I always wonder if when I finally get my grail if I’ll even wear it half as much as I think I would, whether I’m too nervous of damaging it to wear it out and about or not fitting most occasions well enough. What’s everyone’s experiences with their grail watches been?
I got my then grail batman in July 2016 at 7600 (good times) and wore it everyday until I sold it March 2025 for 13500. Never serviced and was still running +3 seconds per day after almost 10 years. Even if I never made money on it I would have pulled the trigger 10 times out of 10 in 2016. Make sure you get the grail YOU want; not what social media wants. Nobody cares about watches and I got less than 10 compliments total in the almost 10 years I wore it everyday everywhere.
Why did you sell it? I feel like if I buy a grail watch I’d eventually get tired of it
You answered your own question
Doesn’t even make sense, how would me saying I’d eventually get tired of my grail mean that the commenter has the same answer?
Yup partially true. I needed the money for a newborn and nanny. I do think grail watches change with your stages in life. I’m not sure what my grail is now so I’m wearing a Casio a158 and quartz PRX.
In my experience, if you wear a watch that other enthusiasts are interested in, especially one that looks distinctive, they'll tell you. There are a lot of people who recognize what you wear in the wild, but don't feel like commenting on a Rolex or Omega or steel AP/Patek.
This has been my experience as well. As the one wearing the watch, colorful/quirky/less recognizable watches have attracted the most compliments. The few watch enthusiasts I've met in the wild and spoke with were wearing a Seiko diver (SKX on more than one occasion) or a micro.
Unfortunately every sub owner I've talked to were not watch folks, only bought it based on brand or received it as a gift - but that's just my small sample size between a local car dealer, realtor, and bank manager.
I would NEVER assume someone wearing a Rolex was a watch enthusiast. I'd say the likelyhood that they aren't is much higher with Rolex oddly enough. There ARE brands where I think it's near certain that the person would actually be very into watches. Enthusiast brands like Nomos, Oris, Christopher Ward, lots of established micros like Farer. Zenith vs. Omega? I'd put my money on the Zenith guy being a watch enthusiast first.
Very true. I'd put Grand Seiko, perhaps Sinn and Damasko in there too. Never ran into someone wearing a GS in the wild, I'll be very excited if I do :D
Zenith would definitely signal serious watch nerd in my books!
The realtors and car dealers I know who like watches wear a Rolex for their job because they don't want to get attention for anything except whatever they're trying to sell. It's just a part of the uniform. But sometimes you can tell if they're wearing an uncommon Rolex or a bespoke strap, but you'd have to really know the references to see it.
Honestly, anything other than an OEM strap or bracelet is kind of a sign considering that most non watch people wouldn't even consider or think about strap or bracelet changes let alone to anything bespoke.
I think that’s definitely true. I would consider myself a WIS but I don’t really care to talk to ppl about watches. Maybe it’s gotten me better service at restaurants? But at the end of the day who cares? If you treat me based on what watch I’m wearing I don’t think I’d want to get to know you anyways.
Good advice! Hopefully I’ll follow it if I get the opportunity to own my grail watch.
You will!
Solid advice. Too many times I've fallen into the trap of going for something that's "close enough" in hopes it will scratch the itch (something shows up for a good deal, another model, another color, or something that's not 100% what you want). It never does.
Exactly 100%! No compromising on the grail Haha
My Cartier tank is my grail. I still want others 😂
It's my grail too and has never left my wrist since I got it (except to shower).
I’m looking at Cartier tanks and reverso now haha. I think I’ve gotten the square watch itch!
Damn that's some solid appreciation on the Batman, congrats on the flip. The "nobody cares about watches" part hits hard though - I always forget we're just nerding out to ourselves most of the time
I buy £200 jumpers and jeans. Nobody cares aside from me. Just like wearing nice stuff. Get more compliments on Casio than my Rolex.
Why did you sell?
I sold bc my wife and I had a baby in January 2025 and I needed extra money for child care and nanny expenses. I realized that wearing a stainless steel watch was stupid bc there’s always the chance I’d inadvertently hit my baby with it.
