This article marks the first in our ongoing series Historical Wristchecks: Watches Worn by Influential Figures. As the title suggests, the series explores the timepieces chosen by some of history’s most powerful and emblematic personalities.
As the first figure in this series, we begin with Fidel Castro, not only for his pivotal role in the last century, but also for his charisma and his unconventional choice of what to wear on his wrist.
Fidel Castro’s Double-Wristing: Power, Precision, and Symbolism
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, born on August 13, 1926, in Birán, Cuba, was the son of a wealthy Spanish landowner. While studying law at the University of Havana, he adopted a Marxist-Leninist worldview and gradually moved further left on the political spectrum. Castro would later rise to become Cuba’s leader, holding power from 1959 until 2008.
But beyond his revolutionary legacy, Fidel Castro became known for something less expected: a habit of wearing two Rolex watches simultaneously on the same wrist. This unusual double-wristing became iconic, sparking curiosity among both watch aficionados and political observers.
Theories Behind the Look
One of the most well-documented instances of Castro’s double-wristing occurred during his 1963 visit to Moscow, where he met Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. In widely circulated photographs, two Rolex watches are clearly visible on his left wrist.
Several theories have been suggested over the years to explain this choice:
- Practicality: According to some accounts, Castro wore two watches in case one failed. In the volatile climate of the Cold War, such redundancy may have been seen as a practical form of preparedness.
- Tracking Time Zones: A widely accepted theory is that each watch was set to a different time zone, perhaps Havana, Moscow, and Washington, D.C., allowing Castro to keep tabs on the world’s power centers in real time.
- Religious Influence: A more speculative angle connects the habit to Santeria, the Afro-Cuban religion. Practitioners often wear protective items around their wrists, which Castro may have concealed beneath his watches.
- Statement of Power: Wearing two (or even three) high-end Swiss timepieces could also be interpreted as a bold statement, a subtle display of affluence, authority, and control, particularly striking for a leader who challenged capitalist powers.
The Watches of Fidel Castro
Over the years, Castro was seen wearing at least three distinct Rolex models:
- Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 6542: Featuring a red-and-blue “Pepsi” Bakelite bezel, no crown guards, and the ability to track two time zones, this model was in production from 1954 to 1959.
- Rolex Submariner Ref. 6538: Often referred to as the “Big Crown,” this version had no crown guards and a distinctive riveted Oyster bracelet. It’s the same model famously worn by James Bond in the early 1960s.
- Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803: Typically seen in yellow gold, the Day-Date added a further layer of elegance and authority to Castro’s wrist.
A Snapshot in Time
One of the most iconic photos of Castro double-wristing was taken on April 27, 1963, during his first official visit to the Soviet Union. The image shows him in military attire, cigar in hand, wearing both the Rolex Submariner and Day-Date, capturing not just a moment in history, but an enduring symbol of image and identity.
In a related note, Monaco Legend Group recently auctioned a Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 6542 that once belonged to Gonzalo Güell y Morales de los Ríos, Cuba’s former Foreign Affairs Minister. The watch achieved a striking result of €260,000 including buyer’s premium, highlighting the historical and collectible appeal of timepieces tied to pivotal figures.
Final Thoughts
Whether worn for practicality, symbolism, or subtle political messaging, Fidel Castro’s Rolex watches have become lasting emblems of his public persona. They reflect how, even in the most ideologically charged settings, personal style, and timekeeping, can become powerful instruments of influence.
Stay tuned for the next edition of our Historical Wristchecks series, where we’ll explore the watches of more global figures who left their mark on the world, one tick at a time.
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