LA Chefs Show Off Their Favorite Watches to Use in the Kitchen - Eater LA

Cooking in a busy LA restaurant kitchen can range from a hushed, unhurried pace to an often hectic and bustling rate, depending on the style of service and cuisine. Chefs across LA depend on wristwatches throughout their day, timing cooks and corralling staff until service. With hands often tied preparing dishes, a quick glance at a timepiece is often much easier than grabbing for a phone.

These days, with smartphones and smart watches, one wonders what the purpose of an old school mechanical watch might be. Chefs value craftsmanship and quality like other artisans, so it’s no surprise that many kitchen professionals have compelling wristwatch collections. Here’s a look at some prominent LA chefs and their wristwatches, from the utilitarian looks of an Oris Big Crown Pro Pilot GMT aviation-style watch to the ready-for-action Casio G-Shock that keeps the kitchen of LA ticking from morning to evening.

Vartan Abgaryan: Rolex AirKing

Vartan Abgaryan at Yours Truly, Venice with inset of Rolex watch — Vartan Abgaryan at Yours Truly, Venice

Executive chef and partner of Yours Truly in Venice, longtime restaurant veteran Vartan Abgaryan glances at the robust but shiny Rolex AirKing (reference number 116900) as his main watch. The Rolex was a gift from Emil Eyvazoff, the owner of 71Above restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles, after the fine dining establishment had reached one year of business under Abgaryan’s tenure. The Rolex AirKing is an aviation-style timepiece with history going back to 1958, though this more modern reference features the classic Rolex Oyster case in a 40 millimeter size.

The green pop of the second hand matches the color of iconic crown logo, making it easier to read against the black dial. The lesser-known Rolex makes for a very solid every day watch its high contrast dial and large Arabic indices that exudes a tool sensibility. Truly, an excellent choice for a chef’s daily wear.

Timothy Hollingsworth: Omega Seamaster Professional 300M

Timothy Hollingsworth cooking on The Final Table

Netflix’s The Final Table winner, longtime former French Laundry chef de cuisine, and current operator of Otium and C.J. Boyd’s Fried Chicken, Timothy Hollingsworth boasts an impressive collection of wristwatches. There’s a backstory to each of the three watches he shared with Eater, starting with black dial Hamilton that Thomas Keller, executive chef and founder of The French Laundry, gave to Hollingsworth on his second anniversary as a sous chef at the restaurant. The Hamilton represents the time when Hollingsworth was coming up as a chef at the iconic Napa Valley restaurant, though the leather band does prevent him from wearing the watch regularly in the kitchen.

Left: Hamilton automatic Right: Omega Seamaster Professional on Timothy Hollingsworth’s wrists. — Left: Hamilton automatic Right: Omega Seamaster Professional

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso wristwatch on Timothy Hollingsworth’s wrists — Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso on Timothy Hollingsworth

Moving onto something more robust, Hollingsworth wears an Omega Seamaster Professional 300M (the same watch Pierce Brosnan wears as James Bond in Goldeneye), which he received on his 10th anniversary at The French Laundry. Because it has a stainless case and bracelet, it’s something Hollingsworth wears regularly in the kitchen while cooking, and the elegant construction means it’s versatile enough to wear into meetings as well (James Bond wears it with a tuxedo).

Hollingsworth’s last watch is the more luxurious but equally iconic Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, first designed by polo players in the 1930s to protect the front part of the watch case. The reversible watch was given to Hollingsworth in 2009 when he was competing for the prestigious Bocuse d’Or, who received the watch as part of the prize. He doesn’t wear the watch as often, but Hollingsworth says wearing it takes him back to all of the emotions of when he was competing in the global competition. To him, the Reverso is an heirloom watch that he hopes to give to his children one day and have in the family for generations.

Candace Nelson: Cartier Tank Francaise

Candace Nelson and her Cartier Tank Francaise watch. — Candace Nelson and her Cartier Tank Francaise watch

Pizzana and Sprinkles co-founder Candace Nelson wears the very elegant Cartier Tank in the more substantial Francaise style on a stainless steel case and bracelet that she’s had since 2002. Nelson says her husband and Pizzana co-founder Charles gave her the watch on their first anniversary.

The pastry wizard says that while it’s, “tough to wear rings or loose bracelets when working in the kitchen, this watch is one piece I never take off.” She goes on to say, “It’s a classic look that never goes out of style and whenever I put it on I’m reminded of the journey we’ve been on together these past two decades with first, Sprinkles, and now Pizzana.” The Cartier Tank was first introduced in 1918, inspired by the look of the new Renault Tanks being used on the Western Front of World War I.

This Swiss-made Tank Francaise version first came out from the luxury French company in 1996. The iconic squared design uses Roman numerals, blued steel sword hands, and a railroad-style chapter ring that truly does feel timeless for any occasion, either in the kitchen or in a more formal setting.

Holly Jiven: Casio G-Shock GA 100-1A1

Holly Jiven (right) next to Bazaar souf chef Jeff Chen. To the right, a close up of Jiven’s Casio G-Shock

The Bazaar chef Holly Jiven goes for the more utilitarian approach of sporting a Casio G-Shock, model GA 100-1A1, on a black strap. Initially Jiven says she treated herself to a fancier watch when she was promoted to chef de cuisine at The Bazaar, but says the watch began to mold. So instead she says looked for a sturdier option that, “could live up to my daily activities in the kitchen” and was gifted this military-style Casio G-Shock by her family. This massive watch coming in at a 55mm case size has a black dial and large white hands for easy reading. The watch is also magnetic resistant and water resistant up to 200 meters, as well as shock resistant, which means few watches will stand up to the rigors of a busy kitchen like this G-Shock.

