@jca, I don’t think that it’s a matter of the older generation finding wearing a watch a hard habit to break. A fair amount of this group don’t own a cell phone to refer to for the time. Perhaps that is what you meant.
The SO wears a watch because his breaks are scheduled and timed, and a cell phone is not allowed to be carried while working because of the job that he does. One young niece, bless her, sports a Rolex watch because, I can only assume, is a sign of social status.
While the use of wristwatches has lessened, there is still a need/desire/preference to wear one. I fall into the last category. It’s just easier to glance at my wrist vs. pulling the cell phone out.