Dr. Anthony Fauci holds a rareified and ephemeral position in the United States right now (March 24, 2020), as the nation’s leading authority in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic. At the time of writing, we are all in some version of shelter-in-place, hoping social isolation can starve the virus. Fauci, an immunologist who serves as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and was at the forefront of the fights against HIV/AIDS for (which he won the Presidential Medal of Freedom), SARS, MERS, Ebola, and now the coronavirus.

It also looks like he’s been a Timex guy for several decades now. It makes sense that he’d stick with an American brand that makes some of the most durable and reliable digital watches around. I’ve also noticed that he checks the time very, very frequently. In fact, with the rest of us in lockdown, he may be one of the few people in the country who needs to get somewhere on time so urgently you’d think the fate of the world depends on it (because it might).

While far from definitive or comprehensive, I was able to find at least three Timex watches Dr. Fauci has worn over the years. The first dates back to the 1980s, when he first became director of the NIAID. He wore what looks like an old Timex T80 digital watch while doing the work that would combat the then-new HIV/AIDS epidemic. The older pictures aren’t ideal, especially since a lot of these now-retro digital watches had such a similar silhouette but I am fairly confident here.

By the 2000s, he had starting wearing a Timex Ironman, though it’s also likely there were at least one or two between it and the old T80. I just can’t find any photos or video of him from this time period, but I’d venture a guess to say he stuck to Timex, if the bookend timepieces are any consideration. Obviously, Bill Clinton brought a lot of attention to the Ironman when he wore one during his time as President earlier in the 1990s.

Most recently, it’s been another Ironman — this time, a Classic 30 Lap in black with touches of red. Though this particular reference (T5K822JT) is discontinued, it’s pretty readily available online for between $40 and $50. Water resistant to 100M, with three customizable alarms, three time zone settings, 30-lap counter, and a INDIGLO light-up dial, I can’t imagine it lacks in functionality for even Dr. Fauci.

Adventurers, athletes, and celebrities are cool — but at this moment in time, society is grateful for people like Dr. Fauci who tirelessly fight to keep us safe from absolute havoc. I was compelled to a shine a little spotlight on the man by way of the watches that have kept him on time all these years.

Stay safe out there, and take care of yourselves, your friends, and your families.