The previous episode of VintageWatchSpotter had the famous Paul Newman as its protagonist. This time we are together to discover JFK’s collection together!
John Fitzgerald Kennedy easily was the most charismatic President of United States of modern history.
From the Cuban cigars he stocked up before declaring the embargo, to sailboat excursions, besides being a politician JFK was a true style icon.
During his whole life, regardless of the environment he was surrounded, the President has always shown a big passion for refined watches, as who was close to him knew.
In his collection, many watches were gifts from loved ones, as proven by case back inscriptions.
The first gift we want to talk about is his famous Omega Ultra-Thin ref. OT3980 in 18 kt yellow gold, presented to him to celebrate his election by his dear friend Grant Stockdale, former Florida State Senator.
On the case back, we can find the inscription “President of United States John F. Kennedy, from his friend Grant”.
This watch was one of Kennedy’s favorites, who wore it regularly.
The gift was so appreciated that in a letter to Stockdale, JFK’s wife Jacqueline tells him how much her husband was in love with “the thinnest and most elegant of all watches”.
It will be later discovered that Stockdale was so confident in Kennedy’s capabilities that bought the watch and had it engraved before the election.
In 2005, Omega buys the watch at an auction for 350.000 dollars, to expose it in its museum in Bienne, Switzerland.
Another President’s famous watch is… the President!
Presented to him by none other than Marilyn Monroe for his 45th birthday, this gold Rolex “President” Day-Date says, on the case back, “Jack with love as always from Marilyn, May 29th 1962”.
“Jack” was the nickname he was called since he was a child.
Legend says that Kennedy instructed his assistant to get rid of the watch, to prevent his wife’s questions on his relationship with Marilyn.
This piece of history was sold at an auction in 2005 for 120.000 dollars, definitely a low price considering the historical value. At least, to us…
Many other watches were gifted to Kennedy over the years.
In 1962, former Governor of Pennsylvania David Lawrence, presented him a Hamilton 505 with a portrait of his kids on the dial.
The last gift he was given, in 1963, was from his friend David Bruce, American ambassador in the UK. As a recognition for the appointment, Bruce gifted John F. Kennedy a 14 kt gold waterproof Nastrix.
The watch will be then gifted by Jacqueline Kennedy to her new husband, Aristoteles Onassis, with the inscription “FALJ” (For Ari, Love Jackie) between the lugs.
As his secretary Evelyn Lincoln will tell, JFK worn this watch regularly during his early-morning swimming.
She will then sign a certificate of authenticity for the watch, that will be sold in 2009 for 120.000 dollars at auction.
The last watch Kennedy worn, the day of his assassination on the 22th of November 1963, was a Cartier Tank his wife got him for their first anniversary, with their wedding date engraved on the back.
After his death, the Cartier Tank was given back to his wife, that will then decide to give it to Kennedy’s former secretary.
What John Fitzgerald Kennedy told us is that watches are more than a case housing a mechanism, more than a time-telling device: they can commemorate victories, important events, recall emotions.
One more time, JFK demonstrated to us to have been the true 60s style icon we remember it as, and we always will.
