marginally less than a more reasonably priced one. But only marginally.
After 10 years in this hobby, I have identified where my comfort zone is.
The Tudor BlackBay is pretty much the perfect watch in my eyes, and I would not consider now buying any watch above €5000.
There are more important things in life (your family, your health, your home, your own retirement) that might require funds you would not want to be tied up in a watch
I'm with you. If I were to step out of my comfort zone to purchase a "grail", I would feel uncomfortable wearing it.
Having recently spent nearly a decade of "one day" savings on my grail (an Omiwatari), I'm actually finding it hard NOT to wear. I'm worried that I've made the rest of my collection obsolete (oh, the honeymoon) and take it off almost out of obligation to my other watches. And to not bore the #WRUW thread (surprise: failed again today!).
It's beautiful and it's the most expensive thing I own that I can't sit inside -- I need to enjoy it, lest all that stress, patience, and pining go to waste. That said, I hear what you're saying about "without being reckless about it." I work in an office, so wearing it every day is easy. But I'm not taking it to the playground with the kids or to the beach with the dog. I'm saving up for a Pelagos39 for that. 😉
I would never be bored of seeing a GS dial and the fact that there's over 100 of us posting different WRUW pics, no one is getting bored, believe me. I do try to have a different background or "pose" of the watch each day, but that's me not boring me.
We are a community and a community has all kinds. Nothing wrong with taking care of needs and having different priorities.
Of course I agree. My comment reflected my own perspective and wasn't meant to be taken as criticism of anyone.
I picked the highest amount because it there were to be a category/range I assume it would be that one. But I also can’t see myself buying a watch I didn’t plan to wear as regularly as possible. So I guess my answer is I personally don’t have a line.
Of course I agree. My comment reflected my own perspective and wasn't meant to be taken as criticism of anyone.
and mine was supporting your comment. Sorry if that was not clear
Cheers & MTFBWY!
If I buy it, I am wearing it. And if it costs more than I can easily afford to replace, it is insured.
Inflation and variable mortgages mean watch budget currently at zero for the foreseeable future...😢 but picked 10k as more normal times might reflect.
Grail is a little hard to define even in the before times. Handing 10k over for a watch will definitely feel like grail territory if/when I'm able to pull that off... but it also kind of implies impossibility, so maybe 20 or 30... or 350k are more accurate grail numbers?
Maybe grail is just an amount larger than I've ever spent before on a watch (so, anything over about 4500 in my case) so it keeps changing.
Inflation and variable mortgages mean watch budget currently at zero for the foreseeable future...😢 but picked 10k as more normal times might reflect.
Grail is a little hard to define even in the before times. Handing 10k over for a watch will definitely feel like grail territory if/when I'm able to pull that off... but it also kind of implies impossibility, so maybe 20 or 30... or 350k are more accurate grail numbers?
Maybe grail is just an amount larger than I've ever spent before on a watch (so, anything over about 4500 in my case) so it keeps changing.
A Grail definitely has a changing definition. Today's uncomfortable wearing a watch amount may be next year's "I won't buy a watch for less than that." amount.
No one is being held to their answers. Just an in the moment discussion.
Cheers & MTFBWY!
Grail is just watch lust which can fade quickly. Lust after whatever you want but when you love a watch you will always want to wear it.
I've always thought of the "grail" concept (for me) as being something difficult to obtain, rather than expensive. I've never really wanted an expensive watch, though...
I would wear it all the time BUT only after i insured it ...😀
I'm an odd fellow, I would enjoy my grail just as much if it was never worn. I just came to the realization that I'm enjoying my watches that are on display as much as when I wear them. Having said that, there is a part of me that wrestled with this and felt bad for having such a large watch collection that I didn't wear, then I thought, wait, there are people who collect action figures, coins, stamps, gold, sea shells, etc. that only have them for display and they enjoy them just as much, so that is where my mind set is now. I just bought 4 new watches that are displayed in my unworn section of my Man Cave that I may never wear. I'm enjoying looking at them in pristine condition, in their boxes with stickers and all.
Like I said, I'm an odd fellow
Not odd at all ..😀
and mine was supporting your comment. Sorry if that was not clear
Cheers & MTFBWY!
Confusion was totally mine. My apologies.
My Grail includes a trip to Japan. So not just the cost of the watch!
Still new on this I be honest with myself as far that I will not go over 2 thousand. with basic luxury or quasi-luxury I'm fine. Unless I hit the lotto...then the wheels of time will turn then I will say watch out WatchCrunch!
My two Grailwatches are a Rolex Skydweller and an AP Offshore.
But I would still wear my other watches from day to day because there is no watch I would like to wear every day. Isn't this the fun of watches in generall? Having different watches for different moods or outfits?