What are your "attainable grails"?

After some planning, I decided to make the Citizen Chronomaster my one and only $1,000+ watch. Ultra-high accuracy, unique dial texture, and solar convenience. I still greatly respect GS but this competitor fits really well into a collection which is otherwise all affordables.

I know I might be the minority. I see a grail as a watch you really like or has a cool story behind it. Not so much price and brand.

This is my two grail watches:

Hanhart 417es (One of those watches if you know you know) this always flies under the radar with every single sales person quite shocking.

Omega Dynamic Chrono

The watch that lead me to learn about Hanhart and the TypeXX. I wanted this watch first and I was afraid to buy it from eBay and imported from Japan. I visited Japan and WTF is that! the only Omega that I like in the flesh. So I couldn't resist.

These are other grails that I want.

Glycine Airman

Citizen Nighthawk

GS Chrono

And many more!

For me it’s the green Rolex OP 36. It’s expensive but I consider it a “grail” because I’ll probably never get one at retail. I’m afraid they’ll be discontinued before I can ever buy one. I’ll keep asking ADs but my hopes are low.

I’m waiting for a VTNR and I think this will be my last watch purchase for a long long time.

Got 2 of mine, Aqua Terra & SM300, recently added a broken Omega Mariner 1 - getting that fixed will be a big one.

Haven't really got anything I'm desperately lusting over tho long term a 2254...

Grail just doesn't mean what it used to.

Mine was a Brosnan-era Seamaster. A super-iconic watch, that's also super-affordable as they were made in such high numbers, and also runs a movement that any decent watchmaker is happy to service.

It's a very cool watch to wear and a very easy watch to live with.

I was lucky i got mine 2531.80 years ago new for a very affordable price ..Funny now i can sell it for more than i paid ...lol..

Currently, for me it's this. Cartier Tank Solarbeat, Large.

And yet that price you can sell it for, above what you paid, is still a very affordable price, for what it is, versus a lot of other watches out there - whether from Omega or similar makers. It's a gem.

Happened to me, discontinued. I wanted the Coral Red OP but alas, they dropped it about a year or so ago.

Every time I buy a watch, this "grail" question haunts me. I know each time I spend on a watch that isn't the Cartier Santos Dumont Rose Gold XL, I'm that much further away from owning one. That's my dream sportswatch, I want it so bad and I really just love the look of it.

Oh how this watch lives in my mind rent free is a shame.

Being a Rolex fanboy, I also dream of owning a Rolex but not just any ol thing...

This beaut right here. Ref: 228238. This!

There are a few others, wayyyyy out of my price range so I dare not mention them.

Ok I know this is frowned upon but look what I made 🤭…

'Obtainable Grail" is an oxymoron.

It will probably change but at the moment it’s Blancpain Fifty Fathoms blue dial.

JLC Reverso

The beachmaster certainly is a nice watch , from a great company

Love me some Grand Seiko. It always gets the drooling emoji from me on the daily WRUW section here.

So I’m torn. I really love JLC. A reverso tribute with a small second hand would help me die a happy man, but with the recent price hike, I just don’t see it happening. As much as I love watches I think we all need to take a long hard think if we don’t baulk at all at the idea of dropping $10K+ on a fancy hunk of man-jewelry. Maybe I’ll get lucky someday and find a smoking deal on the secondary market.

GS SBGA465

It’s frustrating when you can basically afford any watch you want and Rolex plays Ahole games with ya.

For me, at the limit of attaianble grails, in my top 3, the first place must go to Oris with the pointer date. I really love the look of this watch. Not too expensive too.

In second place I'd say the Longines Zulu time in green is a looker, the best green & gold combination I've seen in a long time. Bit on limit of attainable for me though

my third one I'd really live is the Mathey-Tissot type XX, really cool looking watch IMO

Other than that, more in the affordable, but really REALLY tempting, I'm always looking for a good type A-11 Field watch, ideally with coin edged bezel. A dirty dozen would also be a nice addition. I need a type A flieger.

Mine were these OMEGA watches. They need no introduction. I got them both for over $3k. By OMEGA standards, that's a steal!!

GS SBGY007

GMT Master 2

Breitling B-01 in blue (or the cosmonaute, or both!)

Sinn EZM3F

Lol I gave the Explorer 1 and thinking of getting either a BB58 or an SBGW231. 😂 Can I pick your brain on which one I should get first? 😁

Absolutely! It depends what you want and what else you have in your collection. The BB58 is a fun diver with a bit more presence. More of a tool watch than the Explorer which leans slightly more elegant. The SBGW231 is a pure dress watch that can work in casual settings too. If you dress up regularly, go GS. If you are more casual, go BB58. I got both used for way less than retail so I’d go that route to get both 😊

Thanks! I don't really dress up that much but I'm kind of leaning more on the GS now. I feel like it works well with the Explorer in a small collection. The goal is to have those three eventually and maybe stop there. 🤞

Ressence Type3

Ulysse Nardin Freak

Either are great, get both at some point!

Nows your chance. It’s a 41… but have a look at the sold tab and search… a unworn green 36 went well under retail recently.

https://www.watchcollecting.com/for-sale/2021-rolex-oyster-perpetual-41-10