You don't need a presidential pay packet to get Barack Obama's new watch

Source:  Images and content by Zak Maoui @ gq-magazine.co.uk.  See the original article here - https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/watches/article/barack-obama-actively-black-teleport

It’s fair to assume that former White House resident Barack Obama could afford pretty much any top-of-the-range timepiece he wanted. Rolex’s Datejust, the watch favoured by presidents (Eisenhower and Regan in most notably) before him, a white gold Rolex Cellini and an exceptionally-crafted Tag Heuer Series 1500 Two-Tone Diver have counted as just a few of the wondrous watches to have adorned the 60-year old’s wrist since 2009. 

Yet, while he has an eye for a fancier style, Obama has also been known to flout traditional status symbols in favour of few wallet-friendly models. Earlier this year Obama sported a £148 FitBit Ionic Health & Fitness Smartwatch while filming podcast Renegade: Made In the USA with Bruce Springsteen. He’s been seen on occasion with a Jorg Gray JG6500, which comes in at just over £300, and now we’ve been given a glimpse at the latest addition to his watch collection, which is another budget model we weren’t expecting.

In a shot shared by Michelle Obama on Twitter this weekend, the former president and First Lady were pictured wearing all-black ‘fits and matchy-matchy Hallmark 2022 eye masks. You can also clearly see that the 44th president was using an Actively Black Chronograph watch to count down to midnight. 

A chunky, water-resistant sports watch, the Actively Black design has an octagonal face shape akin to that of an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (which has caused some Twitter users to incorrectly think BO’s was, in fact, one). It has a robust, blacked-out stainless steel case and a silicone band, which is a far cry from the presidential links you can expect to see on Joe Biden’s Rolex-clad wrist. Made in collaboration with independent watch brand Teleport, Obama’s model is priced at just shy of £300. Essentially, you won’t need a presidential retirement plan to grab one.

A rapidly growing athleisure label – it was recently valued at $30million – Actively Black was founded by former American basketball wiz Lanny Smith. While not a household name, it is likely best-recognised for outfitting the Nigerian bobsleigh team during the Winter Olympics back in November. With Obama’s backing, we’re expecting big things.

Fancy one? Right now you can only pre-order the watch and Actively Black has given a vague February shipping date. We’ll see you in line.

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