“Grail watch”, “final watch”, “exit watch”. These terms excite, motivate and intrigue collectors in much the same way Indiana Jones
risked life and limb in seeking the “Holy Grail”. For me grail watch is slightly different than final or exit watch. Grail watch is often thought of as the ultimate watch a collector might reasonably (or unreasonably) hope to acquire to fulfill a deep sea...
Sadly there is no such thing as exit watch or last grail ……
If you are a true collector. There is simply just the next and then the next and then the next……… I realised this many many years ago. Interesting what you say about the 5970. Yes for me also the perfect Patek for all the reasons you mention. However havi...
All your points are well stated and well taken. I imagine that there might be some collectors who have the will power and discipline to say
“I’m done” and actually stick to it. I admire anyone who can do that. Maybe some day I will become that guy, but frankly that is hard to imagine. Regarding your salmon 5970G - if 5970 is a “perfect” (whatever that means) reference, your watch catapults it...
Comparable to 2499
in terms of historical position would be 5004. Wonderful piece, also if used on the wrist. 5970 is very nice - but never comparable to a 2499… 3970 would be better for this, if you ask me. 5970 is just a 3970 with larger case (and the consequences for the...
Thank you for your detailed analysis! 5004 is an incredible watch - also clearly with the DNA of 2499. Slightly larger than (36.7 to 36 mm) than 3970 and for me a more pleasing dial.
I love 5004 (more so than 5204). And yes, I agree 3970 more so than 5970 has the DNA of 2499. The 3970 case stylistically is very similar to 2499 (albeit smaller). I have a different view of 3970 vs 5970. From my perspective, while the movement is the sam...
For me, it would be…
For me, the grail exit watch would be the 5178G. Not going to happen anytime soon, but that would be the last watch I would ever buy.
Agree there's no such thing.
I see the parallel to transportation when asked "What is the best car?" Well, that depends on the task it is being used for. Heck, you might need a truck! And did you need a light-duty or heavy-duty one?
Great analogy. If someone ever asked me, if you could only have one watch what would it be? I think my response would be ...
Can I at least have 2 (dress and sport)?😂
All great watches. I particularly like 5370 with the blue enamel dial. In person, that dial is mesmerizing. I don’t like all the hues of blue Patek uses.
But this one has the nicest blue dial I have ever seen on any watch!
Very interesting topic, mon ami. Personally, I would happily get a Grail as a final watch, but just for a brand. About Patek, for example, I would say the 5970P. For JLC, it would be the Gyro One.
For Omega, the vintage Speedmaster Alaska project, or a super manual winding Chronometer. And so on... I am a lost case...
As you know me I am a fervent supporter…
…of the « less is more » cause 😉 so after accumulating a number of nice watches for years I decided some years ago to focus on much less pieces so as to have a pure extract of pleasure and passion. Are they grail or final watches I don’t know but certainl...
I totally agree, less is more. Quality vs quantity. Sometimes it is psychologically challenging to apply the principle to reality.
But, you have clearly done that. Those 3 watches are each so different from each other, but have 2 things in common. Each one is a great watch and each one makes you very happy!
It took me some time also to implement the strategy
Saying it (less is more) is very easy, doing it can be painful ; it requires having guts and being sure of your decision. I am used to taking decisions in my (business) life so it wasn't that difficult. And you are so right in saying they are making me ha...
Thanks Patekova for making another
thought 🤔 provoking post ! 👍 Originally “grail” also meant “exit” for me. After reading your post and the replies, grail now means something I would treasure the most out of my collection. However, after getting the grail, I will eventually WANT (not need...
Thanks Gordon for your kind words. While “passion” might sound better than “addiction”, when it comes to watch collecting they often
are 2 sides of the same coin. As far as “grail watch” certainly your lion is way up there for watch collectors and art connoisseurs alike! Best, Patekova
3970
I’m actually partial to the 3970 over the 5970. Clearly in the minority on that one. Not sure I’d call it a grail or exit watch, but definitely feels aspirational.
5004
One of my favourite trio is 5070,5970 and of course the 5004 lemania movement… but I have so many that I love… we are all different in a way to collect… some people spend a life to have a Calatrava watch and they touched the grail when they got it. Now if...
That is a fabulous trio! The split seconds function on 5004 takes it to a much higher technical level than 5970. Plus it is beautiful!
What’s there not to love about 5004? 😊