Today we are proud to feature our first (hopefully of many) lady interviewee on the Horological Minute, Jessica Benhaim. Jessica is currently a watch specialist with Bonham's in New York. She previously worked at Christie's as a cataloger for the watch department where she had the chance to catalog many important Rolexes, including the Gordon Bethune collection, and the Diamond-Set 8171 Moonphase sold in December of 2013 which sold for over $1mm dollars. Jessica has a fine appreciation for vintage watches, and we're happy to share her thoughts with everyone today.

What was your first watch?

My parents gave me a mickey mouse watch when I was a kid, but I never wore it. I probably still have it somewhere. When I started working in auction, I waited a couple years before buying a watch - I needed to do my due diligence and figure out what I like, and know what to look for in terms of condition, market value, etc.

What was the last watch you bought?

My first "nice" watch was the last watch I bought - a Patek Philippe Nautilus 3800 in stainless steel. I wanted a watch that goes with everything and will never go out of style.

Do you prefer vintage or modern?

Definitely vintage. It amazes me that these watches were designed without the use of CAD, especially the more complicated models with perpetual calendars and chronographs - there is just something about them, an imperfect charm, that modern pieces do not have. I studied jewelry design, and had to take classes on mechanical drafting and hand rendering, so I really appreciate all of the work that goes into designing by hand!

Can you remember your last great meal? Where was it and what did you eat?

It was at my parents house on Labor Day weekend, and both my sister and I were home which only happens a couple times a year. My family is Persian, so my dad made Shishkabob with basmati rice. When Perisans make rice, the bottom of the pot is coated in oil so that layer gets fried - it's called Tahdig and it is amazing. A great meal for me is sitting down with family and eating home-cooked food.

Do you remember what watch you were wearing?

I wasn't wearing one!

What do you love about vintage Rolex?

The vintage pieces have everything you could want in a great watch - quality, design, and finishing, and they were producing models with complications like the triple calendar, moon phases, and split-seconds chronograph. And they weren't producing thousands of them like they do today. Those watches are like nothing they make today, they have personality, and yet they are undeniably Rolex.

Strap or bracelet?

For vintage Rolex, I like a bracelet better.

GMT/EXPLORER/SUB/DAYTONA or........?

Killy (the "Dato Compax" Oyster triple calendar chronograph). Considering it was in production for 20 years, it's still rare to find one, especially in mint condition. It's the perfect combination of sport and dress, and I love the dial layout.

What do you want to see come out from Rolex at the next Basel Fair?

Had read an interview you did this past spring where you said that new Rolex models are "in the spirit" of older models but distinctly modern, and if you keep reaching back and reissuing past models, there won't be anything left to reissue. So as much as I would like to see a triple calendar chronograph, I'm not sure I'd like the result. If they came out with a Daytona with contrasting color subdials, that would be a nice way to look back to the spirit of vintage Daytonas while keeping things modern.

What's on your wrist today?

My Nautilus. I have a hit list of watches that I want to get, but they are all either really expensive or hard to find, so I don't want to get another watch just to have another watch - I will patiently wait for the right ones and the right time to come along.