One grail vs one collection

Posts
5,631
Likes
5,812
What I'd like is one good watch plus a half dozen nice, older, idiosyncratic pieces to choose from 😀 I am the have cake and eat it type.
Let me interest you in my not-Omega collection 😁
 
Posts
897
Likes
2,822
I do not like this false binary! But if I have to, I choose the option with many watches. 👍
 
Posts
328
Likes
244
There is no doubt that you could live with only one watch which may be considered your grail piece. As a watch enthusiast, you will enjoy learning about other brands and pieces, both new and old. The world is too big to keep your collection to just one. It is a great hobby because you can buy, sell, and trade watches to evolve your collection within your budget.
 
Posts
745
Likes
864
Ahh, don't we all admire the " one watch guy" ,the old seadog who bought his Rolex on shore leave in 69 and has worn it ever since without thought. I have often thought about cashing in my modest collection for a second hand airking but I know I would miss fitting a watch with my mood.
That’s the watch that tells stories. Beats any fancy collection in my opinion.
 
Posts
745
Likes
864
If you only keep one then you wear it all the time and it connects with you. Having a collection gives you choices but some days you just have a hard time picking which one to wear. It won’t be a problem if you only have one.
 
Posts
576
Likes
2,162
@Alfy Forluck i understand your pain. I have several bad habits, message me, I’m interested.
ETA including cars similar to the one pictured.
Edited:
 
Posts
2,011
Likes
3,399
Once people find their ‘grail’, do they no longer lust after other watches? I open up this forum and am always confronted with fresh eye candy - it’s like the Gorge of Eternal Peril 😵‍💫

 
Posts
743
Likes
2,545
Silly OP, it's the process, not the result that makes it fun. It's not about owning, it's about buying!
 
Posts
5,631
Likes
5,812
It's not about owning, it's about buying!
Cannot disagree more. What I have to wear, and care for, and appreciate for its technological representation is the entire purpose. Anyone can blindly buy this or that.

But why are you buying unless you care about it?
 
Posts
4,106
Likes
16,315
Exactly like the collection is evolving in time, once you got your grail you’ll be looking for the next grail. I can’t imagine to stick with one « grail » watch. So boring 🥱
 
Posts
16,861
Likes
47,910
Don’t forget the wise words by @styggpyggeno1


Depends on what it is. For me when it comes to hobbies - I wrote this here on OF earlier:

"Do not surrender to - what I have named - "grail emptiness". The feeling of meaninglessness and anxiety that can hit you when you have reached one of your goals. The emptiness and sometimes disorientation has its explanation.

Take comfort in the knowledge that collecting is not solely about the possession of things. It is as much, or more and for some, maybe to the full extent - about the quest. The research, the hunt, the journey, meetings, contacts - and the dreaming.

You are not alone in your grail emptiness. I would say we all suffer from it in different ways and forms. I tackle it by finding a new grail to covet and long for. Sometimes I alternate between hobbies to find new inspiration.

I found this some time ago and I think it is well put
(for clarity - a quote within my quote of myself):
“The main thing is that I discovered that half the fun of owning a watch is, like the fulfillment of all desires, about the pursuit –shopping around is fun and ownership is the beginning of something, but also the end.” Jack Forster, Contributor, Forbes Magazine"

When it comes to other things in real life ("job, significant-other, vacation destination, car, etc") I am not a hunter-gatherer. I do my research, decide, go for it - and am satisfied. Almost never dwell on these topics once there (maybe a little when it comes to cars).
 
Posts
261
Likes
179
Less is more. The more watches you have, the less time you have to spend with each, the more money you have to spend, the more maintenance you have to carry out, the more worry you'll have. Seems like a very simple decision to me.
 
Posts
897
Likes
2,822
Less is more. The more watches you have, the less time you have to spend with each, the more money you have to spend, the more maintenance you have to carry out, the more worry you'll have. Seems like a very simple decision to me.


In theory, perhaps yes. I have a 4-watch collection that I am happy with. But I have no illusions that I am done collecting.

And I can assure you that with a larger budget, my collection would grow exponentially. Time with each watch is not something I would value in that scenario.
 
Posts
3,640
Likes
24,600
I don't think I'd feel comfortable trading my collection for one uber-fancy watch. Sure, it would be fun to flex around, but I'd miss the variety. Also, I'd feel out of place all the time wearing a watch that costs more than a new car. That's just not the social circle that I move in.

But, I could definitely see editing down to a <5 watch collection in the future. I like the pieces I have, but really only 3-4 of them get any significant wrist time.
 
Posts
2,317
Likes
18,436
Also, I'd feel out of place all the time wearing a watch that costs more than a new car.

Maybe need a new car::stirthepot:: or head over to the petrol head post for some vintage goodness!
 
Posts
654
Likes
12,111
Funny thing about grails, when you finally do get one, another comes along and the quest continues!
 
Posts
4,834
Likes
12,223
More than a dozen is too many, less than a half dozen is too few. Variety of style and value is important.
 
Posts
572
Likes
616
I have no grails. Watches are tools with neat technology.

I'd give up all but two for a good woman, though.

Which two? I might have a good woman to trade 😀
 
Posts
5,631
Likes
5,812
Which two? I might have a good woman to trade 😀
WatchCo Seamaster 300 and Seamaster Professional 2254.50.00. The rest are nice and fun but not essential.
 
Posts
6,169
Likes
30,060
Which two? I might have a good woman to trade 😀
Aren't you asking the wrong question?😗