Why the World's Politicians Love Patek Philippe

Small wonder that they try to construct an image that is proof against attack, carefully composed of elements chosen to suggest they really can be trusted: the car they drive; the holiday they take; and, yes, even the watch they wear.

In fact, there may be no group on earth that thinks more carefully about watches than politicians. This is new. When JFK wore his Omega, it was almost a celebrity endorsement. These days, politicians choose their watches for the qualities they confer.

Among Europe’s movers and shakers, for instance, Patek Philippe, that ultimate amalgam of the conservative and the classy, has an ardent following, even on the political left. French premier Sarkozy has one, a wedding present from Carla, who apparently was less than impressed by his Rolex.

Peter Mandelson has one too and this should be no surprise, for all the Daily Mail’s envious bleatings at its £21,500 price tag; this was the man, after all, who shocked the faithful by confessing that New Labour was “intensely relaxed about people getting filthy rich.”

Vladimir Putin is another fan, though he rarely takes his Patek Philippe PerpetualMotion on trips. This is lucky given his propensity for giving away expensive watches - 6,000 euro Blancpains to be precise -  to shepherds and factory workers like a latter-day tsar.

All too predictably, Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi, who has never found excess to be a problem with the voters, also sports the priciest watch at the post-summit dinner. There is nothing quite like staying on schedule via a $540,000 Constantin Vacheron.
 
For some pols, of course, it doesn’t pay to stray too far from the voters. Bill Clinton wore his Timex Triathlon with pride and Tony Blair was sometimes seen swanning with a Swatch.

Of course, the two great spinners of modern times each had a back-up. Bill is said to be an ardent collector of luxury watches. Tony was also spotted with a Rolex Submariner.

Only George Bush Jr seemed a natural with his Timex Indiglo; it fit his image as an uncomplicated man, just as Barack Obama’s choices reflect his rep as a youthful and down-to-earth problem solver. Obama spent 15 years with a Tag Heuer on his way to the White House, but has been spotted since with a customised Jorg Gray JGC6500 given him by his Secret Service detail.

It is the choice of a brilliantly instinctive politician, suggesting both respect for his bodyguard’s willingness to put their lives on the line and common ground with the working stiff.