The Truth About GRAIL WATCHES! Are They Worth It?

[@TheoandHarris]

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[@NikonFM2n]

My wife ended my watch journey when she gifted me my grail for our 21st anniversary 3 years ago. I can't wear anything else now, it's like a wedding ring. It's an aqua-terra.❤

[@alexisreyes1891]

Should be called the “Grail Chase” sometimes is no longer about the piece but the journey of obtaining it. Once you have it the urge for another chase is on.

[@michaelanthony5441]

Would you believe, while I was watching you on this subject I was searching my next watch during the the Black Friday sale and thanks to you I stopped.... turned off the computer took a step back and decided I need to cool down a bit and started going through all my watches. I thought I had a grail, That watch that would end this journey. To realize the minute I received it I was on to my next "grail" ... I always knew it was a a form of addiction but, I really don't have anyone in my life that understands the passion we as collectors share. To provide that intervention. I have heard others talk about it but, your perspective hit home. It gave me a sense of appreciation of what I have current and to take moment pullout that previous watch wear it for the day change the strap and hold it dear for it was something you got on an occasion given to you by a close friend. cherish the fact I will be handing this one to my grand kids ... Thank you great subject.

[@YippeeKiYayMrFalcon]

“The eyes of man are never satisfied” Proverbs 27:20

[@kentuckywindage9925]

This was one of my favorite videos I’ve watched in a long time, you did an incredible job! 👏👏👏

[@burkhardlange9280]

To me, the concept of a “grail watch” represents the idea of being permanently (perhaps even eternally) aesthetically, technically and emotionally satisfied with just one timepiece. It’s the materialistic embodiment of frugality, the supposed end of our endless pursuit of possessions. But in reality, a grail watch is an oxymoron: we seek to escape materialism by holding on to the idea of a single object, which paradoxically keeps us locked in the cycle of material desire. It is almost self-deceptive. Christian, you captured it perfectly when you discussed your own volatility in what you believe to be your Patek Philippe grail watch (or should I say watches). It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing a single, ultimate watch exists, but the truth is, we love watches because we love watches - not because we seek to end the pursuit of them. Moreover, this isn’t just about watches; it extends to anything we consume. The search for a “grail” car, bike, whiskey, or really any possession is just another way to justify an ongoing desire for stuff, even though many of us feel that consumerism is ultimately shallow, unsatisfying, and unsustainable. The concept of a grail watch is a way to rationalize a lifestyle that we know, deep down, is not spiritually fulfilling. We hope that by owning a perfect watch (engraved with sentimental significance, perhaps), we will somehow transcend the fleeting nature of our material pursuits. But, as much as we like to believe it, the true measure of our lives will be found in the relationships we build, the sacrifices we make for others, and the love we give without expecting anything in return. At this very moment, my children are sleeping upstairs, and I'm wearing one of my many “grail watches” - an ice-hardened Sinn 756 from 2002 - on my wrist. I hope my children will remember me with love. My watches, engraved with their names and birth dates, are epitomizations - symbols of my devotion to them. In a way, they represent the end of my consumerism and the beginning of something much more meaningful. Through my children, any watch - no matter how humble - becomes a grail watch. Not now, but perhaps one day, when I am from “dust to dust”. As Patek Philippe so famously says, “You never actually own a Patek Philippe; you merely look after it for the next generation.” That, to me, is when a watch truly becomes a grail. Until then, let’s just enjoy our watches!

[@steveg4082]

My grail: Seiko Alpinist in Blue.

[@joshn.5625]

Great choice!

[@wescobts]

That makes two of us !! I own the cream dial, and find that the dial gets washed out in some sunny conditions. The blue version with it's textured dial, and constant legibility is the one, Now that 19mm straps and bracelets are pretty common now, I believe we are set !! Be well, Happy Holidays !!

[@nickgomez9542]

I bought my “grail watch” a year ago … Rolex day date 36 black dial romans.. here’s what I learned. There is no grail watch. Watches while a great hobby, they are material possessions that will never give you complete permanent happiness. Many people are looking for a grail watch, car, purse, trip, house…. Non of that will give you full lasting happiness. Let’s stop and think why we call it grail watch. What all humans are looking for is what that grail represents and it will never be substituted by a material possession. I enjoy the hobby and you do an amazing job Christian, keep it up. Hopefully my long comment opens up some eyes.

[@jayv9619]

I think Tim Mosso said it best, off the cuff in one of his live shows. Watch collecting (and the journey) is non-linear. It doesn’t have to go bigger and badder and more expensive. All these watch dealers push you to ‘upgrade’ and spend more money but that’s not what it’s about. Any watch collector always has a watch they love the most and almost always it isn’t the most expensive.

