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| Most Expensive Watches. |
What is the most expensive watch in the world? What makes a watch to sit and be celebrated as most expensive in this our world that is filled up with unique timepieces? What material was used to craft such a piece of art that gave it the right to command such a price tag? Who are the designers of such extravagance?
These are the points to be addressed in the piece today.
When we talk about watches we know how important this single accessory is. With one on your wrist you can be conscious of the use of your time, complement your outfits and flaunt the level of wealth your possess. Its even better nowadays are technology has made it possible to monitor majority of health conditions, fitness goals and others with just the watch.
The watches on this list, can be said to exist in their own world. These are like the 1% of 1% of watches. Talk precious metals and gem stones, diamonds, exquisite designs, excellent craftmanship and entrancing mechanical systems the watches have them in balanced proportion.
Rarities, uniqueness and circumstances also added to the price tags of these expensive watches. As you will agree me that the majority of the following watch models where sold at auctions and private sales. Collectors, men and women of class were the buyers.
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So after research and compilation, these are the top picks of the most expensive watches ever sold anywhere in the world. You will be amazed by what you are going to discover in this article today.
The top thirty most expensive watches in the world - list.
- Graff Diamond Hallucination - $55 million.
- Graff Diamond The Fascination - $40 million.
- Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime - $31 million.
- Breguet Grande Complication Marie Antoinette - $30 million.
- Jaeger Le-coultre Joaillerie101 Manchete - $26 million.
- Chopard 201Carat Watch - $25 million.
- Patel Philippe Henry Graves Super compilation - $24 million.
- Rolex Paul Newman Daytona - $18.7 million.
- Jacob & Co Billionaire Watch - $18 million.
- Patek Philippe Stainless Steel. Ref 1518 - $12 million.
- Patek Philippe Gobbi Milan Heures Universelles - $9 million.
- Vacheron Constantine 57260 - $8 million.
- Patek Philippe Stainless Steel. Ref. 5016A-010 - $7.9 million.
- Patel Philippe Two Crown World Time - $7.7 million.
- Patek Philippe White Gold Caliber 89 - $6.9 million.
- Patek Philippe Gold Chronograph - $6.8 million.
- Patek Philippe Titanium - $6.6 million.
- Rolex Daytona Unicorn - $6.1 million.
- Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Caliber 89 - $6 million.
- Patek Philippe Platinum World Time - $5.8 million.
- Patek Philippe Ref. 1527 - $5.7 million.
- Patek Philippe World Timer Guilloché - $5.5 million.
- Patek Philippe Caliber 89 - $5.5 million.
- Hublot BigBang Diamond - $5 million.
- Louis Moinet Meteoris - $4.6 million.
- Breguet Antique Number 2667 - $4.5 million.
- Rolex Daytona Oyster Albino - $4 million.
- Patek Philippe 5004T - $3.9 million.
- Patek Philippe Single Bottom Chronograph - $3.6 million.
- Frank Muller Aeternitas Mega 4 - $2.7 million.
- Lange and Söhne Grand Compilation - $2.5 million.
1. Graff Diamond Hallucination - $55 million.
Talk about opulence at its peak. I still can't believe that a watch can be so expensive it rivals the price of a private jet, more than twice the price of the most expensive car in the world.
To me this is simply outrageous but wonderful. Graff diamond is the most expensive watch brand.
Manufactured in 2014 and unveiled at Baselworld, the Hallucination in all its embellishment, was a product of hours of work by expert craftsman and designers. This $55 million timepieces was crafted with platinum, featuring a kaleidoscope with 110 carats of different shades of colored and cut diamonds embedded and a tiny dial to tell time.
A night out with this watch, can be said to be the dream of most people. I am sure you will agree with me that no matter what, you will be conscious that you are practically wearing 10 times the price of some people's Rolls Royces.
Though we always knew mechanical watches as the most expensive, they had to give up their crown this time around for this quartz watch.
