Have you ever wondered how much is the most expensive watch made in history? What are the most expensive watch brands? How to distinguish valuable timepieces?
If you’re looking for answers to these questions and want some tips on building a luxury collection of watches, you are in the perfect place!
Today, we will show you 20 of the rarest and most extravagant timepieces. These record-breaking watches will surely leave you in awe with their elegance, intricate complications, and hefty price tag.
Are you now interested in this topic? If so, then let’s begin!
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#20. Philippe Dufour Grande et Petite Sonnerie No. 1 – $5.2 Million
Unveiled in 1992, the Philippe Dufour Grande et Petite Sonnerie No. 1 is the first wristwatch to incorporate an impressive chiming complication.
Besides its complex chiming mechanism, this watch features a 41mm rose gold case with a grand feu enamel dial and black Roman numerals hour markers.
Made by the famous Swiss watchmaking legend Philippe Dufour, this timepiece holds the world record for the most expensive watch sold by an independent watchmaker.
The current estimated price of this piece sits around $5.2 million.
#19. Patek Philippe Calibre 89 – $5.5 Million
Patek Philippe has a long tradition of excellence in making luxury watches. One of their masterpieces is the yellow gold Patek Philippe Calibre 89, a commemorative pocket watch to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the company in 1989.
At the time it was created, it was regarded by many watch enthusiasts as the “most complicated watch” for more than a quarter century. It has a total of 33 complications, including a perpetual calendar, split-second chronograph, moon phase, grande et petite sonnerie, and many more.
The yellow gold Patek Philippe Calibre 89 was sold at an auction house by Antiquorum in 2009 for $5.5 million.
#18. Patek Philippe Ref. 1527 – $5.7 Million
The next timepiece on the list is Patek Philippe Ref. 1527, a watch that took years to design by the brand. Crafted during World War II, this vintage watch is considered a predecessor to some of Patek Philippe’s most desirable and complex models.
This one-of-a-kind perpetual calendar chronograph watch features a 20k yellow gold case and contains different precious pieces.
It is one of Patek Philippe’s most expensive watches ever sold at auction for a mouth-watering price of $5.7 million.
#17. Rolex Daytona Gold “Unicorn” Ref. 6265 – $5.9 Million
Surprisingly, the Rolex Daytona “Unicorn” Ref. 6265 is the cheapest Rolex watch on this list. But take note, although it is the less costly Rolex piece here, it is still insanely expensive.
This manual-winding Rolex Daytona Ref. 6265 is nicknamed “Unicorn” for its elusive nature. It is believed to be the only one in existence. It is made in a white gold case and showcases a black dial with white gold indexes.
This is the second most expensive watch made by Rolex that has been sold by Phillips auction house in Geneva for the price of $5.9 million.
#16. Patek Philippe Titanium Ref. 5208T-010 – $6.3 Million
Next is the exceptional timepiece made by Patek Philippe for the 7th Only Watch Auction held in 2017. The Patek Philippe Titanium Ref. 5208T-010 is the first and only titanium version of Ref. 5208.
A watch made of precious metals, Patek Phillipe’s Ref. 5208T-010 features a triple-complication wristwatch with a minute repeater, chronograph function, and an instantaneous perpetual calendar. It also boasts a blue dial adorned with a hand-guilloched “Carbon” motif.
This complicated Patek Philippe wristwatch was sold for $6.3 million.
#15. Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711/1A-018 “Tiffany & Co.” – $6.5 Million
The Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711/1A-018 “Tiffany & Co.” is an iconic timepiece produced to celebrate 170 years of friendship and collaboration between the two luxury brands – Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co.
It was released in 2021, shortly after Patek Philippe announced the discontinuation of all Nautilus 5711 models.
Widely regarded as the “holy grail” of the modern watch world, it is also considered one of the most valuable timepieces owned by famous rappers and celebrities.
Limited to only 170 pieces, the first piece of this expensive wristwatch was sold in an auction in December 2021 and acquired for $6.5 million.
#14. Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Ref. 5016A-010 – $7.3 Million
In 2015, Patek Philippe introduced the Ref. 5016A-010 Minute Repeater Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar for Only Watch 2015.
This stainless steel timepiece features an elegant blue grand-feu enamel dial, Breguet-style hands, and Arabic numerals hour markers. It is powered by an in-house manual winding movement with functions including a minute repeater, a perpetual calendar with retrograde date hand, and a moon phase indicator.
Widely considered the most complicated wristwatch at that time, this intricate timepiece was sold for $7.3 million.
