Grail Watch

Always watching for holy grail timepieces

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Apple Watch: It’s Not a Watch

April 20, 2018 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Today’s “Watch A Day” isn’t a watch at all, though I wear it on my wrist. The Apple Watch is a useful extension of my phone, a wrist-mounted notification platform that also tells the time, and a bit of a status symbol to some people. But it’s not a watch.

Filed Under: Collection, Watch A Day Tagged With: Apple, Apple Watch, Ipad, Smartwatches, Technology, Traditional Watch, Wearable Devices

Enicar Star Jewels: Transitional Vintage

April 19, 2018 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Today’s Watch A Day is another Enicar, representative of the transition from 1960s to 1970s styling. This Star Jewels automatic has lots going for it though perhaps it’s not a 100% match for the vintage James Bond strap.

Filed Under: Collection, Watch A Day Tagged With: AR 1140, AR 1145, Bond Strap, Bond Watch Strap, Enicar, Enicar 1145, Enicar Star, Enicar Star Jewels, Star Jewels, Watches

Breitling Datora 592: Funky Chronograph

April 18, 2018 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Today I’m wearing another watch I’ve previously written about here. I bought this Breitling Datora as a bit of a “fixer-upper” back in 2014 and promptly sent it out to be serviced. It’s now a fairly regular “wearer” in my watch box.

Filed Under: Collection, Watch A Day Tagged With: Breitling, Breitling Datora, Breitling Datora 592, Bretiling, Chronograph, Strap, tonneau, Valjoux, Valjoux 7734

Certina DS-2: Alternative Dive Watch

April 17, 2018 By Stephen Leave a Comment

I’ve written about this watch before, picking it as a “grail” even before I bought it. It’s a good example of the “DS” shock proof case from Certina and has good period details. I purchased this at auction (the only bid) with an incorrect modern box and papers.

Filed Under: Collection, Watch A Day Tagged With: Certina, Certina 25-661, Certina Ds, Certina DS-2, Certina Kurth Frères, Dive Watches

Squale 1545: Classic Swiss Diver

April 16, 2018 By Stephen 1 Comment

Yesterday’s affordable Orient diver gives way today to an even better Swiss alternative: The Squale 1545 has heritage, provenance, classic looks, and serious Swiss construction. It’s the real deal, yet costs less than 1/10 as much as a Rolex Submariner.

Filed Under: Collection, Watch A Day Tagged With: Classic Rolex, Compressor, Dive Watches, ETA 2824-2, Long Island Watch, Rolex, Rolex Submariner, Rolex Submariner 5513, Squale, Squale Usa, Squale Watch, Submariner, Swiss Diver, Watches

Orient Blue Ray: Weekend Diver

April 15, 2018 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Today for “Watch A Day” I’m wearing one of my favorite casual watches, the blue Orient Ray diving watch. It’s a favorite among watch enthusiasts and a great buy for under $300. Nothing frumpy or fancy here (apart from Orient’s goofy logo), just functionality, reliability, and good looks.

Filed Under: Collection, Watch A Day Tagged With: Magic Lever, Orient, Orient Ray, Seiko 7006, Seiko Epson, Seiko Group

Roamer Rotopower 44: Elegance with Balls

April 14, 2018 By Stephen Leave a Comment

After yesterday’s epic 1500 word “Watch A Day” post, I decided to go for something simpler. Today I’m wearing a classic dress watch from a little-remembered brand. This Roamer Rotopower features a 44-jewel (!) movement, 14 karat gold case, and classic dress watch styling.

Filed Under: Collection, Watch A Day Tagged With: MST 370, Roamer, Rotopower

Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec: Attainable Complications

April 13, 2018 By Stephen Leave a Comment

The last few “Watch A Day” choices were quite inexpensive, but today’s watch is affordable only compared to other options in its class. The Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec combines unique complications, a special manufacture movement, and an eye-catching look at an attainable if not exactly affordable price. It’s also a comfortable, useful watch for traveling.

Filed Under: Collection, Reviews, Watch A Day Tagged With: Chronograph, column wheel, Complicated Watches, Complication, double barrel, dual timezone, GMT, Homage to Nicolas Rieussec, Horology, Luxury Brands, MB R200, monopusher, Montblanc, Montblanc Star, Nicolas Rieussec, Richemont, vertical clutch, Watch Calibre, Watches

Seiko Lord Matic 5606: Retro TV

April 12, 2018 By Stephen Leave a Comment

I’m on a Seiko kick this week for my “Watch A Day” series but this is a bit of an oddball. This Lord Matic is a mainstream automatic with dated 1970s styling and a decent but not awesome automatic movement. It’s the kind of watch many of us have in the box, getting occasional glances but infrequent wear.

Filed Under: Collection, Watch A Day Tagged With: Lord Matic, Seiko, Seiko 5606, Seiko Lord Matic, Suwa Seikosha

Seiko Premier SSA027: Upscale, Open-Heart

April 11, 2018 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Today’s “Watch A Day” is a Seiko Premier SSA027, the dressy brother of yesterday’s SSA005 tool watch. Part of the Seiko Premier automatic line, it features the updated 4R39A movement and an “open heart” design. It’s a decent if clunky dress watch, better made than most Seiko models and a bargain compared to Swiss offerings.

Filed Under: Collection, Watch A Day Tagged With: 4R39, Open Heart, Seiko, Seiko 4R, Seiko Premier, Seiko SSA027

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