2. Graff Diamond The Fascination - $40 million.
The partner to the Hallucination, the Fascination is a beauty to behold. Made by Graff Diamond who are themselves expert in diamond works, it was brought to life in 2015.
Staying true to its origins it features 152.96 carats of white diamonds, a 38-carat pear-shaped diamond dial which an be converted to a ring - of course your $40 million was not for waste as you get a unique characteristics to add to the bling of your watch.
Indeed a special piece with no pair.
3. Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime - $31 million.
With 5 chiming modes, an acoustic alarm (great) and a host of complications comes the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime (the most expensive Patek Philippe watch) which you get two for the price of one - at $31 million. At this price tag you get to mesmerize your friends and colleagues with unique beauty, brilliance and functionality accompanied by 'wow' when you tell them the purchase cost.
It comes with two blue opaline dials - one on each side, the numerals are gold-applied on 18k solid gold dial plates, white gold case and a genuine alligator leather strap for the finishing touch.
4. Breguet Grande Complication Marie Antoinette - $30 million.
Collectors item I will say. This watch alone took 44 years to create. What? that long?.
With a unique back story to go with it, the designers made the decision to use gold in as many parts as possible with lots of complications to go along it.
Crafted in 1827, this automatic watch was specially designed for Queen Marie Antoinette who died before she got to lay her hands on it. So its like the most expensive watch ever customized for a single person. Now, it sits lonely but safely kept in the LA Mayer museum waiting for the next owner.
5. Jaeger Le-coultre Joaillerie101 Manchete - $26 million.
A gift meant for the head of the British royalty, Queen Elizabeth ll. We expect nothing but brilliance and beautiful artistry and design. It goes without saying that this particular watch is among the few on this list that was commissioned for specific individuals.
Created in 2012 as a gift for the 60th anniversary of the Queen's reign, it was rightly embellished with polished diamond links. Made from White gold, and equipped with a miniature caliber 101 movement - which is one of the smallest manual movement designs in the world.
6. Chopard 201Carat Watch - $25 million.
Are you smitten with diamonds? I can assure you this particular jewel will capture your heart and deny you release. When you talk about diamonds so lavishly embedded on a jewel, you talk chopard.
Being the top creation from a brand with the top 1% of 1% as their customers, the expensive Chopard 201 carat watch is adorned with 874 colored diamonds totaling 201 carats, 15 carat pink diamonds, 12 carats blue diamond and 11 carat white diamond.
Ladies, you can and should really put this one to good use.
7. Patek Philippe Henry Graves Super compilation - $24 million.
Talk about luxury and expensive watches as a way of life you talk Patek Philippe. With its array of watches on this list, this is the second Patek Philippe watch we are addressing today.
Originally designed in 1933 as a pocket watch for American banker Henry Graves, with 7 years used for complete creation, it came out as one of the world's most expensive pockets watches with lots of complications, on a matching gold frame.
However it was sold out to an anonymous bidder at an auction. This singular sale granted this expensive watch a space on the list of expensive watches in the world.
8. Rolex Paul Newman Daytona - $18.7 million.
Made with stainless steel and elegant deco design from a brand that is one of the most celebrated brands in the world, you should expect nothing else but wonder on this piece. We all know that Rolex is one of the most celebrated luxury brands in the world for quite some time now.
Commissioned in 1968 by Joanne Woodard for her racing car fan of a husband, Hollywood actor Paul Newman who as a person is a lover of fine accessories particularly watches.
This piece of art from top brand Rolex was later auctioned off in 2017 for a mind-numbing $18.7 million to a telephone bidder, after a 12 minute bidding war to prove who is worthy to claim it as his.
9. Jacob & Co Billionaire Watch - $18 million.
A billionaire watch with a billionaire name for billionaire buyers. Captivating enough to compel popular Floyd Mayweather to purchase one at $18 million for his collection.