#13. Patek Philippe Two Crown Worldtime Ref. 2523 “Eurasia” – $7.7 Million
In 2021, another expensive vintage watch from Patek Philippe was sold at the Phillips auction. An ultra-rare piece of the Patek Philippe Two Crown Worldtime “Eurasia” Ref. 2523.
A watch produced in 1953, this timepiece showcases a 36mm yellow gold case with a cloisonné dial depicting Eurasia. This manual winding watch has two crowns for winding the local time and another one for the time zones presented by the 40 cities listed on the outer dial.
It was reportedly sold for $7.7 Million and is considered one of the most expensive watches in the world.
#12. Patek Philippe Gobbi Milan “Heures Universelles” Ref. 2523 – $9.0 Million
Like the previous one, the next piece on the list is another Patek Philippe Ref. 2523. This time, it is the Patek Philippe Gobbi Milan “Heures Universelles” 18k pink gold version. It also features a two-crown used for adjusting the local time and world timer.
But instead of having a map of Eurasia at the center, it was replaced by a translucent royal blue enamel centre with stylized gold hands and an inner revolving ring calibrated for Arabic 24 hours divided into diurnal and nocturnal hours.
This timepiece was sold at Christie’s auction in Hong Kong in 2001 for roughly $9 million, making it one of the most expensive watches sold in Asia.
#11. Patek Philippe “Prince Mohammed Tewlik A. Toussou” Ref. 1518 – $9.6 Million
With just one look at this watch, you can probably assume that it is worth more than you can afford. This is the Patek Philippe “Prince Mohammed Tewlik A. Toussou” Ref. 1518 that was bought and personally used by the prince of Egypt himself.
One of only 13 pieces of the pink dial in the pink gold case that showcases three notable complications, including a perpetual calendar, chronograph function, and moon phase indicator.
The Toussou pink gold Ref. 1518 was sold at Sotheby’s in New York in 2021 for $9.6 million.
#10. Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 in Stainless Steel – $11 Million
Yet another Patek Ref. 1518 makes its way onto the list of most expensive watches in the world — the Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 in Stainless Steel.
It features a 35mm high-grade stainless steel case that houses a Valjoux movement modified and skillfully finished by Patek Philippe’s master watchmakers to conform to their standards. And like other Ref. 1518, it has a perpetual calendar paired with a chronograph complication.
Limited to only four pieces ever made, this watch was sold for $11.1 million in an auction.
#9. Paul Newman Rolex Daytona – $17.6 Million
The famous and most expensive Rolex watch ever sold is the Paul Newman Rolex Daytona Ref. 6239. This legendary timepiece was the actual watch worn by the renowned actor and race car driver.
This vintage Rolex watch has a 37mm stainless steel case that houses the iconic Paul Newman chronograph dial and is powered by a manual winding in-house calibre 722-1. Its caseback was engraved with the message “Drive Me Carefully” in reference to the actor’s love for car racing.
Paul Newman Rolex Ref. 6239 was sold in an auction for $17.6 million.
#8. Jacob & Co. Billionaire – $18 Million
True to its name, the Jacob & Co. Billionaire Watch is unarguably one of the most expensive pieces on the list that only a billionaire could afford. A one-of-a-kind timepiece exclusively owned by the former boxing champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather.
This exceptional watch is set with 260 carats of emerald-cut diamonds hammered on its 18k white gold case and bracelet. And if that is not enough, this extravagant timepiece also features a skeletonized dial movement equipped with tourbillon escapement.
This unique Jacob & Co. Billionaire watch was sold to Mayweather for a staggering price of $18 million, far greater than all of his Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille watches.
#7. Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication Ref. 198.385 – $24 Million
One of the most expensive and complicated pocket watches made of precious metals is the Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication Ref. 198.385. It was named to Henry Graves Jr., a wealthy American banker who formerly owned the watch.
The 18k gold watch showcases an astounding 24 complications hand-assembled by elite watchmakers of Patek Philippe. The movement features 110 wheels, 50 bridges, 430 screws, 90 springs, 120 mechanism parts, 70 jewels, two dials, and 19 hands.
This timepiece was auctioned and sold in November 2014 for $24 million.
#6. Chopard 201-Carat Watch – $25 Million
This Chopard 201-Carat watch could not be on this list for no reason. And to understand why it is considered one of the most expensive watches in the world, you must personally see and touch a watch like this.
The Chopard 201-Carat watch is adorned with colorful diamonds and cut in different fancy shapes. It has a total of 874 diamonds, this includes 15-carat of pink diamonds, 12-carat of blue diamonds, and 11-carat of white diamonds.
