Grail Watch

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

January 23, 2019 By Stephen Leave a 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

The Curious Case of the Seiko SARA and 4L25

December 21, 2018 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Despite an amazing history of producing excellent watches and watch movements, Seiko never seems to get the respect it deserves. But perhaps the most curious attempt by Seiko to challenge the Swiss came in the form of the SARA watch and the 4L25 movement inside.

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: 4L25, Brightz, SARA005, Seiko

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

Paul Picot Firshire Chrono: Classic Movement, New Case

April 28, 2018 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Today’s “Watch A Day” is my Paul Picot Firshire chronograph, which I described extensively back in 2014. It’s combines a classic hand winding chronograph movement with modern build quality in a dressy yet sporty tonneau case. Four years on, I find myself wearing it about once a month, which is above average in my collection.

Filed Under: Collection, Watch A Day Tagged With: 2002 Paul Picot Firshire Chrono, Chronograph, Di-Modell, Lemania 1872, Paul Picot, Paul Picot Firshire, Paul Picot Firshire Chrono

Storm Microcamera: Cool Bracelet!

April 27, 2018 By Stephen Leave a Comment

The Storm Microcamera is something special only because it’s so darn odd. It’s not very functional or useful, but it looks cool and is excellently designed and made. It’s everything that “mushroom brands” like the Xeric aren’t. And I like it.

Filed Under: Collection, Watch A Day Tagged With: bracelet, fashion watches, Miyota, plate bracelet, quartz, Storm, Storm London, Storm Microcamera, Storm 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

Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX1 Alarm Titanium Limited Edition

January 11, 2017 By Stephen 2 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

The Best Watch For Leap Year: H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Perpetual Calendar in Palladium

February 29, 2016 By Stephen 1 Comment

I love the mechanics of the IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar watch, but it suffers from a serious issue for show-offs: The mechanism only works in one direction. So now I give you the ultimate perpetual calendar: H. Moser & Cie.’s Endeavour Perpetual Calendar. It’s the cleanest, simplest, friendliest perpetual calendar watch on the market, and unbelievably gorgeous besides!

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: H. Moser & Cie., H. Moser & Cie. Perpetual One, perpetual calendar

The Perfect Calatrava: Considering the “Clous de Paris” Ref. 5120

February 1, 2016 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Continuing my quest for the perfect Patek Philippe Calatrava, I turn to the other main branch of the family. In 1973, Patek Philippe added “Clous de Paris” guilloche to the bezel of a straight-lug Calatrava and a new legend was born. Today, many people think of this Ref. 3520 rather than the clean, flowing original when they hear the name! Is this the perfect Calatrava?

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: Calatrava, Calatrava 5116, Calatrava 5119, Calatrava 5120, micro-rotor, Patek Philippe, Patek Philippe Calatrava, PP 240, The Perfect Calatrava

Patek Philippe Calatrava 5090J: “The Russian Watch”

January 27, 2016 By Stephen Leave a Comment

On the subject of unusual Patek Philippe Calatrava references, may I present a very unusual sculpted model: Ref. 5090J from about 2000, also called the “Russian Watch” due to its limited production for that market. I found two examples of this unusual reference for sale, so I thought I would take a moment to talk about it.

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: 5090J, Beverly Hills, Calatrava, Calatrava 1491, Calatrava 2592, Calatrava 3574, Calatrava 5090, East Coast Jewelry, Essential Watches, Faberge, Miami, Patek Philippe, Patek Philippe Calatrava, Russian

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Latest Posts

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

Surveying the 2018 Seiko x Giugiaro “Speed Master” LCD Reissue Series (SBJG)

Seiko Returns With Another Giugiaro SCED Series

Jaeger-LeCoultre Gyrotourbillon 1: Grails Go Grey-Market

The Curious Case of the Seiko SARA and 4L25

The Current IWC Ingenieur Lineup is a Travesty

Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX1 Alarm Titanium: Standout Sports Watch

Movado 1891 Ultra-Slim “Museum Watch”

Paul Picot Firshire Chrono: Classic Movement, New Case

Storm Microcamera: Cool Bracelet!

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