A grail watch isn’t necessarily only about rarity, but rather what the watch means to me, and for that reason, the grail watch really is more emotional than any other watches. For me, ultimately, grail watches hold personal meaning and align with my taste at the same time. They just feel right. I always had a thing for vintage Heuer watches. Vintage Carrera’s and Autavia’s are really appealing to me. And ever since I discovered the 2447NST Carrera with Volvo logo on the dial I dream about owning one. My family car has been a red Volvo 240 for as long as I can remember. We drove all over Europe for family vacations in this reliable car. And still my parents drive a Volvo. It has a special place in my heart. That is why the Volvo Carrera with Volvo logo is a watch that holds a special meaning. A Grail watch, that I hopefully someday will be able to find (and afford). What are your grail watches and stories behind it?
I have multiple grails, some of which change on a monthly/yearly basis. However, sticking with the Heuer theme, this one is always there or thereabouts - a noir dial Camaro with Champion logo (photo from Rarebirds). A mint -66 CB Speedmaster is also on the list.
Speaking of Heuer, I had the chance to get one of my grail a few years back, which is a birth year watch too I would love to add a Mark 11, or an Omega 53 Thin Arrow to my military watches collection now. Fortunately I got a nice FA recently to help me manage the expectations My ultimate unobtainable grail ? An UG Cairelli for sure No way will I get one of these, even in my wildest dreams though
The word “grail” always bothers me, because it refers to a religious quest for the highest spiritual reward— and of course watches are anything but—objects which often appear to be acquired and flounted for very materialistic and superficial reasons. However, and with that in mind, I will say my first grail as a newbie was a WWII US pilot watch, and my search for it led me to a number of pilot watches of the era, but none exactly that. And now I would say my “grails”, by definition unattainable, are colorful chronographs from the 1960s, ie the Heuer Skipper, tricompax and “exotic” Ninas below. Not sure who to credit for the Skipper picture (taken from the website of Le Petit Poussoir) Credit @Jackwong aka OF Member @reficul_x for the beautiful tricompaxes.
This one i have considered my grail for a long time. Small production run combined with high prices makes it somehow out of reach.
Colorful chronographs from the late 1930s and '40s. I'm still chasing ones like these: More in these threads: https://omegaforums.net/threads/what’s-your-vintage-omega-grail.110957/ https://omegaforums.net/threads/what-is-your-grail-omega-and-why.107343/ https://omegaforums.net/threads/what-is-your-dream-grail-watch.143345/ https://omegaforums.net/threads/what-are-your-grail-watches.119624/ https://omegaforums.net/threads/whats-your-ultimate-grail-watch.67049/
I love all the wonderful input and inspiration . The downfall of such a thread is that more and more dream watches are added to the list. My poor wallet. Keep em coming!
Mines is this JLC perpetual 140.2.80 (37mm). A little pricing for me at the moment at $15,000. Maybe next year.
Omega plop prof with white or orange bezel, can't decide. I am even considering selling my Speedy Tuesday or Speedy Ultraman in order to get one. I know that might be a stupid idea from a financial point but I have never worn my ST1 and it's a bit of a shame to look longingly at a watch I want while another sits in the box unused. That said, I am a bit of a hoarder and I have only sold one watch since I started collecting them.
I don't really believe in having a grail watch. There are several watches that I would like to eventually own, but none would be the end all be all of my collection. Over the last several years I have managed to locate two Hamilton Piping Rocks, one in white gold, one on yellow, and a Hamilton 946. I'm currently working on finding more Illinois 18s pocket watches from the 1870s and 1880s.
Grail is the next watch. Staying with OPs Heuer, my carrera Fragment and original 1133B Monaco. They were grails to me…before I have them