Grail watch alternative ? Any good suggestioms under 5K ?
26 comments
Sort by
Jeff
A newbie to watch collecting from switzerland
Zürich, Switzerland
Member since
Last active: 2 days ago
7.09” / 18.00 cm
Anything hecho in the same year you were born.
That’s a very good suggestion.
You can get AWESOME watches at that price from Jomashop! Just had a look. Here’s an example:
Yachtmaster for $4,495.00. And there are other ones (I mean loads of fine watches on and off bracelets) for even less. Have fun!
I owne one of these . One of the best watches, best bang for your buck!
Beat me to it…
As an aside, this will never fulfill your craving if it really is your “grail”. I despise everything in that sentence.
If only someone else made an integrated bracelet steel sports-watch!
I kid. Nivada F77 seems like the obvious choice to me. 2nd run of the meteorite dial titanium model is on pre-order:
You can get some versions of these second hand for about 50% more. If that's the watch you really want, then I'd save up and wait a while longer, as it's not completely out of reach.
The Nivada is a good rec though for a lot cheaper to tide you over.
CW Twelve.
Since the Alpine Eagle/St. Moritz is an Royal Oak homage in my eyes, at least the CW twelve s the most honest about being a Royal Oak homage
Could go Baume & Mercier Riviera ($3k-ish) or Formex Essence ($1.5k)
If you like that eagle eye dial, Zelos does a lot
Baume and Mercier Riviera would be my suggestion. Plenty of dial colors, size, complications and straps. Solid movement from what I’ve read and something you’ll probably never see on another wrist.
A "Grail Watch" is irreplaceable; substitutes inevitably fall short. From personal experience, I've learned that even the finest alternative won't satisfy the longing for your ultimate dream watch. You'll still find yourself yearning for that original grail.
How about this one? A Frederique Constand Highlife. A SW 200 chronometer movement for 2k CHF. It comes in a lot of dial colors as well.
A "Grail Watch" is irreplaceable; substitutes inevitably fall short. From personal experience, I've learned that even the finest alternative won't satisfy the longing for your ultimate dream watch. You'll still find yourself yearning for that original grail.
Doesnt help, if the grail is prohibitively expensive and out of reach. In this case an alternative is a must or you just let it go completly. I did that too, it is not that hard.
If only someone else made an integrated bracelet steel sports-watch!
I kid. Nivada F77 seems like the obvious choice to me. 2nd run of the meteorite dial titanium model is on pre-order:
Second this option, I ordered one yesterday. Can't wait to get it in July
I see so many good suggestions here in the list.
I would say, don't buy any of them, and ruthlessly save for your grail.
The Alpine Eagle is a watch worth saving for...the lucent steel is spectacular.
After I had this one for a year, I was also seduced by this one...
I probably would have been seeking to add more Alpine Eagles, if my wife didn't put a stop to it 😉
Baumatic riviera
Maurice lacroix aikon
Atelier Wen seems a popular choice these days
Happy hunting
I know it's hard but if you can, save your money now and work to get your grail. There is nothing that will satisfy you other than having what you want and unless you truly like the "alternative" and see it as something that would remain in the collection and don't need to sell it for the grail.
Otherwise you would have just wasted money because you just wanted to buy something. If anything I would go preowned, they seem to take about a 30% hit at around $10,000 ish? so you;re already half way to one at $5k.
There is no substitute!
I see so many good suggestions here in the list.
I would say, don't buy any of them, and ruthlessly save for your grail.
The Alpine Eagle is a watch worth saving for...the lucent steel is spectacular.
After I had this one for a year, I was also seduced by this one...
I probably would have been seeking to add more Alpine Eagles, if my wife didn't put a stop to it 😉
Thank you for the shots! The thing is that I am at a point where I am investing towards my family so I can not justify spending that much currently on a watch, maybe a 2-3 years down the road it would be possible. therefore currently the best option seems to be the twelve or the nivada as it is a nice looking watch and I would still aim at the chopard eagle in the future.
Thank you for the shots! The thing is that I am at a point where I am investing towards my family so I can not justify spending that much currently on a watch, maybe a 2-3 years down the road it would be possible. therefore currently the best option seems to be the twelve or the nivada as it is a nice looking watch and I would still aim at the chopard eagle in the future.
The Maurice LaCroix is also a very good option. Especially if you can get the set with the bracelet and the strap with quick change feature...
I like the Nivada Grenchen F77 much better than the Twelve from CW.
You can also find some nice vintage 1970s NG F77s out there as well for around $500...
There are also the brand new F77s with the crazy dials that are currently in pre-order...I just ordered the F77 Lapis Lazuli dial variant...
https://nivadagrenchenofficial.com/collections/our-watches
Nevada Grenchen F77 would be my pick.
It will be your grail watch. And then you'll buy it. Once on your wrist, there will be a honeymoon period then you'll find another "grail" watch.