[@Michael-uf1hz]

IMHO it's only a grail if it actually continues to be your grail. If you get tired of it or are always chasing the price tag then you don't have a grail. You might certainly have a favorite but I think a true grail might be a one watch collection or at least the one you almost always wear, regardless of price, condition and public opinion. It moves you in such a way you don't care about any of those things and you wear it for you, it's a true passion for something. Some equivalents would be your dream car or a dream home, most folks don't really move on from those once aquired, I think it should be the same for watches. The greatest test would be to aquire your grail and then win the lotto, if it remains your grail then you found true love.

[@kkf4]

The thing that I’ve found in obtaining a few of my grail watches, is that it’s made me wish I had spent more time appreciating the watches that I loved and owned early on in my collecting. I look back on those watches now and feel like I’ve outgrown them, when in fact, I didn’t spend the time that I should have growing with them.

[@jh-il5sb]

A grail watch is the watch we want until we get it!!

[@wiktorturo2417]

That's actually a nice take on the 'grail watch' term, and I agree that it shouldn't be only about monetary value, but it can be in some cases. My answer to the question of whether I own my 'grail watch' would be yes and no at the same time, haha. Yes, because I own a watch that I wanted to buy for years, but at the same time, many years ago, my first watch, which was a gift, was stolen. And if I had a chance to get back my first watch by giving away my current one, I would have done it in a heartbeat.

[@jakesantora8843]

Great topic. I’ve taken a different view of what a “grail” is over the years. For me, it’s not the most exclusive or expensive watch, suit, pair of shoes etc. I own. It’s what makes me feel the most comfortable in most situations I routinely encounter in my life. Clothing-wise it’s penny loafers, 501’s, and OCBD and a blue blazer - black knit tie optional. I haven’t found this in a watch yet. I have a hunch, my latest of many, that it’s a GS SBGA 293 (for way too many reasons for me to want to write about here). If I’m right, great. If I’m wrong, I’ll have fun testing my hypothesis. Cheers, Christian! Thanks for another great video.

[@dariusbrainiac]

The more "grails" that acquired the more I realise that the real grail was my first watch. There's no grails, there's marketing. There are enablers and there are addicts. Look at yourself in the mirror and figure out which are you?

[@Charlie_Skl]

Black bay 58 was my grail. I got it and after that it’s been hard to wear anything else. Even if I want other watches I don’t see myself using them as much. I guess I just bonded with it so much to the point I find comfort in wearing it.

[@drkesrf]

Youve been on fire lately with good videos!

[@GXF2695]

Great episode. Sound good, great perspective, nice light. Really appreciate your point of view. Cheers

[@Molloy1951]

Well pointed out.

[@rolfo8601]

I own many watches i once considered grail watches. They bring me happiness, but not nearly as much as the sentimental pieces

[@DrRonP]

I’ve collected watches, in one form or another, since I was a kid. And usually gave away timepieces as I grew out of them. Nothing too expensive. I think my most expensive piece was a Tag Heuer. But in 2019 I wanted my grail watch to commemorate a milestone in my life and bought a DateJust, new from the AD. It fit me and my life perfectly at that time. I wore it incessantly for several years. Then I changed careers and relocated to another state. Surprisingly, the Rolex didn’t quite fit my daily lifestyle anymore. It seemed and felt out of place. Sadly, it sat in the watch box for several years until I gave up the notion of a “grail” watch. I don’t think watches are destinations. They’re companions that share time with us. This year I thanked the Rolex for our time together and sold it off so someone else Could wear it. I bought another timepiece that better suits my present life. I don’t expect it to change again, but who knows?

[@Snowkone81]

I’ll have my grail soon, VC Overseas in Blue, but it doesn’t mean I’m stop collecting. But no future watch will give me the excitement of getting my grail.

[@Flipskater13]

My grail is a 114060 sub I picked up during overseas service. That was several years ago and I haven’t seriously considered another purchase since. I’d grown up romanticizing the military and being able to get a piece that reminds me of that connection even as I transitioned to civilian life means a lot. It’s even at home in an office environment now. The no date sub was and is the grail. I specifically like the awkwardly chunky lugs of the 114060. Grail to me!

