Everywhere we turn nowadays, we are surrounded by beautiful timepieces. Expensive watches can be seen on the wrists of the affluent and famous all over the world, from superstars to royals to influential leaders. Even though all outstanding watches compel attention and respect, some are more impressive than others. And in the realm of watches, brilliance comes at a hefty price.
There is all manner of spectacular watches here, each worth enormous sums of money, ranging from great chronographs with proven track records to modern wonders worn only by society’s elite tiers. Let’s have a look at the world’s 20 most expensive watches.
Graff Diamonds Hallucination
Price – $55 Million
Graff Diamonds’ Hallucination is the most costly watch.
The Hallucination is opulence and elegance at its finest, costing even more than the most costly timepiece ever manufactured.
The watch is set in a platinum band and features 110 carats of rare coloured diamonds in a variety of shapes and finishes.
The Hallucination is a one-of-a-kind statement piece that tests the limits of Horlogerie to the limit.
Graff Diamonds The Fascination
Price – $40 million.
The attraction with the most costly timepieces graff gems – Luxe Digital
The Fascination is a one-of-a-kind showcase of diamond mastery as well as a masterpiece of horological craftsmanship. One that will put all other women’s watches to shame.
This clock features 152.96 carats of white diamonds and a 38-carat pear-shaped diamond dial that may also be worn as a ring in the centre. A convertible watch gives you double the value for your money.
Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010
Price – $31 Million
If you’re going to spend $31 million on a watch, knowing you’re getting two for the price of one is a nice plus. There are two dials on this watch, one on the front and one on the back.
The Grandmaster Chime is the most costly Patek watch ever marketed, with 20 complexities including five separate chiming modes (thus the name), an audio alarm, and a date repeater. Both dials are blue opaline with gold-applied numerals and dial plates made of 18K pure gold. The case is white gold, with a navy blue alligator leather strap.
Breguet Grande Complication Marie Antoinette
Price – $30 million
One of Marie Antoinette’s boyfriends is said to have commissioned this watch for the renowned French monarch and lover of life’s finer pleasures, Marie Antoinette. It took roughly 40 years to create this extraordinary timepiece, and she was executed before the task was completed, adding to the romance and intrigue of this ancient timepiece.
It has every complication that existed at the time, including a perpetual calendar and thermometer, and is encased in gold. The watch has been safely stored away in the L.A. Mayer museum since it was stolen in the late 1900s, but it is offered for purchase for those with $30 million.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaillerie 101 Manchette
Price – $26 million
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaillerie 101 Manchette, which can be customised with up to 576 diamonds and a sapphire dial, was given to Queen Elizabeth II to commemorate her 60th year in office. It is powered by the Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 101, which is manually wound and has a silver dial with a winding crown.
Chopard 201-Carat Watch
Price – $25 Million
The Chopard 201-Carat watch is one of the most expensive watches in the world. A cluster of colourful diamonds, including a 15-carat pink diamond, a 12-carat blue diamond, and an 11-carat white diamond, adorn the watch.
If that isn’t enough, maybe another 163 carats of white and yellow diamonds will suffice!
Patek Philippe Henry Graves Super complication
Price: $26 million
This Patek Philippe gold pocket watch was designed and built-in 1933 for a wealthy American banker named Henry Graves. It took 7 years to design and produce, back when watchmaking relied on craftsmen rather than computer calculations.
It has a perpetual calendar, a minute repeater with Westminster Chimes, sunrise and sunset times, and a celestial chart based on the night sky as seen from Graves’ house in New York, making it one of the most costly pockets watches in the world.
Rolex Paul Newman Daytona Ref. 6239
Price: $18.7 million
Paul Newman, the actor and charmer, was renowned for his passion for expensive watches and racing cars. As a result, his wife Joanne Woodard had the words “Drive Carefully” engraved on the watch when she had it commissioned in 1968.
The Paul Newman Rolex Daytona Ref.6239 appeals to more than horological experts and anybody interested in Hollywood memorabilia alike, thanks to its distinctive black and cream exotic dial and magnificent Art Deco style.
The auction only lasted 12 minutes when the watch was sold over the phone to the highest bidder.
Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Ref. 1518
Price – $12 million
The main attraction of this watch, which is part of a limited edition four-piece series, is its casing. It stands out from other Patek Philippe luxury watches because of its high-grade stainless steel case, which contrasts with other Patek Philippe luxury watches that are normally constructed of yellow or rose gold.
The Patek Philippe Ref.1518 created horology headlines when it was initially unveiled in 1941 as the world’s first perpetual calendar and chronograph—yet another reason why collectors love this watch. While you may believe that steel would make a watch less costly than gold, high-end watches in this material are hard to come by. Rarity always drives up pricing.