I’m wearing a Casio A158 and PRX quartz until I find out if I even have another grail watch that I actually want. Leaning towards a reverso now lol
He realized he doesn’t like it and like most Rolex people only bought it as an “investment”…
Rolex’s were never investment pieces prior to COVID. I purchased mine in 2016. Batman’s then had a two year waitlist but were selling for 15% off on used market. And this was prior to eBay collecting sales tax too. Yeah they kept up with inflation but that’s hardly an investment. If I were in it for the money I would have sold for 20k in 2021.
I sold bc my wife and I had a baby in January 2025 and I needed extra money for child care and nanny expenses. I realized that wearing a stainless steel watch was stupid bc there’s always the chance I’d inadvertently hit my baby with it.
That’s not true. Recent 6 digit Rolex’s are not an investment. There’s just too many.
A 4 digit sub, a Newman Daytona, some 5 digits are absolutely collectible.
My Rolex grail is either a flat four Kermit (which I have) or a 16760 fat lady gmt 2 or a 6542 or 1675 gmt.
Would rather splurge on a patek 5065 but, at least the Rolex is attainable lol
Moonwatch was always my grail watch since I was a kid. I've spent hundreds of hours watching videos and researching them. When the 2021 redesign came out I knew I just had to have one. Long story short I only owned it for 6 months before selling it. Such a beautiful watch and looked amazing in my watch box but for some reason when it was on my wrist it just looked "Meh". No love for it at all. Stressed over selling it for a few months then once it was gone I didn't miss it at all.
I then blind bought a Bb58 Blue and fell in love with that immediately even though I was never really that enamoured with it from pictures. It's now my favourite all time watch and I can't see myself ever selling it. I've had it for three years now and I still love it just as much I always did.
My lesson learned was that the nerds who talk about "bonding" with watches are right and that you'll also never know if you can fall in love with a watch for sure until you've had time wearing it regularly.
This is the way. We think we know what we want but sometimes it is something else thats seeking us. That’s the beauty of it.
I'm in that phase with my Speedy too. I coveted them for decades and finally bought a 3861 in 2022. I still think it's a beautiful watch and looks amazing, but it doesn't bring me the same amount of joy as my Oris Divers 64 bronze bezel. I wear the shit out of that and would never part with it. Meanwhile I'm thinking of selling the Speedy to fund a new bike.
You scratched that itch. I had the same experience with a Martin guitar. Wanted one forever, and I just don't play it now that I bought it.
BB58 blue is imo about as good as you can do for the price. Amazing piece and amazing value. It is 80% as nice as my submariner for a fraction of the cost.
In the end, after the honeymoon phase passes, it's just a watch.
This is why I'll never buy my Vacheron Constantin grail watch. I'm afraid it will become just another watch in my collection.
Definitely not because I can't afford it. No. Nah.
Lol. Spending above our means is a common danger in this hobby. But I would say that it's not necessarily a bad thing that a grail becomes just another watch in the collection. I say the danger is ignoring that reality. If you love the watch (and can actually afford it) buy the damn thing. Life is too short not to, just don't fool yourself into think that it is some mystical grail that will hold some extra meaning just because it is expensive. YMMV
Nice which one ?
This is kind of what I fear would happen… I got my Tudor Black Bay as my first grail watch and I remember I put it back in the box after every single time wearing it! Fast forward a year and on days that it’s not on my wrist you can find it on the bathroom shelf or on my desk… I still love it but the magic has gone a bit… currently saving up for a JLC master control calendar 18k and I’m scared after getting it I’ll take it for granted!
I wouldn't call it taking it for granted. I'd call it treating it like a watch. If you like it then get it but never fool yourself. It's just a watch.
From a number of replies, lots of people’s grails stated, are, in watch terms, as I appreciate it’s still a substantial amount of money in non-watch terms, very achievable, Black Bay, Tank, GMTs, Seamasters, etc, etc. No wonder people get bored when they are very accessible and it’s likely a fall out from buying that early in a journey before knowing even more of what is out there.
Personally, a Datograph is my grail, for others, again, fairly accessible, for me, I land that, where I have got the position to be able to spend 6 figures on a watch, that is grail level for me.
six figures on a watch means taxes are too low
You’ve come into a sub about watches, mainly luxury watches, to talk about taxes? Read the room.
Dude, that JLC might be my grail too. Frankly I’m scared
Honey, moonphase doesn’t just pass. It turns.
The initial honey moon phase ends, but you can certainly end up with watches that you appreciate and like more over time.
