By Billy Denty
On the 1st of March 1962, a moment of personal and historical significance took place. In celebration of Harry Belafonte’s birthday, Victor Wyler—the visionary behind the Wyler Watch Company—personally presented the legendary entertainer and civil rights activist with a custom Wyler Superior Dynamic wristwatch.
Far more than a luxury timepiece, this gift would become a witness to some of the most pivotal moments in American history, accompanying Belafonte through a life of artistry, activism, and unwavering commitment to justice.
A Gift of Precision and Symbolism
The Wyler Superior Dynamic, known for its robust construction and shock-resistant Incaflex balance wheel, was an emblem of innovation in horology. Crafted with Swiss precision and styled for both elegance and durability, the watch was an ideal companion for a man of Belafonte’s stature—graceful on stage, yet unflinching in his pursuit of civil rights.
Victor Wyler’s decision to gift this piece to Belafonte was more than a gesture of admiration and a personal friendship; it was a recognition of Belafonte’s rising influence, not only as an artist but as a voice for justice. As the watch ticked forward from that birthday in 1962, it would become a quiet sentinel through history.
At the Crossroads of History
This particular Wyler watch was present during Harry Belafonte’s meetings with President John F. Kennedy at the White House. As the two men discussed civil rights with Dr. Martin Luther King, international development, and the role of the arts in diplomacy, the Wyler ticked on—an unspoken observer to a dialogue that helped shape the direction of a nation.
The watch was also strapped to Belafonte’s wrist as he stood alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the 1963 March on Washington. As King delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, Belafonte watched from the sidelines, the Wyler Superior Dynamic keeping time as history unfolded.
Through countless performances, benefit concerts, and high-profile photo ops—from Carnegie Hall to international humanitarian missions—the watch remained a constant. It marked the passage of time through the turbulent 1960s and 70s, bearing silent witness as Belafonte used his platform to amplify voices of the oppressed and raise millions for civil rights causes.
Today, the Wyler Superior Dynamic given to Harry Belafonte is more than a collector’s item. It is a relic of resilience, art, and activism—a tangible symbol of time’s partnership with purpose. As it rests now, possibly in a private collection or family archive, it serves as a reminder that history is not just marked by dates, but by the people and the moments that change everything.
Time, after all, was always on his wrist.