The Grail - Another Watch Thread - What's your grail?

[5String43]

For me, it's the Omega Speedmaster, aka "the moon watch," an example of which has been my everyday watch for more than 20 years. I've also got a pretty IWC, built in the early '50s, that I wear on occasion. There's a particular Eterna-Matic (not the Kon Tiki) I'd buy if I could find it, and there are a couple of Ulysse Nardin models that are pretty slick, but that's it.

As for today's watches, I rather agree with the original post that in spite of the Omega, which is not exactly uncommon, I'd just as soon not see "my" watch on every other wrist.

[yazhound]

No pics to add, but my grail of watches is a Breitling Navitimer. Specifically, vintage '65 watch that my father wore during two tours of duty flying Hueys in Vietnam. This was back before GPS and the like, when having and being able to use a watch with a sliderule was necessary for aviators. There are many find watches that tie in their heritage to aviation... IWC, Bell and Ross, just to name a couple. However, those did not offer the benefits of the sliderule etc... but were really just time keeping devices, and not particularly more useful to aviators than were other watches that did not avail the aviator connection in advertising.

My father's navitimer continues to work well.

I myself have a Breitling Superocean Steelfish. It is water resistent to 5000ft - so it can take the abuse I seem to give watches here on the surface.

The site Timezone is a great place for watch geeks to visit...

cheers yaz

[scottmandue]

Got to add the Patek Philippe... and a Monaco... and and and...

So many watches... so little money

I love the new high end watches, but me dropping six figures on a watch... pigs will fly out my butt first.

This is my other fave, got to get the bracelet sized so it doesn't rotate on my wrist.

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

[cough] I happen to have this blue Aquaracer for sale if you are interested:

I might be closer to your neck of the woods this weekend as well (Chandler), so PM me if you want to check it out.

I've got an 18k/SS Submariner available as well, if you are so inclined. [/cough]

Eric - If it were black I'd have to ask how much. I like the blue a lot, but my "grail" is definitely black. Beside... you sound sick with all the coughing. Wouldn't want to catch anything from you. Feel free to PM me your asking price though!

[MMiller]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Ah, but your username is suspicious!

I do love them.... have owned a few.

Mike

[89911]

I looked at this watch since they have a retail office close to me. It's more about the art then the watch with this company but they are pretty cool. They generally sell HUGE (53mm) watches, but this one comes in a more tolerable 45mm size. If it maters, I think Jeremy Clarkson wears one.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

It was a 40's gold rectangular Hamilton... but I got one of those for myself on my 50th birthday

I think I would go Omega...

I also prefer vintage to new...

Not a big fan of crono's... but the vintage Breitliner (SP?) crono's look pretty sweet.



Edit to add.. this is obviously NOT a Breitliner... but I would love one of these..

Love the top two and if you find a any of them and do not get it, pls let me know!

Joe A

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I love the new high end watches, but me dropping six figures on a watch... pigs will fly out my butt first.

Have to agree with you on that! Let's face it, four and even five figures is insane considering the actual hardware involved. It's like buying a piece of art to some extent. The value is far beyond the cost of canvas and paint. Love a great watch, but even new car money is hard for a working guy to justify. I was able to snag the JLC (2010 model) as part of a trade for my Submariner. With three kids heading to college in the coming years, stroking a big check is out of the question!

I have a 14k gold watch (Elgin) that was given to my grandfather by Ford Motor Co in 1951. Inscribed on the back and signed "Henry Ford ll". Still works great. I wear it only on occasion....ususally special occasions. That one is priceless.

[pwd72s]

That's a current fad I don't understand...people wanting to wear clunky thick and huge diameter time pieces on their wrist.

[Chocaholic]

Agree....don't understand that either. Kind of like wearing a clock. Here's a couple shots I just took of Grandpa's Elgin...

[LeeH]

Speaking of priceless heirlooms... this was my dad's. Odd thing is that I never even knew he owned it until he passed away. My older brother knew of it and knew I played with watches and set it aside for me.

[intakexhaust]

Choco - Nice thread. Don't understand some of the neg comments either. Out of my league on the 'blue chip' watches but in complete awe of the craftsmanship. Once in awhile I'll pick up the fine watches magazine just to appreciate what others do.

Funny, right now I just realized I don't have a 'holy grail' and could care less about a must have the best of something. Not that I can't for some things but when I was younger and sold high-end cars to some of the most upper percentile wealthiest in this country, it changed me and got it out of my system. Yea, when I was in my young 20's with a Roli Sub, taking orders using a gold Montblanc, paid for Porsche's... I appreciated it but just wasn't me. Through the years, I've been invited and seen so many wonderful private collections of others way beyond belief, from artwork to jewels, incredible cars whatever. So greatful others have it and not my addiction. Congrats and enjoy that awesome 'holy grail'! Scott

[tangerine911S]

Nice purchase, Chocoholic. My grail watch is the black version of that same watch. Beautiful.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Got to add the Patek Philippe... and a Monaco... and and and...

So many watches... so little money

I love the new high end watches, but me dropping six figures on a watch... pigs will fly out my butt first.

This is my other fave, got to get the bracelet sized so it doesn't rotate on my wrist.

I have the chronograph version of that watch. It's sharp. Wearing it right now.

[HHI944]

This is my little oddball

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

What's my watch? What's my indulgence? Please clarify...

Oh well, my indulgence:


No decal design here...real inlay work done by hand, not a cnc machine..

Pool is my "hell gettin' old" game. I don't mind that I can't run as many miles, and I'm actually benching more now than I ever have, but I started shooting pool when I was 15 and I simply can't see some of the insane shots I used to make as a kid.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by LeeH

Speaking of priceless heirlooms... this was my dad's. Odd thing is that I never even knew he owned it until he passed away. My older brother knew of it and knew I played with watches and set it aside for me.

Gorgeous!

[azasadny]

Those Hamilton and Elgin watches are beautiful! I have a vintage tank-style in Rose Gold that my wife bought me 25 years ago as a wedding gift. This is what I would buy if I won the lottery...
I've got tiny wrists, so those big watches don't look good on me, but the smaller tank watches are great!!

[Drdogface]

Originally Posted by 89911

I looked at this watch since they have a retail office close to me. It's more about the art then the watch with this company but they are pretty cool. They generally sell HUGE (53mm) watches, but this one comes in a more tolerable 45mm size. If it maters, I think Jeremy Clarkson wears one.

That is pretty cool....I like it a lot but bet it's way expensive. Never seen one like it or even close... How much do they sell for ? Just curious

[89911]

Originally Posted by Drdogface

That is pretty cool....I like it a lot but bet it's way expensive. Never seen one like it or even close... How much do they sell for ? Just curious

They are selling it for $3100 retail, but was quoted a price of $2600 after some negotiating. It hard to categorize this watch and I understand if its not for some. The larger sizes are completely over the top for me. My brother suggested this and I am looking for something that is casual and different. I have already looked at Breitling, IWC, and a few others. Whenever I picked up any that I liked without knowing the price, I was looking at close to 5 figures. Not what I need at this time. Maybe not the holy grail, just a funky casual watch.