Without a doubt but they are still just another watch to you not some mythical grail. Just an expensive watch. Just like your expensive car that after 6 months is just "your car."
Sure. It's just a watch, things are just objects. But the object can continuously bring you joy.
We are speaking at cross purposes. Does your wife no longer bring you joy after the honeymoon phase ended? I sure hope not. But now, she's just your wife. No one said there was no joy in that and she's not even an object, she's a person.
Yup, and there are new ways to love. The honeymoon isn't necessarily the be all and end all or only thing you should chase :)
No one said th a t it was. You appear to be arguing with yourself. 🤷🏿♂️ Merry Christmas
For you its just another watch for me its a mechanical masterpiece handmade. My car is also not "just a car" i get what you mean, but dont talk for everyone.
Never said I spoke for everyone. The minority always has a voice. You just expressed it. Feel better? But let's not act like your views are the norm. People get so sensitive and worked up so easily nowadays. You knew what I meant because I'm just telling it like it is...for most people.
How am i being sensitive or worked up? I dont know where you live, but while Europe is being destroyed we still take pride in artisans. And watch making is an artisan. This has nothing to do with being worked up or whatever. Its never "just a car" or "just a warch" these things live with you multiple years, parts that work together etc.
When you think that my comments "don't talk for everyone" you are expressing emotions that you are worked up because your views were not represented in the statement. Again, no one is discounting the artistry of the item. I speak to the physiological reality that after a phase of elation from a luxury purchase, those items tend to become mundane to the person who owns them. So much so that we literally have a term for the phase prior to this happening. In the English speaking world, we call it the honeymoon phase. YMMV
I got my grail (Speedmaster) a year ago. I’ve hardly worn any of my other watches since. The Speedy has stayed on my wrist consistently, apart from riskier situations which warrant a beater watch. I try to be careful with it, but I’ve made some marks on it and honestly I don’t mind. If I wanted to go for a one watch collection, this would be the one.
Same situation for me except it’s an Explorer. I honestly have no need for another watch.
Just haven’t been able to take my explorer off since I got it. So versatile.
I never really had a grail watch. What interests me changes quickly. 😅
Same. Had a big thing for Seiko autos, now it's second hand Citizen titanium Promasters and Attesas, thinking about a Garrison or a Chandler.
Would love a Speedie Professional, but just can't justify that sort of money on a watch.
Be ready for the buyer's remorse. The problem is that once you have the watch (Speedmaster for me, common theme here), you aren't chasing your grail anymore. Sure, you have the watch, and that's great, but you don't have the anticipation of the watch. Once you get through that part, having the watch you've wanted is great.
I have a feeling that would be the case… did you have another grail watch or desirable watch after your bought your grail?
Probably a 1016 Explorer, but that's some time away, and it may be entirely out of reach soon enough anyway. I happened to get my Speedmaster second hand at a fair enough price, but it's getting harder to justify current prices on things. I can get the ~$15k for the 1016 from my bank account, but that doesn't make doing it a good idea.
Back to the Speedmaster, I had never spent more than a couple hundred dollars on a watch (Orient for the win!), and it was a big guilty feeling to spend the few thousand. Once I got through that part though, I have loved wearing it.
Honestly I feel people are too liberal with the word grail. People apply it to a current model that is beyond their current reach. In any collecting space, a grail needs to be hard to obtain and not something you can walk into the official store and buy if you happen to manage the purchase to go through.
It needs to be a specific iteration that is no longer in production. A big part of it is actually finding it. The value doesn't even matter, it should just be not readily obtainable. If you casually search the model and find bunch of hits on eBay and other sites, no matter how expensive it is, that watch is not grail worthy.
I have some limited watches, some of which took years to find but I would not call any of them a grail because I would have been fine with the offers passing me by if I wasn't financially secure. Not every watch you pine for is a grail.
I do somewhat agree. But I think everyone’s circumstances are different when it comes to their idea of a grail. It seems a lot of people use Rolex as their milestone marker for their achievements, and I guess the “exclusivity” at an ad makes it feel more special. I’ve never actually liked Rolex at all, and I think there’s far better options out there for the money, especially on the second hand market.