Lincoln Carson: Oris Big Crown Pro Pilot GMT

Lincoln Carson at Bon Temps, Oris Pro Pilot GMT — Lincoln Carson at Bon Temps

Bon Temps chef Lincoln Carson has been a kitchen veteran for decades, working in New York City and Las Vegas before settling in Los Angeles. Carson wears an aviation-inspired Oris Big Crown Pro Pilot GMT, which works great as a daily watch for the pastry chef-turned-restaurateur. Carson says he has, “an affinity for automatic analog movement watches,” continuing that he has several, starting with an old vintage Seiko that his dad handed on to him. Back to the Swiss-made Oris watch, he says, “This one does everything I need — it has two time zones, has a date window, good luminescence, and has proven to be very accurate. I like the simple and classic design, big numbers, the heavy fabric strap and the proprietary flat clasp.”

Carson once said he aspirations of becoming a fighter pilot when he was younger, so it’s no surprise to see him wearing this bold, black-dialed watch that a pilot would indeed wear. Now the chef relies on this Oris to help manage a busy staff, early morning croissant bakes, and more. The knurled coin edge-style bezel gives it an industrial, functional look while a screw down crown gives the watch 100 meters of water resistance — essential for anyone working in a kitchen.

Russell Victorioso: Nixon Diplomatic

Russell Victorioso and his Nixon Diplomat watch. — Russell Victorioso and his Nixon Diplomat watch

Highland Park’s busy restaurant scene means relative newcomer Cafe Birdie has everything from a packed nightly dining room to bustling brunch service. Chef Russell Victorioso keeps everything in order with a hefty Nixon Diplomatic, a rugged watch that he became a fan of after years of avid motorcycling and rock climbing. Victorioso says, “the Diplomatic has proven tough enough to handle the day-to-day abuse in the kitchen.” The watch features a Swiss automatic ETA 2824 movement with 200 meters of water resistance and a domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. It’s a big watch at 46 millimeters, but it has the bold, rugged look that looks pretty stellar in a busy kitchen like Cafe Birdie.

Hans Rockenwagner: Ulysse Nardin Marine Diver Chronometer 1846

Ulysse Nardin Marine Diver watch on the wrist of Hans Rockenwagner

Hans Rockenwagner

One of LA’s most iconic chefs, who founded Rockenwagner bakery and opened his first LA restaurant back in the 1980s, Hans Rockenwagner is a longtime watch aficionado who has a vast collection, but prefers to use this bold Ulysse Nardin Marine Diver Chronometer as his daily wear. He calls it “waterproof, rugged, and basically indestructible,” all useful characteristics for a chef. But Rockenwagner admires the visual interest of this watch, saying, “It’s beautiful, muscular, and feels like a speed boat with its subtle but bold face, red arms, and refined wavy dial.” Ulysse Nardin’s nautical-inspired designs come from supplying the U.S. Navy and other navies around the world since the early 1900s.

Rockenwagner, who now co-owns Dear John’s restaurant with Josiah Citrin, grew up in Germany, gaining an interest in watches from an early age and collecting over two dozen watches over the years. He started with a thin Jaeger-LeCoultre quartz watch and eventually built a collection including A.Lange & Sohne and Glashütte, two of the most prestigious German watch companies. Rockenwagner says he purchased this Ulysse Nardin dive watch at the famous Baselworld watch fair in Switzerland, which is located about ten minutes from where he grew up in southern Germany.

Josiah Citrin: IWC Portugieser Automatic

IWC Portugieser Automatic and vintage International Watch Company gold watch on Josiah Citrin’s wrist

Josiah Citrin, chef of Melisse, Citrin, Openaire, Dear John’s, and Costa, started collecting watches seriously in 2011, starting with a gorgeous vintage gold International Watch Company piece from the 1950s that his grandfather gifted him. Despite working in so many kitchens across the city, Citrin tries his best to go through as many watches in his collection, which includes everything from a Panerai Luminor to a Ulysse Nardin GMT Perpetual Calendar.

But Citrin’s love of International Watch Company, now called IWC, led him to acquire the IWC Portugieser 7 Day Reserve with classic Arabic numbers. The pocket watch-inspired design features one of the most beautiful dials in the watch industry, with a subdial that shows the power reserve of the watch coupled with a small seconds dial. Citrin loves how versatile this watch is, good enough for a fine dining kitchen like the newly reopened Melisse, but classy enough for wearing with a suit outside of work.

The chef also purchased the Top Gun black ceramic chronograph from IWC, claiming the scratch-resistant case works best for heavy duty kitchen use. The chronograph function is helpful for timing dishes, and the details laid out in the pilot’s watch make for a gorgeous-looking companion while cooking.

IWC Top Gun black ceramic chronograph on Josiah Citrin’s wrist. — IWC Top Gun black ceramic chronograph

Buy This Thing: column dedicated to the kitchen products and home goods Eater writers and industry pros obsess over [Eater]

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LA Chefs Show Off Their Favorite Watches to Use in the Kitchen - Eater LA
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