In search of the Holy (Watch) Grail

In search of the Holy (Watch-) Grail

A few lucky ones found it: Their one and only, love of their live, the so-called Grail or Exit Watch. The watch that becomes their constant companion. Many watch lovers are wondering how to define their Grail watch. Which characteristics must it possess and will it potentially become their Exit Watch? Let’s shed some light on the mystery.

The Grail Watch – an approximation

All watch lovers are on the hunt for their Grail Watch. The most desired of watches with the highest potential to be their Exit Watch. It is clearly defined, often unique or very rare – hardly available on any street corner and often even unattainable. To call the object of desire one’s own requires luck, background knowledge, persistence and of course the obligatory purse of coins. The Grail watch may be new or it could be very old. Perhaps it has experienced a compelling story or even made history. People as far back as the era of King Arthur despaired in the search for the Holy Grail.

The Exit Watch

Ideally, Exit Watch and Grail Watch are one and the same: A watch that is the absolute ultimate objective in the hunt for perfection. Once found, she never leaves her owner’s wrist. Some people find her after years of Odyssey, buying and selling diverse watches from wide-ranging collections of various manufacturers. Others, driven by a strong sense of purpose (and hopefully style) strap their choice assertively on the wrist, where it remains until death do them part.

The ultimate Exit Grail?

Recently, in October 2017, an unknown grail hunter purchased a Rolex Daytona Cosmograph with the reference 6239 of the year 1968. In the high-profile auction, the bids exceeded the million mark within just minutes. The highest bidder was awarded the prized piece for around 15 million Euros. That’s a lot of money for a 50-year-old Steel Chronograph with average technology and decades of use. For 15 million Euros, this valued Rolex Daytona certainly must have something very special going for it.

Of course, it does. The loving message “Drive carefully. Me.” is engraved on this gift from Joanne Woodward to her devoted husband. Yes, said Daytona was the watch Hollywood star Paul Newman wore every day. After Newman had used the watch for many years, he gave it to his daughter’s boyfriend in 1984. Undoubtedly, its illustrious history defined its value more than its design, because after its launch in 1962 this watch was known for staying in the display counters as if glued to them – hardly spectacular and usually ignored

First Exit – a quick decision for the pragmatist

Probably, the quiet majority of buyers invests little thought into the purchase of a watch and goes through life owning various inexpensive functional timepieces. They never develop a passion for watches. Another group of buyers is willing to invest a dedicated sum. Their object of desire may be a good three hand watch that is reasonably priced. Others find their contentment in a complex chronograph, a watch from an exclusive manufacturer such as Patek Philippe or Vacheron Constantin. There is no ceiling on prices, it is technically just a matter of personal taste and the depth of your pockets. After the successful purchase, these owners no longer pay attention to other watches. For them, there are more important things in life. But for the type of buyer we encounter much more frequently in our hunting grounds, the world looks very different.

“You shall have no other goal, no exit, you shall only live for the search of the Holy Grail!”

For the die-hard watch enthusiast, buying one timepiece for life is hardly a satisfactory solution in the long term. Because the Exit Watch represents the end of a beautiful journey, a journey that begs to be continued. Enthusiastic traveler will choose to continue their search for the Holy Grail. Telltale responses to questions on the topic of exit Watch: “If there were an Exit Watch, I would not buy it” or “Each new watch is my Exit Watch for a moment”. The demands on the Grail are set higher with every purchase so that it remains out of reach and the quest can continue.

The hunt is better than the catch

The Exit Watch must not be acknowledged. Fear sets in at the notion to never again engage in the thrill of the chase. It is as if a hunter would bring down one animal and then be served that pray every day forever, with the same sides, no less. The hunter would always be sated, never satisfied. If a retailer tried to sell a watch with the words “This will be the last watch you ever buy.” Watch enthusiasts would probably run screaming from the store.

Grail or Exit or what?

Admittedly, Paul Newman‘s Rolex Daytona 6239 is an extreme example but even the most dedicated watch enthusiasts may find their Grail or Exit Watch to be a reasonably priced everyday watch. To draw an Indiana Jones analogy: Ultimately the Grail was no dazzling piece of art, but a mundane item that owes its significance to legend. It is said that Jesus Christ himself drank from it during his last supper. Equally, one may well follow the quest from Swatch to Rolex and then realize that their object of desire lies somewhere in between. Oftentimes the revelation is to recognize that one’s personal quest lays out a much more intriguing trail than just straight upwards.