Grail Watch

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Jean d’Eve Samara: The First Automatic Quartz Watch

April 3, 2020 By Stephen 2 Comments

Browsing through the archives of Europa Star, I came across a groundbreaking watch I had never encountered. The Jean d’Eve Samara was not just the world’s first automatic-winding quartz watch, it was also a remarkably novel design! My research rabbit-hole lead me to learn not just about this watch but about an entire dark corner of horology.

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: ETA Autoquartz, Le Phare, Renley, Seiko AGS, Seiko Kinetic, Sultana, Ventura MGS

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Gran’Sport: The First “Beefcake” Reverso

January 23, 2019 By Stephen 1 Comment

Given the clever retrograde chronograph movement, the Gran’Sport Chronograph is the pick of the Gran’Sport lineup today. It’s really too bad that gorgeous Reverso Chronographe Rétrograde is out of the price range for most people.

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: 829, 859, Chronograph, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Chronograph Retrograde, Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Gran'Sport, Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Gran'Sport Chronograph, retrograde

Jaeger-LeCoultre Gyrotourbillon 1: Grails Go Grey-Market

January 15, 2019 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Today we’re looking at something truly special: A groundbreaking movement in a limited-edition watch that retailed for well over a quarter-million dollars. But there’s another story here, too: The grey market for expensive watches that are a bit past their prime, and the steep discounts that follow. The result is a $150k discount on a basically-new piece of haute horology.

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: Geotourbillon, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jaeger-LeCoultre Geotourbillon, Jaeger-LeCoultre Geotourbillon 1, Jaeger-LeCoultre Hybris Mechanica, perpetual calendar, Tourbillon

Levrette Chronograph: Classic Elegance

April 24, 2018 By Stephen 3 Comments

Today’s “Watch A Day” is a real classic: A Swiss chronograph in a gold case with the historic Venus 175 movement ticking inside. It’s a joy to wear and enjoy such a wonderful timepiece!

Filed Under: Collection, Watch A Day Tagged With: Chronograph, column wheel, Levrette, Tissot, Venus, Venus 175

Roamer Rotopower 44: Elegance with Balls

April 14, 2018 By Stephen 3 Comments

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

A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Thin 37 mm: My Favorite Watch

April 2, 2018 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Day 2 of my “Watch A Day” series has arrived and I just couldn’t stop my hand from falling on my favorite watch of all. I purchased this A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Thin 37 mm without the usual months of consideration and comparison. It was just perfect the moment I saw it, and it remains simply the best watch I own.

Filed Under: Collection, Watch A Day Tagged With: A. Lange & Söhne, dress watch, Glashütte, hand-winding, L093.1, no seconds hand, Saxonia, Saxonia Thin, ultra thin

Patek Philippe 5015 Moon Phase Power Reserve: Calatrava Plus

January 10, 2017 By Stephen Leave a Comment

I’ve got a thing for classic dress watches in general and Patek Philippe Calatravas in particular, so I get excited when I see a real classic come up for auction. Such is the case with this Ref. 5015 Moon Phase Power Reserve: It’s not technically a Calatrava, but it features all the best elements of that line. Starting at just €7,000, who’s bidding?

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: 240/152, hunter, micro-rotor, Moon Phase, Patek Philippe, Patek Philippe Calatrava, Power Reserve, PP 240

Celebrating Leap Year with the Ultimate Modern Perpetual Calendar: IWC’s Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Edition Kurt Klaus

February 29, 2016 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Today is a special day for watch enthusiasts: Watching a perpetual calendar watch tick over to February 29th and then March 1st represents a major accomplishment for horology. So today we will celebrate by highlighting a special perpetual calendar watch: IWC’s Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Edition Kurt Klaus. Named for one of the masters of modern watchmaking, this watch features a novel perpetual calendar mechanism that really sets it apart!

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: Chronograph, Grey Market, IWC, IWC Da Vinci, IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar, IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Edition Kurt Klaus, Kurt Klaus, Lombard Perspectiva, perpetual calendar, Wonder Invest

Could an Officer’s Watch Be the Ultimate Patek Philippe Calatrava?

February 3, 2016 By Stephen 4 Comments

Today we take a look at Ref. 3960 and Ref. 5053, two “officer’s watch” Calatrava models. Although still not the perfect Calatrava, these are two very fine references!

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: Calatrava, Calatrava 3960, Calatrava 5053, Chrono24, Essential Watches, Morgan and Company, Patek Philippe, Patek Philippe 324, Patek Philippe Calatrava, PP 324, The Perfect Calatrava

Simply the Best: Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 5227

February 2, 2016 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Having rejected the original Calatrava Ref. 96 and its successors as well as the entire Clous de Paris line, I now move on to something really special. Ref. 5227, introduced in 2013, was a high-point for the series in terms of craftsmanship and was unlike anything before. Let’s take a look!

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: Calatrava, Calatrava 5227, Patek Philippe, Patek Philippe 324, Patek Philippe Calatrava, PP 324, The Perfect Calatrava

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