In the realm of world leaders, their leadership styles, decisions, and actions are often under the spotlight. Yet, a lesser-known aspect reflects their taste and status: their choice of timepieces. Today, we unveil the exquisite world of horology among ten prominent leaders in Asia and Africa, showcasing the luxurious watches gracing their wrists.
From the prestigious Patek Philippe to the opulent Richard Mille, each timepiece embodies the essence of luxury and sophistication, befitting the influential world leaders it adorns. Discover the fascinating world of these world leaders' watches, where time is a valuable asset and a testament to their refined taste and power.
Join us on this captivating journey as we delve into the timepieces that grace the wrists of some of the most influential figures across Asia and Africa.
Hun Sen - Prime Minister of Cambodia
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World leaders' timepieces are a window into their taste and status. Cambodia's Prime Minister, Hun Sen, is no stranger to luxury watches, seen sporting the prestigious Patek Philippe 6002 Sky Moon Tourbillon. This white gold masterpiece boasts 12 complications and exquisite hand-engraved volutes, with a price tag that could reach a jaw-dropping $3 million at auction.
Not stopping there, Hun Sen's collection also includes several extravagant Richard Mille watches. Among them is the limited edition Richard Mille 57-03 Tourbillon Sapphire Dragon, one of only 55 pieces available in Asia, making it a rare and valuable find.
As the longest-serving head of the Cambodian government and one of the world's longest-serving leaders, it's no surprise that Hun Sen's watch collection is nothing short of remarkable. Seen wearing the seven-piece limited rose gold Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, valued at approximately $2.7 million, and a dazzling ~$270,000 Richard Mille 037 with brilliant-cut diamonds on his wife's wrist, it's clear that world leaders have a penchant for the finest timepieces.
Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani – Emir of Qatar
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World leaders have always been associated with exquisite timepieces that reflect their status and taste. One such example is Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the current ruler of Qatar and a member of the Arabian Royal Family.
During a meeting with President Erdogan of Turkey, Sheikh Tamim was spotted wearing a discontinued 41mm white gold Rolex Day-Date II with a fluted bezel, a silver dial adorned with eight baguette-cut diamonds, and two baguette-cut sapphires at 6 and 9 o'clock.
The watch exudes luxury and sophistication, befitting a leader of his stature. It's a testament to the world of horology that even influential world leaders appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of fine timepieces.
Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa – King of Bahrain
King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa, the illustrious monarch of the Kingdom of Bahrain, is one of them. He wears a remarkable Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time, which he collects fine watches. It has a sense of sophistication, befitting a world leader with its rose gold case, sunburst dial, and second-time zone feature. This watch, which costs about $54,000, reveals much about King Hamad's taste.
That's not all, though. The prestigious Patek Philippe World Timer Manama, a limited edition work of art created for the company's 50th anniversary in Bahrain, is another prized possession of King Hamad. This watch represents national pride with its 18k rose gold case and hand-guilloched red center dial that depicts the Bahraini flag. Manama, in place of Moscow, is the capital city of the 24-hour city ring. This pricey timepiece, which sells for $99,000, reflects King Hamad's appreciation for fine craftsmanship and attention to detail.
King Hamad has the means to purchase watches worth millions, so his preference for these classy and elegant Patek Philippe timepieces says a lot about his sophisticated taste.
Xi Jinping – President of China
Amidst the high-stakes negotiations and diplomatic discussions at Japan's 2019 G20 Osaka Summit, all eyes turned to Xi Jinping, the esteemed leader of the People's Republic of China since 2013. While his leadership skills and decisions took center stage, one couldn't help but notice the timeless elegance gracing his wrist. Xi Jinping donned a rare and captivating timepiece, the Omega Constellation 1995.
This luxurious 34mm watch, crafted in stainless steel, boasts a sophisticated blue-grey dial that exudes timeless charm. The Omega Constellation 1995, which runs on a precise quartz movement, perfectly complements Xi Jinping's air of grace and authority. A subtle reminder that even in the most critical moments of global affairs, world leaders pay attention to the details that define their status and influence.
Kim Jong Un - Supreme Leader of North Korea
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Kim Jong-un, the enigmatic Supreme Leader of North Korea, is one of them. His interesting choice of watches draws people in. One of these watches is the beautiful Movado Museum Black PVD, made by the American company Movado.
At first glance, it might look like a watch for a woman, but it's actually "The Museum," a timeless masterpiece made in 1947. It has a sophisticated black dial, a gold case, and a single dot at 12 o'clock. Even though this watch looks very expensive, it only costs $400, which is a big surprise.
As May 2022 began, North Korea was dealing with its first official Covid infections, which led to a strict lockdown of the whole country. Kim Jong-un wore a face mask on TV during one of his rare public appearances.