Still doesn't make a watch a grail if you are just using the excuse of a milestone marker to get it, which signifies the watch is easily available for purchase. The brand or exclusivity doesn't really come in play. Sure Rolex might be unobtainable at retail to a lot of folks but most current models are available easily on the grey market and a lot of them are produced in such numbers that you are bound to easily find them later. Now if someone is chasing a specific reference that is hard to come by it may be grail worthy even if said watch is Rolex.
Grails shouldn't be a milestone marker, a grail is a watch you'd be willing to trade your entire collection to obtain. While you can get the chance of celebrating a milestone marker with a grail but calling speedmaster your grail and just going to the shop when you are financially ready to get it just cheapens the "collecting" part of something being put on the grail pedestal.
I have to disagree that overall availability determines if a watch can be a grail. IMO a grail is something you’ve fallen in love with and is hard to get for you. If you have a lot of disposable income, then yes, finding that small batch piece only produced for a 2 year run in the late 80s might be very hard to find and get. You have the money so the “chase” becomes actually finding the watch. But for a lot of people, actually putting together the money to get the watch is the “chase”. If someone can only reasonably save $100/month, then it would take almost four years to save the money for at BB58 at retail. Just because the AD has plenty in stock, doesn’t make it easy for that person to actually buy one.
That's not a grail though. You can pine for a watch that's out of reach but it doesn't make it a grail. Sure BB58 could be out of reach and but buying whatever iteration is in stock when the price is right for you means the watch was never truly a grail. Just a design that you liked but could not afford. The value doesn't even matter, the whole point of calling something a grail is because it is hard to find. Someone's grail might be a specific promotional happy meals kid's watch that was given away in a small market. The value doesn't come from the watch itself but the fact that you need to dig around to find something that was seen as disposable a couple of decades later.
The designation of a grail is not tied to its price but the fact that it's difficult to find. Whether because it's due to a limited run or one off batch for a specific event or because the regular ones have deteriorated to the point you have to hunt estate sales for the ones forgotten in safes. Just because you can't afford a BB58 right now, doesn't mean it needs to be called a grail. You can easily find auctions selling these second hand, private sellers or even finance one. The fact is calling an entire lineup of watches a grail when broke and then settling for whatever the current model they can afford later is why so many people will say getting their grail was just like getting another watch.
Grail is a 1 of 10 Indie, not something the local jeweler has in the back.
The Explorer has always been my Holy Grail. I know many of us cherish our watches differently, but for me, since this is a 60-year-old vintage, I love wearing it hard without a second thought. I even give it a regular wash—after all, that’s the spirit of the Oyster case! lol
If it were brand new, I’d probably be just as nervous about scratches as anyone else. But I’ve come to see a watch as a tool to elevate oneself and a reliable partner in time. Whether you treat yours as a rugged tool or a piece of jewelry, I hope your watches bring you as much joy as mine does to me.
Wishing you all a wonderful watch journey and a very Merry Christmas!
My grail watch for Years was a Rolex 16710. I saw a well known attorney wearing one in court when I was a young cop and immediately wanted one. About 8 years later, I was working as a federal agent and making decent money, so I bought one. Within a month I realized I didn't like wearing it because I hated the cyclops, it wore top heavy because of the heavily tapered bracelet, and I didn't like the GMT bezel (I prefer a timing bezel). So, I sold it.
My next grail watch was a Seamaster 2531.80. I bought it and loved it. It wears a bit large on my 6.5" wrist, but it's so well balanced with the non-tapering bracelet that it's really comfortable. Right now it's the only mechanical watch I own.
Can’t you also time things with a GMT bezel?
It's just trickier. When the bezel counts from 0 to 24, you have to do math to calculate the time elapsed.
With a dive watch (bezel goes from 0-60), you just look where the minute hand is and that's that. With a GMT, you have to look at the minute hand, then see the corresponding marker on the bezel, then multiply by 2.5. Not the easiest when elapsed time is an odd or prime number.
Exactly.
At the risk of waxing too philosophical, I’d say that the primary experience of getting a grail watch is missing the satisfaction you thought it would bring you. The very concept of “grail” includes the notion of finality, of completion of the quest, and so of a lasting satisfaction. And yet I’ve never seen it occur. If you had a lot of watches already, the addition of the “grail” is eventually just one more watch. Our hearts are restless, and not so easily satisfied — we just begin to want something else.
