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by Kyle on August 06, 2009
Did Bill Clinton Wear A Panerai to Meet with North Korea’s Kim Jong Il?
As you know the primary interest here at First In Watches is, well, watches And after this, well, I guess expensive and exotic cars. Politics? Mmm, nope – it’s not on the First In Watches interest list, so please pardon (or thank) us for the complete lack of commentary on the obvious gravitas of the topic at hand – we’ll stick with what we know best 
At present it remains uncertain which watch former United States President Bill Clinton wore in his actual meeting with North Korean Dictator Kim Jong Il earlier this week. However, press photos of Bill Clinton celebrating the return of the 2 captured US journalists reveal Clinton wearing a Panerai – ostensibly of the Luminor collection; specific model unknown. Presumably the photo you see below was taken shortly after Clinton’s return from his successful humanitarian mission to North Korea this past Wednesday. First In Watches shares with you here the most defining photo of Clinton and his Panerai, as he is pictured here with Current TV co-founders Al Gore and Joel Hyatt (Current TV is the employer of the 2 captured journalists):
Are they looking at Bill’s Panerai?
Photo: Reuters.
While First In Watches has been unable to timestamp the photo you see above, I think it unlikely that Clinton, amidst all the media attention, would have had the opportunity to change watches upon his arrival in the U.S. – unless of course he was travelling with more than one of his many fine watches.
However, knowing the watch aficionado and well-cultured man that Bill Clinton is, First In Watches is also a bit surprised that a watch as bold as a Panerai would be this Statesman’s choice of watches for such a mission. Perhaps a low profile Patek Philippe or Piaget would have been more appropriate? Then again, maybe it’s all about putting on your best “watch bravado” when you sit down with one of world’s most notorious dictators! Anyway – mission accomplished!
By the way, anyone care to proffer a guess at the particular model Clinton is shown wearing above?
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11 Responses to “Dealing with Dictators – Wear Your Finest Panerai?”
Leave a Reply
Kyle,
I love seeing images like this. Especially with Bill – who I greatly admire. He did a ballsy thing wearing a crappy Timex Triathlon during his time in office. Since then we’ve learned that he is a major watch buff. Basically he is in a political place with nothing really to loose. Widely admired and a bit of a “maverick” if I may say so myself, lol. When it comes to wearing the right watch, Bill probably goes with what he feels. It is hard to argue with an ex-president wearing a sporty Panerai. Makes him seem youthful and important – even if it is a common watch. A formal Patek will make him look aged and irrelevant. A guy with too much money and time on his hands to make much of a political difference. Nice post. Too small to see the model, could be a few things, obviously not a vintage model.
aBlogtoRead.com
Hey Ariel-
Thanks for the comments. I tend to agree with you!
The photo that was printed in Wednesday’s Wall Street Journal was a bit sharper than what I could come up with online (oddly enough!) – and it was very clear that the watch is a Panerai Luminor of some sort!
Thanks for dropping by, appreciate the comments.
Kyle
I am going to vote Luminor GMT. Call it a feeling.
JB
Maybe since Panerai is a swiss company now, that is his way of showing the he is neutral??
LOL!
Looks like PAM 088, 44mm GMT.
Nick Hacko
http://www.clockmaker.com.au
Hi Nick – although I can’t confirm the true identity, I sure can’t disagree with you! good call!
He uses a PAM 88.
It´s a PAM89, titanium 44 mm GMT with charcoal colored dial.
Kyle,
Bill Clinton, “well-cultured”? What do you mean?
Dave
Dave-
Having been a US President, having experienced many different cities, states, countries, continents, I thus say he is “well-cultured”. You?
Kyle