This watch comes with an uncommon design. The 189 akosha diamonds cut that is a bit bigger in size than the regular emerald cut. Adding to that is the elegant tourbillion movement design of 167 elements and a skull art with close to 18 jewels.
To crown it all is a bracelet and dial in 18k white gold and a rose cut jewel on the crown.
10. Patek Philippe Stainless Steel. Ref 1518 - $12 million.
From the stables of Patek come this particular luxury watch that made headlines in 1941 as the first ever perpetual calendar and chronograph watch. Not only that, it was also part of a four series limited edition luxury watch model.
Indeed, a rare find. A high grade stainless steel watch standing shoulder to shoulder with other watches made with other expensive materials - proven by the selling price of $12 million at a 2016 auction in Geneva.
11. Patek Philippe Gobbi Milan Heures Universelles - $9 million.
Featuring the Heures Universalles world time system patented in 1930s by Louis Cottier an horological icon.
It is composed of blue enameled dial embedded on a 18k gold case such a unique beauty to behold. It was able to make collectors of beautiful items fight over themselves to own it. It specialty also comes from the fact that this particular watch features signatures from both Patek Philippe and Gobbi Milan.
To crown it all this 1953 double crown world timer was sold in 2016 at a Hong kong auction for $9 million.
12. Vacheron Constantine 57260 - $8 million.
Birthed in 2015 for a private client, it took 8 long years to completely manufactured such an beautiful piece of artistry.
Complexity within and simplicity without. I will say this is deception at the highest order. But I guess fan and lovers spotted this well kept secret proven by the price tag of $8 million.
Some of the peculiar and captivating differentia includes a white gold casing, 57 different complications with above 2800 individual components and 242 jewels. A Judaic calendar, night mode and double retrograde split-seconds chronograph are a few of the peerless functions available to buyers.
13. Patek Philippe Stainless Steel. Ref. 5016A-010 - $7.9 million.
Manufactured and auction in 2015 this is one of a classic from Patek Philippe. This rare piece was based on the 5016 classic that went out of production in 2011
A minute repeater, a tourbillion and a perpetual calendar with retrograde date are some of the complications that make this piece fascinating in its own right.
High grade stainless steel was employed to form its 36+mm case that housed its intricate movement systems added to that is Grand-feu enamel used on the distinctive blue dial that adorns the face of this incredibly rare timepiece.
14. Patel Philippe Two Crown World Time - $7.7 million.
Brilliance in limited supply with only three pieces ever produced. Also known as the Silk road this watch features the map of Eurasia enameled on the watch with a technique that unveils the level of mastery required the make this what it is.
This timepiece also known as the `grail' was manufactured in 1953 using the 18k yellow gold material and was sold in 2021 at a Geneva auction.
Other one of a kind complications that are part of the components are the 41-city ring, the world timer compilation and the dual crown.
15. Patek Philippe White Gold Caliber 89 - $6.9 million.
More size, more function is the name of the game. In dimensions this is one sizable watch and it is as big physically as it is expensive.
Made in 18k white gold for the celebration of the brand's 150th year anniversary, it literarily contains most if not all you will ever need when it comes to watch functionality.
It measures 88.3 mm in diameter and 41.07 mm in thickness. Within that structure lots of intriguing complications are housed of which some are a second time zone, an unusual easter date indication, moon phases, a flyback chronograph, sunrise and sunset timers an astronomical calendar, a solstice-zodiac indicator and a thermometer.
16. Patek Philippe Gold Chronograph - $6.8 million.
Mystery to be uncovered for those who was the privilege to try and uncover this piece. Although most information about this expensive watch is hidden under wraps, we know that this piece is in proportion and style larger than other similar designs. Of this model only two pieces were ever produced.
A few of the complications featured in this watch include the moon phase and a chronograph with date. With a buckle in 18karat gold, a mechanical movement system, mystery and rarity are other of the characteristics that add value and appeal to this state of the art piece.
