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Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Watch
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library
Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Watch
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library

Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Watch

Artifact SeriesHead of State Gifts
Artifact IDFO.091217
Object Type Wristwatch
Manufacturer (Founded 1847)
Gifter
Intended Recipient (American, 1961)
Intended Recipient (American, 1964)
Medium shell, metal (white gold), leather, gemstone
DimensionsOverall (Watch) H 12 in x W 5/8 in x Diam 1 1/2 in (30.5 cm x 1.6 cm x 3.8 cm )
Physical DescriptionRotonde de Cartier perpetual calendar chronograph watch. Watch face is mother of pearl with four subdials, black roman numerals, and blue hands. Roman numerals indicate the hours except for 12. Around the rim of the watch face is a moon phase tracker. Top subdial indicates the month and tracks leap years. Left subdial tracks 12 hours. Right subdial tracks 30 minutes. Bottom subdial indicates day of the week - Monday through Sunday. Within the day dial there is a Cartier label. From the center of the watch there are four hands. The longest and thinnest indicates the moon phase, the other hands are standard (long thin for seconds, long thick for minutes, short thick for hours).

Metal of watch is silver. On the right there are two rectangular buttons and a domed dial with ridges for setting the watch. The watch is held with a black leather watch.

Back of the watch has a clear center which shows silver gears inside. Around the edge are various inscriptions. There are four purple gems embedded in different gear holes.

Stored in a red self-winding watch box with USB for charging, and watch maintenance accoutrements.
Custodial History / ProvenanceThe item was a gift from a foreign official to President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama during the Obama Administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January 2017 for deposit with the Obama Presidential Library.Additional Details
National Archives Catalog CollectionBarack Obama Artifact Collection (National Archives Identifier 63542091)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts of State (National Archives Identifier 66540613)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Obama Presidential Library. The Obama Presidential Library does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
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