Iconic Watches That Witnessed Historic Moments in History

Watches make a big impression, arguably more than any other accessory. A good timepiece can tell a lot about a person; their lifestyle, their personality, and many other characteristics. This certainly rings true for the original influencers, people like Elvis Presley, Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, and Paul Newman. Each of these celebrities had a watch connected with the most iconic moments in their lives, making both the watch and the person wearing it highly desirable. Take a look below for some inspiration on what watch you would want to accompany the special moments in your life.

Jackie Kennedy and her 18K Gold Cartier Tank

Elegant, unpretentious, and sophisticated; this goes for both the woman and the watch. As eventful as her life was, Jackie’s Cartier Tank lasted the test of time. From her duty as First Lady of the United States to her time spent in Greece after marrying Aristotle Onassis. Throughout the decades, Jackie was repeatedly photographed wearing her simple yellow gold watch with its white dial and large roman numerals—a gift from her brother in 1962. If you love this watch as much as Jackie Kennedy did, Cartier currently offers an almost identical model. 

Paul Newman and his Rolex Daytona

It’s safe to say that of all Rolex’s prestigiously iconic watches; the Daytona is at the top of the list. This fashionable piece was put in the spotlight by Paul Newman. He was rumoured to have worn his Daytona every single day from 1972 until his death in 2008. In 2017, Paul Newman’s watch was sold for $17.75 million, making it the second most expensive wristwatch ever sold. The watch was gifted to Newman by his wife, who inscribed “Drive Carefully Me” into the back—a nod to his professional racing career which he loved so much. Throughout his life, Newman relied heavily on this Daytona, regardless of whether he was strutting down the red carpet or racing a 700-horsepower car. If you want the same reliability, look to Rolex’s Cosmograph Daytona.

Buzz Aldrin and his Omega Speedmaster Professional

The Omega Speedmaster Professional’s reputation as the “Moon Watch” precedes it, of course being known as the first watch to ever land on the moon in 1969. As an iconic moment in history, this watch is tied to that monumental achievement. Much research and development went into making sure the Speedmaster could perform in the harsh environment of space. Omega still produces many variants of the “Moon Watch”, improving functionality and design along the way. You may not be heading to the moon, but you’ll still want to get your hands on this iconic watch.

Dr Martin Luther King and his Rolex Datejust

Considered a hero by Rolex themselves, civil rights campaigner and activist Dr King wore a Rolex Datejust during his years of activism. While working against the injustices of racial segregation and promoting his message of peace, tolerance, and equality, Dr King kept himself stylish with this classic watch—discrete, sleek, and there to do its job. Described as a watch made for leaders, the classic yellow-gold Datejust seems to have been a perfect fit for this iconic character, and many more great and influential people over its lifetime.

Princess Diana and her Vacheron Constantin

Princess Diana’s flashy diamond bracelet timepiece was a wedding gift from Queen Elizabeth II, who herself received the bespoke piece as a wedding gift from the Swiss Federal Republic 1947. To this day, Vacheron Constantin continues to take inspiration from this iconic watch in new models like the elegant Heures Créatives Romantique. Princess Diana was spotted wearing this eye-catching piece at her most elegant appearances, making it an occasion timepiece fit for a princess.

Elvis Presley and his Omegas

Before becoming the King of rock ‘n’ roll, Elvis Presley served in the army. During this time, he sported a classic Omega timepiece featuring beautiful gold accents and a manual winding chronometer. The singer, songwriter, and actor was a true cultural icon of the 20^th century, and thanks to his success, lived a very lavish lifestyle. As a fan of timepieces, Presley bought new watches frequently and gifted them to those close to him. One time, Elvis was dining at a restaurant when a man approached him and complimented his diamond-encrusted 18K white gold Omega watch. Elvis saw that the man was also wearing a timepiece with diamonds and offered him a trade. This rare piece given by Elvis was sold to Omega SA for $1,812,500 and is showcased in their Museum in Switzerland.

As the saying goes, the right watch for you doesn’t just tell you the time, it speaks of your time too. To speak of your time the way you want, contact your Insignia PA.