Few gifts are more appreciated than time—which is what makes the giving or receiving of a wristwatch so meaningful. Not only is a fine timepiece an object of practicality and purpose, it’s also deeply symbolic (not to mention stylish). When words feel inadequate, you can count on a watch to convey the most important messages: Our time together has been well spent. Time flies (so savor every moment). Let the good times roll! To get into the holiday spirit, we asked collectors to tell us about the best watches they’ve ever given or received. We expected many of the stories to be sentimental, but nothing prepared us for the rush of emotion that flowed through the anecdotes below, nor their nearly universal takeaway: The most important watches in our lives are the ones that connect generations. The comments have been condensed and edited for clarity. Laetitia Hirschy, founder of Kaaviar..
