Chefs and Watches

Interesting observation. I’d think successful Chefs would gravitate towards metal bracelet sports watches because of the mess with cooking, washing hands frequently, etc. So leather strap dress watches out. In that category Rolex is king. I have a Patek Nautilus and always take it off when cooking but will keep my Rolexes on. Are many of those Chefs Europeans? I only ask because I think European men are more drawn to watches as status symbols than American men, just my own observation from being on watch forums heavily populated by European men and Asian men.

 

Salt Bae wears a Patek

 

All of his photos at his restaurants show:

Wolfgang Puck - Panerai Sub

Robb

 

The late Carl Ruiz was really into watches. Here are a few great YouTube videos.

Watch Stories | Chef Carl Ruiz, Food Network and La Cubana - YouTube

Episode 34 - Carl Ruins Everything - YouTube

 

Rick Bayless in Chicago wears a Tiffany Grand 18K 8 Day Jump Hour (Vaucher movement), and on some shows a plain Jane Tiffany Grand model in steel.

 

binging with babish is a big watch guy too.

 

I'm a Chef - or was a "Chef" professionally for over 20 years. I'm still in the food biz but have gone into corporate services and do a completely nonculinary function.

I grew up with a Father who loved Racing, Cars and watches, so I just naturally liked watches as well. During the 80's when going to F-1 races with him as his camera carrier... ( he was a photog as well ) I would see Drivers wearing Rolex's and that made me want one as well. In 1988 - after Graduation from the CIA - Culinary Institute of America, My parents bought me a Rolex Sub and had it engraved on the back with the date of my graduation.... my wife wears that watch almost daily. my daily is a SS Daytona white face ref.116.... wearing as I type.

I think the combo of Chef and watches - or at least the guys you see on TV are because they have the income to support it. But functionally working in the kitchen is a harsh environment - and I wore my Sub every day while cooking ... and to me, it was great it got greasy, grimy, and scarred but always cleaned right up, always looked great, and never missed a beat. I would use the bezel once in a while to time stuff in ovens etc... but usually just used it for time. other than my wedding ring it was / is the only jewelry I wear. I was so used to wearing it that I forget that it's a Rolex, and that to some its a special watch... to me its my watch, and I like it.

I'm amazed at the prices being asked for watches today... I almost never think about it .. but with crime going up, it does make me think about it from time to time....

 

@spirot I agree, as a working Chef, I can tell you that most chef's do not wear jewelry while behind the line other than a watch. I don't wear my wedding ring nor chains. I wear only my Sub or Omega. They are very hardy watches. They get greasy & dirty, and sometimes get banged around a bit....but always perform as intended. A good cleaning and they are as new. Can't have a leather strap, maybe a rubber strap but I wouldn't recommend that either. Steel bracelet is best.
The TV Chefs as we called them, well I don't think they are really behind the lines anymore in their kitchens, nor do they need to be. So they can wear what they want I suppose.

 

yep, totally agree. I used to wear a rubber yellow Tag Heuer in the kitchen once in a while but found that the heat and grease would just build up and it was hard to get it out of the rubber... i even melted a watch band once on a Salamander!

I know some of the TV guys - almost none are in kitchens anymore... Gordon Ramsay goes in and out for publicity, he's become pretty arrogant... he's a daytona guy, but makes sure he puts on his Tudor for TV or an old yellow face GP.

 

He's also a La Ferrari guy I'm told...LOL

 

Interesting.

I have a good number of nice watches. When I grill, it’s the Casio G-Shock.

Matt

 

Oh yea he loves Ferrari's... I asked him about his La Ferrari and he just said - Huge go kart....

 

Ha! good watch for grilling. Unless I'm wearing an all-metal watch, I just take it off now. but Rolex is my day-to-day watch... either Daytona or explorer... sometimes my old Sub.