It can’t be a coincidence that just as the days are getting shorter, darker and colder again, some festivities are celebrated that bring us closer together and make us reflect on our circle of family and friends – including Thanksgiving. This day is more than parades, turkey and waiting for Black Friday. It reminds us of what we can be thankful for, what makes us truly happy and what we wouldn’t want to miss out on in our lives. That’s why we asked our editors what they are particularly thankful for in relation to their passion for watches.
Balazs Ferenczi: Rolex GMT-Master II ref.1675
As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself reflecting on my vintage Rolex GMT-Master II 1675, a watch I’ve had for nearly a decade. This was my first Rolex, and it’s become more than just a timepiece to me—it’s a symbol of personal milestones and a connection to horological history. When I first got it, the 1675 was still somewhat accessible, but today, it’s much harder to come by, which makes it all the more special.
Over the years, I’ve seen the bezel’s colors fade, and the dial’s patina develop, adding to its unique charm and character. The 40mm case and riveted oyster bracelet still feel as perfect as they did when I first wore it, but now they carry with them the weight of time and memories. This watch has been with me through countless moments, and each scratch and fade feels like a testament to the journey we’ve shared. Owning this 1675 reminds me of the importance of patience, craftsmanship, and holding onto things that matter. It’s more than just a watch—it’s a part of my story, and for that, I’m thankful.
Thomas Hendricks: Jaeger-LeCoultre Powermatic
Years ago, I was at a bar near Times Square with some fellow watch writers. I was new to the industry, new to watches, and I was suffering from imposter syndrome. It seemed everyone else was on a first name basis with F.P.Journe while I had little more than a Swatch and a Seiko to my name.
Three of us passed our personal watches around for closer inspection. My boss at the time wore his Rolex Daytona (a watch I couldn’t afford). A writer from Hodinkee – who I respected to the point of fear – brought a vintage military chronograph (a watch I knew nothing about). I hesitantly offered up my humble LeCoultre Powermatic, expecting ridicule, or even worse, silence. The Hodinkee writer examined it closely, his eyes studying the small gold-filled case, the teardrop lugs, the Breguet numerals, the alpha hands, the power reserve indicator, and the patinated dial. I braced for impact, prepared to be singled out as the weak link who didn’t belong and wouldn’t last. As I sat stiff across the table, the veteran writer finally looked up, looked over at my boss and said, “You hired the right guy.”
Barbara Korp, Breitling Navitimer
I would like to thank the Breitling Navitimer for an altruistic and a selfish reason. For altruistic reasons, I am grateful to the Breitling Navitimer because it has helped many pilots to land safely. After all, it was invented at a time when aviation was still in its infancy and pilots urgently needed navigational instruments. Thanks to its revolutionary slide rule bezel, it enabled complex flight calculations and could easily be worn on the wrist. To this day, it is a piece of cultural history and embodies the perfect combination of elegant design and maximum functionality.
Above all, however, I am selfishly grateful to the Breitling Navitimer because its extraordinary appearance made my mother enthusiastic about the world of watches. Until she came across this watch, she was absolutely immune to all the temptations of the watch world. But since she saw the Navitimer with mother-of-pearl dial in the 36 mm version, she has also been infected by the watch virus and shares this passion with me. And yes, she too has been building up a small watch collection ever since. As there is nothing better for me than sharing a passion, I am deeply grateful to the Breitling Navitimer for making this possible for me and my mother.
Aaron Voyles, Vacheron Constantin Overseas
When it comes to the watch that I am grateful for, there are a few that immediately pop into my mind for a whole bunch of different reasons. Each has its own unique influences on either me and my collecting journey or the industry at large; I could probably talk all day about watches like the Submariner, Royal Oak, and so on. However, one watch that sticks out for me is the 2nd generation of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas.
A watch that I first came into contact with in 2013 during the very early days of my journey with watchmaking, I discovered the Overseas while on holiday in London with my cousin as we explored the various watch retailers in the city. I’ll never forget just how enamoured I was by the Overseas with its Maltese cross-inspired bezel and bracelet, sporty and sumptuous design. It was utterly perfect, and it really did speak to me in a way that no watch had done before. While I was undoubtedly on the path to ‘getting into’ watches by then, the Overseas catapulted my interest in watchmaking forward in ways that no watch has ever managed to do since. So, without experiencing the Overseas all those years ago, I might not have become as passionate and interested in watches and watchmaking as I am today, and without that interest, I certainly wouldn’t be here typing this segment for this very article.
