Since the pandemic, those in the know say people in the tech industry are fixating more on watches than ever before.
"Much more of a statement — nobody leaves home without one!" Victoria Hitchcock, a fashion lifestylist and personal brander in Silicon Valley, told Insider by email.
Unlike professionals in finance who have long seen the value of "a statement," those in tech industry have been characterized — and even mocked — for their fixation on utility and simplicity. (Think: the old tech bro uniform of jeans and a hoodie.)
But now, some tech titans are moving toward fashion statements of their own. And that sometimes involves a watch.
"Technology professionals often opt for subtle, yet statement-making, timepieces that exude innovation and sustainability," Paul Altieri, CEO and founder of online watch resale marketplace Bob's Watches, told Insider by email.
And while those values may always be a core component of the Silicon Valley aesthetic, more people are donning luxury brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe for their cachet, some industry watchers say. Old favorites like Omega and Casio, which initially gained favor with tech execs like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates for their functionality, are seeing a comeback, too.
Watches, it seems, have become yet another tool of personal branding. With that in mind, here's a closer look at the watches trending in Silicon Valley right now: