Often referred to by his initials LBJ, Lyndon Baines Johnson was an American politician who served as the 36th president of the United States from 1963 to 1969. Formerly the 37th vice from 1961 to 1963, he assumed the presidency following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. A Democrat from Texas, Johnson also served as a US Representative and as the Majority Leader in the United States Senate. Johnson is one of only four people who have served in all four federal elected positions.

As a President, Johnson is ranked favorably by many historians because of his domestic policies and the passage of many major laws that affected civil rights, gun control, wilderness preservation and Social Security, he also drew substantial criticism for his escalation of the Vietnam War, however. During his time in the office, he developed a very close relationship with the White House barber Steven Martini who he had cut his hair regularly. In many publications Johnson is seen with Martini including several cartoons that were in the newspaper. Martini also cut the hair of LBJ’s family members.

Presented here is a Benfur watch given to White House barber Steve Martini by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The watch features brown leather wrist straps and tarnished 10k gold on the watch base. The obverse of the watch is labeled “DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU” and “BENRUS” labeled in white. “TO STEVE FROM LBJ 6-1-67” and “BENRUS” are engraved on the reverse of the watch. The watch contains wear on the wrist straps and watch head and tarnishing of the gold. The Benrus watch given by LBJ to White House barber Steve Martini comes with a letter of provenance from Steve Martini Jr., the son of the famed White House barber.