I almost never take my watch off. Can't imagine not having one.
And, yes, as a writer, it sometimes bugs me that I can't write "Kirk glanced at his wristwatch" the way I can in stories set in the present. It's a nice bit of stage business that kills two bird with one stone: You can dramatize a time issue through physical action, rather than just narration.
"Scully glanced anxiously at her watch. It had been hours since she'd heard from Mulder . . .."
I know someone already pointed this out upthread, but not *every* wristwatch sighting in Trek is a continuity glitch.
Greg, looks like your problems are solved. Just so long as your novels are set in the movie era.