Horological Meandering

asg
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When 1 = 4 or 5

Hi -

I have recently sold watches which, for all intensive purposes were my loves, my favorite objects and are pieces which have brought me such joy....but, the eye wanders and when the opportunity to obtain one's "Grail" or what watch someone thinks is their grail - it is not an easy decision to make. 

First off - most, and I mean this, most watches are "readily" available in the marketplace.  You may gain or loose 20 to 30% - but at the end of the day, everything is pretty much replaceable if you search and look hard enough. 

A few months ago, I bought a Patek 5970P and a Rolex Deep Sea.  I went up to my wife wearing the two watches on my wrists and I said to her - I'd be content with these two watches for the rest of my life.  She chuckled and said, yes, if you were a normal person....

After a few weeks though, the same feeling I get with most all Pateks set in - the watch stopped speaking to my heart.  I had to remain true to my passion and what I love and it was at that moment I set out to obtain what I believe to be my grail watch. 

It is also important to note, that if you find yourself reading this site....chances are you aren't going to make it with just 1 watch.  No chance.  It could be a Patek Sky moon Tourbillon - and you still will need/want an AP or Panerai or Rolex for those more rugged times. 

I think a proper collection can be widdled down to about 4 or 5 watches. 

1. The Rolex - everyone needs one - I said it and I feel better.  They are the best, becasue they are the best.  Find me another watch  which is as well made and simple to use - can be worn in pretty much all enviornments (although I hate seeing them with a suit).  They can have the pants beat off them and they will be as good each and every day as the first.  I have a GMT IIC and  a Deep Sea and they both have permanent places in my collection.
2. Another weekendy-beaterish-cool watch - Think Panerai, Hublot, AP Offshores - Sometimes you just dont want to wear a Rolex to a friends BBQ -
3. Chronograph - Everyone needs at least one.  The Chronograph is perhaps the most amusing watch to wear - playing with the pushpieces.  We all know and love them.  I prefer to keep a "high end" manual wind chrono - This to me is a man's watch and you should have one in your collection.  The Datograph, Patek 5070, Breguet, VC, really anything - If you must, you can combine this with your #2 alternative beaterish watch - but it might be cheating because a Hublot with a 7750 aint the same as a Dato . 
4. Complication - I love the Perpetual Calendar - I love the history and I love the fact it will work forever with a need for minor tweaks.  I love moonphases - so romantic.  I love intersting time displays.  I think this should be a watch which is a bit different from the type of Chronograph you choose.  Yes, this too can be combined with other functions - so, a Patek 5970 or VC Perpetual Chrono or other multi-complication timepiece will suffice . This could aslo be the watch you choose like an artsy type piece - one that makes you different and stand out - an MBF, URWERK, whatever you like. 
5. Grail - This is where you must search your soul.  For me, as much as I try to not like them.....Tourbillons just make my head spin .  I love their delicate nature, their beating heart exposed for us to see.  The race to obtain better accuracy.  I love that AL Breguet was the father of this movement design and that was what first brought me to this site and others.  I try to like repeaters, strikers, sonneries - I do, but Tourbillons speak to me in a much different way.  This Grail watch could also be from an independant maker - or from a big brand - its all personal. 

So I'd be content with:

1. Rolex
2. Panerai or AP Jumbo
3. High End Manual Wind Chronograph
4. Not Sure - maybe nothing - Maybe Something from a top level independant maker (Series 2, Simplicity, Observatorie or MBF, Urwerk,)
5. Tourbillon

So - with 4 or 5 pieces, and good though behind them, I think most collectors can be content.  This will offer enough variety to keep the eyes from wandering and that's the key! 

The grail though is most important.  Like I wrote in a post on the former Journe Fourm.......its better to have quality over quantity every day!  Take those 5 pieces you have worth 50 grand and buy youself one "grande" watch!  

I think keeping 4 or 5 watches is fair and reasonable.  This taken from a nut who complains alot recently.....

Good luck in whatever you decide.  I have my beaters, my chrono, my independants and my Grail.  It feels pretty amazing to have ones grail watch. 

All the best!

asg

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