This is it I’d say… it’s a milestone but it’s also just a bit of metal with a strap at the end of the day… it’s not going to cure cancer or pay off the debts of all of your loved ones. It’s a watch. I was ready a forum on Facebook the other day where someone was selling their AP after saving up years for it and only wearing it a few times when they first got it and then were so underwhelmed by it.
That may be the worse case scenario. But if one has a sufficient amount of self-knowledge, it needn’t be as bad as all that. Your “grail” piece may remain something you love to own, and is your favorite watch, and even one you continue to wear. It is just seems exceedingly rare that it actually achieves that finality that is implied by the term: “My quest is ended, I’m completely content, I’ll never want another watch.”
i always wanted what my dad wore (a datejust). as i was preparing to enter law school, my dad offered to buy me a datejust :)
i snagged a 1972 ref. 1601 and have worn it every day ever since (save for when it's been off for a servicing)
i don't really want any other watches
https://preview.redd.it/qso3q4rzn99g1.jpeg?width=5184&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=50583a059ef11700180f3c2bc31d91945787586d
The ultimate one and done IMO
I’ve never grailed anything super high end as it’s just not going to happen
First watch that really made me WOW was the first gen teak gray aqua terra. That would have been about 2013. Couldn’t do it for quite some time, and in the meantime they came out with the green dial (favorite color) with a sunburst pattern to boot (I’m a sucker for that) so it was then a reasonable GRAIL grail. Finally got one this spring, it blows my mind every time I look at it. It’s part of a rotation and I recognize it hasn’t been that long but … it’s never leaving.
I think if you want for the right reasons that’s what happens, it’s everything you wanted and more
I resisted a full year, then broke down and bought a Seamaster steel on steel. And now I feel kind of guilty that I haven't worn any of my other watches since! But it makes me smile every time I look down and see it on my wrist.
I like the look of the steel on steel in photos, but I can’t tell how legible it would be day to day. What’s your experience been?
I haven't had any issues. Edit: the watch face looks very different depending on the light. Fortunately the hour marks luminescence make it easier to read.
Here's a nice one:
The Snowflake (011) didn't wear as large as I thought it was, so I kept it. I had my initial doubts about sizing smashed.
IMO it wears a little nicer than the SJE073 and SARX055 I owned before it.
I think people need to get better grails - it’s so often that people list the Speedy or similar as a grail and…. I think that misunderstands what a “grail” is….
Obviously it’s possible to achieve one’s grail - but people who keep talking of “the next grail” or have achieved more than two (say) in a lifetime are clearly not aiming high enough: that’s not a grail, that’s just the next watch you’re planning to buy.
As to OP’s question though - none of these grant wishes or eternal life: it’s great achieving a life-long dream but it’s just a thing in the end. You’ll get it, you’ll love wearing it, it will fade 🤷🏻♂️
IMO the standard should be even higher - if there's a more than, say, 1 in 2 chance you'll ever get to own the watch (for whatever reason, rarity, cost, etc.), then it's just a "watch that is a challenge to acquire".
If it's just about willing to put down enough money, or waiting a few months for one to pop up, or establishing enough of a purchase history for an application piece, none of those justify using the word "grail".
For me it was an out of touch grail and then I switched jobs + got a promotion a year later + watch market dived after Covid. Went from one year of salary to 1.5 months of saving.
That’s fair
Probably. I think most people choose their “grail” as “ the watch I think I can work towards and afford.
My “grail” cost more than half what I make in a year and like 10% of all my investments total in value.
It’s something that would be insane to go buy prior to make 7 figures per year basically.
Even if a sub six figure watch.
The classical meaning of the word certainly doesn't imply an object that someone can "work towards and afford", and quite the opposite actually.
Fine - and if that’s your approach to buying watches (and you’re sure it will never change), go for it: am not the grail police.
“10% of my investments” would feel crazy low for me, as a grail - but then maybe I am more hopeful for my investment performance or less cautious with my money - or both.
Yeah. Spending 10% or more of the money I have invested in the market on a single watch is basically insane if you’re under 50 and still have compounding work to do. Especially when it’s still a large say 35% or more of what you make in a year pre tax as well.
Like imagine if you make 100k a year and are buying a 50k watch with 200k invested for your future, crazy at that point. My “grail” was like 20k when I first wanted it, now it’s like 80+ or I’d have to spend half a million to get it retail, and I don’t want to support the grey market. So I probably won’t get it until 10mm+ net worth.
