Hey, is that a Rolex you’re wearing? How to spot a corrupt pol

[Unknown Beatle]

“Good rule for politicians who want to stay out of jail,” tweets Emily Yoffe, who writes the “Dear Prudence” advice column in Slate. “Timex, not Rolex.” Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell faces possible indictment over, among other things, the gift of a Rolex watch valued at $6,500. Former Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., will spend 30 months in prison for spending campaign funds on, among other things, a Rolex watch valued at $43,000. Former Birmingham, Ala., Mayor Larry Langford is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence on bribery charges that included accepting a Rolex watch that he later sold for $8500.

For any politician who didn’t enter office a wealthy man, nothing says “I take bribes” like a Rolex watch. (Female politicians sometimes take bribes too, of course, but their taste in jewelry, being more subtle and diverse, doesn’t lend itself to caricature.)

To be sure, plenty of Rolex-wearers are law-abiding citizens. The political columnist Mark Shields recently pointed out (while similarly marveling at the crooked male politician’s affinity for the Rolex) that the Dalai Lama is a Rolex man. But while most Rolex-wearers may not be white-collar criminals, it seems like most white-collar criminals are Rolex-wearers.

It isn’t just politicians. Scott London, an accountant at KPMG who last May plead guilty to securities fraud, swapped insider tips in exchange for bribes from a jeweler that included a $12,000 Rolex. Ponzi King Bernie Madoff had 17 Rolexes, including an Oyster chronograph whose cost exceeds one year’s tuition and fees at Harvard College.

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[CRK7376]

1. My Rolex GMT Master

cost me $650 of hard earned cash when I bought it at a PX in Germany in 1983 shortly after becoming a commissioned officer. Cleaning/maintenance my watch now costs more than what I paid for it originally. But it is a great watch. I gave my wife a Rolex for our wedding, also bought at the PX in Germany in 1986. Superb timepieces.

[oldhippie]

2. They have gone up a bit ......

... over the years. I bought a new stainless GMT IIc a few years ago. It was $8K plus tax out the door of the Rolex dealer in Austin. I hope it lasts a good long time.

The last Rolex service on my TT Submariner was almost $800. Not gonna do that again soon.

And I am NOT a politician.

[Aristus]

3. The only reason to get a Rolex these days is the name.

Invicta and Movado are both excellent watches that will earn you compliments, but not unusual scrutiny.

[el_bryanto]

5. What if you are into unusual scrutiny? nt

[rl6214]

4. I have a presidential Rolex and I've never taken a bribe.

Received it for being one of the top five general managers in the corp I worked for.

[Mopar151]

6. Another take on the arm bling

[rurallib]

7. Politicians and watches makes me think of Bush getting his watch

stolen in Albania.
off topic I know, but it makes me chuckle.

[FarCenter]

8. They are quite inexpensive when you buy them off a pushcart on the street.

[TheMightyFavog]

9. I'd rather have a Brietling or TAG Heuer, myself

No Rolex for me.