17. Patek Philippe Titanium Ref. 5208T-010 - $6.6 million.
Titanium watches are practically unseen and rare in the world of watches. This watch is a perfect example of how rarity can elevate the level and status of a product. Am sure this is not a surprise considering that we are learning about most expensive watches on this article.
Featuring a minute repeater, perpetual calendar and a mono pusher chronograph, this automatic luxury watch from Patek Philippe also has added to its array of characteristics a display back - that unveils to you the admirable and appealing workings and mechanics going on in the timepiece.
18. Rolex Daytona Unicorn - $6.1 million.
At $6.1 million comes the second most expensive Rolex ever sold in the public. This manual watch was crafted in 1970 as a sports watch having a luxe and unique 18karat white gold accent - a rarity of its time.
The Unicorn as popularly known is a rarity of a watch. Always a head-turner and intriguing piece to those who are fascinated with watches, this luxurious craft features contrasting black dials with white gold indexes to match. Indeed, a wonder of a watch the Daytona Unicorn is.
19. Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Caliber 89 - $6 million.
Wait, a watch weighing over a kilo? that shocking. Can I actually wear that for an outing? you make you decisions as I've made mine.
This watch is a Caliber 89 in a fine yellow gold accent, manufactured in1989 this piece has a case size of 88.2 mm to housed the astonishing number of up to 33 complications. What a complicated watch. No wonder it took more than 8 years to completely finalise the production of the watch.
Allow me to name a few of the complications available on this watch. World times for 125 cities, barometer, altimeter, compass, split-second chronograph, sunrise and sunset timers are a few of the complications.
20. Patek Philippe Platinum World Time Ref. 1415 - $5.8 million.
Manufactured in 1939 this timepiece from Patek Philippe is considered the first ever production world timer from this celebrated brand. With a monochrome setup, this luxury watch has a case size of 31mm which was crafted in platinum, a precious metal rarely seen in the luxury world of watches.
Having once held the title of the world priciest watches-a title it held in 2002 after been sold at an auction in Antiquorum, Geneva, you can be sure that this is an interesting piece to look at and possess.
Recently it was spotted at an auction in an auction house in Hong kong.
21. Patek Philippe Ref. 1527 - $5.7 million.
One of a kind and a reference used in the production of other models, that is the level of brilliance this watch from Patek acheived. With incredible rarity and added value it takes the 21st spot on my list.
Brought to life in 1943, this seemingly simple watch is bling in disguise. Having more than nineteen different precious stones and made in 20k rose gold it has indeed proven to be worth the price tag.
These are the last 10 on my list of expensive watches.
22. Patek Philippe World Timer Guilloché - $5.5 million.
23. Patek Philippe Caliber 89 - $5.5 million.
24. Hublot BigBang Diamond - $5 million.
25. Louis Moinet Meteoris - $4.6 million.
26. Breguet Antique Number 2667 - $4.5 million.
27. Rolex Daytona Oyster Albino - $4 million.
28. Patek Philippe 5004T - $3.9 million.
29. Patek Philippe Single Bottom Chronograph - $3.6 million.
30. Frank Muller Aeternitas Mega 4 - $2.7 million.
31. Lange and Söhne Grand Compilation - $2.5 million.
Added Insights on the 31 most expensive watches in the world.
The most expensive watch in the world is the Graff Diamond Hallucination sold at $55 million. Made by Graff Diamond brand, it was unveiled in 2014 at Basel world and it has up to 110 carats of colored diamonds encrusted on platinum bracelet.
The cost of these insanely expensive watches are influenced by the following properties. Materials utilized in the crafting of these luxe watches, rarities of the models, uniqueness of the concepts, the diamonds, gold and other precious and rare stones jewels and lastly the intricate engineering tecjniques for creating their peerless complications, dials and indexes.
So, what do you have to say about these expensive watches. Are they really worth their price tag or do you think they are equally as amazing as their tags?
If you were in a position to own one of these will you go through with the purchase or will you back out?
Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
References.
- Wikipedia.
- Luxe.digital
- Trendspotter.