Tyrants and their Watches

Soviet General Secretary Brezhnev and his counterpart Erich Honecker shared not just political ideals but also a love for the same wristwatch model, the Datejust. Even the formidable Mao Zedong boasted not one but two of these timepieces. It’s a curious twist where communist leaders embraced the allure of capitalist luxury, particularly favoring the gold version.

Adding to the intrigue, watchmaker Alfred Helwig personally presented a timepiece to Adolf Hitler, immortalizing it as the “Hitler Tourbillon.” These stories reveal a fascinating intersection of power, ideology, and the timeless appeal of luxury watches. Just take a look at the choices of North Korea’s rulers, from Omega gold to Movado simplicity.