[graton]

It is the former.

I have a workspace account that is my main email and such. With the Pixel 2 watch I had to use a @gmail.com account in order to use it. Not a huge deal, but annoying for sure.

Would be the same issue for someone who doesn't have an @gmail.com account at all. They would have to create one in order to use the Pixel 2 watch.

[int_19h]

FWIW the non-workspace Google account doesn't actually have to be @gmail.com - you can bring your own email when setting one up.