U.S. Presidents and The Rolex Presidential Day-Date

Throughout the years, fashion amongst presidents has always been classic and timeless. The same can be said about the bold timepieces they’ve worn. From pocket watches to luxury wristwatches, timepieces have remained a vital accessory during their time in the office. Let’s take a historical stroll through past presidents’ watch collections and find out how the Rolex Presidential Day-Date came to be.

First President George Washington was surprisingly tall, so the jackets he ordered rarely ever fit. He wore military uniforms in most photographs. During his presidency, however, he wore suits to symbolize his new role. He wanted to be portrayed as a different kind of leader: elected of, by, and for the people. He was usually seen with a pocket watch, and it is thought that he owned three: an unknown Swiss Quarter Repeater, a Jean-Antonine Lepine, and a James McCabe.

Gouverneur Morris brought Washington an original Jean-Antonine Lepine back from his business trip to Europe. At the time, Lepine was the watchmaker for Louis XV and Napoleon Bonaparte. He developed watches by making them thinner than ever before. As for the James McCabe watch, George Washington purchased it from watchmaker Ephraim Clark.

Another finely dressed president in the eyes of the public was number 16, Abraham Lincoln. Despite his elongated face and unusual 6’4” stature, his rugged style was very admired. Lincoln was not outwardly vain, but he did carry his fine golden watch as a symbol of his success.

One bold timepiece he often wore was from George Chatterton, a jeweler named Jonathan Dillon from Springfield, Illinois. Dillon inscribed the caseback after slavery ended, and Lincoln carried its hopeful message without even knowing it. He also owned a Waltham Ellery Model 1857, the first successful mechanical watch.

One of Lincoln’s most notorious watches was the gold pocket watch sold by Tiffany & Co. in 1860. Lincoln (2012), starring Daniel Day-Lewis in the title role, made history with the recording of the former president’s actual watch. Sound designer Ben Burtt, the designer who invented the iconic swoosh of the lightsaber, recorded Lincoln’s actual watch. He felt like using the actual watch instead of a prop was a chance to incorporate actual history into the film.

“A lot of people who study political history consider Harry S. Truman to have had one of the most interesting presidencies of all time,” an article titled Harry S. Truman’s Fashion speaks of the 33rd president. Before his presidency, he owned a haberdashery, a men’s clothing and accessories store. He favored double-breasted suits with large, peaked lapels.

The 33rd president also had an extensive accessory collection: a whopping 96 pairs of shoes and five bold timepieces (that we know of). Moving away from pocket watches, he owned a Gallet Flight Officer, Universal Genève Tri-Compax, Vulcain Cricket, an American Academy pocket watch, and a gold Heuer chronograph.

Two senators gave him the Gallet Flying Officer as a gift. This timepiece was one of the first waterproof chronographs and the first watch that could be used to tell world time. The Vulcain Cricket was gifted to him by the White House News Photographers. Its caseback was engraved with, ‘One More Please,’ most likely in reference to the photos they were constantly taking of him.

Noted as the best-dressed president of all time, JFK wore slim-cut suits in a wider array of colors than former presidents who only wore blues and charcoals. He enjoyed wearing a single-breasted, two-button coat with crisp white pocket squares and skinny ties. When the president wasn’t dealing with important meetings, he wore casual sweaters, khakis, and Wayfarer sunglasses. With a good balance between business and casual, he was always ready to accessorize his timeless style with a luxury watch.

The 35th president owned a Bulova, Omega, Nastrix, Rolex Day-Date, and a Cartier watch. He wore the Omega at his inauguration in 1961. It was engraved by his friend Grant Stockdale with President of the United States / John F. Kennedy / From his friend Grant before he was even elected president. Omega purchased this timepiece in 2005 for $350,000.

A more controversial watch was the engraved Rolex Day-Date gifted by the infamous Marilyn Monroe. Never actually worn by JFK, it was sold at an auction in 2005 for $120,000. His thin Cartier watch was gifted to him by Jackie Kennedy for their fourth wedding anniversary in 1957. It was given back to Jackie at the hospital after his assassination. Jackie gifted the watch to Kennedy’s secretary, who eventually gave it to Robert L. White. It is now with a private collector.

The Rolex Presidential Day-Date earned its name due to its strong association with prominent political figures and world leaders, including several U.S. presidents. Introduced in 1956, it was the first wristwatch to display both the date and the day of the week in a window on the dial. Over the years, it gained a reputation for its luxurious design and use of precious materials like gold or platinum. It is considered a symbol of success and accomplishment, making it a preferred choice for individuals in positions of power and influence.

One of the most famous owners of the Rolex Day-Date was U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson. He was often photographed wearing his gold Rolex Day-Date, which he received as a gift in 1965. This endorsement from a prominent political figure solidified its connection to the White House. Following Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency, Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford also sported a Rolex Day-Date. This association with world leaders, especially U.S. presidents, solidified the watch’s nickname as the ‘President’ or ‘Presidential.’

The collection is most distinguished by its iconic bracelet design. Its semi-circular three-piece links provide a smooth fit on the wrist. The Rolex Presidential Day-Date continues to be a symbol of achievement and refinement in the world of horology.

Another feature that enthusiasts love about the Day-Date is that there is such a range of options available, allowing buyers to select different dial colors, materials, and gemstone embellishments. The availability of precious metal choices, such as yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, and platinum, adds to its exclusivity. And Rolex’s limited edition releases further enhances the allure among collectors.

If you are hoping to purchase a Rolex Presidential Day-Date without the waitlist, be sure to check out what we have in stock. Here are some of Avi’s personal favorites, ready to go home with you as soon as today:

Avi & Co. is the most trusted dealer with a wide variety of cases in different sizes, gem-set preferences, and dial colors depending on your preference. All presidential watches are inspected by our in-house watch repairman, and they are guaranteed 100% fully functional and authentic. Every watch is backed by our worry-free, two-year warranty.

If you are unsure of which Rolex Presidential Day-Date would suit your wrist best, our highly knowledgeable sales executives will be happy to go the extra mile to assist you. Our outstanding customer service does not end once your watch is delivered. We strive to build long-lasting relationships with all our customers by remaining connected.

Call or schedule an appointment with us soon to purchase one of these bold timepieces. We look forward for you to be part of our legacy.

Want to visit some of our preferred presidential watches in person? Check out where they can be seen here: