If we think about it coldly and objectively, our existence is entirely governed by time—that physical magnitude that slips by without us ever being able to stop it.

Yet in certain realms, time asserts itself more forcefully than in others. There is a vast difference between the time of a painter sitting in nature to capture a dreamlike landscape, or a wildlife photographer who remains still for hours to frame the perfect shot of an elusive creature, and the suited man on Wall Street—or, in our case, the woman who devotes her life and soul to sports. For some, time drifts like clouds across the sky. For others, it charges forward like a wild river, unstoppable.

Vanessa Huppenkothen moves within a world where time is everything. You know it, because you’ve seen it—whether live or on broadcast: in sports, every second is crucial, and mere milliseconds can decide victory or defeat. Vanessa, who for years has devoted herself to a passion inherited from her father, former German soccer player Dieter Huppenkothen, has discovered an incalculable value in time. One that, as we know, must be guarded and measured with precision—something OMEGA masters like no other.

With a childhood split between her mother’s country and her father’s, it was natural for Vanessa to pursue a degree in International Relations and dream of becoming Mexico’s ambassador to Germany. But with time—and a deep love for soccer that even shaped her master’s thesis on FIFA—Vanessa found herself drawn more and more toward what would become her vocation. Long story short: life led her to cover the Beijing Olympics, and since then she has been a constant presence at international sporting events.

Inspired by Vanessa Huppenkothen’s perception of time, and by OMEGA’s undeniable masterpieces, we present a story where not even the camera could freeze the physical magnitude that always continues its course.

KEVIN GORIAN for THE WALK (KG): Do you think time belongs to us, or do we belong to it?

VANESSA HUPPENKOTHEN (VH): It depends on perspective, but I believe we live within it. Since it’s finite for human beings, there isn’t really a sense of ownership. Time is unique, invaluable, and unmatched.

KG: How does your perception of time shift when you’re live on camera in front of millions?

VH: It doesn’t change at all. No matter what I’m doing, I value every second of my life. Right now, I value it far more than I did as a child or teenager. Back then, I lacked the maturity to understand what time and its loss meant. It’s irreplaceable, and I embrace it intensely.

KG: Time can be a ruthless judge: how do you live with the idea that every moment is permanently etched in the public’s memory?

VH: It compels me and pushes me to give my best. I always try to ensure that when I’m working, people carry the best memory and perception of what I do.

KG: What value does free time hold for you when your career is measured in hours of broadcasts and events?

VH: I love my job, the broadcasts, the events. I’m fortunate to work in something I’m passionate about, and I value it just as much as I value resting, exercising, or traveling.

KG: When you think of the future, what legacy would you like to leave behind?

VH: To plant and leave something positive in the people I’ve met. Perhaps to serve as an example for younger generations wanting to enter the sports world.

KG: How do you imagine your relationship with time in 20 years—lighter, deeper, or freer?

VH: Exactly as it is today. I’m very active, and if it were lighter, I’d be bored.

KG: Is there a moment in your life that, no matter how many years go by, still sets the pace for who you are today?

VH: No matter how much time passes, I’m an honest, hardworking, athletic, healthy, introverted, sensitive, and happy person. That won’t change—even if there are moments of transformation or circumstances that leave their mark.