Just a little under a month to go before the Presidential Election in the USA, and both candidates are running themselves ragged to get to or remain the White House. It hasn’t been a particularly dirty campaign, those tactics seem to have fallen out of favour, but by the same token, never a day goes by when Mitt Romney, his wife or son Tagg don’t send out an email to join them for dinner, meet them on the campaign trail, buy a cap, wear a tee shirt and donate, donate donate. In fact it is said that Mitt Romney’s campaign coffers have reached the $1 billion dollar mark, the first time this has ever been achieved.
Meanwhile President Obama admitted he had an off night on the the eve of the Presidential debate a week ago. Now a resurgent Mitt Romney, who was said to be dead on his feet, is leading President Obama in the 11 all-important swing states which will decide the 2012 election. It’s going to be a tight race, that’s for sure.
But of course the most significant policy issue for this magazine is, what watch does a Presidential candidate wear? It will have been as carefully considered as Mitt Romney’s decision to roll up his sleeves and wear jeans in some blue collar communities.
Romney could afford a cupboard full of Patek’s if he so desired but the watch – or rather watches – he has decided to wear on the campaign trail are…well what are they? Not even the experts are sure. But they don’t look very expensive. In fact they look like they have been totally toned down in keeping with the tough times that so many people are facing. The cupboard full of Pateks are being quietly wound by the watch winders back home.
We all know President Obama favours his Jorg Gray 6500 Chronograph, but that story is now as old as the watch.
The following list of horological possibles for a Presidential candidate have been certified as politically correct to win the war in the battleground states.
Rolex Day Date President
In simpler times when people expected their President to wear a good quality Swiss watch, the Rolex Presidential Day Date fitted the bill perfectly. Not flashy, not ostentatious, but elegant and expensive enough to be authoritative and respected. The Rolex Day-Date was nicknamed the “President” after Rolex gifted it to then president Dwight D. Eisenhower, it features a calendar mechanism that displays the date and day using the self-winding Oyster movement. Its classic good looks have not changed in decades.
Kobold SMG-1
For that tough, seasoned campaign veteran look, the Kobold SMG-1 is the one to roll out and strap on. With its macho military aura it hints of a brave military background, even if there isn’t one. It is of course a wholly American watch, because now is the time to believe in America. The SMG-1 is a special limited edition tactical watch designed exclusively for use by military and law enforcement professionals. SMG stands for Special Modifications Group. There are said to be only 50 of these watches in existence, more than rare enough to make the press wild with speculation. But for the Presidential candidate wearing it to the White House, you could bet Michael Kobold would re-create a special Presidential version.
Bozeman Schofield
For that in control candidate who silences crowds with just a wave of his hand, the Bozeman Schofield is an assured choice. The watch is named after a 19th century calvaryman’s pistol, and every candidate likes to feel he is the cavalry dashing in to save the day. The Schofield embodies simple elegance and classic sophistication. Another all American watch, the Schofield is an attention getting 44.5mm diameter watch powered by a Val Granges automatic calibre movement. The Bozeman Watch Company, one of the few companies in the United States designing and manufacturing mechanical watches, is committed to creating a rare collection of fine automatic timepieces.
Hamilton Jazzmaster Auto Chrono
Looking cool and in command is very much a part of the Presidential package. Approval ratings will soar with the Hamilton Jazzmaster Auto Chrono. Another patriotic choice, the Hamilton Jazzmaster is driven by the newly developed H-21 movement. This high-performance automatic chronograph delivers 60 hours of reliable power reserve. Enough to go a long, long way on the campaign trail. Modernity is king in the confidently contemporary shaping of the case and the dial design.
Elgin Pocketwatch
Now this could be considered a radical strategy, but maybe a Presidential candidate could revert to a pocketwatch, on a ‘let’s get back to good old fashioned values’ ticket. On every podium from Arkansas to Alaska he could pull this American made Elgin pocket watch from his pocket and declare, ‘the good times are here again’. These classic, well-built watches, made in the days when ‘Made In USA’ was not just a distant daydream, have seen many investors get a great return when reselling their antique Elgin pocket watches. Any Presidential candidate will surely stand out with this quality timepiece.
