Yes a VPN could solve it. Run the VPN on a domain you know is good and on port 443 HTTPS.

Having been in company at sales time my self, I can tell you that management will say all sorts of things. But once the sale completes the new owners can do anything, that could be drop all the staff.

I my self also loved the pebble, till it all died. I did try repebble. But the android app was way past it then.

My hope is that the mobile apps get a much needed update, then all the working watches get a firmware update. If that happens, I might have to get my working watch out and setup.