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@watchesofespionage

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U.S. Presidents And Timepieces, The Last 40 Years (Link in bio) This week in the Dispatch, we take a look at the watches worn by modern U.S. Presidents- from Ronald Reagan to today. Not surprisingly, these men wear a plethora of luxury and digital watches while in office and in civilian life. President Bush (41) has a long history with the CIA, including as Director of Central Intelligence in 1976. He was also a President with an extensive watch collection, owning a pair of Patek Philippes that included a Pink Gold Automatic Perpetual Calendar (Ref. 3940) as well as a 1968 Calatrava (Ref 3445) that he likely wore as Director of CIA. Both were later sold at auction by Christie’s for $81,250 and $62,500 respectively. “Plain Folk” Propaganda Technique: While luxury brands have long adorned the wrists of the Commander in Chief, the 1990s ushered in an era of more modest and “common” timepieces on the wrists of POTUS. Bill Clinton and George W. Bush both wore cheap Timex and Barack Obama wore a sub-$300 watch gifted from his Secret Service detail. This was no accident and is indicative of a propaganda technique, a form of subtle messaging. The goal of the “plain folk” technique is presenting the President as someone relatable, someone you would want to have a beer with, someone like you. Interestingly, both Clinton and Obama would go on to wear more expensive timepieces including Rolex, almost immediately after leaving office. In more recent years, President Donald Trump and Joe Biden have bucked this trend and reverted to more luxury watches. Trump wore a plethora of luxury timepieces expected of a real estate magnate including Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and Rolex. Biden has a fairly extensive collection of Rolex, Omega and a more modest Seiko. -W.O.E. . . . #watchesofespionage #rolex #POTUS #whitehouse #omega #watchfam #seiko