A Few Watches and The Best Italian Dinner In New York City

By Charlie Dunne

Image credit: New York Magazine

Wrapping up a productive afternoon in New York City, Eric Wind, Charlie Wind, and I took a cab to Lower Manhattan to the legendary Italian restaurant Emilio's Ballato. Eric introduced Charlie and me to the venue by telling the story of dining there for the first time with his friends Brandon Frazin and James Fisk one weekday evening back in late 2020. Fisk knew the famous Emilio liked Patek Philippe watches and thought it would be fun to visit. Walking in, they noticed Emilio wearing a nice Patek Philippe and gave him him a thumbs up while pointing at his wrist. “He recognized that a great watch caught our attention and approached our table in asking us ‘What do you gentlemen know about watches?’” The man was Emilio Vitolo, the owner of the restaurant and from there the conversation would evolve into a four-hour long dining experience and friendship.

Image credit: New York Times.

Image credits: @emiliovitolo

As we arrived, we were met by Fisk who led us back into the kitchen turning left into a private room occupied by two gentleman, both sons of Emilio. We were greeted with enthusiasm and seated in the table in the corner by Emilio who would soon join our table taking orders without a pen and pad. It was quite literally the most welcoming environment and we would pick up conversation on his Rolex Yacht-Master II in two-tone steel and gold. He would hilariously tell us the familiar story of an authorized dealer’s desire to “start him out” on jewelry and other brands upon expressing an interest in purchasing a Patek Philippe. “He said I should begin our relationship with buying a bunch of Rolex watches that I already have! Can you believe this guy?!?!” Soon after drinks were ordered, Charlie Wind would inquire if he could order a Shirley Temple. Emilio replied that they didn’t have any grenadine in the kitchen, but he would find out how to get him one. Minutes later Charlie was smiling ear to ear with a tall glass of a mocktail in front of him.

David Rosenzweig, Co-Founder of Rowing Blazers, showed up with his newly acquired Air-King reference 14000.

Scott Geftman, President of Rowing Blazers, wearing a watch he was excited to announce just landed on his wrist: the newest “Root Beer” GMT-Master II in Oystersteel and Everose gold.

Wind wore his GMT-Master reference 1675, his 10 year anniversary present given to him by his wife Christine earlier that year.

Fisk wore his early “Waterproof” Vulcain Cricket that he got from Wind. He proclaimed this was his ideal travel watch due to the alarm.

On the wrist of young Charlie Wind was his trusty G-Shock 5600 Series reference GWM5610NASA4. Over the past year, Charlie has taken a strong liking to this orange timepiece and it is his daily driver at elementary school. He ordered the kids’ sized spaghetti and meatballs, but his true enthusiasm came at dessert when the cannoli plate arrived.

Shortly after the whole group arrived, we decided to send a text message to our former Windtern, Amon Rosenzweig. Upon David’s ringtone sounding off for 45 seconds and stopping the entire restaurant in their tracks, we would learn Young Amon was in the city and an invitation was immediately extended to our Wind Vintage alum. On his wrist was his Rolex Datejust reference 1603 that his father gave to him on his 13th birthday as detailed in Amon’s ‘First Vintage Watch’ column this summer.

charlie dunne