Tom Austin
At some point in your clock collection journey, the concept of the Holy Grail clock appears. It’s a barely touching, almost perfect watch that represents the pinnacle (and perhaps the end) of your watch collection journey. Of course, there are different levels of unattainability. For some, things like the tags Heuer Aquaracer and Tudor Black Bay are already out of reach. Don’t let the pain go over that. 3-4 Grand is a hell of lots of money for the watch for everyone.
But for others, the quest for Grail Watch often involves increasing levels of rarity and value. The type of amount that even billionaires can strain – or wait list long enough to leave before your hairline gets assigned. But one thing brings us all together. That’s how you could potentially wear you instead of wearing that watch.
Money in your heart
In many cases, collection can be absurd. We deliberate the details of a particular part to the point where the value appears, and for some reason we can avoid bumping into the horrifying “Afrenza.” The goal post changes constantly, whether it is a broader clock that collects discourse or whether it is within one’s own concept of what “value” is. We currently live in a world where buying a four-digit watch is considered almost normal. right?
This kind of value desensitization means that at some point most of us spent beyond our means when it comes to watches. And despite our best intentions, in the end, whether it’s a “entrance-level” Tudor or a Patek Philippe 3940G, a high-end luxury watch can even be a burden.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqzj5hly6xc
In the first episode of the A Time Of Time podcast with Andrew, Eleonor and Kristian, Andrew touched on the experience of Panerai, his first “big” watch. He talks about how emotional he gets when he finally comes from his head with his worries about the watch, worrying about the furniture and more after he’s on his wrist, and when he finally comes from his head with the door handle, the arch-focused enemy of watch lovers.
Andrew was so overcome with suffering that the watch was then sold, which made me think at some point that we all felt this way, even if we didn’t want to admit it. We may be able to overcome that initial reservation when we hand over a large amount of cold cash for the watch. But inevitably, we all fall into the same trap when we are actually on our wrist. The real cost is still deep inside us, and we are now carrying it with us wherever we go.
Protect at any cost
I know this because I suffer from it too. It’s never been talked about, but we all know that we dodge the door handles and door frames, move the wrists of unconscious members who get too close as they walk down the street, and hide their hands in their coat pockets as they walk through rough parts of town. Polished case or crystal fingerprints? Wipe the T-shirt easily.
You can easily put it as easily as you take care of your things, and yes, like many, I was raised with pride in my possessions, but with a watch, I guarantee it is a little too far for most of us. That first scratch is inevitable, and the amount of “how to get this scratch out” throughout the Watch Forum over the years shows that we all care about. Also, the fact that there are several watch protection films on the market suggests that we are too valuable about watches.
I have the same experience with this burden as the following people: For example, I try to wear a Rolex Daytona (watch that many people consider the Holy Grail) as much as possible. But you need to note that I said “let’s do” it. Wearing it is a collaborative effort. I have to think about where I’m going, who’s there, what the surroundings will look like. I do an internal risk assessment before I wear a watch, but even as I’m writing this now, the absurdity of that is making me laugh.
In many cases, the risk assessment fails to meet my implicit requirements and the watch stays in the safe. I don’t want to come across it like a vain, but I was lucky enough to get a Daytona at a retail store. You may think I’m crazy and you may be right, but remember that at first I said that collecting watches is absurd in itself.
It won’t get better, it will get worse
Over time, if you’re someone like me (or as lucky as me), it’s a collection that grows to double digits. There are more watches than you can wear, but there is always one or two pieces in the collection, and you have to make these decisions when you wear them. Just like putting miles on your beloved car or bike, every time you wear it, no matter how small you are, every time you wear it, you risk getting scratched or adding wear and tears in general.
That watch always causes some form of mental anguish when it comes to wearing it, whether it’s your first Swiss luxury watch or a unicorn you’ve spent decades chasing. Yes, you may ultimately agree with things, and while it may be more comfortable once the first Din settles down, there is another thing we often overlook, and that has something to do with the way these watches make us feel.
The massive part of collecting watches was discussed not necessarily about technical features or appearance, but about how they connect to watches. Some watches come with backstory and associations that will make you feel good about life. They remind us of good times, inspiring us to try new things, and simply wear steel submarines that make us feel like Robert Redford or Steve McQueen.
Whatever that may be, it is indisputable that the clock evokes emotions within us. In that sense, the closer you get to the clock, the bigger it becomes. If that particular watch is in the chokehold, it is very difficult to get away.
don’t worry be happy
But that’s not all bad. The fact that you are not alone with this feeling is essential. It is essentially part of the voyage of the gathering, not something we need to overcome, it is something that we all have to learn to experience and deal with. For me, there are always Holy Grail clocks that look out of reach like cartoons. One day things can change and become reality…and once you win that holy grail, you will realize that life at the top is not cracked.
Therefore, no matter where you are on your journey to collect your watch, there is always a watch that will encourage you to consider how you will wear it. We are always going to justify huge sums of money for the watch. Because there are many ways to approach it. Perhaps it’s the rest of the value, or you tend to only see it on the much higher end of the market, or you deserve it – there are always excuses we can use.
The clocks from our collection also go back and forth. You will regret breaking up with some and breaking up with others you don’t. And there is always another clock around the corner where you can pine. Owning a Grailwatch can be a great result, no matter what level of it, and celebrating your achievements is important in life. It is completely natural to worry about inanimate objects in this way, and the more you learn to manage it, the more fun it becomes through its ownership. Don’t let the watch wear you, even if it tries. There is something more important in life.
