THE WHITE HOUSE WATCHES… THE PRESIDENTIAL EDIT
Today, on the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States, Watchfinder & Co. take a look back at some of Biden’s timepieces of choice, and some of the iconic watches that have been worn in the White House over the decades. Founded in 2002 Watchfinder & Co. is the premier resource from which to buy, sell and part-exchange pre-owned luxury watches. From bestsellers, through to vintage and limited edition pieces, Watchfinder offers over 4,000 watches from more than 70 luxury brands, all available online and via their network of boutiques and showrooms.
Joe Biden 2021 -
President-elect Joe Biden, having spent 50 years at the coal face of politics, is no stranger to the nature of trends, the fluid spirit of opinion and knowing how to make the right choices and stick to them. No surprise then, that he placed his faith in an Omega. Biden has been known to wear his modern Speedmaster Moonwatch for some years now. The Speedmaster Moonwatch was the first watch on the moon in 1969 worn by the NASA astronauts of Apollo 11, hence why it is known as such. Biden has also been spotted wearing a classic late 1990’s Omega Seamaster Professional (a favourite of James Bond and Prince William) and was known to wear it throughout his role as Vice-President in the Obama administration. Watchfinder’s Presidential Timepiece: Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch
Donald Trump 2016 – 2020
President Trump’s collection includes a number of impressive and sought after pieces. Namely, a Vacheron Constantin ultra slim in a square yellow gold case, a Patek Philippe Ellipse in yellow gold, and a Rolex yellow gold Day-Date (the bracelet on which is known as the presidential). Watchfinder’s Presidential Timepiece: Vacheron Constantin 44005
Barack Obama, 2008 - 2016
The Hawaiian born, Harvard Law School graduate, became the first Black US President in history in 2008. Being a modest and pragmatic man, it’s fitting he chose a TAG Heuer to accompany him to the White House. The smaller case size in steel and yellow gold has all the classic design cues of a divers watch with a modern twist of the early 2000’s; emblazoned across the dial in bright green and red the TAG Heuer logo is an unmistakable motif. Since leaving the White House in 2016, Obama has been pictured wearing a white gold Rolex Cellini, quite different to his previous daily companion. Watchfinder’s Presidential Timepiece: Rolex Cellini
Bill Clinton, 1993 – 2001
Bill Clinton was famously known for his Timex, widely considered to be a calculated watch choice that would help better engage with voters. After his tenure as President of the united states he has certainly updated his collection to say the least. With particular favor toward Panerai, the dive piece designed for Italian navy diving units. There is even a Panerai Luminor PAM00089 which carries the nickname of the “Bill Clinton”, this namesake we should make clear this is given by the community rather than Panerai itself. Watchfinder’s Presidential Timepiece: Panerai Luminor Marina
Ronald Reagan, 1981 - 1989
Reagan was another president with a varied CV, from sports commentator to Hollywood actor, to Governor of California, he certainly did his rounds before entering the White House. Often photographed wearing a steel Rolex Datejust on a Jubilee bracelet, perhaps (aside from its steel and gold sibling) the most popular Rolex of the 1980’s. Another watch belonging to Reagan was auctioned off in 1999 along with a number of other celebrity pieces, including watches belonging to Arnold Schwarzenegger and Paul Newman, as part of a charity event in New York. Oddly enough, Reagans Colibri, a fairly inexpensive 1980’s quartz watch, was purchased by non-other than current president Donald Trump for $7,000. Watchfinder’s Presidential Timepiece: Rolex Datejust
John F. Kennedy, 1961 - 1963
When thinking of JFK’s watches many think of his classic Omega dress watch. Engraved on the back “President of the United States/ John F Kennedy / from his friend Grant,” which was gifted to him over a year before his election by a fellow senator and is affectionately referred to as the watch that predicted the result of the election. However, the most interesting watch owned by JFK was one he never wore. In 1962 on his 45th birthday, the night Marilyn Monroe sung the infamous “Happy Birthday Mr. President” she also slipped a box to the president’s aid. In the box was a 18k gold Rolex Day-date (aka the presidential), with an engraved case back reading “Jack / with love as always / from Marilyn / May 29th 1962”. The president instructed his aide Kenneth O’Donnell, to ”get rid of it” and so never actually wore the piece. It turned up 53 years later at an auction for objects of historical importance from the 20th century in 2005 and sold for $120,000. Watchfinder’s Presidential Timepiece: Rolex Day-Date
The Presidential perks of buying pre-owned: When it comes to luxury watches; pre-owned opens the (White House) doors to the widest selection of luxury timepieces - from current bestsellers right through to discontinued classics and sought after limited editions. With a trusted specialist like Watchfinder & Co. watch lovers can enjoy access to over 4,000 watches from more than 70 luxury brands, all available online and via their network of boutiques and showrooms. And there will be no compromising on quality – every single one of Watchfinder’s watches is meticulously inspected, authenticated and prepared by a team of expert watchmakers in Europe’s largest independent service centre - accredited by 19 of the world’s leading watch manufacturers. Every watch also comes with a 24-month Watchfinder warranty.
Watch images: https://we.tl/t-amtcYoo62W
For further information, comments, images or watch loans please contact:
Tom Heap
PR Executive
Watchfinder & Co.
Amy Scott
Head of PR
Watchfinder & Co.
Founded in 2002 Watchfinder & Co. is the premier resource from which to buy, sell and part-exchange pre-owned luxury watches. From bestsellers, through to vintage and limited edition pieces, Watchfinder offers over 4,000 watches from more than 70 luxury brands, all available online and via their network of boutiques and showrooms. With quality and dependability at the heart of their business; all watches are meticulously inspected, authenticated and prepared by a team of expert watchmakers in Europe’s largest independent service centre - accredited by 19 of the world’s leading watch manufacturers. Every watch comes with a 24-month Watchfinder warranty. For 18 years Watchfinder has delivered knowledge and service that meets the very highest standards, and their customer testimonials stand testament to that with over 20,000 5 star reviews on Trustpilot alone. For more information, visit www.watchfinder.co.uk or take a look at Watchfinder’s YouTube channel www.youtube.com/c/watchfinder – the largest watch-focused channel on the platform.
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