No, I understand how maths works - I’m just saying we have different approaches to this (and, also, “grail” doesn’t mean “watch that I will buy this year”: that is my whole point). Waiting until 10m net worth for an 80k watch (and not buying second hand, always) is completely crazy to me - but we’re different people: you do you.
Buying second hand always is usually more expensive.
I can buy a Rolex retail, or pay 50%+ the retail price to have it “right now”. For example. I own 3 Rolex currently. All bought at an ad without supporting the third party resale scalping market.
Now, I don’t have a Daytona, because I don’t deserve one yet. But do I really want to be going out and paying 2-3x the cost of a watch to wear something the brand has deemed that they don’t want me wearing at this time?
So the daytona is what you want?
It’s not my “grail” no. But I do want one. And it’s in my top 10 of a theoretical collection.
I haven’t earned it yet though, so I wear my speed master when I want to wear a similar chrono.
I was shocked I got offered the chance to buy it and it exceeded every expectation. It is beautiful and goes with everything and is the most comfortable watch I have ever worn.
https://preview.redd.it/hpdxnzdy499g1.jpeg?width=3060&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b7846119d14ec42defd899c88384f244f08ad888
The bezel on that thing is sick
"shocked I was allowed to buy something"
.... 🤮
Each authorized dealer gets one of these each other year. Each authorized dealer gets asked about these several times each and every day.
So yes, out of all if the customers that walk into their authorized dealer i was surprised I was chosen to be able to purchase the rarest watch in rolex's standard catalog.
People who complain about authorized dealers do not understand how supply and demand works.
Ah yes. How dumb of me! Carry on.
Im not trying to make anyone feel dumb. But there is a lot of disinformation about how difficult it is to get a Rolex from an AD.
This particular watch- the second you walk out of an AD will sell for 2x what you bought it for. There are several Rolex that sell for more than their MSRP right out of the door. Authorized dealers are contractually bound to only sell Rolex at MSRP unless their are from the CPO program.
Many people who have never stepped foot in an authorized dealer will ask to buy a watch that they can instantly flip for a profit and get angry / accuse the AD or playing games when in reality the AD would prefer to sell the watch to a known customer.
People work goes a long way too. Getting to know your AD and showing that you are more than someone trying to flip watches can get you rare stuff without much of a spend history too. I had a rather low spend history to get a chance at this watch- but the AD knew it was my grail, thay I intended on wearing it, and would stop in from time to time just to browse the new stuff that came in and talk watches.
Anyhow, merry Christmas.
That’s a crazy good looking watch!
Was awesome for like 6 months
Then it stopped getting wrist time and other watches got more. I tell you watches are like hookers and cocaine. You love it then you don’t then you come back for more
Wanted a Fifty Fathoms. Got one, wore too big and heavy on me. Loved the sail cloth but still wanted steel since I love my Speedy on steel. For some reason don’t love the FF on steel.
Sold it and bought an Explorer II. Haven’t taken it off in 2 years since getting it.
Did you get the 45mm ff?
(JLC MUT blue sunburst dial) Got it, love it, but I only wear it on special occasions. It was never going to be an every day watch and I’m ok with that.
Sometimes a grail is something you put on a pedestal, and hence never wear it as much as you could. Started embracing more daily-able pieces after getting a grail that is too flashy to wear regularly and I want to save for special occasions.
I'm looking to get a last gen Omega Planet ocean for my birthday next year. I intend to wear that everywhere everyday.
For me it altered how I feel about spending so much on a watch. It may feel far off and perhaps unobtainable at first, but once you get it then it feels as though the challenge is over and wasn't so bad, so off you go for more. The more uncommon the watch or specific model is, the thrill of the hunt and the journey itself play a huge part. There's also a good chance of finding qualities that perhaps make the grail not so amazing, or you just get bored of it.
For the most part though, it sure feels like the watch equivalent of your body building up tolerance to drugs - in my case coming from mostly Timex and Casio I used to think $200 was a lot for a watch, then $500, $1000 and my comfort level just kept going up almost exponentially.
It depends. We all have "grail" watches but keep in mind that tastes change over time so the grail watch should be acquired only at the point you really, REALLY know what you like and want, the brand, the style, the sizing and everything, otherwise there is a huge chance you'll regret it later on.
