Bad move to get your 'Grail watch' ?
Discussion
I used to be a prolific purchaser of watches, if I liked them on the wrist, they stayed if not, back up for sale. I used to swap watches around all the time, daily at least something different was on my wrist, and to be honest, I really enjoyed swapping and changing, the perusing of watch forums, hunting for the next watch to buy.
But, I'd always wanted a no date Sub.
I had a Steinhart which looked like one, I had a Christopher Ward that did the same (but was red - I like red
) but I still wanted that damn Rolex but could never afford one without breaking the bank. Oh, and it had to be a 'new' one with the ceramic bezel etc.
Then, I had a stroke of luck - good or bad, you decide - when I broke my back and spent most of a year just laying on the floor, but I spent NO MONEY! Suddenly I realised that I had the cash to go buy one without impacting anything else and no one would complain or be 'put out' by the purchase. So on the 26th of October 2012 I trundled down to Goldsmiths on my new electric wheelchair along with wife and dogs (so a proper, family, day out ) where after consuming much of their lovely coffee, they relieved me of £5000 for my Sub. I did get quite a few goodies as well - ultra sonic cleaner being the only one I can remember now.
The Rolex was going to be for 'best only' it really was. I haven't taken it off since the 26th of October 2012 and worn nothing else, bought nothing else and very rarely look at other watches or forums.
While I love the watch, it has killed stone dead my hobby!
I gave away a few watches that were worth a bit as it seemed better for friends and family to get some joy out of them and kept my superb (sic) collection of 60s - 70s watches (anyone want a Timex?) so I guess I still have about 55-60 watches... but I never look at them, never wear them, nothing. Even the few expensive ones I still have (brand new Omega 'Moon watch' Planet Ocean, Tudor) receive zero attention.
So, has anyone else bought their 'grail' and promptly lost interest or is it just me?
But, I'd always wanted a no date Sub.
I had a Steinhart which looked like one, I had a Christopher Ward that did the same (but was red - I like red
) but I still wanted that damn Rolex but could never afford one without breaking the bank. Oh, and it had to be a 'new' one with the ceramic bezel etc.Then, I had a stroke of luck - good or bad, you decide - when I broke my back and spent most of a year just laying on the floor, but I spent NO MONEY! Suddenly I realised that I had the cash to go buy one without impacting anything else and no one would complain or be 'put out' by the purchase. So on the 26th of October 2012 I trundled down to Goldsmiths on my new electric wheelchair along with wife and dogs (so a proper, family, day out
) where after consuming much of their lovely coffee, they relieved me of £5000 for my Sub. I did get quite a few goodies as well - ultra sonic cleaner being the only one I can remember now.The Rolex was going to be for 'best only' it really was. I haven't taken it off since the 26th of October 2012 and worn nothing else, bought nothing else and very rarely look at other watches or forums.
While I love the watch, it has killed stone dead my hobby!
I gave away a few watches that were worth a bit as it seemed better for friends and family to get some joy out of them and kept my superb (sic) collection of 60s - 70s watches (anyone want a Timex?) so I guess I still have about 55-60 watches... but I never look at them, never wear them, nothing. Even the few expensive ones I still have (brand new Omega 'Moon watch' Planet Ocean, Tudor) receive zero attention.
So, has anyone else bought their 'grail' and promptly lost interest or is it just me?
Is it partly down to affordability? When you're wearing Steinharts and the like (as do I), it's realively easy, for many, to buy another one, or something else at a similar price point.
Now you've got your £5k Rolex, that's your new price point, and buying something else at that level is an option available to only a few.
My most valuable watch is a Bremont, and I recently bought an Oris. I suppose I have less interest in Steinhart, CW and so on than I did, and I suspect that if I buy a Panerai, as I'm thinking of doing, that will be it for me too.
Or I could buy ten 'affordables' instead.
Now you've got your £5k Rolex, that's your new price point, and buying something else at that level is an option available to only a few.
My most valuable watch is a Bremont, and I recently bought an Oris. I suppose I have less interest in Steinhart, CW and so on than I did, and I suspect that if I buy a Panerai, as I'm thinking of doing, that will be it for me too.
Or I could buy ten 'affordables' instead.
Having found my grail car, saxophone, and camera, I find I can stop looking at what's next and concentrate on enjoying them.
My "new" 1996 Sub date is maybe my grail watch, but having got rid of my 36mm DJ of 15 years I'm now hankering after a 41mm DJ!
Thing is, the TT DJ was SO good at hiding scratches with its jubilee bracelet and fluted bezel, and just a little bit more "special" than a Sub. But, looked too small lately after looking at the current trend for big.
SS oyster bracelet already showing signs of my wear after three weeks despite being "mint" upon purchase. I guess in time it will form an overall patina as the DJ no doubt had under close scrutiny, and I'll become less precious about it too?
My "new" 1996 Sub date is maybe my grail watch, but having got rid of my 36mm DJ of 15 years I'm now hankering after a 41mm DJ!
Thing is, the TT DJ was SO good at hiding scratches with its jubilee bracelet and fluted bezel, and just a little bit more "special" than a Sub. But, looked too small lately after looking at the current trend for big.
SS oyster bracelet already showing signs of my wear after three weeks despite being "mint" upon purchase. I guess in time it will form an overall patina as the DJ no doubt had under close scrutiny, and I'll become less precious about it too?
You need to have another aim...another grail, and appreciate watches for more than just their value, if you like the look of them, wear them, you used to!. I bought myself a Sub after trying a few homages to try and scratch the itch. It hasn't stopped me wearing other watches, and I don't wear it at work, so have a bit of a rotation for my daily - Seamster/Black Bay/Sinn
I want a Panerai. I will have one. It's my next grail. :-)
I want a Panerai. I will have one. It's my next grail. :-)
I'd admired a friend's SS Daytona for years and always promised myself one, in the end put my name on the list waited patiently and three years later got the call.
That was August 2015 and I've never worn it, just don't like it that much in fact it's still in the box with stickers on.
Bought a GMT last month and whilst not my Grail watch I really like wearing it.
That was August 2015 and I've never worn it, just don't like it that much in fact it's still in the box with stickers on.
Bought a GMT last month and whilst not my Grail watch I really like wearing it.
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