Jacob & Co. Billionaire Watch
Price – $18 million
The Jacob & Co. Billionaire Watch is a diamond tourbillon wristwatch with 260 carats of immaculate diamonds studded throughout. It was created in 2015 and sold for $18 million, a sum that could only be afforded by the wealthiest of people. That’s why it’s no surprise that famed boxer Floyd Mayweather bought one for himself in 2018, flaunting his latest acquisition on Instagram.
Vacheron Constantin 57260
Price – $8 million
This Vacheron Constantin wristwatch, a custom for a private client, is the world’s most intricate watch, with 57 different complications, 2826 unique components, and 242 gems. At the time of manufacturing, ten of the complications were brand new horological discoveries.
What are some of the most unique features? A ‘night mode,’ a Judaic calendar, and a double retrograde split-seconds chronograph are all included. The casing is straightforward and uncomplicated, enabling the superior mechanics to take centre stage. Given that it took three watchmakers eight years to develop and build, it seems fitting that this watch sold for roughly $8 million.
Hublot Big Bang Diamond
Price – $5 Million
The Hublot Big Bang might be exactly up your alley if you’re looking for a little glitz in your life.
The watch, which costs $5 million, has 1280 three-carat diamonds that were all hand-cut by a New York City jeweller with 40 years of experience. It was given to Jay-Z on his 43rd birthday by his wife, Beyonce, and is about as exquisite as it gets!
Louis Moinet Meteoris
Price – $4.6 Million
The Louis Moinet Meteoris is one of the most sought-after timepieces of all time. There are only four watches in all, and each one contains a genuine piece of moon rock!
It’s easy to see how it’s become one of the most expensive watches in the world when you add in some top-notch mechanisms and pricey materials. The Meteoric line of watches came as a set, so it’s still a good deal!
Breguet Antique Number 2667
Price – $4.5 Million
The Breguet Antique Number 2667 is the first pocket watch to appear on our list. Wearing a watch on your wrist may not always be suitable, thus a classicly designed pocket watch may be a better option.
The watch is made of 18kt yellow gold and has two oscillating bodies placed on an exquisite face.
Patek Philippe Two-Crown Worldtime Ref. 2523 Eurasia Dial
Price – $7.7 million
This Patek Philippe clock is one of the most mythological and legendary in the horological world, suitable for a brand that has made some of the best men’s watches of all time. It is known as a ‘grail’ watch, extremely covetable and superbly coveted. Silk Road 2523 is the name of the watch. The dial, which depicts a map of Eurasia, is its most notable feature. It also has a world time complication, a dual crown, and a 41-city ring, and is both ornate and instantly recognisable at the same time.
Richard Mille RM 56-02 Sapphire Tourbillon
Price – 2 Million
The Richard Mille RM 56-02 Sapphire Tourbillon is a masterwork of movement and intricacy, backed by unmistakable craftsmanship. The split-seconds chronograph on this sapphire wristwatch, which was released in 2014, makes unsurpassed use of sapphire crystal on the case. This similarly uses a rope and pulley system to suspend the intricate movement (also made of sapphire) within.
Patek Philippe 1928 Single Button Chronograph
Price – $3.6 Million
This stunning clock was originally owned by world-famous guitarist Eric Clapton and was created in 1924. The single button chronograph is made of 18kt white gold and is embellished with 28 different gems.
Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega 4
Price – $2.7 Million
Franck Muller is a French designer. The Aeternitas Mega 4 holds the record for being the world’s most complicated timepiece, with 1483 components, which is a world record. The watch has an ever-renewable calendar that does not require any adjustments for 1000 years! So, if you’re thinking of buying a watch of this calibre, a $2.7 million investment would be worthwhile.
Lange & Söhne Grand Complication
Price – $2.5 Million
The Lange & Söhne Grand Complication is the brand’s most expensive watch right now. The intricate wristwatch, which took a little over a year to create, is valued for its many features. The watch is housed in a gold casing and features a total of 876 complex working components. It has a diameter of 50mm and a thickness of 20mm.
It has a split-second chronograph, a moon phase perpetual calendar, a grande and petite sonnerie with a minute repeater, and a moon phase perpetual calendar.
Vacheron Constantin Tour de I’Ile
Price – $1.5 Million
With a price tag of roughly $1.5 million, this watch, like the rest of our list, is only accessible to a select group of wealthy individuals.
Vacheron Constantin, a Swiss company, produced the wristwatch, which was released in 2005.
The release commemorated the company’s 250th anniversary. To guarantee exclusivity, they only produced 7 limited edition pieces.