Welcome to the reference site for Grail Watch! This is a reference site only. Please visit the Grail Watch blog for regular posts. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
How to Use Grail Watch Reference
Our watch movement database is currently online. Click “Movement Database” in the menu and use the filters to select a watch movement. You may then click on any detail to see all other movements that share that characteristic.
Here are some useful queries to get you started:
- All movements in our database
- Column wheel chronograph movements
- Movements with a power reserve indicator
- Movements from ETA, Rolex, or Seiko
About Grail Watch Reference
This site is a database of reference information. We are initially focusing on watch movements, and are building a fully cross-referenced database of mechanical watch movements. In the future we may also include other things, including perhaps watch models and companies.
We are trying to be authoritative and correct, and are relying on manufacturer information as our primary source. Most information comes from manufacturer web sites, documentation, and publications. We are also using independent research and information from third parties where manufacturer information is unavailable.
All illustrations are official manufacturer photos and are used for commentary according to the press license of each company. We are attempting to include a link back to the official manufacturer web page where possible. We are also linking to Watch Wiki, Watchbase, and other sites where appropriate.
Updates from Grail Watch Reference
Further Sellita Research: SW300 and More!
March 2, 2020
Continuing my research into the Sellita movements, I looked into the background of the SW300 and SW400 movements, as well as the compact SW100 and SW1000. Leveraging the Sellita documentation and website, I was able to uncover the launch chronology of these movements as well as lots of technical details. I was surprised to learn how similar most of the company’s movements are to each other.
New Research: Sellita History
February 29, 2020
I did a little research over the weekend into one of the top movement producers in Switzerland, Sellita. It can be difficult to find details on under-the-radar companies like Sellita – they didn’t exhibit at industry fairs and “have no particular need to advertise,” according to a 2014 Europa Star article. They just quietly built over a million watch movements per year, leveraging a network of subsidiaries and suppliers in Switzerland, Germany, and elsewhere.
Updated Movement Family: Valjoux 23/72
February 28, 2020
One of the more popular movements in the history of horology, the high-end Valjoux 23/72 chronograph family is vast and confusing. It was in production for many decades (1916 through 1974, by reckoning) and there are over two dozen different related movements. I’ve been working to get my head around these for years, and this site has given me a platform for that work!
New Movement Family: Seiko 68 Series
February 20, 2020
Introduced in 1969 and still in production today, Seiko 68 a series of ultra-thin hand-winding movements that rival anything in the industry. Measuring just 1.98 mm thick, Cal. 6870 carries on the tradition of the original Cal. 68A. It’s truly a remarkable, hand-made movement!
Welcome to Grail Watch Reference
June 6, 2019
Welcome to the reference site for Grail Watch! We hope you will find useful information here, and we welcome your feedback: Just leave a comment and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible! This is a reference site only. Please visit the Grail Watch …