Ivan
Watches have long been more than simple tools for telling time. For many world leaders, a watch can quietly reflect personal taste, status, heritage, and sometimes even political messaging. While suits, uniforms, and traditional attire often draw the most attention during official appearances, the watch on a leader’s wrist can reveal just as much about their character.
Across the Middle East and North Africa, a region commonly referred to as MENA, leaders come from a wide range of political systems, cultures, and traditions. The region stretches from the Atlantic coast of Morocco and Algeria to the Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, covering around 20 countries according to the World Bank’s regional classification. Within this diverse landscape, heads of state and monarchs represent nations with vastly different histories, economies, and styles of leadership.
Interestingly, the watches worn by these leaders are just as diverse.
Some leaders opt for understated and practical timepieces that blend into everyday life. For example, a simple Citizen watch worn by Iran’s president reflects a preference for functionality rather than extravagance. Others choose historically significant watches that have become icons of watchmaking, such as the Omega Speedmaster, a model closely associated with precision, engineering, and heritage.
At the other end of the spectrum are leaders who wear some of the most sought after pieces in modern horology. Watches from Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille, and Rolex appear frequently in public appearances across the region. In some cases, these watches reach extraordinary levels of rarity and value. The Patek Philippe Nautilus worn by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, for instance, is a highly exclusive piece that can reach values approaching $800,000 depending on configuration and market demand.
The Gulf region in particular has long been known as one of the most important markets for luxury watches. Royal families and collectors from countries such as Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE have played a major role in shaping modern watch culture, often commissioning special editions or acquiring rare complications from the world’s most prestigious brands. This deep appreciation for horology occasionally appears in public settings, offering fascinating glimpses into the personal collections of these leaders.
However, watch spotting among political leaders is not always straightforward. Many heads of state in the region rarely appear in photographs where their watches are clearly visible. Leaders from countries such as Tunisia, Yemen, and Kuwait, for example, are seldom photographed in a way that reveals what they wear on their wrists. In these cases, their watch choices remain largely unknown.
This makes the process of identifying watches worn by world leaders both challenging and intriguing. Each confirmed sighting becomes a small piece of a larger puzzle, offering insight into personal style and sometimes even the cultural identity of a leader.
In this article, we take a closer look at the watches worn by leaders across the Middle East and North Africa. From simple everyday watches to some of the most luxurious timepieces ever produced, these watches offer a unique perspective on leadership, taste, and the role of horology in global public life.
Because sometimes, the smallest detail on a wrist can tell a surprisingly big story.
President of Algeria – Abdelmadjid Tebboune
King of Bahrain – Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
President of Egypt – Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
President of Iran – Masoud Pezeshkian
King of Jordan – Abdullah II
President of Lebanon – Joseph Aoun
King of Morocco – Mohammed VI
Sultan of Oman – Haitham bin Tariq
President of Palestine – Mahmoud Abbas
Emir of Qatar – Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
King of Saudi Arabia – Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
President of Syria – Ahmed Al Sharaa
President of the United Arab Emirates – Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