With its gigantic price, even the most expensive Vacheron Constantin watch couldn’t have a chance. This timepiece is sold for an eye-popping price of $25 million.
#5. Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaillerie 101 Manchette – $26 Million
Another unique watch on the list is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaillerie 101 Manchette. A watch made of white gold, this timepiece features a slim manual-winding movement, a silver-colored dial, and a bracelet set with 577 white diamonds.
It was gifted to Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate the 60th anniversary of her coronation.
The estimated price of this timepiece is around $26 million.
#4. Breguet Grande Complication Marie-Antoinette – $30 Million
A watch originally commissioned to be gifted to a French queen, the Breguet Grande Complication Marie-Antoinette pocket watch, is made by master horologist Abraham-Louis Breguet, the founder of the Breguet company.
This yellow gold 60mm watch features 23 complications with 823 mechanical parts.
Handcrafted for over 40 years, the work for this watch started in 1782. Unfortunately, Queen Marie Antoinette could never lay her hands on the finished product, as she was executed before the timepiece was completed.
The market value of this watch sits around $30 million.
#3. Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 – $31.1 Million
The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime is the most expensive watch made by the brand. This elegant timepiece was made for the Only Watch 2019 auction and is considered the current title holder of the most complicated wristwatch made by Patek.
This masterpiece houses a total of 20 complications, which includes grande and petite sonnerie, perpetual calendar, alarm, moon phase, and 15 more. And for it to run all of these complications, Patek Philippe’s movement is modified with 1,336 parts.
The price of Patek Philippe’s grandmaster chime is a thousand times higher than the cheapest entry-level Patek Philippe watches, as it is sold for a whopping $31.1 million.
#2. Graff Diamonds The Fascination – $40 Million
Known for its opulence and elegance, the Graff Diamonds The Fascination is one of the most expensive watches for you if you are looking for a timepiece to help you stand out from the rest of the crowd.
The watch consists of 152.96 carats of exquisitely cut white diamonds. Moreover, it also features a detachable 38.13-carat D Flawless pear-shaped diamond in the center, which can be worn as a ring.
The Fascination by Graff Diamonds has a market value of $40 million.
#1. Graff Diamonds Hallucination – $55 Million
Finally, the most expensive watch in the world, we present to you is the Graff Diamonds Hallucination.
It showcases 110 carats of rare and multi-colored diamonds set into its platinum bracelet.
Besides using different colored diamonds, these gemstones are beautifully cut into various shapes, including pear shape, heart shape, emerald, marquise, and round.
Its small quartz dial is also framed with small pink diamonds, making it look more classy and a beautiful work of art.
The world’s most expensive timepiece has a price of $55 million.
Summary
And that’s it! Those are 20 of the most expensive watches in the world that have been made by some of the most respected luxury watch brands today.
We hope that this guide will serve as a source of inspiration for you and aid you in your journey through the vast and complex world of watches.
And to have a short recap, here are 20 of the most expensive watches ever made.
#1. Graff Diamonds Hallucination – $55 Million
#2. Graff Diamonds The Fascination – $40 Million
#3. Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 – $31.1 Million
#4. Breguet Grande Complication Marie-Antoinette – $30 Million
#5. Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaillerie 101 Manchette – $26 Million
#6. Chopard 201-Carat Watch – $25 Million
#7. Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication Ref. 198.385 – $24 Million
#8. Jacob & Co. Billionaire Watch – $18 Million
#9. Paul Newman Rolex Daytona – $17.6 Million
#10. Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 in Stainless Steel – $11 Million
#11. Patek Philippe “Prince Mohammed Tewlik A. Toussou” Ref. 1518 – $9.6 Million
#12. Patek Philippe Gobbi Milan “Heures Universelles” Ref. 2523 – $9.0 Million
#13. Patek Philippe Two Crown Worldtime Ref. 2523 “Eurasia” – $7.7 Million
#14. Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Ref. 5016A-010 – $7.3 Million
#15. Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711/1A-018 “Tiffany & Co.” – $6.5 Million
#16. Patek Philippe Titanium Ref. 5208T-010 – $6.3 Million
#17. Rolex Daytona Gold “Unicorn” Ref. 6265 – $5.9 Million
#18. Patek Philippe Ref. 1527 – $5.7 Million
#19. Patek Philippe Calibre 89 – $5.5 Million
#20. Philippe Dufour Grande et Petite Sonnerie No. 1 – $5.2 Million
Now that we know the most expensive watches, this is the perfect time for us to have a look at the most affordable timepieces available in the market.
