The Holy See is the least likely of all watch collectors, yet over the centuries the Pope has developed a unique relationship with time.
When a person enters the inner sanctum of the sanctuary, time seems to suddenly stand still. A peaceful tranquility infuses space and expands time. Compared to other places, there is clearly no sense of urgency here, only people who lack patience.
The Vatican's clergy are known for their lack of urgency, and they are masters of art who move unhurriedly. As the leader of the clergy, the Pope enjoyed the privilege of acting as a bridge between the spiritual and secular spheres. The Supreme Shepherd of believers, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, is also the head of state.
Pope Pius VI
Ronald Reagan and Rolex Datejust of Pope John Paul II
When walking into the office of Pope John Paul II for the first time, I couldn't help but notice that the Atmos clock was elegantly placed on the sideboard against the wall. It was cleverly placed across the table, and the Bishop could easily see it, but the visitors stood with their backs to it. The perpetual motion clock, designed by Jaeger-LeCoultre, is packed in a glass and steel casing and ticks along, carefully blending into the background for everyone but the keenest observer.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos clock
Pope Paul VI was officially awarded the Grand Bell by the Swiss Confederation. If the Pope glanced at his wrist at a private meeting, that would not work. Later, Pope John Paul II was found to have a Rolex two-tone gold steel dateis embedded in his wrist, a classic Jubilee watch.
Pope John Paul II with his Rolex DateJust
Pope John Paul II, the first non-Italian pope since the 16th century, was known for his humility and moderation, showing no appearance of other riches or showing off. Many members of the Holy See remember how Polish Cardinal Carol Józef Wojtyła arrived at the secret meeting to elect him pope in tattered shoes, for he had given a brand-new pair of shoes to a man in need of help when he arrived at the Rome station.
Pope John Paul II and Fidel Castro
One of the two Rolex models he owns, said to have been a gift from a Swiss manufacturer. The union of gold and steel can be interpreted as a combination of spiritual and mundane. Or, between secular realities and the power of the church system and the durability of spiritual wealth.
Pope Pius I - Le Bienheureux
No one will know if this was a topic of conversation during his meetings with Presidents Ronald Reagan or Fidel Castro, both of whom were considered rolex admirers. But John Paul II was by no means the first watchmaker.
Pope Pius XII is considered an avid lover of Vacheron Constantin watches. Before him, Pope Pius IX wore a pocket watch designed and produced by Patek Philippe.
Patek Philippe pocket watch of Pope Pius IX
This silver Patek Philippe pocket watch with a white enamel dial recently resurfaced at an auction at Christie's in Geneva in 2019. Naturally, it has an index of Roman numerals. It has a diameter of 47 mm and is driven by calibre 18, a manual, keyless winding device. The numbers on both the movement and the case are 52,234, so the exact source of this piece can be determined in the records of the workshop.
Pope Benedict XVI and his Erhard Junghans Tempus Automatic
The painting was made in 1876 and sold on 14 May 1877 as a gift from the Swiss branch of the Catholic Church to Pope Pius IX. ， HELVETI CATHOLICI DD, MDCCCLXXVII。 ”
It also bears the coat of arms of the 255th Pope. Giovanni Maria Masta Ferretti was elected Pope Pius IX on 16 June 1846, a tenure he held for 31 years. Pope Pius IX, the longest-reigning pope in papal history, also owns a Patek Philippe quarter repeater watch with two tones. The gold-colored box is engraved with the words "Pater, Rex, Dirigas Intelligentias et Corda", which means "Our Father, the Sovereign, you show the way for the spirit and the heart." It was presented to the Pope on June 29, 1867.
Pope Benedict XVI was awarded pope Benedict XVI and his Erhard Junghans
For a long time, Patek Philippe was one of the Vatican's official suppliers. During the reign of Pope Paul VI, the Twelve Watches (cf. 3588) were made exclusively for the dignitaries of the Holy See and featured a cardinal's red dial. Several watches from Pope Pius IX and Leo XIII are also on display in the brand's museum exhibitions.
Pope Francis and his Casio MQ-24-7BLL
Pope Benedict XVI, the successor to Pope John Paul II and now the "Pope Emeritus," does not wear Patek Philippe, though many commentators have erroneously reported that he wears a Calatrava watch on his wrist. In fact, he was wearing the Erhard Junghans Tempus automatic watch, a high-end luxury watch from the German brand Junghans.
Pope Francis wears his Casio MQ-24-7BLL
Although popes are asked to live a holy life, they are also men, and the way they choose the table conveys an important message. Pope John Paul II, a perceptive statesman, chose the Watch for Presidents, and his successor chose this perfect watch, a testament to the watchmaking techniques of his homeland after reunification. The current owner of St. Peter's Church shows that he also has a good eye for symbolic details. Pope Francis was a Jesuit in Argentina and his guiding principle was simplicity. As a result, he trusted casio MQ-24-7BLL, a quartz-powered phone that sells online for just under $15.