E.E. Smith graduates' watches land on Oprah's 2023 Favorite Things list

The Fayetteville Observer
·1 min read

Watches from a Fayetteville-based company have made Oprah Winfrey's annual Favorite Things list.

The Griffin and Montclair watches from SPGBK, founded by E.E. Smith High School graduates Kwame Molden and Maurice Davis, are featured Wednesday in Winfrey's 2023 roundup of the best holiday-season gifts.

"Our whole company is centered around who we are and what we represent," Molden told The Fayetteville Observer in 2021. "We're proudly Black-owned, that's something that we proudly represent. We're HBCU graduates, we both went to North Carolina A&T and we're born and raised in Fayetteville."

Each of the watches offered by SPGBK are named for a school, community, or event in the Fayetteville area. The Griffin is named for John Griffin Middle School and the Montclair is named for the Montclair neighborhood. Other watches in their portfolio include the Murchison-style watch, (which is currently sold out on the company's website) has a silver face and tan leather band and the 71st-style watch is a monochromatic bold red face and band, named for 71st High School.

More on the list: First look at Oprah's Favorite Things 2023, from candles and cookies to luggage and luxury

The watches are available in department stores across the country, including Macy's at Cross Creek Mall, on Amazon and at the company's website at springbreakwatches.com.

“Education-inspired and HBCU-made, these colorful, affordable watches take their names from local elementary, middle, and high schools in the founders’ hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina," the description on oprahdaily.com reads.

SPGBK was started by two E.E. Smith High School graduates.
SPGBK was started by two E.E. Smith High School graduates.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: SPGBK, owned by Fayetteville natives, on Oprah's Favorite Things