As soon as I learned about the news that several new Trump watches were hitting the market – with a high-end gold and diamond tourbillon version selling for $100,000 – I wondered if this was fake news. It’s not. In an announcement, and via a video of Trump on this Truth Social platform, the world learned of this newest licensing venture.
A company called BestWatchesOnEarthLLC had licensed the Trump name to make the limited-edition Swiss-made Trump Tourbillon Victory timepieces, as well as several “Fight Fight Fight” watches that sell for $499 to $799 depending on the model (there are three).
On our business pages, we outline details about the $100,000 Trump Victory watch, such as weight of the 18-karat gold used in the watch (approximately 200 grams) and the current price of gold ($85.75 per gram), as well as information about the diamonds that adorn the case (122 VS1 quality), but it’s what’s inside the watch – the tourbillon escapement – that drives the price up.
Tourbillon watches typically have a very complex mechanism inside them that compensates for the effects of gravity when the watch is in different positions on the wrist. Because of the difficulty in making this escapement and fitting it into a watch, tourbillon timepieces usually sell for upwards of $100,000. Usually, though, is the key word. There are some companies that have developed a more “affordable” tourbillon watch that can sell for under $25,000 (depending on the brand).
We could not find details on the website designated for acquiring the Trump Victory watch as to the movement being used. It is referred to only as the TX 07 tourbillon with 105 hours of power reserve. We have to guess that it is one of those more affordable movements – maybe one that could potentially be fitted into a watch like the Delma 1924 Tourbillon that sells for about $14,000. In fact, it is most likely the hand-wound movement by BCP Tourbillon, co-founded by Olivier Mory watchmaker dedicated to making luxury complications affordable.
The tourbillon escapement, plus the approximate $17,000 for the value of the gold, and a few thousand dollars for the tiny diamonds that line the case and the lugs (there were no numbers as to the carat weight of the diamonds), translates to maybe $40,000 retail – leaving a hefty profit to the watch seller.
Interestingly enough, the website that sells Trump Victory watch states that the watches are not designed, manufactured or distributed by Donal J. Trump or the Trump Organization. TheBestWatchesonEarth, LLC has just licensed the Trump name, and the site says the watches are “not political and have nothing to do with any political campaigns.” It also goes on to say that the proceeds for sales of the watches do not go to the campaign and adds that images on the site “may not be an exact representation of the product.” Additionally, everything is sold via pre-order and there are no refunds.
The Trump Victory Watches shown online are either 18-karat yellow gold (with black or gold dials) or 18-karat pink gold (with pink gold dial). They feature what looks to be luminous markers and hands and boast an aperture at 6:00 for viewing the constantly rotating tourbillon escapement. According to the website, each watch is signed and numbered on the case back and just 147 of the Victory Tourbillon will be made. There is also a space on the caseback for an engraving (maybe even a Trump saying).
There is also another model of Trump watch being released. Called the “Fight Fight Fight” watch, this timepiece is water resistant to 200 meters and meant to be more of a sports watch. Retailing for $499, one version is crafted in stainless steel with a red dial, another model is in two-tone gold-plated stainless steel and steel with black dial, and the third version is totally gold-plated (0.7 microns of 18-karat gold) with black dial. That one is created in a limited edition of just 1,000 pieces and sells for $799. The Fight Fight Fight watches boast Trump’s signature on the dial. These watches do not say “Swiss made” on the dial or case back because the movement inside is the Japanese-made TMI NH36 caliber by Seiko boasting day and date.
A master businessman, Trump has licensed his name for decades and even, back in the early 2000’s, had a line of Donald J. Trump watches that sold for less than $1000 at Macy’s. At that time, there were licensed fragrances, and more. Lately, though, the licensing agreements include high-end sneakers, coins and even a Bible.
This article was originally published on forbes.com and all figures are in USD.
