In a world often obsessed with possessing and controlling time, the Dalai Lama stands as a figure devoted to understanding it. Among the many fascinating details of his life is a quiet, unexpected passion: mechanical watches.
Patek Philippe Grand Complications Ref. 658
When he was just eight years old, the young Tenzin Gyatso – who would later become the 14th Dalai Lama – received one of the most extraordinary timepieces ever created: a Patek Philippe Grand Complications Ref. 658 pocket watch. It was originally given in 1943 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to 2 Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Officers named Brooke Dolan and Ilia Tolstoy, grandson of the great Russian writer Leo Tolstoy, during their mission in Tibet. This watch features a minute repeater, perpetual calendar, moon phase, and split-second chronograph. Think about it; most people may never even see or possess this extraordinary timepiece limited to 15 pieces, and then the US president gifts it to you when you are only 8 years old! Insane! This watch must be worth north of € 1 million considering this important provenance.
That contrast is striking: one of the world’s rarest and most complex watches resting in the hands of a monk devoted to detachment. Yet, there is harmony in this paradox. Buddhism questions material desire, but it does not reject generosity, to refuse a gift would deny the giver kindness. The Dalai Lama accepted the watch not as a possession, but as a symbol of human creativity, compassion, and impermanence.
Behind this fascination lies a lifelong curiosity. The Dalai Lama does not only enjoy collecting and wearing watches, but also working on them. In his book ‘The Book of Humanity, A New Ethic for Our Time’, he recalls:
“I’ve always liked to repair watches. But from my boyhood I can remember a number of situations in which I completely lost the temper in dealing with the tiny, fine parts. I then picked up the movement and slammed it on the table. Of course, later on I was ashamed of my behaviour and regretted it, especially when I had to return one watch to its owner in a condition worse than their original one.”
Behind this modest confession lies a deeper metaphor. Watchmaking, like meditation, requires patience and humility. The tiny gears and fragile parts test one’s stillness. To open a watch is to witness the truth of impermanence, nothing stands still, not even the present moment.
Valjoux 7751 Watch
Less known but deeply meaningful, the Dalai Lama’s Valjoux 7751 watch reflects his genuine interest in mechanical craftsmanship. With its chronograph and full calendar, it embodies both the complexity of time and the patience needed to understand it.
It is said he often disassembled and repaired such movements himself, finding in their ticking rhythm a meditative calm, much like in Buddhist practice.
Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18038 and Date Just 15053
Crafted in yellow gold with a blue dial, this Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18038 represents quiet sophistication rather than luxury. The Dalai Lama replaced its original strap with a simple Fixoflex bracelet, a humble gesture that perfectly captures his modest character.
For him, the Day-Date was never an ornament of wealth, but a tool of contemplation, a reminder of time’s passage and the virtue of simplicity.
The Dalai Lama also owns another Rolex, a two-tone Rolex Datejust Ref. 15053 with a black dial, which continues the theme of elegance. Worn daily and practically, it blends refinement with functionality, much like the Dalai Lama himself. Its enduring design and reliable movement reflect Buddhist principles of balance, consistency, and inner harmony. Funnily, he wears the watch inside out, with the dial on the inside of his arm, like jet pilots.
In the end, the Dalai Lama’s affection for watches is not a contradiction of his beliefs, but an extension of them. Every second that passes reminds us of change, mindfulness, and the delicate machinery that binds existence together.
Time, after all, is not something one can own, it is something to understand and cherish.
The past is already gone; the future is not yet here. There’s only one moment for you to live, and that is the present moment.
Thich Nhat Hanh
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