Round-UpPowerful people and their watches

Power makes the world go round and we could not agree more. Power, in a practical sense, has a lot to do with confidence. And believe it or not, confidence to a large extent, comes from the way you look and your belongings. It is the understated sense of style that brings that confidence from within. Even before you start a conversation, your clothes, cars and most importantly your watches quip in to prove the mettle of your power and confidence. A watch is more than a time telling device and the right timepiece flags that you are a force to be reckoned with. Read along to find out about the most powerful people and their watches, and our personal selection of watches to bring out your powerful self. After all, having the world at your behest is not a child’s play!

Queen Elizabeth

The world’s oldest monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has been the planet’s most relentless public figure. Even at the age of 89, she has an air of regality and power about her. Her love for jewels is well reflected by the fact that she adorned her noble wrist with the jewellery version of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 101 at her coronation in 1953. The dainty yellow gold, diamond watch houses the world’s smallest movement containing 98 parts and weighing just 1 gram! On the occasion of the Queen’s diamond jubilee, Jaeger-LeCoultre presented her with a watch similar to the one she wore on her coronation.

This model however, was set in white gold with baguette diamonds and not yellow gold. The original watch was actually given to the Queen by the French President. As a matter of fact, to mark her majesty’s diamond jubilee in time, Jaeger-LeCoultre produced a limited edition Reverso engraved with the Diamond Jubilee Pageant logo. Now if that isn’t power, then what is?

Editor’s Pick

Jaeger Le-Coultre’s watches are all iconically designed, with over a thousand calibres to the brand’s name. The Reverso collection has by far been the most celebrated collection of JLC, so how can our recommendation differ! The Jaeger-LeCoutre Reverso Classique is a gorgeous rectangle diamond pave dial watch with a diamond bezel, set in an 18k pink gold case. The stunning pave timepiece is fully mounted with 437 diamonds totaling 1.8 carats. The reverse is dark and contemporary. Like fraternal twins, both dials represent two different personalities.

Embellished with a gold crown set with an inverted diamond, the watch is not just a mere looker. It captures all the features expected from any Jaeger-LeCoultre starting with a calibre 865 hand-winding movement, the hour-minute function being identical on both the front and the reverse side. Water resistant to 3 bars and backed by a power reserve of 48 hours, the watch also comes with a double folding buckle. A diamond studded dial adorned by a satin strap, now isn’t that a sight to behold!

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein, the man whose discoveries and theories brought about a breakthrough revolution to our perception of time and science, was a simple sort with a sober yet classy taste. When it came to watches, and history can vouch for that, he favoured Longines. The famous physicist wore a 1929 gold Longines wristwatch, which was probably given to him in Los Angeles circa 1931.

The 14K gold tonneau-shaped watch even has the inscription ‘Prof. Albert Einstein, Los Angeles, Feb 16, 1931’. The timepiece was recently auctioned in 2015, thus becoming the only Longines watch to fetch the highest price ever at an auction. Though Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity has not counted time as a constant factor, but he constantly relied on this dependable timepiece when it came to checking time.

Editor’s pick

Simplicity was what drove this genius. And taking inspiration from his lifestyle, we recommend the Longines Heritage. With a minimalistic round silver dial with a sapphire glass and a transparent case back, the watch is set in an 18k pink gold case. Bearing resemblance to Einstein’s timepiece in terms of an understated look (and of course a small seconds counter at 6 o’clock), the Longines Heritage has painted Arabic numerals and blue steel hands, adding simplicity to the silver dial.

Though the watch looks minimalistic on the outside, it has a mammoth calibre on the inside. The L609 self-winding mechanical movement beats at 28’800 vibrations per hour and provides 42 hours of power reserve. Combining simplicity with performance, the watch even has an easy to read seconds counter at 6 o’clock, a feature similar to Albert Einstein’s watch. Adding finish to the timepiece is the brown alligator strap. The watch (just like Einstein), is simple to look at but once reckoned with, its features don’t cease to amaze.

Narendra Modi

The globe-trotting Prime Minister of India, Narendra Damodardas Modi, is a hard-core disciplinarian and very set in his ways. Recently touted with the title of being India’s best-dressed Prime Minister by far, Modi’s choice of clothes and watches set him apart from the crowd. Though he dresses simply, yet he dresses to make a point. This man means business.

As per his biography, Namo has a penchant for watches from the Swiss luxury watch company Movado. And his preference for Movado speaks volumes about his choice; like the brand, clarity and an uncluttered space are obviously quite important to him. Unconventional yet looked upon by all, love him or hate him but you definitely can’t ignore him!

Editor’s Pick

Because we are recommending Mr Modi’s favourite brand, the watch has to be a class apart. The Movado Tc Thin perfectly fits the bill. Sitting suave with an ultra-thin 40mm stainless steel case and bezel, the Tc Thin sports a round black soleil dial ornamented by Movado’s silver-tone signature dot. The minimalist look makes a statement that you simply can’t ignore.

The skeleton hands and applied stick markers add to the masculinity of the look. The Swiss quartz movement is protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Water-resistant to 30 meters, the handsome stainless steel link bracelet is secured by a deployment clasp. Sport a watch like this and you will effortlessly become the centre of attention in any gathering, just like our Prime Minister.

John F. Kennedy

The 35^th president of the United States of America exuded power, style and class. He can as well be the picture-perfect portrait of being swell. The fact that he was the youngest man to be elected to the office at the age of 43, goes on to prove that he knew how to handle power, take responsibility and drive an excelling nation. Though he is said to have owned distinguished timepieces that made regular public appearances along with him, namely the Cartier Tank, and an extra-thin Omega, which was the closest to his heart.

John F. Kennedy gave his first State of the Union speech wearing that very Omega. It went up for auction a few years ago, and Omega purchased the very watch for $350,000. Omega also created for sale a commemorative version, a rendition of the one JFK was wearing at the speech that day. JFK had a special way with words and his famous words ‘We choose to go to the moon…” have been forever etched in the pages of time.

Editor’s Pick

Our recommendation vis a vis Mr. Kennedy’s watch is undoubtedly from the Speedmaster collection as he was the face of the Speedmaster campaign. The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch resonates with JFK’s famous words – “We choose to go to the moon”.

Famously known as the ‘Lunar Dust’ or ‘Grey side of the moon’, the case of the watch is crafted in grey ceramic and has a sand blasted platinum dial and a superb alligator strap, adding a masculine charm to it.  The case, caseback, bezel, crown, pushers and buckle are all made from the same ceramic material. A clear killer when it comes to looks, the craftsmanship and features are no less. Another innovation from Omega, the tachymetric scale is equipped with Super-LumiNova and the Omega symbol on the crown is also filled with Super-LumiNova. With ‘Grey side of the moon’ inscribed on the caseback, the watch is unique and unconventional, just like JFK’s charm!

Know of any watches worn by powerful people that we may have missed out on? Let us know in the comments section below!