George Herbert Walker Bush may very well have been done in by his watch. In one of the most famous incidents in watch history, Bush dealt his re-election bid a blow when, during a televised debate with Bill Clinton and Ross Perot on Oct. 15, 1992, he twice glanced at his watch as if he were bored with the proceedings and had somewhere.. Read More
Presidents and Their Timepieces – Nixon and Ford
Richard Nixon In 1955, Vice President Nixon was given a Vulcain Cricket after speaking to the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. In 1960 he sent the Cricket in for services and stated “It has given excellent service over the past five years and has served as my alarm clock around the world.” Omega Speedmaster In 1969 after the moon landing, Omega created a gold version of the Speedmaster Professional (caliber 861) to.. Read More
Presidents and their Timepieces – LBJ
Patek Phillippe LBJ is the only US president confirmed to have owned a Patek Philippe watch. His was a reference 2526 in 18k yellow gold and was ordered through Tiffany and Company with a special yellow gold Tiffany bracelet. Around the center of the watch’s enamel dial it states “Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You,” known also as the Golden Rule. The watch is in the collection of the.. Read More
U.S. Presidents and their Timepieces – John F. Kennedy
Omega Ultra Thin When President John F. Kennedy took the Oath of Office on January 20, 1961 he did so while wearing an Omega Ultra Thin (Reference OT3980). The watch was given to him by then Florida senator Grant Stockdale and included the inscription “President of the United States John F. Kennedy from his friend Grant” on its caseback. While Kennedy had the.. Read More
U.S Presidents and their Timepieces – Dwight Eisenhower
President Eisenhower owned a Heuer chronograph, Rolex Datejust, Vulcain Cricket, and a Vacheron Constantine. Vulcain Cricket Eisenhower was a fan of the Vulcain Cricket and owned one before taking office. The Cricket model was known for its rather loud builtin alarm, which, according to the story, caused a bit of an awkward political moment during one of the president’s press conferencesthe alarm on his Swiss watch interrupted him during a conference meant to encourage.. Read More