Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Dr Abdul El-Sayed has faced Republican criticism over his fondness for mechanical wristwatches, with critics framing his taste as hypocritical given his focus on wealth inequality and support for the working class. However, a closer examination of the timepieces he has actually worn suggests his collection reflects "geek chic" rather than genuine luxury, a trend also seen among other progressive figures such as New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

In July, the conservative outlet Washington Free Beacon published an article branding El-Sayed's timepieces as "luxury watches", but the pieces identified are largely sturdy, practical tool watches rather than ostentatious status symbols. His collection includes models such as the Sinn U-1 SE, the Mühle-Glashütte S.A.R. Rescue-Timer, a vintage Omega and a Shinola Runwell, the latter chosen partly as a nod to his Michigan roots. El-Sayed has said his enthusiasm for automatic and classic watches intensified after seeing others' timepieces around the Met Gala in May, and the article notes most of his purchases are modest relative to his low-six-figure salary.