Why I am Not Buying my Grail Watch

Thank you so much for WATCHing my video and I hope that you check out all my other content.
I release 3 videos per week, all watch related, including reviews, first impressions and general watch related topics.
I try very hard to diversify my content as well and will feature big known watch brands, microbrands as well as Aliexpress watches.
The majority of the watches I feature are in the affordable range but I do try and get some less affordable watches as well.
Most of the watches that I feature I have bought with my own money. I buy them to enjoy and wear but I also to feature them on this channel.
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Thank you very much if you choose to use those links.

Below are affiliate links for my absolute favorite watches on Aliexpress. Each of them I have owned and had positive experiences with the stores that they are linked to.

San Martin SN004-G (my favorite San Martin Watch):
Berny AM038M (The best super affordable mechanical watch):
Or the Berny railway homage:
Tactical Frog H5 (Simply stunning):
Escapement Time Type-B Flieger H0292 (Incredible. So well made and a joy to wear):
Or the Chrono Quartz alternative that is super affordable (Escapement Time):
Gustav Becker (This one surprised me how much I love it):
Hruodland Turbine Pilot (The best watch on Aliexpress…… yes I said it):
This watch goes out of stock a lot so if it’s not available at that store then check this one out:
RMALTI Grand GMT Homage featuring the Seiko NH34:
SEESTERN: SE2021-OO2DOXA V2 (well made and a great homage):
My favourite engineered bracelet (I use mine all the time):
Cronos Sub Homage with the PT5000 (so well made):
SEAGULL 1963 (It is so loved for very good reasons):
Pagani Design Pilot Watch PD-YS003 (hands down my favorite Pagani Design watch):

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[dunderhay]

The pleasure of owning and wearing a watch is not necessarily linked to the price or quality of the watch. Some designs just attract us in an instinctive/emotional way and sometimes we get lucky and find one of those at a lower price. If it puts a smile on your face when you wear it, it is a great watch 👍

[paulelliott]

Wise decision..grail watches are only grail watches when you dont own them, and a few months after you get them you start with the self doubt "did i make the right it hold its i should have bought XWZ fun to want to own a grail, and i, f you do buy one, you get a sensational rush from putting it on the first time but the thrill fades. So, unless you are lucky enough to be a person to which money is no object, i would be real careful about buying a grail, even if you do really want it badly at the time

[paulkukula]

I know how you feel. I love VC, but will probably never have one. The excitement is mostly in the dream of owning these watches. For me anyway.
Love the watches I already have.
Great vid.

[ernestbeckley]

Wonderful video. My grail watch is the Longines Spirit Zulu Time. It is the one watch I would prefer to own over any other luxury watch, including Rolex and Grand Seiko. I've had it in my cart many times, but never could bring myself to make the purchase. It's not about the money--I can easily afford it. But, like you, when I look at all the other watches in my collection, I asked myself "Would I give up owning/wearing most or all of these watches if I purchased my grail?" The answer is "no". I truly enjoy many of my less expensive watches, and I wouldn't want to stop wearing them. Let's be honest...if I'm going to drop serious money on a grail watch, I'm going to want to wear it pretty much all the time. I'm not ready to do that...not yet, anyway.

[yeaaassh]

Still waiting for the price of my grail to drop to a more wallet friendly price Vacheron constantin overseas tourbillon 😅

[RadicallyGreen]

As much as I would like to belive otherwise, the truth is, if you have to save for a watch, you cannot afford it.

If a watch costs more than half of what you get monthly, you shouldn't buy it.

[sivanstar]

i dont think a grail watch has to be the most expensive. i think it is the one that you like the most or the one that excites you best.
think about this.. lets say you have a watch, not neccessarily expensive, with deep sentimantal value. you wil never give that one up and it is a grail watch that you own. so when you think about it, you might just well allready have several grail watches..
i know its not the regular meaning of a grail watch but it makes me think different at my collection.

[stevehenrytagami]

Too late for me. A windfall and my grail watch reduced ( perfect condition) by 45 %. The watch I had been stalking on Chrono 24 for months. I love Seiko Divers, especially the MM300 and the Seiko LX spring drive with green moss textured dial I had to get as soon as the price was just over 50% RRP. At 3000 sterling it's still expensive but no regrets

[martinharrison]

