These are the watches worn by the most powerful CEOs in the world

For some businessmen, a wristwatch is more than a time-telling device. It's a statement.

"A watch is the greatest icebreaker there is," says Hamilton Powell, the CEO of Crown & Caliber, an online secondary market for luxury watches.

"In an unfamiliar city, I can approach a complete stranger and with two words eradicate any barriers," he tells Business Insider. "Nice watch."

"A watch tells people about the type of person you are and what you value," Powell adds. "The guy who wears a blinged-out gold-diamond Hublot is very different than the guy with a vintage stainless-steel Zenith chronograph."

With the help of Crown & Caliber, we've put together a list and commentary about the wristwatches worn by 11 CEOs of some of the world's most powerful companies.

Catherine Rice contributed reporting.