Notably, Trump owns yellow gold Victory unit No. 1, adding a personal touch to the collection. The Fighter watches feature Trump’s signature in gold on the dial, while the Victory models display it on a removable gold disc on the back, which allows the sapphire caseback to showcase the intricate inner workings of the watch movement.
Although the watches are branded as Trump’s “official” collection, a disclaimer on the website reveals that neither Trump nor his company is directly involved in their design, manufacture, distribution, or sale. Instead, TheBestWatchesOnEarth LLC licensed the Trump name for the venture. This type of licensing deal is not new to Trump, as he has capitalized on such agreements to generate revenue from various merchandise.
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Luxury Claims and Pricing Concerns
The marketing for the Victory watches defends the high price point by emphasizing their limited-edition nature and Trump’s fan appeal. As stated on the website, “Each timepiece will be numbered and feature a personalized message, courtesy of President Trump.” The collection also claims to accept Bitcoin as a form of payment, tapping into modern currency trends.
However, the price of $100,000 has raised eyebrows. The collection’s design argues for the high price partly due to its construction, as the case and bracelet are made almost entirely of 18K gold (rose or yellow) and adorned with 122 small diamonds on the bezel and lugs. While blingy all-gold watches are currently in style, established luxury brands offer competitive options. For example, a solid gold Rolex Day Date with diamonds retails for about $60,000, demonstrating that the Trump collection’s pricing may not align with market standards.
Understanding the Tourbillon Complication
Another justification for the steep price is the inclusion of a tourbillon complication. This sophisticated mechanism, invented in 1801 by Abraham-Louis Breguet, rotates a key part of the watch’s engine to mitigate the effects of gravity on timekeeping. While tourbillon watches are generally pricey due to their complexity, a reputable Swiss brand like Frederique Constant offers them for around $15,000, further questioning the Trump watch pricing.
The Trump watches, marketed by BestWatchesOnEarth LLC, appear to utilize Swiss movements and cases purchased off the shelf—a common practice in the watch industry. However, such sourcing typically does not command six-figure price tags. The GetTrumpWatches.com website cautions that “images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the product,” leaving potential buyers uncertain about the final quality and aesthetics of the watches.
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Comparative Luxury Options
For those considering the price point of a Trump Victory watch, here are some alternatives within the luxury watch market that could be acquired for less:
- Rolex Platinum Cosmograph Daytona — $77,800: A solid platinum watch from one of Rolex’s most sought-after lines, featuring an ice blue dial.
- Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph — $79,500: A rose gold model with a trendy green dial, part of a new line released in 2023.
- Patek Philippe Rose Gold Nautilus — $85,900: This iconic watch is highly coveted and offers owners a prestigious status.
- Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph — $78,200: Another gold-on-gold option, this watch is sure to draw attention.
Marketing and Controversies
As part of a broader merchandise strategy, Trump is currently selling these luxury watches amid a highly competitive election campaign. These bejeweled accessories are positioned as part of the “official Trump watch collection,” yet the website insists that it has “nothing to do with any political campaign.” The timepieces are marketed as “official watches offered by President Trump” but are produced under a license agreement. The FAQ section clarifies, “Trump Watches are not designed, manufactured, distributed or sold by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organization or any of their respective affiliates or principals.”
Trump’s Growing Merchandising Portfolio
Trump’s venture into watches is just the latest addition to a diverse portfolio of branded products aimed at monetizing his name and likeness. Since entering the presidential race nearly two years ago, he has reportedly made millions through such deals. In 2023, Trump earned $7.2 million through a licensing agreement with NFT INT, LLC, which sold digital non-fungible tokens (NFTs) featuring Trump in various poses, from superhero costumes to boxing gear.
In addition to digital collectibles, Trump has ventured into physical merchandise. He released a line of golden sneakers, authored two books published by a company co-founded by his son Donald Trump Jr., and even introduced Trump-themed Bibles.
This week, Trump expanded his merchandise offerings with the launch of “Trump Coins,” a 1oz .999% silver medallion featuring his face on one side and his signature on the White House on the reverse. Similar to the watches, the Trump Coins are sold through a licensing deal. Trump promoted the coins in a video filmed at his Mar-a-Lago estate, using the same location and style seen in videos released by his campaign.
Trump’s strategy to sell branded merchandise highlights his ability to capitalize on his public persona, using his political prominence to market everything from NFTs to high-end timepieces. The Trump Watch Collection offers yet another avenue for his supporters to purchase memorabilia, but whether the watches hold their value or are worth their price remains a matter of debate.
