"What kind of watch does Mickey Mouse wear?"
"A Spiro Agnew watch!"
I guess it was funny at the time. You had to be there. Of course, if you're reading this, you probably were.
Spiro Agnew was definitely not a soft-spoken individual. An avowed Hawk, he was constantly criticizing those who questioned the Vietnam War. Remember his calling the media "nattering nabobs of negativism?" He was a dream come true for Johnny Carson, who was provided with plenty of material for opening-show-monologues every time Agnew would hold forth.
The watches came out in 1970. They sold like hotcakes for a time.
By the time Agnew was embroiled in his infamous scandals (taking bribes while in office was looked down upon), their manufacturing had stopped. 1973 saw him resign, and the watches quickly became a forgotten fad.
However, thanks to eBay, you can still score one if it tickles your fancy. They seem to run about $60 to $80.
So here's to Spiro Agnew, man of many unique achievements. He was the only Vice President to have Greek lineage, the only one to resign in disgrace, and the only one to ever have a wristwatch named after him.
Comments (7)
I remember these! Someone in my family may have even owned one of them.
Posted by Rhea | January 6, 2007 10:31 AM
Posted on January 6, 2007 10:31
Was this a sly ripose to the Mickey Mouse watches of the 30's?
Certainly the Nixon administration would qualify. Remember the bullwinkle watches? They were as almost as big as the agnew ones...
(damn, I feel old knowing all this crap!!)
LOL
Posted by Scott | July 20, 2007 5:44 AM
Posted on July 20, 2007 05:44
Scott,
You think you feel old,I have a Spiro watch. I still enjoy it after all these years. Still works.
Posted by john | August 8, 2007 9:19 PM
Posted on August 8, 2007 21:19
John et al,
We have a working Agnew watch here, also. Came to this site looking for a price. Disappointed it 's not more! 1970 was my freshman yr. in what you'll have to guess, but I was in Mrs. Swann's math class when JFK died should give away my age for sure. Too often I've missed what my mother threw away (all the 45s after the basement flooded for examp). My favorite one when I was smaller had Rosemary Clooney "This Old House" on one side and Red Buttons "Strange Things are Happening" or maybe it was called the hoho song, not sure. It was part of a 50 record set that came with the blue pasteboard record player, complete with stand, in '63 or '64. awesome!
Posted by Ann | August 10, 2007 1:50 AM
Posted on August 10, 2007 01:50
I found an interesting story about the Agnew watch. Here in Arizona we have a small city named Payson which is about 70 miles northeast of Phoenix. In the late 60's/early 70's there was a small group (about 60)of Tonto Apache Native Americans that was toughing it out with no real place to call home. The government decided to make a small reservation for them which is 1/2 mile on a side. One of the issues was coming up with some money to fund the infrastructure for this reservation. $10,000 of the money came from royalties on the Spiro Agnew watch. You'll be happy to know that the tribe has done very well on this small piece of land which now has a casino, a hotel, a gas station, and a Sonic Burger.
Posted by Steve Robb | October 1, 2007 5:45 PM
Posted on October 1, 2007 17:45
Ive been looking all morning for information about this Spiro Agnew watch.. I do own one and im trying to find out if it is an authentic Spiro Agnew wrist watch and not a knock off. I have found many pictures and descriptions but all are different. I am wondering about the band itself. The one I own has a cloth band that is black red and white. I havent been able to find another exactly like it. Were they all different or was there an original band? I would love to see a picture of the very first one made. Any information on this watch would be appreciated :)
Posted by Shanda McCann | April 25, 2009 8:36 AM
Posted on April 25, 2009 08:36
I don't remember this item at all! We certainly here in Maryland knew Spiro as he was our Governor in the sixties. His face on the back of Maryland Travel Maps that you once got free at filling stations! I even think I saw him in person in Annapolis!
Posted by Rivers End | May 27, 2009 10:34 PM
Posted on May 27, 2009 22:34