Watches Worn by U.S. Presidents

For centuries, wrist watches have been embraced by the governing elite as symbols of class, taste, wealth, and power. United States presidents are no exception, carefully choosing their accessories to honor tradition as well as to celebrate technological innovation and achievement. While the Rolex Day-Date is such a common presidential choice that it has been dubbed the “President’s Watch,” there are many other timepieces that stand out in presidential history.

Delve into the accessories that America’s leaders have chosen to symbolize their political prowess and legacy. Better still, take home one of these elite timepieces and align yourself with the incredible individuals at the helm of the nation.

There is a reason that the yellow gold Rolex Day-Date has been nicknamed the “President’s Watch.” This iconic timepiece has graced the wrist of American icons from Lyndon B. Johnson to Ronald Reagan. John F. Kennedy was among the first presidential owners of the Day-Date model. His infamous Day-Date was a gift from his presumed mistress, Marilyn Monroe. It was Lyndon B. Johnson, however, who wore his 36 mm Rolex Day-Date so frequently while in the Oval Office that the watch became associated with the presidency.

Johnson’s Day-Date was also made from 18K yellow gold, but he preferred the slimmer 36 mm profile and opted for a silver face, which made the gold hour markers of his watch pop. He is also known to have gifted the same watch to many of his friends, popularizing the model throughout Washington DC’s political scene.

The Day-Date is not the only Rolex watch that presidents seem to love. Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first president to wear a Rolex in the Oval Office. He chose the understated and sophisticated Datejust to align with his calm, trustworthy demeanor.

Eisenhower received the timepiece as a gift from Rolex to commemorate his five-star general military ranking. It is reported that the caseback of his watch is engraved with his initials (DDE) as well as five stars and a date: 12-19-1950, the day that he was honored with the title Supreme Commander of NATO. His yellow gold watch showcased the striking, five-link Jubilee bracelet and the now-iconic fluted bezel associated with both the Day-Date and Datejust lines.

During his two terms, which spanned much of the 1980s, Ronald Reagan also wore a Datejust watch. Departing from the yellow gold styles that had been popular in the 1950s and 1960s, Reagan opted for a steel Datejust watch. He also favored the Jubilee bracelet and fluted bezel.

President Joe Biden carried on the tradition of wearing a Rolex in the White House with his Datejust model, which departs slightly from those of years past. Biden sized up to the Datejust 41 line, opting for a larger silhouette. His Reference 126200 watch showcased a Jubilee bracelet, a smooth bezel, and a blue index dial. You can find a similar watch, the Rolex Datejust Reference #126300, in stock at Avi & Co. today:

It is also worth noting that during Barack Obama’s two terms as president, he likewise embraced the Rolex brand but opted for a different model: the Rolex Cellini, a more understated timepiece complete with a leather strap rather than a metal bracelet.

There is no doubt that Rolex dominates when we discuss the legacy of luxury watches in the White House. However, the 46th president of the United States made a remarkable and unusual statement with his OMEGA Professional Series Moonwatch. This timepiece was the only watch to pass NASA’s rigorous assessments in the 1960s, when the space exploration organization was searching for a timepiece that could withstand the trials and travails of outer space.

When the OMEGA Speedmaster passed these tests with flying colors, it was given the honor of accompanying all of the astronauts on the famous Apollo 11 mission to the moon. Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong wore their OMEGA Speedmasters onto the lunar surface when they took humanity’s first steps on the moon. After that wildly successful mission, the OMEGA Speedmaster was dubbed the “Moonwatch” and continues to be manufactured today, honoring the American legacy of adventure, exploration, and innovation.

Avi & Co. Insights: Joe Biden was also the first president to wear an Apple Watch in the Oval Office. We are happy to say that he still flaunted numerous analog watches and luxury brands in addition to the sporty and modern digital timepiece.

As Ronald Reagan’s second term ended and George H. W. Bush’s first (and only) term began, we began to notice a marked change in the watch brands and styles favored by U.S. presidents. Instead of elite luxury brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin, American leaders made a shift toward more affordable brands.

George Bush Sr. did not favor a wristwatch during his presidency, although he had been photographed wearing a Patek Philippe Calatrava during his brief tenure as the Director of the CIA. The next few presidents followed suit, staying away from elite and expensive brands.

While Bill Clinton has become known as a watch aficionado in the years following his presidency (his collection includes Panerai, Zenith, and Jaeger-LeCoultre), he stuck with a more modest timepiece during his time in the Oval Office: a Timex Ironman Triathlon. Literally, a plastic watch made for exercising.

When Clinton wore the Timex to his inaugural ball in 1993, Gentlemen’s Journal reports that it was labeled an “unsightly blemish” and a “wrist gargoyle.” The Washington Post called it “thick as a brick and handsome as a hernia.” However, the power of the president is undeniable: This clunky timepiece became a staple of style in DC during the late 1990s.

George W. Bush (the son of the 41st president) did not fare much better. The Texan favored a Timex watch with an American flag at the 12 o’clock position. The watch sold for $43 brand-new.

While Barack Obama began moving back toward luxe brands with his Rolex Cellini, he primarily wore a Jorg Gray chronograph watch that was gifted to him by the Secret Service for his birthday in 2007. The watch retails for about $300. In other words, while it clearly had sentimental value, it is still affordable for the average consumer.

Why did these powerful men opt out of showcasing elite timepieces? The answer might lie in political strategy. Some theorists suggest that the presidents from Bush Sr. through Obama were trying to emphasize their approachability, capitalizing on the “president of the people” strategy. After all, it is hard to look like an everyman when you are wearing a $20,000 wrist watch.

The most recent two presidents, Donald Trump and Joe Biden, have embraced more high-end watches, a development that is much appreciated by the horological enthusiasts among us. Donald Trump owns a litany of different timepieces, although he seems to favor a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date that evokes the watch choices of presidents in the 1950s and 1960s.

He has also been photographed wearing a yellow gold Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse watch. Ironically, he often wears this timepiece on the golf course, despite the fact that it is anything but a sports watch. Trump’s square-faced historical Vacheron Constantin watch is another staple of his horological style and is often seen peeking out beneath his cufflinks.

While Trump’s flashy watch tastes seem to fit someone with a net worth of over $7 billion, Joe Biden’s watch collection is rife with traditional and links to American heritage. In fact, GQ credits the 46th president with breathing life back into White House watch spotting. After the stylistic drought in the 1990s and 2000s, watch lovers were happy to celebrate Biden wearing pieces like the OMEGA Speedmaster and Seamaster, the Vulcain Cricket, and even a Seiko Chronograph that still aligned with his “Scranton Joe” appeal.

However, it is safe to say that Biden’s blue-dial Rolex Datejust is the favorite watch of presidential horology followers. Reported to be a Christmas gift from his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, the Datejust has been nicknamed the “Biden Blue,” seemingly a symbol of his political party as well as his preference for watches with significant historical ties.

Stop by any of Avi & Co.’s three locations (Manhattan, Miami, and Aspen) to try on one of the world’s most luxurious watches today. We specialize in elite brands like Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille, Rolex, and Patek Philippe. Whether you aspire to lead the country or simply lead a stylish life, we are here to help you pinpoint your perfect watch.

Do not forget to explore our very own Avi & Co. watch lines as well as our new collection of fine diamond jewelry, Diamonds by Avi & Co. Whatever you are shopping for, our expert team of seasoned professionals can assist you every step of the way.

Schedule your in-person appointment today. We cannot wait to give you a warm welcome into the Avi & Co. family.