[@TheBrah808]

Only need a holy trinity for watches. The secret is to get different straps to mix it up. Prefer my watches on rubber for everyday use, but have OEM SS and NATOs. Speedmaster Racing 40mm silver/yellow on rubber. Sporty and black vibes. Seamaster 300m 42MM chrome on rubber. Outdoors and blue vibes for beach days. Deville 2500D 36MM silver/gold indices. Classic and probably be the watch I wear near my end due to thinness in 30 years. Will pass to daughter. When yall get drafted for WW3, look for the group of officers doing wrist checks 😅

[@aka2i2]

I jump straight forward from a 450$ orient to 5970P salmon dail... this pp was in my mind for the last three years straight I put a milestone if I achieved my healthy weight and secure monthly income of around 80-150k ... I will buy it .. Then I did and it feels so amazing and so worth every penny it has a story of my struggles and it is definitely my only grail

[@fozzyarb]

My wife got me my grail for our wedding. A lapis 18238 day date. I wore it daily for years and I have moved to AP, PP all the way to a 5970j. At the end of the day there is always something else but I have gone back to Day Dante’s where I wear a 228206 almost daily bec my wife HATES it when I wear yellow gold. I think a watch grail is a moving target but sentimental value elevates certain watches above that category. My 18238 and the ceramic Pepsi my kids gave me for a milestone birthday are worth WAY more to me than the COMEX, Nautiluses, etc in my collection if that makes any sense. My kids like my watches and now as teenagers have watches of their own so someday I expect they will keep the ones they associate most with me and dump the rest. That probably means that the original grail…the Day Date that I loved as a kid will be the ones that stay…and maybe some of the PP’s bec they have a moon and a moon is cool 😂

[@SouthPadreTony]

Yes, a moon is very cool! 🌕

[@shadowso2496]

My grail watch is Tudor BB54😊

[@Michael-uf1hz]

@@shadowso2496 certainly a timeless piece.

[@ProfessorCarlo]

Grail watch(es) 😊 and yes, it is a non-wasteful addiction that holds its value and even keeps on appreciating. Of course, I am referring to classy vintage watches and not the soulless new machine made watches.

[@kickstothehead3705]

Sneaker culture been saying it since 2000 by my Recollection

[@Justlaxin13]

I don’t really have a grail watch. I have trouble setting one for a bunch of reasons. I’ve liked watches since I was a kid and I have bought a “grail watch” I thought I’d never be able to afford when I was 19 or 20 when I was 26 and then realized, gradually, it’s not really what I like to wear anymore. I can only assume that could happen again as I grow and continue collecting. I also, related to what I said before, don’t know how to set that ceiling. There are watches I want that are too expensive for me now, and may always be. But there is another tier that is even more expensive that it is more probably I will never be able to afford. But maybe be not. So should my grail come from the former price tier, or the latter? What role does the plausibility of attainment play in having a grail watch? I don’t really know. If I was asked for my grail watch, I could and would be ready to give several answers, but then, by definition, none would actually be THE grail watch.

[@andrpers14]

Yes, this would be my 1016 😅

[@mannylora]

1016 was my original grail when I first started getting into watches and 8 years later it still is

[@Molloy1951]

Insightful reflections on this one, Christian. I don’t have knowledge enough to wonder about a grail watch. I’m a beginner in the game. I hope I never crave for a watch. I hope to acquire an ultra expensive watch never be on my wishlist.

[@link1995cc]

You should take a closer look at what an IWC Mark XII with the original bracelet has to offer if you’re looking for something a little more “cup of a carpenter”

[@jesuisnoach]

My grail is a special order Cartier Tank Louis in yellow gold, manual wind, breguet hands.

[@zsazsa69]

My grail: Royal oak 37mm white dial

[@ECCS_2022]

Rolex Daytona, particularly Paul Newman’s Daytona cause one day I’m going to make a watch that will be attached to the history of one of today’s iconic race drivers 🤞🏾

[@Arc1517]

It’s not about the watch, it’s about your mentality. More ≠ better. Once you stop thinking the watch says so much about you, it becomes less important. They’re just objects.

[@Joe-xo3xy]

Look, I do not know about anyone but I am a nerd and like all nerds we have things we fantasize about owning wether it is a limited edition marvel comic, a R.C Porsche from a particular period or even a real Porsche, it is not always about the price or attainability that makes it a grail. Sometimes you can have the money to get a watch you really want but you cannot find it or you will get the money but not right now, every watch you get if it is was carefully thought out should almost always be a grail. My Casio G Shock and Data Bank I got a few days ago are grails to me because I have been itching to get them but I always had other items to purchase.

[@arentjanlinde6159]

Love the Episode. yes I do own my grail watch. I went through a lot of phases afterwards. Thinking about higher end, and also lower end. Different styles, so holy grail becomes holy shit, this never ends. Now I agree with you that the watch has to have personal meaning. That can be for ridiculous or meticulous reasons. Real stories or made up stories. The watch matters to me. My kids are ten years old. They know that I care about watches. That’s healthy

[@harveytan7506]

Citizen Fujitsubo on a Bond strap and a Seiko SPB237. I'm good with this and haven't had the appetite to acquire another watch for almost two years now.

[@AndreaDoesYoga]

🤔 Interesting points, makes me rethink Grail watches! ⌚️

[@brianmason744]

I don’t think I have that and I don’t really want it… meaning I’m very appreciative of what I have now. I think if I could provide you with a grail pick, it would be something like a timex or a very inexpensive micro brand. I think that is a true grail watch. My interpretation of a grail is the fact that these tangible things fad away and in the end mean nothing but provide man made time. There will be least amount of stress and an exuberant amount of enjoyment.

[@shanghaiffgg]

You have a deep misunderstanding. It’s not what is the best, it’s what makes you happiest at that stage of your life.

[@shanghaiffgg]

Seek happiness not stupid grail watches

[@ZachBAkron]

I did buy what was once my “grail” watch, a new JLC Ultra Thin Moon. I love and I hate it but the hate comes from one thing, a horrendously loud rotor which I’ve read is normal. Every time I wear it I think “I bet a Calatrava wouldn’t sound like that.”

[@cebb-gj6wi]

Haha, this is my grail as well I suppose.. I can afford it, but I will not have it without loosing my other current watch (speedmaster). So uncertain whether to keep the speedmaster (which is highly recognizable and useful in many situations) or to buy the JLC (which is less recognized and not that useful in that many situations). Why I love wearing a recognizable watch, is that it makes people strike up conversations about watches with me - which I absolutely love. A reason why I got the new 3861 speedmaster: to have great watch convo

[@cebb-gj6wi]

I could afford both, but my conscience will not allow me to keep both.

[@ViolinistWilliam]

This was amazing. Great insight. My grail is rare: a vintage date sub from 1992 (yes, year specific) with excellent patina and unpolished. They made very few E serials, it’s rare and especially in this condition.

[@JP-xt3gp]

Most material things aren’t “worth it” .. but if you can afford it and it makes you happy , why not ?

[@VixCrush]

I can just say the number. I don't need to even say the brand: 5712 although I would settle for a 5968 or the white Ap concept that John Mayer has... I just don't dare to consider RM right now as I would rather buy more real estate for that price.

[@WILLIAMHUGH-j3m]

I own my grail watch that is a Panerai 1084 but I would love but will never have an AP Offshore Diver.

[@affegorilla1299]

The grail watch has to be the one you’ll never get!

[@alainwei928]

Rolex Submariner 5510 in best condition😂

[@Michael-uf1hz]

@@affegorilla1299 the grail is not unobtainable, you just have to be worthy. Indy taught us that

[@isaacstillman1920]

This beautiful shirt has been seen now in two videos, it’s now my grail shirt? Is it yours?

[@uncles2000]

Says the word ‘addiction’ then scratches arm like a meth addict. Oh, it’s an addiction. 😂

[@John-zl9zp]

I own a batman which is my grail however I’m now thinking about my next purchase. I’m one of those guys that has an unhealthy relationship with watches.

[@whosrakim]

Hey Christian! What shirt are you wearing? That things awesome

[@convivialwithac]

do u have an opinion on micro brand watches specifically on baltany or vaer?

[@alainwei928]

Vaer really really really plain boring looking watches, even Hamilton and Nomos looks more exciting. Baltany is fine if you want the Rolex Oyster 1926 or the Explorer with a tropical dial (Ian Fleming Watch)They should only focus on that stuff. Really good looking. The only watch where I dont mind buying a aliexpresscopycat

[@Pianoman999]

My needs are simple. I want an Ingenieur Titanium. People bitch about this IWC sports watch, but I think it’s amazing. Different tastes.

[@davidticzon1926]

The 5004 is better than the 5970. More rare and has the split seconds

[@user-deleted]

There's always a better watch. My speedy 57 is my grail... But it doesn't have screw down pushers... The Lume isn't super bright... A Daytona does. If I got a Daytona, I'd find something better.

[@MattyVice]

Platinum daydate fluted in arabic numerals

[@guilhermemarques5446]

I have my one of my grails, a 1991 reverso classique in stainless steel. But the real real grail would be the VC 1921 in 31mm, which doesnt exist 😅. I guess the original one exists but to expensive for my pockets

[@TourbYourEnthusiasm]

It's the journey, not the destination. Very true ... IFF ... you're loaded.

[@bartsplaylists]

Simple: doesn’t exist

[@APDLuu]

The self-awareness here is too real and I don’t like it

[@NorthofYou1]

Watches are useless, my iPhone is more accurate than one of these things….any…..um….. hey look… a IWC Portuguese Perpetual Calendar….in gold! Sweet.

[@matlindell5022]

The only thing I can be certain is that your polo is definitely not my grail polo🤢🤮