Experts weigh in on Donald Trump’s $100,000 watch – are they worth the exorbitant price?
Donald Trump is having a big year: Not only is he running for re-election in the 2024 presidential race, but he’s also promoting… watches?
Last week, Trump announced the launch of his limited edition watch collection – with one piece called the “Fight Fight Fight,” starting at $499, and one called the “Victory Tourbillon,” which carries an eye-watering price tag of $100,000.
For reference: a Rolex day-date with 18-karat yellow gold and diamonds sells for $56,300, while a Royal Oak Jumbo Extra Thin watch in 18-karat gold from Audemars Piguet will run you $80,700 – less than what Trump is selling his “Victory Tourbillon” for.
Of course, this isn’t the first time the controversial businessman and former president has tried to offer products to the public.
In recent years, he has sold special Trump sneakers, commemorative coins and even digital trading cards.
Trump’s latest retail venture is a line of watches called Trump Watches, with one model, the ‘Victory Tourbillon’, retailing for $100,000
The ‘Fight Fight Fight’ watches start at $499 and come in a range of different colors such as red and blue
This isn’t the first time the controversial businessman and former president has tried to offer products to the public
However, this foray into watches could be his most expensive venture yet.
As advertised on its Trump Watches website, the special ‘Victory Tourbillon’ timepiece is made ‘almost entirely’ from 18-karat gold and decorated with 122 VS1 diamonds.
There are only 147 Victory Tourbillon watches available, and they are currently on pre-order.
To increase their exclusivity even further, they are all numbered – with Trump, of course, owning watch number one.
The website also claims that the Victory Tourbillon watches are “Swiss made” and that “each watch consists of more than 200 individual parts, all working together in perfect harmony for outstanding performance.”
The ‘Fight, Fight, Fight’ line, also made of 18-karat gold, has a slightly lower price point, ranging from $499 to $799.
However, a disclaimer on the site states that a company called TheBestWatchesonEarth LLC – based in Sheridan, Wyoming, per wired – uses the name, image and likeness of ‘Trump’ under a paid licensing agreement.
The website also notes that “Trump Watches are not designed, manufactured, distributed, or sold by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organization, or any of their respective affiliates or principals.”
To further increase their exclusivity, all Victory Tourbillon watches are numbered – with Trump, of course, owning watch number one
As advertised on its Trump Watches website, the special ‘Victory Tourbillon’ timepiece is made ‘almost entirely’ from 18k gold and decorated with 122 VS1 diamonds
According to jewelry expert Phil Grosso of Amore Fine Jewelry, the watch seems ‘too expensive’, but in addition to the materials, there are many more factors that determine the costs.
When it comes to the ‘Fight Fight Fight’ watches, they are seen as less of an investment due to their price range, Grosso shared with DailyMail.com
Wired reported that there appeared to be no evidence of the company’s previous watch production.
So how valuable are these Trump watches – and are they really worth $100,000?
According to jewelry expert Phil Grosso of Amore fine jewelry, the watch ‘seems too expensive’, but in addition to the materials, there are many more factors that determine the costs.
“As is the case with all luxury brands, whether built through legacy or merely celebrity status, the end product is always far more valuable than the sum of its parts,” Grosso explained to DailyMail.com.
“You don’t have to be a professional jeweler to realize that the amount of gold and gemstones in The Trump Victory Tourbillon is a fraction of its value compared to its retail price,” Grosso continued.
He explained that the limited number of watches available can also add “retail value” to a product.
“Couple that economic reality with the fact that Donald Trump, for better or worse, is perhaps the most famous man on the planet and one of the most influential politicians of his generation,” Grosso said.
‘The quality of the movement, the content of the gold and the style all demonstrate high quality for any private buyer, but these watches will be purchased for their connection to the man and this moment in history, not for the watch itself. ‘
“Couple that economic reality with the fact that Donald Trump, for better or worse, is perhaps the most famous man on earth and one of the most influential politicians of his generation,” Grosso said.
Although it is unclear how many watches have been purchased in pre-order, Trump himself is convinced that they will make a ‘great’ Christmas gift
However, when it comes to the ‘Fight Fight Fight’ watches, they are seen as less of an investment due to their price point, Grosso said.
“In summary, the Trump Victory Tourbillon seems overpriced to us, but that is a subjective measure and the true value of that watch is more related to the future of Donald Trump than the materials from which it is made,” he said.
Another watch expert, Ben Cook, who uses the username @benswatches on social media, estimated in a new video that the Victory Tourbillon watch actually costs about $15,000 or $16,000 to make.
Although it is unclear how many watches have been purchased in pre-order, Trump himself is convinced that they will make a “great” Christmas gift.
According to the website, you can even buy the timepieces with Bitcoin.
Since the unveiling, the presidential candidate has posted a video about the watches on Truth Social, complete with a message for fans.
“The official Trump Watch Collection is here, and these watches are truly special – you’ll love them,” he wrote, according to New York Magazine Intelligence.
“Would make a great Christmas gift,” his message continued. ‘Don’t wait, they’re going fast. GET YOUR TRUMP WATCH NOW!”
DailyMail.com has contacted Trump campaign representatives and Trump looks forward to comment.