Ive got a few expensive watches that ive aquired over the last 10 years. Do i like my more expensive watches more ? Yes ido, but i still have enjoyed a san martin or seestern immensely. Do you really get more value after you go past 3k, im not so sure. Ive always taken ages to buy the piece i really want, i mean like a year or so of thinking is this watch for me. I have a collection of about 10 watches, 2 tudors, 2 rados, 3 seikos, 1 tag, 1 edox and a san martin / seestern .my grail was a speedie or orange bezel planet ocean. The planet ocean i ruled out because they were too big at 45mm and chunky, and i dont like the current models as much. That left me with the speedie. On holiday in lanzarote i tried on the speedie sandwich, it was on offer £1700 cheaper than current prices in the uk . My mrs said she would buy it for me as a gift, as she had come into a large inheritance. I loved the watch but i hated the fact it was hand wind and only 50m of water resistance, so i decided to leave it. Had it been an auto and had 100m i would have said yes !!! Call me mad, but i knew it wasnt right for me, and i also felt the bracelet was a tad dainty. I saved my mrs £5700 that day and she hasnt offered me anything since. Actually thats not true she got me the san martin tudor pro gmt homage in a cream face for £170 off ebay, and i absolutely love it. So i guess the morale of my story is, its not what it costs, that counts, its how it suits you. Ive spent about 10k on my collection, all bought preowned off ebay, but would have cost 17k new. I often think should i of just bought a rolex sub at 10k and be done, buts its a big jump to go for a 10k watch, when youve spent £300 at most on a seiko. I think its better to build and experience the different brands that interest you first. Even today i could go out and buy a rolex, i quite like the explorer 2, but i know deep down spending 10k on a watch is a bit OTT, especially as i have 10 lovely watches to choose from . Ive got a rado captain cook in green with the beads of rice bracelet, a rado original diver, a tudor black bay s and g on bracelet, a tudor aeronaut gmt, a tag heuer formula one chrono quartz, an edox hydro sub, a seiko kinectic bfg, a seiko spb051 and my favourite of all the 62mas sla043. Am i going to chuck all them away for one rolex sub not a chance !!!

[andyholton]

The problem is as soon as you buy your grail watch, you then start looking at your next grail watch, enjoyed 👍

[WristWatching]

Great take, James. Completely with you on this. Nothing beats that feeling you get from trying on a watch that just ‘clicks’, at whatever price point.

[cedarcanoe]

I don’t agree with your openlng statement. Buying your grail watch (I don’t a f*ckng expensive watch) will feel like coming home. I know because I know 😊

[RobKristjansson]

Great discussion, James. I've been there regarding microphones! Tough call either way, eh?

[jeremyrice]

I’d argue the watch you love is the better watch.
Is a 20k Italian suit with tails better than my favorite hoodie, v-neck sweater, polo or soccer jersey? No, God No. I’d never wear a suit with tails.
To put it another way I only buy what I value, what I care about.
I had a very similar experience as you with the Bulgari World Timer. Was ready to drop 9k on the blue one and I realized I wouldn’t love it anymore than my second favorite watch — my green Oris Aquis.
Why waste the money whereas I’m perfectly happy spending $5k on the unique and magical Oris Pro Pilot X laser. I’m not cheap, but I don’t believe in wasting money so I completely understand and agree with your logic.

[drdesign]

Agree 💯. The snobs and haters would have you believe that those who like more affordable watches as much as luxury watches are lying, that it’s down to not being able to afford the better watch.

I’ve owned watches at most price points up to Rolex money. All that experience has told me that you simply cannot beat an Oris. A Sinn. A Christopher Ward. A quality Seiko.

[briangray]

I know exactly what you mean, l often get stick for it but at the end of the day "ITS WHAT FLOATS YOUR OWN BOAT "

[canadianwatchmonkey]

❤ That Oris Big Crown Pointer Date in blue is such a great looking watch ❤ I owned it and traded it off and regret it and am now on the hunt for one at a good price. 😊

[adk]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. If I ever am disciplined enough to save up for a luxury brand, it will be a Grand Seiko. And there is that quote of how happiness is not having what you want. It is wanting what you have. Thanks for the great video.

[christopherhilton]

Great video James. The pointer date is more interesting to me than the Grand Seiko S well. You have to ask yourself would you enjoy the GS 4 or 5 times more than the Oris. Get your grail watch when it means something too. I got my grail watch for my 50th birthday this year. The Omega Seamaster 300 Profesional an I love it and it gets more wrist time than anything else in my collection. BTW where did you get that watch case in this video it is great?

[carlosjerson]

The moment you change is the moment I stop watching your videos, I'm saying this because you and I share a lot in common, you don't let yourself blind by the sheer luxury and pomposity of certain watch brands, that's not the goal, but to enjoy the journey, a cheap bastard if you like, but at the end is about enjoying the hobby, experimenting and buying at the right time.