All the Presidents' Watches | The Watch Club by SwissWatchExpo

The President of the United States is without a doubt, the most powerful and influential leader of the free world. While Presidents are not exactly fashion icons, we sure can pick up some pointers in style, demeanor, and overall cool.

As Americans celebrate Presidents’ Day, let’s take a look at the watches that have graced every President’s wrist.

John F. Kennedy wearing a Cartier Tank Louis

In 1957, JFK was presented with a Cartier Tank Louis by his wife Jaqueline Kennedy on their fourth wedding anniversary. The 18k yellow gold watch was inscribed with his initials, their wedding date, and the Kennedy family arms. This is the watch he was wearing on the day he was assassinated in 1963.

Other watches:

Omega Ultra Thin reference OT3980, Bulova gold watch, Hamilton 505, and an 18k yellow gold Rolex Day-Date reportedly given by Marilyn Monroe. Video from JFK Library on Instagram

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by JFK Library and Museum (@jfklibrary)

Lyndon B. Johnson wearing a Rolex President Day-Date

Johnson was the first US president to wear the Rolex Day-Date. In 1966, Rolex first advertised the model as “The presidents’ watch” further emphasizing its connection to the White House. Johnson wore it often during his term and also gifted it to friends.

Other watches: Vulcain Cricket Calendar with his initials on the dial, a Jaeger LeCoultre Memovox with the presidential seal on the caseback, and a Patek Philippe ref 2526 with the golden rule inscribed on the dial.

“LBJColor” by Office of the President, Public Domain

Dwight D. Eisenhower wearing a Rolex Datejust

In 1951, Rolex presented then General Eisenhower with an 18k yellow gold Rolex Datejust to celebrate their 150,000^th chronometer. The watch would eventually appear with Eisenhower on the cover of Life Magazine. It’s often mistaken for a Rolex Day-Date but the watch was not launched until five years later. Photos from RR Auctions and Eisenhower Presidential Library on Instagram

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Eisenhower PresidentialLibrary (@ikelibrary)

Ronald Reagan wearing a Rolex Datejust

Reagan wasn’t known to wear a lot of watches, but he was often seen with a stainless steel Rolex Datejust on a jubilee bracelet. He’s reported as the last US president to wear a Rolex during his term; succeeding presidents have taken to wearing more humble quartz and American watch brands after him. Video from Inside Edition on YouTube

Bill Clinton wearing a Panerai Luminor GMT

Clinton wore a humble Timex Ironman while in office, but his watch collection grew after his term. Two of his favorite brands are Panerai and Jaeger LeCoultre – he is known to wear a Panerai Luminor GMT PAM 089, a Panerai Radiomir Black Seal PAM 282, and a Jaeger LeCoultre Master Compressor Alarm Navy Seals.

Other watches: A Lange & Sohne Grosse Langematik Gangreserve, Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Chronograph, and a Vulcain Cricket. Video from C-Span on YouTube

Barack Obama wearing a Rolex Cellini Time

Just like Clinton, Obama wore mainstream brands like Jorg Gray and Shinola during his term in office. The first luxury watch he wore after his term is the Rolex Cellini Time in 18k white gold, seen on his wrist while watching the Invictus Games with Prince Harry. With a white dial and black leather bracelet, the watch is handsome and refined, like the image Obama portrays. Photo from CNN on Twitter

Barack Obama, Joe Biden join Prince Harry at Invictus Games in Toronto https://t.co/pAzL6ja2g8 pic.twitter.com/T901efLSqY
— CNN (@CNN) September 30, 2017

Donald Trump wearing a Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse

The President-elect has launched his own watch collections before but he has never been seen wearing them himself. Instead, he has been spotted with a Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse watch with a blue dial and a Rolex Day-Date in 18k yellow gold. Video from Golf.com on YouTube

All the Presidents’ Watches