This Thanksgiving, let’s explore the delightful parallels between the food on our plates and the craftsmanship on our wrists. Join us as we pair classic holiday dishes with timepieces from Seiko, Tissot, Orient, Baltic, and more! We come to celebrate the shared values of tradition, attention to detail, and visual splendor this year.
Golden Roast Turkey & The Orient Bambino Sun & Moon
The centerpiece of any Thanksgiving table, a perfectly roasted turkey glistens with a golden-brown sheen, promising succulence and flavor. This culinary masterpiece finds its horological match in the Orient Sun and Moon Automatic, a watch embodying elegance and complexity.
Just as the turkey’s crisp, golden skin gives way to tender meat beneath, the Sun and Moon’s dial reveals layers of sophistication. The watch features a mesmerizing day/night indicator, where a sun gracefully transitions to a moon as the day progresses, mirroring the passage of time during a leisurely Thanksgiving feast. This unique complication adds a touch of whimsy and functionality, much like how a perfectly timed turkey brings both joy and sustenance to the table.
The Sun and Moon’s dial, often adorned with Roman numerals and elegant hands reminiscent of a grandfather clock, exudes a classic charm that complements the timeless appeal of a traditional Thanksgiving spread. Its date window uniquely displays the previous and upcoming dates, offering a broader perspective of time – much like how Thanksgiving encourages us to reflect on the past and look forward to the future.
Watch Companion: Orient Bambino Sun & Moon Automatic ($385)
Rich Brown Gravy & The Elka X Series
A boat of velvety brown gravy, essential for moistening turkey and mashed potatoes, pairs beautifully with the rich brown dial of the Elka X09-0802 watch. The clean, minimalist design of the X09-0802’s dial echoes the smooth surface of a perfectly prepared gravy, while its warm hue evokes the comforting essence of a hearty Thanksgiving meal.
Both gravy and the Elka X09-0802 dial require precision and skill to perfect. The watch’s dial features a subtle sunburst finish that catches the light, reminiscent of the glossy sheen of well-made gravy as it’s ladled over a plate. The rich, deep brown tones of both the gravy and the watch dial evoke warmth and comfort, essential qualities of both a satisfying Thanksgiving feast and a cherished timepiece.
The Elka X09-0802’s dial is adorned with applied hour markers and hands, adding depth and dimension to its surface, much like the layers of flavor in meticulously crafted gravy. The watch’s sapphire crystal, with its anti-reflective coating, ensures clarity and legibility, mirroring the transparency of a perfectly reduced gravy.
Watch Companion: Elka X Series X09-0802 ($1,820)
Vibrant Cranberry Sauce & The Seiko Presage Negroni
The bright, jewel-toned hue of cranberry sauce finds its match in the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time Negroni watch, featuring a stunning red sunburst dial. The dial’s radiant finish, inspired by the iconic Negroni cocktail, mirrors the vibrant, translucent quality of homemade cranberry sauce.
Just as the tartness of cranberries cuts through richer flavors on the plate, the Negroni-inspired dial provides a bold pop of color on the wrist. The watch’s deep red hue, reminiscent of both the cocktail and the festive sauce, is achieved through a complex process of layering and finishing, much like the careful preparation of the perfect cranberry sauce.
The Presage Cocktail Time Negroni’s dial features a captivating depth, with its sunburst pattern creating a play of light that echoes the glossy sheen of well-made cranberry sauce. The watch’s domed crystal adds to this effect, enhancing the dial’s dimensionality and visual appeal, much like how a perfectly prepared cranberry sauce glistens on the Thanksgiving table.
Watch Companion: Seiko Presage Cocktail Time ($425)
Creamy Mashed Potatoes & The Baltic MR Roulette
Smooth, creamy mashed potatoes, a comforting staple of the Thanksgiving table, pair wonderfully with the multi-textured silver dial of the Baltic MR Roulette. The soft, pillowy texture of well-prepared mashed potatoes is reflected in the watch’s pebbled central disc, while the circular brushed hour and minute tracks echo the swirls created when whipping the potatoes to perfection.
Just as mashed potatoes provide a versatile canvas for various flavors and toppings, the MR Roulette’s silver dial offers a sophisticated backdrop for its unique design elements. The watch’s asymmetrical layout, with its small seconds subdial at 7 o’clock, adds visual interest much like how a pat of melting butter or a sprinkle of chives enhances the presentation of mashed potatoes.
