WHO WORE IT BEST? Prince William vs Joe Biden battle it out with the Omega Seamaster Diver 300m
Mike ChristensenThe future King of England and the 46th POTUS share a certain Omega Seamaster in common. Last month in Glasgow for the COP26 climate change conference, Prince William and Joe Biden were seen sharing a warm embrace and laughing together. Whether or not the pair were joking about the American president’s flatulence issues that William’s stepmother, Camilla Parker-Bowles got a whiff off at the conference or the fact he nodded off at one point, we’ll never know. Equally unlikely but possible, maybe they were chuckling about Prince Harry’s recently acquired LA accent? Or, in our horology-obsessed minds, surely the only thing they could be giggling about was whose Omega Seamaster Diver 300m would sell for more at auction?
Granted, this conversation has very much been dreamt up in our heads but it did get us thinking – between the Duke of Cambridge and the President, who wears their trusted Seamasters better? While there’s speculation that William has other watches in his collection, there’s no doubting that his Seamaster Diver 300m is his most treasured timepiece, and for good reason as it was given to him by his late mother, Princess Diana.
Omega’s Seamaster Professional watch was only created in 1993, just four years prior to Diana’s tragic passing, so the model would have been a relatively new release. William’s watch has a quartz movement, a 42mm case and sapphire crystal on both sides, it can be dressed down as a sporty number or up in a more sophisticated manner, 007 style. Omega’s Petros Protopapas once said of this piece: “The Seamaster is your best friend because it fits under the sleeve of your business suit or can be a professional diving instrument – it’s the perfect all-rounder.”
On closer inspection, Biden’s Seamaster is believed to be a later model – again arguably his favourite from a healthy collection that includes some Seikos, a Speedy Moonwatch and a Rolex Datejust 41. Indeed, his looks to be a 41mm Omega Seamaster Diver 300m Co-Axial in stainless steel featuring a blue ceramic bezel, red ‘Seamaster’ lettering and a tip-red second hand on the blue dial.
Between the two much-admired global figures, William is perhaps universally more liked but it’s a close call in the style stakes. When it comes to suiting, over the years Biden certainly has the edge over the Prince, which is a surprise given Prince Charles’s penchant for killer tailoring.
Admittedly though, William’s dress sense has really come into its own of late. He recently made sartorial headlines when he paired a turtleneck and green velvet blazer with his Seamaster. Not only was it quite sexy, it was also rather dapper and dare I say, fashion-forward, which for a Royal family member isn’t something you often hear.
That said, there was also that time in 2011 in Canada when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were guests to watch the Calgary Stampede and they wore matching Wild West get-ups? A Seamaster wore with denim jeans and a cowboy hat really does up the ante on Biden.
But Biden is no stranger to both adhering to style trends and occasionally setting them either. Along with his celebrated wristwear, Biden is known for admirably pulling off a nicely fitted suit with aviator sunglasses, occasionally sans jacket and shirt sleeves rolled up to give his watch maximum exposure.
And during his days as VP to Barack Obama, he was often spotted in a rather preppy and very “US of A” Ralph Lauren polo shirt.
However, in light of the recent black tie sightings of Prince William at the long-awaited Bond Premiere in London, I’m going to award this particular battle of style to the Prince over the President. Given the Omega Seamaster Diver 300m’s ties to James Bond, Prince William’s wardrobe wins because of its variety and his ability to rock cowboy hats, turtlenecks, tuxedos, polo shirts and morning suits with his treasured Seamaster, as well as the go-to suit and tie. Sorry Joe, if you’re reading this – it was a close race, but at least you won the last close race you were involved in, hey?
Mike Christensen is the former Editor of GQ Australia