Barack Obama

The story

Through both terms Obama wore a Jorg Gray 6500 chronograph — a birthday gift from his Secret Service detail in 2007 that became a quiet presidential trademark. After leaving office he switched to a white-gold Rolex Cellini, one of the most understated watches Rolex makes.

Facts

• The Jorg Gray 6500 bears the Secret Service star on its dial.
• The Jorg Gray 6500 was a 2007 birthday gift from his Secret Service detail, and he wore it through the 2008 campaign and both terms — it is the watch on his wrist in most photographs of his presidency.
• Jorg Gray was a little-known American brand at the time. The 6500 became its best-known product entirely because of who was wearing it.
• The Cellini ref. 50509 is white gold on a leather strap, with no date and no rotating bezel — Rolex's dress line rather than its sports catalogue.