John McCain’s Rolex Air King vs. Barack Obama’s Tag Heuer: Who will Win Today?
Posted by John Lavitt and filed under Rolex Pop Culture |
John McCain wears a Rolex Air King while Barack Obama wears a Tag Heuer Carrera. Does John McCain wear his Rolex Oyster Perpetual just to seem like he is the President for the masses? 
Is a Tag Heuer really the proper watch for Presidential hopeful Barack Obama, the man of the people, the law professor and community organizer?
Pictures suggest that Barack Obama has been wearing his TAG-Heuer Carrera Series 1500 Two Tone Divers watch since about 1995 until 2007 when he was gifted a chronograph watch from the Secret Service. At the same time it seems John McCain wore his Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air King, part of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust line, since about 1985. So why would these two presidential hopefuls, who could probably afford any watch made by man, choose these two particular Rolex and Tag Heuer watches? What exactly do the Rolex Air King and Tag Heuer 1500 stand for and represent today in American society?
The Rolex Air King wristwatch was first launched at the watch fair at Basel Switzerland in 1957. John McCain’s Rolex Air King features the marking “Precision” on it showing it has a screw-down crown and perfectly-sealed case back ensuring waterproofness. It is hence accurate and trustworthy.  It is also labeled an “Oyster Perpetual” wristwatch as seen on its dial. Hence it has a self-winding movement and can be labeled as a somewhat generic luxury watch. Overall, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual line including John McCain’s Rolex Air King is the best selling line of Rolex watch and of all luxury watches ever produced by man. John McCain’s Rolex Air King can hence be considered a symbol of tradition, heritage, and conservatism.
What’s interesting to analyze is that, while some may feel John McCain’s Rolex Air King was one of the cheaper watches available on the market, at the time he most likely purchased it, circa the mid-80’s, the United States was recovering from an oil crisis and a war with Iran. Whereas the Rolex Air King sells for about $4200 new or about $2300 used from discount luxury watch sites such as Melrose Jewelers, http://www.melrosejewelers.com/category/mens_rolex_airking.htm, today in 2008, it sold for about half that price in 1985 which, adjusted for inflation was actually more like $12,000 today. Hence the question could be asked, “Would you vote for a man wearing a $12,000 Rolex watch?”
With Barack Obama, on the other hand, his Tag Heuer Carrera series 1500 retails for about $1900 and in the mid-90’s when he likely purchased it cost about 2/3rds of that price. Inflation and economy-adjusted, the watch cost about $1200 in 2008 dollars. Hence the reality is that Barack Obama’s watch may have cost 1/10th of that of John McCain’s.  Now do you still think John McCain is wearing his Rolex Air King because he is the President of the masses? Today America will make that decision, who will we, as hard-working Americans, support? Has Barack Obama somehow made frugality sexy? People are more apt to buy a hybrid Honda Civic then a Mercedes-Benz. They are also more likely to share their cheap habits openly with their friends and family. In 2008 the Rolex Air King and Tag Heuer Carrera are now equally priced and one thing is for sure, both these watches were carefully chosen as symbols of American freedom, tradition, and justice and Americans and citizens worldwide will be purchasing many of both for years to come.
November 5th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Hi. I just wanted to clarify something about President Elect Obama’s watch. The Secret Service did not purchase it for him, a couple of people who worked with him bought it in my store. In addition, it is extremely well priced and no where near what his last watch cost. He hasn’t taken it off since he received it for his birthday. Thanks, I know it is a little thing but you may as well be correct. Also, you have a very nice website. –Juli
November 7th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Unbeknownst to me about John McCain having an Air King Rolex, this past month I was at Caesars forum shops, Las Vegas, NV and really liked the pink dial Air King Rolex. So, I bought it…. am really happy with the performance and looks. Good choice John McCain… hopefully i’ll have many great years of use in mine!!
Rob Sarahman
December 1st, 2008 at 12:50 pm
The first reply is incorrect. The watch Obama wears these days was given to him by his secret service detail. two guys who he became very close with during the campaign.
December 8th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
If John McCain chooses to wear a $1,000,000 watch what is wrong with that?!? Since when is it a crime to be successful, or have nice things? Look at the character an American Hero like John McCain has got everything he has by earning money serving his country, vs Obama being a lawyer, handing out with radicals, terrorist, and slum lords (nice house by the way) and lying to the American people, while the media praises him. I understand this argument is over and the people have spoken but it is a sad day when people try to question a man for wearing an expensive watch to a man that hangs out with terrorist.
Regards,
Jarrod
December 17th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
This is in response to Jarrod’s comment on December 8th, 2008 at 6:02pm. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with McCain or anybody wearing a Rolex. If you can afford it, wear it if you like. I used to own one, and I loved it. I’m more of a Tag Heuer man myself. I just take issue with your attack on Obama. We need to come together as Americans and stop this kind of dividing language. You only let the terrorists and our enemies win by being devisive jlike that. You said Obama has a “nice house by the way.” That’s one house. McCain, I believe, was asked by a reporter how many houses he owned with his wife, and he couldn’t even remember how many houses he and his wife have. Isn’t that true? I believe he said something about having to have his staff get back to the reporter on that one. Remember? Regarding Obama hanging out with terrorists and radicals, what about McCain’s affiliation with G. Gordon Liddy and the Keating Five investigations. McCain was one of the “Keating Five,” wasn’t he? I think he was cleared, but then again, I think Bill Ayers wasn’t convicted either because, I believe, some issue with warrants. Regarding Obama lying, I don’t doubt it, but McCain and Palin were blasted by the press almost daily because they did a lot more lying than Obama did, assuming that Obama lied at all. I mean really, didn’t McCain put an ad out saying that Obama endorsed teaching sexual education to children. That was a very deceptvie ad. Obama endorsed teaching children what appropriate versus inappropriate adult contact contact with them is. Obama endorsed protecting children from child predators, and McCain put an ad out making it look like Obama endorsed teaching children sex in school. McCain also deceptively called Obama a socialist, and that’s also a false statement. It’s a sad day? Yes, it’s a sad day when people who have no valid arguments at all have to resort to making false statements and using deception to try and win people’s hearts and minds about our future president, Mr. Obama. Back to the watches, I currently wear a Tag Heuer, so I’m biased toward them, but I do so love a Rolex too.
December 20th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Number “5 Jarrod” sounds very bitter, its over! & yes it looks a little sad wearing $5000.00 watch & you claim to help the middle class not to mention your “7 homes”, no its not a crime but dont pretend you can relate to me when you cant. John McCain sold America out, its the only reason hes here today, “SNITCH” but hes out hero, our heros dont get captured & come back alive bro.
December 21st, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Who would care, except for McCain that this watch has great meaning for any military man. This watch was made for the fly boys in England that kept Hitler from invading and bombing England. I’m proud to own one. Look up the story.
Philip LV
January 7th, 2009 at 12:29 am
I voted against McCain precisely because he wears a Rolex watch, and judging by results, many Americans feel the same way towards politicians who wear the Rolex brand. Rolex cost McCain the election, plain and simple.
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:21 am
Is a Rolex watch related to the honesty of a politician? If he owns one he’s a crook?