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'Lots of questions': Small detail in this Biden photo sparks controversy

US President Joe Biden has angered some people over his choice of watch.

Biden took office last week after winning the election against Donald Trump last year.

Understandably, as the new President of the United States, many of Biden’s moves are now under the microscope including, apparently, his choice of timepiece.

Biden has been pictured wearing a AU$9000 Rolex watch, which the New York Times says “is a far cry from the everyman timepieces that every president not named Trump has worn conspicuously in recent decades”.

US President Joe Biden prepares to sign a series of executive orders at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office.
US President Joe Biden pictured at his desk in the Oval Office wearing the watch. Source: Getty Images

Most US Presidents have worn cheaper watches according to US watch magazine WatchTime.

Fellow Democrat Bill Clinton sported a Timex Ironman Triathlon digital watch during his time in the oval office.

Gene Weingarten, a columnist for the Washington Post, called Clinton’s watch as “thick as a brick and handsome as a hernia”.

Clinton eventually gave up the Timex for a Lip watch, which has some models selling for about $400.

Barack Obama seemed to have more expensive taste and in some cases wore a Tag Heuer Series 1500, according to WatchTime. These can sell for about $2000.

Governor Bill Clinton shakes hands at an unscheduled bus stop on the Clinton/Gore 1992 Buscapade campaign tour in Texas.
Bill Clinton on the campaign trail in 1992 wearing his digital watch. Source: Getty Images

The secret service also gave Obama a Jorg Gray watch fitted with the department’s logo which are worth about $580.

His predecessor George W Bush wore a Timex Indiglo which costs only $50 while his dad George H Bush used a Swiss pocket watch although it’s not known how much this piece is actually worth.

Biden’s attention-grabbing watch was a Christmas present from his wife, the White House confirmed to Mediaite, despite rumours the timepiece once belonged to his late son Beau.

Supporters refer to watch controversy as ‘refreshing’

The watch Biden chooses to wear doesn’t seem to have dampened the enthusiasm his supporters.

“How refreshing that the most scandalous thing the President did today is to wear a fancy watch,” one woman wrote.

Another woman added she doesn’t “give a damn”.

“Joe Biden is not perfect,” one man tweeted.

“There will be plenty of reasons to question him. But a Rolex watch? We’re recovering from a four-year onslaught of abuse and criminality culminating in a violent insurrection to hold onto power.

“Sorry if I’m not in a hurry to criticise our new president.”

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