From G-Shock to Rolex: the Time+Tide team reveals the watch they wore the most in 2021

One of the greatest horological tragedies is a beautiful watch that languishes unworn in a safety deposit box for years on end. That’s because watches are made to be worn, loved and even (whisper it quietly) used to tell the time. That’s why today we wanted to celebrate the everyday heroes, those trusty timepieces that accompanied our team of writers with the greatest regularity during the course of an absolute bastard of year. Are they the sexiest, most glamorous watches of their collections? Generally not. But the fact that they garnered the most wrist time is a truly valuable accolade in itself. From G-Shock to Rolex: the Time+Tide team reveals the watch they wore the most in 2021.

D.C Hannay: Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster diver

2021, am I right? Just when you thought things couldn’t go more sideways… It’s incredible how these all-bets-are-off times have threatened to bring humanity to its knees, via a cold, emotionless something that can’t even be seen. And in these periods of isolation brought on by necessity, we take our comforts where we can. I’m aware that the majority of the world’s other wrists could not give a damn about wearing a watch, but call me old-fashioned…I feel naked without one. But which one in this Groundhog Day of a time loop?

I never felt safer than while strapped with the Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster diver, a self-sufficient horological Terminator T-1000, perfectly suited for any and all threats, invisible or otherwise. Solar-powered? Check. 200 metres of resistance to water, hand sanitiser, and all manner of viral attacks? Roger that. Reliability akin to a 90s Toyota with a quarter-million miles on the odometer? We’re just getting warmed up, baby. And mine was attached to a bullet-proof vulcanized rubber strap in an optimistic shade of yellow, that smells of freshly baked sugar cookies. While living in the most interesting of times, a wrist couldn’t ask for more.

Zach Blass: Grand Seiko SBGA413 “Shunbun”

Last year, the Grand Seiko SBGA211 “Snowflake” was among my three most worn watches in 2020. So, it should be no surprise that my latest Grand Seiko acquisition, right before the beginning of 2021 in December, was my most worn watch this year. I always try to wear a different watch each day, at the very least not the same watch two days in a row. With my Grand Seiko SBGA413, however, there was a long honeymoon period where it was all I wanted on my wrist. The subtle cherry blossom pink of the dial was a marvel to stare at each day, and the hassle-free nature of Spring Drive meant I never had to resynchronize the time throughout the initial month it dominated my wrist. The lightweight titanium feels amazing on the wrist, and looks absolutely stunning thanks to their Zaratsu polishings that scream: “Hey Rolex, step your game up.”

Fergus Nash: Casio Full Metal G-SHOCK “Tron”

When we did this segment last year, I was adamant that my 2008 Omega Planet Ocean would be the watch I wore most for the third year in a row. It really is the pretty much perfect watch for me, for a myriad of reasons both personal and practical. You can read that previous article if you want to know more, but it turns out that my prediction was wrong. While the Planet Ocean did get a good amount of wrist time, 2021 threw some curveballs that changed my watch habits a little bit.

When the 2020 lockdowns had me working from home exclusively, I got into the habit of wearing my watches during the day regardless of whether or not I even got out of my pyjamas. It helped me feel a bit more active, and gave me something to look at that wasn’t my bedroom walls. The 2021 lockdowns were a bit different, as I was given a working permit for my audio work to go into an office once or twice a week. Generally, because I was a bit whiplashed between working from home and going into the office, I usually reached for my G-SHOCK Full Metal ‘Tron’ to throw on before jumping in my car and going in. It was just the easiest option, and I didn’t need to think about setting it against the clock I was usually racing.

The G-SHOCK ‘Tron’ is a watch that I just couldn’t quit. In fact, I’d originally sold mine in early 2021 when I saw the prices going up, only to miss it too much and buying it again when the prices had unfortunately (for me) kept rising. I considered getting another square G-SHOCK to scratch the itch, even thinking about modifying one with an online metal case kit, but there was nothing that had the same visual impact as the laser-etched IP coating on the ‘Tron’ as well as the supremely convenient Bluetooth connectivity.

Jason Marsden: Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41

The one I wore the most was my yellow dial Rolex OP.  Jeez, I just love this watch – it’s such bright simple fun. It makes me smile even just thinking about it as I sit here writing whilst wearing my Omega NTTD. Can’t wait until it bubbles up through the rotation again soon. On second thoughts, I think it would be just the perfect festive watch to wear over Christmas…

It’s funny how the reality of the watches you wear most regularly often aren’t what you’d imagine. The watch I should have worn more often but did not was my Bulgari Octo Finissimo. It’s a very cool watch and I love the monochrome look, the great finishing, the design and materials. But I have learnt I prefer a slightly more dimensionally substantial watch. Who would have thought a watch could be too thin? Have I attributed some undeserved subconscious fragility to it?

Ricardo Sime: Grand Seiko SBGM247

What a year 2021 has been. So much has happened in the course of twelve months. By June, I could already see that there was no way my collection would look the same as it was on January 1. But as we bring this year to a close, one watch dominated the end of my year.

And if you know me, you’ll probably know what has become my most worn watch of 2021. It has dominated my wrist since early November. Shoot, I’m wearing it right now. That is my Grand Seiko SBGM247. It’s an amazing GMT and my only (LOL, first) Grand Seiko. Since I picked it up from my AD, there hasn’t been a second of regret and as a collector, that’s saying something.

Henry Zwartz: Tudor Black Bay 58 in blue