President Kennedy's Omega

[Lew Archer]

Yesterday, I stopped by the Omega boutique at the Beverly Center in Los Angeles. I took a long look at the new Omega '57 Speedmaster. Then, while chatting with the staff about Omega, I asked about the watch Omega made a few years ago which replicated the Omega worn by President Kennedy.

I learned that Omega made just 261 of these watches. Moments later, I was looking at 221.

It is a pure dress watch, of the old school. No second hand. No date. Almost weightless on its caiman strap. The movement is Omega's own calibre 2006, manual winding with a power reserve of 40 hours.

The elegant simplicity of the watch spoke to me, and, of course, its history. Given to him by a friend, President Kennedy wore his Omega Ultra Thin often, including during his inauguration. I have long had an affinity for Omega, since childhood when I stood by my father's side as he purchased a Speedmaster Professional, a watch I still wear. I'd never owned a watch such as this, however.

So, despite the hefty price tag, I purchased the JFK watch...one day, I will give it to my daughter. She's only seven, so, in the meantime, I plan on enjoying this fine watch.

Here are a few photos...

[watch watcher]

Do you think he meant by any chance Sen. Edward Kennedy? He alway wore a rectangular watch. Maybe, even, he wore his brother's watch?

[FTX I]

As far as I know, pres. kennedy wore this one and many pics show him with it. to the op, in my opinion this is by far the best LE Omegas has ever released. huge congrats pal. wear it in best of health.

[1William]

Enjoy. Great watch.

[Cesium133]

Please disregard "sad face" emoticon. Not sure how it ended up in the title.

Great, classic watch! Awesome that there are so few out there. A true limited edition. Enjoy it and wear it in good health! Your daughter will love it when you pass it along to her.



Here's a link to some info about the original watch...http://www.omegablogger.com/archives/119

[sea-dweller]

Very classic looking!

[jmsrolls]

It is indeed a beautiful, classic, historical timepiece. Unfortunately, I have mine up on the Sales Corner.

Too many watches for only one wrist.

[jmsrolls]

Originally Posted by watch watcher

Do you think he meant by any chance Sen. Edward Kennedy? He alway wore a rectangular watch. Maybe, even, he wore his brother's watch?

No, In 1960, Grant Stockdale, a friend and political donor, gave John Kennedy an OMEGA Ultra Thin watch that was later seen on Kennedy’s wrist during his inauguration. The watch was worn by Kennedy through most of his presidency and is now in the Omega Museum in Biel, Switzerland.

Jackie even wrote a thank you to Stockdale that accompanied the watch at auction.

[Lew Archer]

Originally Posted by Cesium133

Please disregard "sad face" emoticon. Not sure how it ended up in the title.

Great, classic watch! Awesome that there are so few out there. A true limited edition. Enjoy it and wear it in good health! Your daughter will love it when you pass it along to her.



Here's a link to some info about the original watch...http://www.omegablogger.com/archives/119

Thank you!

[SUBversive]

Great watch and post. Wonderful to read your plans to give it to your daughter as well.

[Hairdude1]

Congrats on that beauty

[Baronrojo]

A nice background to the watch...what a wonderful addition. I like the limited run it had...Omega's limited series stretch into the thousands...this one they kept more exclusive.

[jatco]

A true classic.. Wear it in good health

[FeelingTheBlues]

I love that watch, it sure looks classy. Congratulations!

[The Joker]

I love this watch also, never knew it existed till now. This is what watches are all about for me, classic styling. You can keep your cerachrom bezels and glidelocks.