I got my personal grail this year. It’s a Day-Date in Yellow Gold with the white stick dial. It’s the watch I told I will buy some day since I was like 14yo. Honestly? It’s just like expected. It looks beautiful and I wear it way more than any other watch (except for me going to some shady places). It kind of ruined the whole thing of watch rotation for me. But I love that. Could also sell the others and only keep a complementary G-Shock but I won’t part with at least two of the others three, because they mark a special moment in my life.
I didn't even know I'd found my grail till I got it.
I put a Polar bear dead last on my list at my AD as a "building relationship" I'll flip it later watch. After 3 others.
It happened to come in and it hasn't left my wrist since. Work, Play, I wear it every day. It definitely has some wabi, but I don't bother with any other watch unless I'm working concrete or some other rough work.
Polar Bear is RN 16570?
My grail would be an Explorer 2 if they ever reduce it to the classic dimensions. However, I''ve spent enough time in the hobby to know that I probably wouldn't enjoy wearing a Rolex, or any other easily identifiable luxury watch. Any time I spot one in public or at work I find myself slightly judging it.
Genuinely curious- why is that?
Because I know too much. Knowing the guy across from me chose to buy a $10k bracelet is a little cringey. Even though I read about these things every day.
My most expensive watch is a $1,500 used Longines spirit, and sometimes even that feels too flashy in some of my social situations. I've really grown to love smaller, rarer, under the radar stuff.
They are all just watches.
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My Grail is still goated .
My grail watch was a JLC Reverso Memory. I ended up buying an Omega Equinoxe to scratch the flip watch itch, which ironically became my favorite watch ever time. I found a great deal on a JLC Reverso Gran Sport Chronograph, which is a technically more complicated watch than the Memory. But, I didn't fall in love with it as it was slightly bigger than I liked and didn't have the dressy Reverso look. I eventually bought my grail, the Reverso Memory. I liked it a lot, still have it, and now I'm wondering about keeping it or selling it based on how often I'm using. I am wearing it now haha.
In hindsight, I'd say a grail watch serves more as the thrill of the chase (and that hunt can be fun) and something that can change over time based on how your watch collection and taste changes.
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I've deliberately chosen a grail watch (Krayon Anywhere) I'll never own unless I suddenly come into crazy unrealistic amounts of money. That way I'll always have something to aspire to, instead of choosing a new "grail" every time I buy a watch.
I am very happy with my Speedy and Snowflake.
Every time I wear them, I smile.
I have my grail already for 20 years now and it still is. I don't wear it all the time because I also enjoy wearing other type of watches, nothing wrong with that imo. Just make sure you know what you really want and don't let others tell you what you should get. Oh yeah about worrying about damaging it. For those situations when I'm doing rough stuff, I wear other watches for those situations. Other than that, just enjoy wearing your grail.
Never really realized a grail watch.
Tudor Opaline GMT was my first luxury watch. Ended up selling because I don’t need or really care for GMT
Rolex Explorer 1 was my first big watch, followed by OP39. They’re both great and I honestly have a hard time grabbing anything instead. Honestly, I have a hard time picking between them!
My next watch is going to be some form of DJ smooth bezel oyster bracelet.
All that to say, it’s a watch. But, sometimes they have some sort of draw still no matter what. My two watches are less than many people’s 1, but I look forward to handing them down to my son.
Not much difference for me. I wouldn't wear it to work where things get pretty rough, and a nicer watch looks ostentatious. But anywhere else, I would use the watch as normal. It gets scratched heaps but that never bothered me.
Bought a blue 4500v. My expectations were sky high and it delivered, wear it practically every day. Thinking to sell the rest of my watches.
Thankfully I live in Asia so I always feel safe wearing it, even going to clubs. Wouldn’t be the case in New York, London or Paris.
They'll have to bury me with my Reverso.
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Still love mine and find myself staring at the details of it. It’s off for service at GP, so missing it in the lineup, but also allowing me to wear some other watches in the meantime.
I can’t say that my excitement for it has faded in any way. The sticker shock does go away, but otherwise I still want it as much as I did back before I didn’t have it, too.
Stunning watch. I love their clous de Paris dials!
