"No two watches are the same and there is always more you can learn and discover."

Stephen Pulvirent  //  THE HOROLOGICAL MINUTE
Stephen Pulvirent

  //  

THE HOROLOGICAL MINUTE

INTRODUCING

Stephen Pulvirent

When you attend an event that Stephen is going to be at, you can already assume that he will be the best dressed guy in the room. Impeccably tailored jacket, freshly pressed suit, and a perfect knot in his tie- these are all fashion essentials that Stephen has been writing about professionally for quite some time. A true gentleman in every sense of the word, Stephen got his first taste of high fashion while interning on Saville Row during university. From there, he's gone on to hold an associate editor's position at Hodinkee, and now with Bloomberg, writing about the watch industry, amongst other topics. Stephen has been a longtime friend of the site, and we are proud to feature him today on the Horological Minute.

What was your first watch?

The first watch I remember wearing with any regularity was a Mondaine Swiss Railway watch that I got for graduating high school. The pureness of the design was what attracted me to it and I still wear it from time to time for sentimental reasons.

What was the last watch you bought?

The last watch I bought was my 1970 Rolex GMT-Master (from 10PastTen, of course). Since then I've been thinking about what to go for next, but the GMT has me feeling pretty satisfied.

Do you prefer vintage or modern?

There's a lot to be said for a modern beater that you can really put through its paces, but nothing matches the charm of a vintage watch. That you can carry a little piece of history around on your wrist still baffles me.

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

Last weekend my girlfriend and I were able to get in at Santina down under the Highline in New York. The dining room is Italian resort themed and a little goofy, but the food and the cocktails are incredible. We had some chickpea pancakes with really spicy tuna tartare, a whole roasted porgy, and some insane crispy artichokes, all washed down with funky cocktails involving a lot of crushed ice.

Do you remember what watch you were wearing?

Absolutely. I had my trusty GMT on.

What do you love about vintage Rolex?

No two watches are the same and there is always more you can learn and discover. There's something academic about vintage Rolex that appeals to the obsessive part of me. Then there are the watches themselves. It doesn't matter how many amazing pieces of horology I see from the best watchmakers in the world, I don't think anything can match the pure cool factor of a vintage Rolex sports watch.

Strap or bracelet?

I go back and forth, but if I had to choose one I'd have to say old-school folded link Oyster bracelet. When they wear in there's nothing as comfortable. That said, I love a good distressed leather strap and wear almost nothing but NATO straps on all my watches from June through September.

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

I'm a GMT guy. Travel watches are my horological passion and the GMT is the quintessential travel watch. There's something about the romance and possibility that the GMT evokes that really appeals to me. I look at my watch, smile, and feel like there are good times ahead.

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

I've stopped expecting Rolex to do anything that is meant to appeal to vintage collectors. And, guess what? I kind of admire them for it. Rolex is such a behemoth that they don't have to care what guys like me want them to do, and they continue to be THE watch brand for the general public. Well done.

What's on your wrist today?

I'm going to sound like a broken record, but it's that GMT. I'm doing a lot of work with the team in our San Francisco bureau right now so it's helpful to have the time out west at a glance. Also, I just love it.

More from the Horological Minute


Eric Ku

We are back online with a new look and feel.

Francesco Postiglione

This week we are introducing you to Francesco Postiglione, one of the few true restoration wizards still existing out there.

Stephane Medam

This week, we have a sit down with our dear friend, Stephane Medam- proprietor of Worldly Watches.

Eric Ku

We are back online with a new look and feel.

Francesco Postiglione

This week we are introducing you to Francesco Postiglione, one of the few true restoration wizards still existing out there.

Stephane Medam

This week, we have a sit down with our dear friend, Stephane Medam- proprietor of Worldly Watches.