Grail Watch

Always watching for holy grail timepieces

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Chronotechna Ultimate Black Hands-On Review: Black? Yes. Ultimate? Not Really.

April 5, 2020 By Stephen 1 Comment

After over a year delay, I finally received my Chronotechna Ultimate Black watch, with its NanoBlack coated dial, cut-out luminous numerals, and black case and strap. It’s really black, but was it really worth the wait? Yes and no. It’s a good watch with a cool dial, iffy lume, and a horrible strap. But at least I got mine!

Filed Under: Collection, Reviews Tagged With: Chronotechna, Kickstarter, NanoBlack, Sellita SW200-1

The Current IWC Ingenieur Lineup is a Travesty

December 5, 2018 By Stephen 4 Comments

My enthusiasm for various watch models tends to wax and wane as I see something interesting, and lately my attention has turned to the IWC Ingenieur range. From the original Milgauss competitor to Gerald Genta’s remarkable Ingenieur SL to the chunky Mercedes-AMG racing models, the Ingenieur lineup has always been worth a look. Yet today’s lineup is beyond bland and not deserving of the name. Good thing, too, since IWC seems to be eliminating that, too!

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: Albert Pellaton, Chronograph, Flyback, Gerald Genta, Ingenieur, Ingenieur SL, IWC, IWC Ingenieur, perpetual calendar

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

Seiko SSA005: Bargain Navitimer

April 10, 2018 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Today I’m wearing a more recent watch for “Watch A Day”. This Seiko SSA005 has a great “tool watch” look with a Navitimer-esque slide rule bezel and funky 24-hour subdial at 12:00. It’s extremely well-built and was pretty affordable too!

Filed Under: Collection, Watch A Day Tagged With: 4R37, Navitimer, Seiko, Seiko SSA005

Enicar Sherpa Super Divette: Super Compressor!

April 9, 2018 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Today’s “Watch A Day” is one that surprised me. I bought this Enicar Sherpa Super Divette on a whim, not realizing the beautiful shape and historical importance of the watch. Now it’s one of my favorites, a vintage diver with a stylish Tropic strap!

Filed Under: Collection, Watch A Day Tagged With: AR 1140, AR 1145, Compressor, Enicar, Enicar Sherpa, EPSA, Super compressor, Tropic

Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX1 Alarm Titanium Limited Edition

January 11, 2017 By Stephen 3 Comments

A few years ago, I was visiting lovely Como, Italy when I came across a very special watch. Alongside the usual selection of little old Rolex and Omega watches was a dark beauty: A Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX1 Limited Edition in titanium with a deep ruthenium dial. I brought that watch home and it’s become a favorite of mine. Now there’s a similar watch up for auction, and I suggest that you take a look!

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: alarm, AMVOX, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX, Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX1, Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX1 Alarm Titanium, Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox, Titanium

Certina DS-2 Dive Watch

January 7, 2016 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Dive watches have been in vogue for quite a while, and off-brand vintage divers are really getting hot right now. My Enicar super-compressor has gotten more notice than almost anything else I own, and the segment just keeps getting more interest. This Certina DS-2 is a steal, with bidding starting at just €200, since it’s a nice retro diver with real history and a wearable 37mm case.

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: 25-661, Certina, Certina DS-2, Enicar Sherpa, Super compressor

Seiko SCED: A Modern Reissue of the 1980’s “Aliens” Chronographs

December 1, 2015 By Stephen 6 Comments

Some of the most recognizable and sought-after collectible watches weren’t all that expensive when they were new. One example of the low-end grail is the line of 7A28 Seiko chronographs designed by Italian designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro. These odd asymmetric watches were used in the 1986 film, “Aliens”, but were not considered collectibles at the time. Now they are so in demand that Seiko has reissued them as limited edition models in their home-market Spirit line.

Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: 7A28, 7T12, Aliens, Chronograph, Giugiaro, Meca-Quartz, Mechaquartz, quartz, SCED, Seiko, Seiko Spirit

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