Becomes just another watch, it may be your favorite to wear or not
I got a snoopy and honestly while I love it, I'm kind of afraid to wear it. There is just this thought in the back of my mind that in 10-15 years when it's been discontinued it could shoot way way in value, and while I love it, if I had a chance to triple my money I don't think I could pass that up (paid retail). As such, I'm always thinking "man I should keep this thing nice and scratch free" in case it ever goes 3-5x.
That's my secret: My grail isn't the sort of watch that one wears on the daily.
May I ask what watch is your grail?
When nothing is special - everything is
Rolex explorer. Felt weird for a bit (why have I spent so much? Am I stupid) but had a few years. Love it, wear it loads.
I got an Omega Seamaster blue wavy dial. It was a gift to myself for my 40th. I absolutely love it, the quality, timekeeping and just the overall happiness of all the buying and selling I’ve done. When I opened it, with a good whiskey, I had a good feeling of pride. Something I treated myself to for working hard.
It’s one I’m impressed with everytime I wear it. It will be a piece I will never sell, even though I have eyes on a Rolex for my retirement in the future. I wear it to most social occasions and just around the house. The only place I don’t wear it at is work, but I’m in manufacturing and don’t want to damage it. If I had more of desk job, it would be an all day/everyday.
Depending on the grail, most can fit most situations, just by switching the watch band. One rule, I do follow for watches is go with a metal band if it comes with one, it’s so easy to find a nice leather, silicone/rubber, sailcloth, etc to dress it up or down. But other than that enjoy your grail. It’s something you always wanted. Also it’s ok to have more watches for variety. But just remember how special it is.
My realistic grail was the Explorer 1. Let's not talk about my unobtainable grail. 😅
I've had the Explorer for 5+ years now and it's my most worn watch. At first, I was afraid to wear it out but eventually I got over that fear and now I constantly wear it whenever I can. The Explorer fulfills all my needs, and I've have had many great memories with it and will continue to make new memories that I've considered selling all my other watches.
Got my grail in April 2025, Omega Speedy Pro. I was shocked by how much more comfortable it was to wear than my other watches in the $200-$300 price range. Now rather than just wearing my watches out of the house, it's on my wrist from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep and sometimes I'll forget to take it off.
Your post is funny. I only take my watch off if it's not waterproof and I have to get wet, or if I'm scuba diving. Otherwise, it's on my wrist all the time.
I don't have a "grail," but my favorite watch is my 7920v, i've had it for over a year, wear it nearly every day and every time I look at it I think "damn, this is pretty much a perfect watch."
I’ll let you know when I get my Grand Seiko.
I got my grail a Black Label Chronometre Optimum in 2021 from the boutique. I love it and wore it fairly frequently over the years but now due to its insane value it sits in the safe now. It’s always a double edged sword with these watches and some people may tell me to wear the damn thing but with values where they are now, it’s just so above my pay grade that it makes no sense anymore. I’ve since abandoned any concept of grail watches.
The feeling never goes away.
I got my realistic grail and wear it very often. Unfortunately I realized I don’t have a singular grail and it only made me want more.
When I got the Bluesy I absolutely loved how it looked and still do. Only thing that’s maybe changed is because it’s so flashy I’m self conscious about where I wear it? That’s about it. Still love the dial on it.
Picked up my grail yesterday after a 3 year wait - Speedmaster Snoopy.
I really like the watch, but the strap is terrible and I’m already looking for a replacement strap and deployant🤷♂️
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I love my grail piece.
Growing up I always wanted a Breitling Navitimer but never thought I’d own one. Fast forward to my 30th birthday and due to circumstances at the time I decided to get one. Although not a Navitimer it was a Bentley a25363 (polished bezel). I loved it and wore it daily, however due to a change of career it was no longer suitable to be a daily. I now hardly ever wear it and find it too big. Despite this I can’t seem to part with it as it was something I never thought I’d own.
Have just purchased my second “grail”, a Speedmaster 57mm Blue Dial. 1 more would create my “Holy Trinity” and that’s a Mint Green DJ, Fluted Bezel with Jubilee. I can then die a happy man 😁
I'm a basic bitch so my grail was the GS snowflake. Got it, love it, regret nothing.
I have at least four grails 😂 They all get worn, as do the other ones.
Watches are like dating. Eventually you get married but you always wants a side piece.