My Five Favorite Work From Home Watches

Nearly a year has passed since the now infamous pre-quarantine slogan “Two Weeks To Flatten The Curve.” Throughout the lockdowns, partial reopenings, indoor/outdoor dining, and social distancing, watches remained a constant in this writer’s life since the fateful day of March 13, 2020, when the world stopped.

Except for the occasional office visit, Team Watchonista has been working from home for nearly a year. I’ll be honest, I’ve barely worn a watch during this time. These days, wearing one is a ceremonial reminder of a life pre-COVID. Like many of you, I took for granted the daily ritual of going into your watch box and choosing the appropriate timepiece to wear.
 

While a watch isn’t essential gear for a remote worker, a timepiece can provide solace during a day filled with Zoom meetings, Slack messages, and countless emails. During my time working remotely, there have been five go-to watches that I’ve relied upon to break the doldrums of a seemingly never-ending quarantine.

One of my favorite quarantine buys must be my Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch. I opted to pick up the Hesalite version, with the calibre 1861 movement, before its discontinuation earlier this year. At just a touch over $5,000, this 42mm chrono has been my go-to watch the past few months. 

 

We’re all seeking escapism during these times, so why not escape with a watch that literally went to the Moon? It is by no means my first Speedmaster, but it might just be my most memorable. The watch arrived shortly before Chuck Yeager (my childhood hero) passed away, and today I wear it with pride. I am proud of the fact that it’s been the preferred watch of astronauts for a half-century and that it’s a purpose-built tool watch that can withstand the rigors of space. It should go without saying, but my quarantine is no match for this workhorse chronograph.
 

Funny enough, this Speedmaster was the third chronograph I purchased during quarantine. The first was the Oris Hölstein Edition Chronograph, and the second was the Yema Rallygraf Reverse Panda Chronograph. I’m not entirely sure why I’ve gravitated so heavily towards chronos. Perhaps it is because they are excellent for timing the occasional BBQ, and they help me keep track of the time I’ve spent in a Zoom meeting.
 

Screen time is certainly a problem of remote work; we’ve never been more connected. From mobile phones to computer screens, our eyes rarely leave a piece of equipment with a liquid-crystal display (LCD). And while watch collectors typically shy away from connected/smartwatches, we’re big fans of everything G-SHOCK produces.
 

G-SHOCK’s Full Metal collection offers attractive technology that’s a departure from your everyday. The pieces are ultra-affordable and come in a variety of case colors, designs, and materials. Plus, the Full Metal is solar-powered, so charging it is as easy as placing the watch near your window. My personal favorite is the G-SHOCK Full Metal GMWB5000CS-1 Neo Grid.
 

Another watch that I’ve started appreciating more during quarantine is the Rolex Explorer Ref. 214270. The first generation of the upsized Explorer model that went to Mount Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary.
 

I acquired my Explorer in 2013, and it was one of the biggest catalysts that helped form my passion for watchmaking. The 39mm steel tool watch still wears as well as it did on the day I purchased it at a Duty-Free shop in St. Thomas.
 

The watch reminds me of the days when I could actually travel. It’s been everywhere from Ha Long Bay in Vietnam to a boardroom in London. It’s truly an everyday watch that feels just “at home” as I’ve been lately.

(Photography by Liam O'Donnell)