I have this done and it works for me:
# disable intel mei (including mei_watchdog)
blacklist intel_pmc_bxt 16384 1 iTCO_wdt
blacklist iTCO_vendor_support 16384 1 iTCO_wdt
# Do not load the 'iTCO_wdt' watchdog module on boot.
blacklist iTCO_wdt
How do I recognize that this might not be necessary with any later kernel version or in other words: is this a permanent solution for the future?