What kind of watches do the most powerful men in the world wear? They choose their timepieces to reflect their public personas.
From luxury brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe to more down-to-earth choices like Timex, the watches worn by Presidents tell fascinating stories.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the watches worn by U.S. Presidents over the years. Let’s explore the intriguing world of presidential watches!
Presidential History of Luxury Watches
US Presidents have a rich history of wearing luxury watches. Each unique timepiece gives us hints about their public personas. In some cases, there are even controversial stories attached to their timepieces.
For instance, John F. Kennedy received a gold Rolex from Marilyn Monroe in 1962. The watch came with a love note from Marilyn herself. Kennedy quickly passed the watch to an aide, instructing him to “get rid of” it. Decades later, the watch and a love poem from Monroe sold at auction for $120,000.
The First Presidential Watch
The connection between US Presidents and luxury watches goes even farther back than Kennedy. In 1788, George Washington requested Gouverneur Morris to purchase a new watch for him in Paris.
Morris bought two identical watches from Jean-Antoine Lépine, a renowned watchmaker to King Louis XVI. This simple key-wound piece remained in his family’s possession until 1935.
Modern US Presidents Watches
In the 1990s, leaders like Bill Clinton and George W. Bush turned to more modest timepieces like Timex. This portrayed a relatable and down-to-earth image. Note that both presidents transitioned to more expensive watches after their terms.
Barack Obama followed a similar path, initially wearing a modest watch gifted by his Secret Service detail, later switching to luxury brands like Rolex.In more recent years, Presidents like Donald Trump and Joe Biden have openly embraced luxury watches.
Interestingly, smartwatches have also entered the presidential collection. Obama was the first to wear a Fitbit, while Biden became the first U.S. President to sport an Apple Watch in the Oval Office.
Watches Worn By US Presidents
From Ronald Reagan to Joe Biden, we’ll discuss the watch preferences of all the US presidents since 1980. Let’s get right to it!
Ronald Reagan (1981-1989)
Ronald Reagan was a huge Rolex enthusiast. The classic Rolex Datejust was his favorite pick.
Oddly, Reagan preferred to wear his watch on the inside of his wrist. Reagan switched the original Jubilee bracelet for an aftermarket one in the last days of his presidency.
Apart from the Rolex, Reagan was also gifted a Vulcain Cricket. The Vulcain Cricket is famous for its mechanical alarm. It was known as the “Presidential Watch” due to its popularity among world leaders.
George H. W. Bush (1989-1993)
George H.W. Bush + His Patek Philippe Watch
George H. W. Bush had an extensive watch collection. However, out of all the luxury brands, he had a soft spot for Patek Philippe. His collection included a Pink Gold Automatic Perpetual Calendar and a 1968 Calatrava.
Fun fact: Bush’s watch collection gained media attention during the 1992 presidential debate when he glanced at his watch twice as a sign of impatience.
Bill Clinton (1993-2001)
Bill Clinton’s watch journey is a tale of evolution. In the early years, he wore a Timex Ironman Triathlon. The Ironman is a no-frills digital watch that’s more practical rather than luxurious.
However, Clinton’s watch collection expanded significantly after leaving office. In his post-presidency era, Clinton has been seen flaunting brands like Panerai and a Franck Muller.
George W. Bush (2001-2009)
Bush’s choice of watches reflected his straightforward approach. He wore a Timex i-Control alarm watch, celebrated for its simplicity and ease of use. This watch was a perfect match for Bush’s no-nonsense style. The Timex also matched his love for punctuality.
In an interesting turn of events, a watch worn by Bush mysteriously disappeared during a handshake in Albania. Officials later clarified that the watch was not misplaced.
Barack Obama (2009-2017)
Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
Barack Obama’s watch collection is as varied as his political career. During his presidency, Obama wore a Jorg Gray “Secret Service” JG6500 Chronograph. This watch featured a black dial and the Secret Service insignia.
Obama’s watch collection also includes a TAG Heuer 1500 and a Casio F91W from his earlier years.
In post-presidential life, he has been seen with a white gold Rolex Cellini. Obama was also the first sitting president to wear an Apple Watch.
Donald Trump (2017–2021)
Known for his affinity for luxury, Trump has been spotted wearing high-end timepieces like Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and Rolex. In 1999, Trump made headlines by purchasing Ronald Reagan’s Colibri at a famous auction.
Joe Biden (2021–Present)
At his inauguration, Biden wore a Rolex Datejust. This was certainly an elegant but approachable choice. During his campaign and vice presidency, Biden was frequently seen with a Seiko Chronograph.
Biden’s watch collection also includes an Omega Moonwatch, a nod to American achievements in space exploration. Just like Brack Obama, Biden has also been seen wearing an Apple Watch.
How To Wind A Luxury Watch?
From Ronald Reagan’s Rolex Datejust to Joe Biden’s Omega Speedmaster, all watches need proper care to run smoothly.
Whether you’ve got a manual wind or an automatic timepiece, here’s a friendly guide to keep your watch ticking like a Commander in Chief’s.
Winding Manual Watches
- Locate the Crown: The crown is the small knob on the side of your watch. Pull it out to the winding position to get started.
- Give It a Twist: Turn the crown clockwise until you feel some resistance. Most manual watches need a good few dozen turns. Just be careful not to over-wind—if it feels tight, you’re done.
- Set the Time: After winding, push the crown back in and adjust the time if necessary. Take it slow to avoid any damage.
Winding Automatic Watches
Automatic watches are a bit more self-sufficient but need a nudge if they haven’t been worn in a while.
Wind It Up: Even though these watches wind themselves as you move, give the crown a few turns to get it going if it’s stopped.
Wear It Often: The best way to keep an automatic watch running is to wear it regularly. Your wrist movement keeps the rotor inside the watch moving, which winds the mainspring.
Consider a Watch Winder: If you’ve got a few automatics or just don’t wear your watch daily, a watch winder is a game-changer. It keeps your watch running smoothly even when you’re not wearing it.
Mozsly’s Top Watch Winder Picks
To keep your luxury watches in prime condition, especially if you’ve got a collection as distinguished as those worn by presidents, check out these fantastic watch winders from Mozsly:
Mozsly’s Single Watch Winders: For those with a single prized timepiece, a single watch winder is a perfect choice. Mozsly’s single winders offer ultra-quiet Japanese motors and multiple rotation settings.
You can also adjust the TPD (turns per day) to suit your watch’s needs. Get the option to power by AC or batteries, and the ability to add more winders if your collection grows.
Mozsly’s Double Watch Winders: If you have a couple of favorite watches, a double watch winder is ideal. Mozsly’s double winders come with all the features of their single winders but with space for two timepieces.
Summary
From Ronald Reagan’s Rolex to Joe Biden’s Omega, U.S. Presidents have worn some remarkable timepieces during and after their tenure. Each watch reflects a part of their personal and political story.
To keep these prestigious watches in top shape, a good watch winder is essential. Mozsly’s single and double watch winders keep your luxury watches accurate and ready to wear.
Explore Mozsly’s range of watch winders today and give your watch the presidential treatment today!