This made headlines all over the world. But, the 40mm IWC Portofino watch got people interested in regards. This watch, which costs $11,600 and has an 18k rose gold case, bezel, markers, and silver dial, shows that he likes high-end elegance.
Hassanal Bolkiah - Sultan of Brunei Darussalam
Hassanal Bolkiah is a world leader who likes to wear luxury watches. Several Richard Mille watches stand out among the many high-quality watches he makes. One of them, the Richard Mille 56-01 Tourbillon Sapphire, stands out because it is a limited edition. There are only five of them, and they cost a shocking $2 million each.
The Sultan also owns the one-of-a-kind Richard Mille Tourbillon Sapphire 56-02, made just for him and can't be bought by anyone else. It is the height of luxury, with a price tag of $2.2 Million.
During his daughter's wedding, the Sultan wore a beautiful blue dial on a white gold Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar. This watch is worth about $286,000 on the black market, showing how extravagant and good-looking the Sultan was.
Mswati III - King of Eswatini
King Mswati III of Eswatini was known for his taste in expensive watches. With 15 wives, it's clear that the king likes Jacob & Co. watches. The Brilliant Skeleton Tourbillon Ruby is one of the pieces in his collection.
This beautiful watch was made just for women. It has a skeletonized dial, flying tourbillon leaf hands, and a baguette-cut white diamond-set 18k rose gold case. It is so luxurious and well-made that it is worth a staggering $550,000.
At 18, King Mswati III is the youngest monarch in the world. Not only is he famous for being a king, but also for the watches he wears. He was seen wearing a Rolex GMT-Master II SARU in 18k yellow gold. This rare watch shows how much he loves the art of making watches. This fantastic watch is a collector's dream because it has a diamond-set dial, a bezel with diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and diamond-set lugs.
Ali Bongo Odimba - President of Gabon
Ali Bongo Ondimba, the President of Gabon, is one of them. He has an undeniable love for excellent timepieces. The Rolex Daytona Platinum Ice Blue, which he chose as his watch, is a real gem among Daytonas. Many people were drawn to this beautiful watch during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final football game between Egypt and Cameroon in Libreville.
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The Rolex Daytona Platinum Ice Blue has a beautiful platinum case and a mesmerizing ice blue dial that makes it look exquisite. Its classic style and attractive features make it a favorite among watch fans worldwide. In July 2022, the market price for this unique watch was a whopping $160,000, reflecting its high-end look and the fact that it is a collector's dream.
Ali Bongo Ondimba's choice of watches shows that he likes to keep track of time in a sophisticated way. This strengthens his reputation as a leader with great taste in luxury watches.
Felix Tshisekedi - President of Congo
The President of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, shows off his incredible taste with classic Rolex watches. During his trip to meet French President Macron, he showed off an elegant yellow-gold Rolex Day-Date President with a champagne dial, fluted bezel, and ten baguette hour markers worth about $65,000.
The rose gold Sky-Dweller 326935 is another excellent choice. It has a slate dial and an oyster bracelet. This unique watch has a second-time zone display and a disc that isn't in the middle. This makes it easy to tell the difference between daytime and nighttime in different time zones.
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In July 2022, this fantastic watch was worth $70,000. As a world leader, Felix Tshisekedi's watch choices show style and sophistication, leaving a lasting impression on the world stage.
Uhuru Kenyatta - President of Kenya
Uhuru Kenyatta is a famous world leader who likes luxurious watches. On one of his business trips, he was seen wearing the beautiful A Lange and Sohne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon. This watch is one of only 100 made, and it has three excellent complications that make it elegant and valuable. It will be worth about $300,000 on the market in July 2022.
Mr. Kenyatta also loves the timeless beauty of the Rolex Submariner Hulk, which aligns with his love of classic watches. This beautiful watch, bought on the "gray market" for about $29,000, shows how much he loves quality craftsmanship and great style.
Patek Philippe is one of the most well-known brands in the world, and he has a watch from them to finish off his collection. The Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167A shows style and strength with its sleek black dial and sporty black tropical strap. This watch is going for about $80,000 on the black market right now.
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Conclusion
As we conclude this captivating journey into the horological choices of world leaders in Asia and Africa, we are left in awe of the exquisite timepieces that grace their wrists. The realm of world leaders' watches is a testament to the seamless fusion of luxury, craftsmanship, and status.
Each watch these leaders choose reflects not only their impeccable taste but also the gravity of their obligations and the consequences of their decisions, from the timelessness of Patek Philippe to the ground-breaking invention of Richard Mille and the iconic status of Rolex.
These timepieces go beyond mere accessories; they become symbols of power, authority, and influence worn by those who shape the destinies of nations. The stories behind each watch add another layer of intrigue to the world of world leaders' timepieces, highlighting the meticulous attention to detail and the significance of each horological masterpiece.
