Recently, Spanish and English politicians are under great pressure, and time often runs too fast on their watches. Recent events, like the repression of Catalan separatists and the latest details of Brexit, have given us special attention to these two countries and their leaders.
As with this summer’s government crisis, ItalianWatchSpotter has spotted the watches worn by those who are taking part in these historical events. Let’s find out together who they are and what they wear!
Spain
Juan Carlos I
It is well known that the former King of Spain, in charge from 1975 to 2014, is an avid watch collector.
The first timepiece he was seen with is a Richard Mille RM009 and has a particular history.
This model, launched in 2006, features a mechanical movement with a one-minute tourbillon. It’s a limited edition of 25 pieces, presented in collaboration with Felipe Massa and priced at 350.000€.
Rumors says that it was actually Juan Carlos I, during a lunch, who convinced Rafael Nadal to accept the proposal of collaboration by Richard Mille.
It was the former Sovereign, showing him his Richard Mille RM009 Felipe Massa, who made him accept the challenge, defeating his hesitation.
Another watch of which he was a pioneer was the classic but very present Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.
It’s been said he’s been one of the first VIPs to purchase the steel model when it was unveiled.
The octagonal case and particular lines could be progressists for the time, but there are several photos depicting Juan Carlos I wearing the watch in various contexts.
These two watches, completely different, are also very distant as a price. For an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak in steel prices today are around 20.000€, while for the original we range in the 100.000€.
Felipe VI
Current King of Spain, took the place of his father Juan Carlos I after the abdication of 2014. In addition to the throne Felipe also inherited from his father the passion for timepieces, especially for Audemars Piguet.
He was seen several times wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak City of Sails Alinghi, a 1250 pieces limited edition automatic chronograph in platinum with rubber strap.
This version is dedicated to the Swiss sailing team Alinghi, winner of the 2003 America’s Cup. It probably caught Felipe’s attention because of his peculiarities during one of the regattas he often attends…
Although not one of the most expensive models, its market is around 15.000€.
Another sports watch he loves to wear is an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph Olympic Edition.
Born for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, it is an automatic chronograph with a vocation for water sports. Screw-down pushers and helium escape valve allow it to reach a depth up to 600mt.
With a price tag of around 4.000€, this timepiece once again confirms the King’s passion for the sea.
The last watch is a timeless classic, suitable for bot informal and formal situations: the Cartier Santos.
On Felipe’s wrist, however, we find the Santos 100, with a larger case to better fit his wrists. The automatic movement is in fact enclosed in a 51x41mm steel case.
An opal dial with Roman numerals and the alligator strap make this watch a real passe-partout for every situation, reflecting the essence of a politician.
List price is 7.150€.
Pablo Casado
President of the Spanish People’s Party since 2018, Pablo Casado does not exaggerate on watches.
It is often seen with a black Apple Watch, useful and convenient to always be up to date on incoming notifications on your phone, or to track physical activity.
The second watch he’s often seen with was very difficult to spot…
It is a more “classic” Camel Trophy Multichrono, a steel watch with brown leather strap, produced around the late 1980s for the Camel Trophy, one of the toughest off-road races in the world.
It is a mid-range steel quartz chronograph that, in the wave of the trophy, found an excellent audience of buyers in Spain. Although particular and of complex availability, its current market value is around 200€.
Albert Rivera
He has been the president of the Ciudadanos party since its founding and has been a member of the Parliament of Catalonia.
Rivera has always been seen wearing two very basic watches, both of which can be purchased for up to 200€.
Recently, however, he’s been wearing a Rolex Precision ref.6426 with white dial and stick indices.
He’s usually wearing a Swatch Irony Xlite Feel Strong, a quartz chronograph with black dial and orange sub-dials and recognizable orange rubber strap. Orange is the official color of his party so it is conceivable that he uses this watch as a political “symbol”.
England
Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II has always been considered a style icon and is world-famous for her charisma and class.
One of the most interesting watches she’s been wearing is important both to her and to the brand that created it.
On June 2, 1953, the day of her coronation, she wore a fine and precious Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 101 studded with diamonds.
In addition to its historical importance for the event to which it is flanked, it is also necessary to remember this model for another reason: in fact it featured the smallest manual-wound movement in the world.
Models like this, at auctions, are usually sold around 15-20.000€, but the Queen’s, of course, is priceless.
William, Duke of Cambridge
Prince William, second in line to the UK throne, has always been wearing a single watch.
Despite being a common and easily available timepiece, it’s said to be a gift from his mother, the late Princess Diana, which is why it has a particular emotional value.
It’s a mid-size Omega Seamaster quartz with blue dial, steel mesh bracelet and sapphire glass. Despite his sporting nature, William took it during the formal wedding celebration and is always on his wrist.
The market price for this timepiece is around 1.500€.
Henry, Duke of Sussex
Prince Henry, William’s brother, wears two different watches.
The first is a well-known Rolex Explorer II ref.216570 in steel with white dial, heir to the “freccione“, ref.1655.
The second is a quartz Breitling Aerospace, a professional watch with chronograph, countdown, second time zone and various other functions that make it suitable for use in the skies.
Henry has a war helicopters pilot licence and holds the rank of major in the Household Cavalry regiment, which is probably why he opted for highly technical watches that are resistant to any use.
Kate Middleton
Prince William’s wife doesn’t often wear a watch. The only one she’s been seen with is a 33mm Cartier Ballon Bleu in steel, with silver dial and a list price of just over 5.000€.
A touch of style is given by the blue cabochon-cut spinel, which stands out paired (deliberately?) with the 12-carat sapphire of the famous engagement ring.
Theresa May
Theresa May, former leader of the Conservative Party and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, wears an Omega Constellation priced around 5.000€.
She was recently pictured with her husband during a non-institutional visit where they both wore two similar Swatches, in price (80€) and colors.
She wore a purple plastic Swatch Chrono with quartz movement, her husband a Swatch quartz chronograph, more colorful, produced for the Rio Olympics.
Boris Johnson
Current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, successor to Theresa May, Boris Johnson regularly wears a Patek Philippe Calatrava 3520.
It is a perfect ultra-thin dress watch with manual movement, 18kt gold case and white lacquered dial with Roman numerals whose price is around 9.000€.
Let’s wait together now for some news on the fate of Europe, with a watchful eye on the wrists of our leaders!
Translated by Lorenzo Spolaor (@lorenzospolaor)