The Baltic MR Roulette’s faceted dauphine hands slice through the dial with precision, reminiscent of a knife cutting through a fluffy mound of potatoes. The watch’s custom serif font numerals, arranged in a roulette-wheel style, add a touch of playfulness to the dial, much like how creative chefs might pipe mashed potatoes into decorative patterns.
Watch Companion: Baltic MR Roulette ($575)
Orange Sweet Potato Casserole & Duckworth Prestex
The vibrant orange hue and caramelized sweet potato casserole find their horological counterpart in the Duckworth Prestex Verimatic Fume watch. Both the casserole and the watch’s unique dial capture the warm, inviting essence of autumn. The Verimatic Fume’s smoky gradient dial, transitioning from a rich orange center to a darker edge, evokes the caramelized, slightly charred topping of a perfectly baked sweet potato casserole.
Just as the casserole’s layers reveal a spectrum of orange hues, from the golden-brown surface to the deep orange flesh beneath, the Verimatic Fume’s dial showcases a mesmerizing depth of color. The watch’s fumé effect, achieved through a meticulous process, mirrors the complex flavors developed in a slow-cooked sweet potato dish.
The Verimatic Fume’s domed sapphire crystal enhances the dial’s dimensionality, much like how a glass baking dish showcases the layers of a sweet potato casserole. The watch’s applied indices and hands, coated with Swiss Super-LumiNova, add a touch of brightness reminiscent of the marshmallow topping that often adorns this beloved side dish.
Watch Companion: Duckworth Prestex Verimatic Fumé ($695)
Green Bean Casserole & Tissot PRX Powermatic 80
The earthy tones and varied textures of green bean casserole pair beautifully with the sleek, retro-inspired design of the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80. The watch’s smooth, satin-brushed stainless steel case and bracelet echo the creamy consistency of the casserole’s mushroom soup base, while its clean lines and integrated design reflect the neatly arranged green beans.
Just as the crispy fried onion topping adds a delightful crunch and visual interest to the casserole, the PRX’s sapphire crystal with antireflective coating provides a clear view of its meticulously crafted dial, featuring applied indices that catch the light-like golden-brown onion bits. The watch’s slim profile, reminiscent of its 1970s predecessor, complements the timeless appeal of the classic green bean casserole recipe.
The PRX Powermatic 80’s self-winding movement, with its impressive 80-hour power reserve, mirrors the lasting satisfaction of a well-prepared casserole. Both the watch and the dish represent a perfect blend of tradition and modern innovation. The casserole’s enduring popularity is matched by the PRX’s fusion of vintage aesthetics with contemporary watchmaking technology, including its innovative Nivachron hairspring for enhanced precision.
Watch Companion: Tissot PRX Automatic ($695-$725)
Golden-Brown Stuffing & The Bulova Hack
The hearty, golden-brown hues of traditional stuffing find their match in the Bulova Hack Automatic Watch, with its vintage-inspired cream dial. The varied textures of bread, herbs, and vegetables in stuffing are mirrored in the watch’s multi-layered dial design, featuring raised hour markers and a distinctive crosshair pattern.
Just as stuffing is a timeless Thanksgiving staple, the Bulova Hack pays homage to military timepieces of the 1960s and ‘70s, embodying a classic aesthetic that never goes out of style. The watch’s domed mineral crystal adds depth to the dial, much like how a perfectly baked stuffing reveals layers of flavors and textures when served.
Both the stuffing and the Bulova Hack become more character-filled with time. While stuffing absorbs the flavors of the ingredients it’s cooked with, the Hack’s automatic movement becomes more reliable with regular wear, its internal components settling into a harmonious rhythm. The watch’s 24-hour inner ring adds functionality and visual interest, much like how herbs and spices enhance both the appearance and taste of stuffing.
Watch Companion: Bulova Hack ($425)
Conclusion
This Thanksgiving, as you gather around the table to enjoy your favorite dishes, take a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into both the meal before you and the watch upon your wrist. Each represents hours of dedication, skill, and attention to detail.
We’d love to hear about your own watch and food pairings! Do you have a favorite timepiece that reminds you of a cherished family recipe? Or perhaps you’ve spotted a watch that perfectly captures the essence of a Thanksgiving classic we haven’t mentioned? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s continue this fascinating conversation.
Don’t forget to pass this article along to your watch-enthusiast friends or foodie family members. It might just spark some interesting dinner table discussions this holiday season. After all, like a well-curated watch collection or a perfectly planned Thanksgiving menu, the joy is in sharing with others.