Rolex and the World's Most Influential People

Most people are aware of the status symbol and connection between Rolex watches and famous celebrities. For instance, actor Paul Newman helped to enhance the status of the Rolex Daytona, while Steve McQueen was pictured many times sporting either a Rolex Explorer II or a Rolex Submariner. Other famous wearers include Brad Pitt, Madonna, Jennifer Aniston, Adam Levine, Ellen DeGeneres, Paris Hilton and even fictional characters like James Bond.

However, many people are less aware of the long-standing connection between the Rolex brand and rich history and the most powerful people walking the planet, including Presidents of the United States, religious leaders, revolutionary figures and some of the world’s best-known activists. Here, we explore just a few of them.

Past and Future Presidents of the United States

dwight-eisenhower-cover-life-magazine-1 The office of US President carries with it an extraordinary amount of power – indeed, the incumbent is often referred to as “the most powerful person on earth”. Throughout history, a many number of Presidents have worn a Rolex watch while in office, aiding in turning these timepieces into the ultimate power accessory.

In actual fact, the Rolex Day-Date earned its nickname – “The President” – because it became so commonplace in the White House. Examples of US Presidents who wore this particular model include Dwight Eisenhower, Lyndon Johnson and Gerald Ford. According to some, actress Marilyn Monroe also gave one to John F. Kennedy as a gift.

President Ronald Reagan opted instead for a Rolex Datejust and the connection seems like it may be set to continue for some time. The current front-runner to become the next President of the United States, Hillary Clinton, is known to favour a yellow gold Rolex Lady Datejust, showing she already dresses for the part.

Figures of Power Across the Globe

MLK Nonetheless, the connection between Rolex and influence goes far beyond the White House. Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was pictured countless times wearing his favourite yellow gold Rolex Datejust, while religious leaders like Pope John-Paul II and the Dalai Lama have also been known to show favor in the brand.

In Cuba, Fidel Castro was seem with multiple Rolex watches and he was famously pictured during a meeting with senior figures from the Soviet Union wearing two Rolex watches – the Submariner and the GMT – both on the same wrist! Similarly, the Cuban revolutionary figure Ernesto “Che” Guevara was also a Rolex owner.

The same pattern can be observed around the world. Former French Presidents Jacques Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy, the former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, and even Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi were all owners and wearers of Rolex timepieces. It is clear, therefore, that Rolex watches are the fashion accessory of some of the most powerful individuals in the world.

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