My grandfather gave me his watch when I was in college. It was a 1950s Elgin that he'd worn throughout his years on the manufacturing floor with General Motors. Gained 5 minutes a day, and I remember telling him about that on occasion.

"Then you'll never be late," Papa responded with satisfaction.

In return for this priceless gift, all he asked for were detailed reports on the places his watch and his grandson traveled. Throughout the United States, on time in Paris and across Germany. Even in Mexico, where the demands on a chronometer are somewhat more relaxed.

Papa's Elgin timed contractions the day my son was born. And two days later, I retired that watch — for him, someday.

These pages are thanks to my Papa, Beckham Deaton.

My preference is for mechanical movements, and that's what you'll see most of here. I like the greater independence shared between mechanism and owner here (although won't go as far as some to imbue these pieces with a "soul").

More specifically, I favor Omega watches. With no apologies, when Q-Branch equipped James Bond with the model 2531.80 automatic chronometer for Tomorrow Never Dies, that was credential enough for Omega to become my brand choice.

Accurate to within -1/+6 seconds per day.