KMII
[Montblanc Moderator]
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What’s your ‘anti-grail’ watch?
After the fascination and glamour of BaselWorld, I am interested in the opposite end of the spectrum. We all have our grails - hard to find or beyond our budget (or both) kind of pieces. At the same time there are watches without waiting lists, which strain our watch budgets not at all but which we still regularly wear and enjoy far beyond their monetary value - what I decided to call the ‘anti-grail’, for lack of a better expression 
For me one such piece is the Seiko 5 SNK803. It hasn’t been my entry point into mechanical watch making, as it often is. In fact I had several watches costing more than a hundred times more before I got it. Still, I enjoy it nonetheless and while it’s not the most frequently worn piece it gets a fair share of my wrist time.
So, got an ‘anti-grail’ watch yourself and what is it?
Have a great weekend!
What’s your ‘anti-grail’ watch?
After the fascination and glamour of BaselWorld, I am interested in the opposite end of the spectrum. We all have our grails - hard to find or beyond our budget (or both) kind of pieces. At the same time there are watches without waiting lists, which stra...
Or the `normal` men`s watch ? a `Sensible` watch for me is this quartz Pilot chronograph watch. A project from an Italian Ingenieur/pilot who wanted his own - perfect - watch.
Such a joy to wear and use with the central chrono minutes hand. ...
Thanks for sharing this one!
Definitely an interesting piece and the central minutes chrono hand is certainly a practical touch 👍🏻
This is mine
The best value for money watch I have had since I started this hobby. The eco drive is extremely accurate, the build quality is excellent, and the bracelet is just insane. It even has divers extension. And due to the quartz movement (those who feel nauseo...
Thanks for sharing yours, Traineract!
Certainly looks like an excellent counterpoint Would love to learn more about Citizen at some point.
This is mine and
I have just placed an order for one! This is the new Longines Military watch. Each dial is unique! ...
Yes a Basel novelty
An agreeable 38.5mm with an automatic movement and priced very well!!
I thought you were on a Watch embargo or Watch sanctioned
Or was it a “Fancy Watch” embargo? Cazalea I am in one myself
:-)
Yes it was a 'fancy watch' embargo and I have had to cancel my purchase of the 3820R as a result.
Like the idea of 'fancy watch embargo' :)
Fancy as in minute repeater perpetual chronograph tourbillon rattrapante chronographs?
'Fancy' as in anything north of
12,000 CHF Your definition of 'fancy' is similar to my definition of 'unattainable'!!!
It was a bit tongue in cheek ;)
So as to allow pretty much ample leeway in whether a watch actually gets embargoed or not Very much unobtainable for me as well, trust me
Unless of course
one is brave enough to trade in one's entire collection for one watch!!!
That would have to be my Zodiac Super Seawolf
I love this watch. only 39mm and super light. I put an MN strap which has elastic properties so it doesn't bite at all on my wrist. ...
These two are good contenders in this category in my opinion. I liked them but I didn’t keep them (my wife hated them). Funny, these two watches have been made by Corum
The first one was a Corum 20 dollars with a Frederic Piguet movement inside and the other one was a rare Admiral’s Cup with a nicely decorated movement (at least for me 😁). Sorry for the very bad pictures. Best wishes Alkiro ...
Did not know that side of you, Alkiro :)
So no more Corum then? I have to say I am quite intrigued by their baguette movements but have never tried one on so far... maybe time to do so Thanks for playing!
We have all our little secrets 😉
Only these two Corum. But, to be honest with you, I’m still tempted by a Corum platinum ingot 😋 Best wishes Alkiro
It’s an hand wound one. The Corum 803 but I’m not absolutely sure and from which caliber it’s based
I know you have a lot of quartz versions too and 3 different sizes (Gr 5, Gr 10 and Gr 15 which is the biggest version). Best wishes Alkiro
For me, not so much anti-grail but maybe anti-“luxury”?
To date I don’t have a grail ideal watch. The magnetism towards so called high end mechanical kind of weakened a bit lately.. Lately I have been fixated with the world of GShocks in particular JDM 1983 design models.. From having one to now four and the f...
These are pretty funky indeed!
Really like your GShock collection. Another of those watches I still need to get
If anything they're luxuriously protected.
There's alway room for at least one G-Shock in a collection.
Just got a new digital yesterday.
Sharing a picture with you Alkiro. Warm greetings. Cheers ...
A fascinating piece indeed...
I have been often tempted but the size was a deterrent. Need to try it on again at some point. Yours is particularly cool with that colour scheme
Seiko five too
Hi Yes Seiko five great choice - when you just want to buy a watch. Also my Emas watch is a fun one - a plastic dive all the design tropes of a diver - with none of the functionality and there are also the obligatory Swatch All interesting and all ones yo...
Now that’s a funky collection, JML :)
The SNK being the subdued one but the others are definitely off the beaten path! Thanks for joining in!
Thanks - can't even remember how I found the EMAS diver!
a Seiko is always a good choice
Mainly bought it as watch box was even better
Who doesn't like dinosaurs Cheers JML ...
If I'm honest I bought watch more for the packaging than the watch!
Swatch seem a bit more conventional at the moment, there used to be some left field watches & boxes. Cheers JML
I have a Seiko 5 diver
Put a Hodinkee sage color strap on it--and it's really amazing for the overall price... I get compliments on it a lot--but none on more expensive watches... generally... FWIW! Seiko--at every level--is incomprehensible--just miraculous quality.
Thanks Mostel!
I fully share your experience of the comments and appreciation of my watches in the ‘outside world’ does not at all correlate with the price
Nothing “anti” at all :-)
My Oris Brashear. Wears phenomenally, right size, reliable and accurate. Looks sexy, has an interesting philosophy behind and ... didn’t cost a fortune. Sorry, I’m talking like it IS a grail watch. 🤗 Best, Thomas ...
If you go to seedy places and you need a watch.
A Seiko 5 like yours will do. And when you wanna rough it up a Seiko divers will also do. Great tool watches these Seikos. My opinion. Cheers! Geross
Fully agreed :)
Better a Seiko 5 on the wrist than getting your smartphone out of the pocket every time you need to know the time
Yes, definitely. A Seiko has a soul , a smart phone doesn't.
My opinion. Enjoy your Seikos , they are charming! Cheers! Geross
Gotta be . . .
. . . the Ω tank. Not exactly dirt cheap, but close, and runs exceptionally well. Considering it's well over 70, miraculously well. It's my go-to watch around town. Easy to set, easy to strap on with its tailored strap and deployant buckle, light on my wr...