Grail Watch - How do you define one?

There is no concrete definition to be honest. Grail to me is like the final boss on a video game. You have to go through the journey and earn your way to it. It should be out of reach initially and after exploring watches, it’s the one that still sticks in your mind all along. Once you’ve finally purchased it you should be complete and live happily ever after.. if only it works like that hah. 

For me a grail is a watch you have to search for, seek out and finally get after trials and tribulations.  It has to be rare, difficult to find and even when you think you've got it taking the final leap has to be a risk and a trial of faith.

A grail is NOT merely something expensive you can find 1000 of on chrono 24 or pick up from half a dozen dealers in town.

I like to think of the word grail in the spirit of its original use to describe a singular important and unique object (the holy grail). So when I hear people talking about their many grails I just can’t get behind that thinking. That’s just a bunch of things you like. 
 

Then again, as much as it pains me, language is constantly changing and words don’t have singular meanings, nor do their meanings remain fixed. It’s the same with “editing photos” or with “buying grey”. The meanings have recently changed due to popular usage. 
 

So no, I don’t think your examples qualify as grails. Multiple watches you want but can’t afford today but can save and buy in a reasonable amount of time. But what I think doesn’t matter.

both approaches make loads of sense - and i guess its fine if my "grail"watches are widely available - just need to pay a lot of money for them :D

I havent seen anything yet that speaks to me as a grail - im still relatively new to the watch world and i often just look at watch streamers on youtube to grow my knowledge of the watch world. 

As much as there are some beautiful cheaper pieces (i have my eye on a field watch Hamilton Khaki/Timex Explorer Titanium & Boldr Venture) - but i feel like i will get more enjoyment out of a Oris Aquis than the field watches as well - so i hold back.

Im also not a massive seiko fanboy - but i can see why some people love them.

Thats completely fine - I put it out there to have a discussion & spark a conversation.

I guess i havent seen anything yet that qualifies as a grail (i do love the A Lange & Sohn Zeitwerk but i dont think i could ever pay that much for a watch). I feel that watches have become a big d*ck swinging competition (especially with rolex, PP & AP), and i would rather purchase some watches that i can afford and appreciate  - but without taking a second mortgage.

I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder - and i hope that as i get into the hobby more, i can appreciate a $100 timex/casio as much as a $100k PP/AP - but i think that takes time as well. 

My definition of a ‘grail watch’ is any watch highly desired by a collector that is prohibitively difficult to acquire.  The cause of difficulty is usually either rarity of piece or cost relative to the financial means of the collector comparative to the market.

It’s a waste of energy. Enjoy the moment and see what turns up.

One from which I can drink. I don't use the term.

A grail involves a character-building quest of a lifetime. What you're describing is a goal. Pick one and save up for it by all means, but if you're still longing for the next goal, then that by definition isn't a grail. 

I'll never buy my grail watches because A) even if I could afford them, I'm unlikely to spend that much money on a watch... but even if I did, they're B) all too big for my wrists... how unfortunate. 

JLC, I'm begging you, please make more 36mm versions of your watches! You made the one Ultra Thin Moonphase in silver and forgot about the rest of your range!