Top 20 Most Expensive Watches (Plus, Priciest Luxury Brands)

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Learn what makes these timepieces so valuable and rare
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Have you ever wondered about the most expensive watches in the world? The price of luxury watches is determined by their design, the quality of the materials, and the maker's attention to detail. Beyond their ability to tell time, luxury timepieces are revered because their craftsmanship and innovation make them worth collecting. Keep reading for a list of the top 20 most expensive watches in the world, as well as a breakdown of the most expensive luxury brands and what factors contribute to their high price tags.

What are the top 10 expensive watches?

  1. Graff Diamonds Hallucination ($55 million)
  2. Graff Diamonds Fascination ($40 million)
  3. Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 ($31 million)
  4. Breguet Grande Complication Marie Antoinette ($30 million)
  5. Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaillerie 101 Manchette ($26 million)
Section 1 of 4:

The Top 20 Most Expensive Watches In The World

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  1. The Graff Diamonds Hallucination watch is the ultimate statement piece for those who love extravagance. It debuted in 2014 and has 110 carats of rare colored diamonds that surround a small quartz dial, making it just as much a piece of luxury jewelry as a watch. Thousands of man hours went into designing the watch’s stunning rainbow-style design and platinum bracelet—it’s easy to understand why the Graff Hallucination watch is currently the world’s most expensive watch. [1]
    • The Graff Hallucination watch currently belongs to Laurence Graff, the controlling shareholder of the South African Diamond Corporation.
  2. 2
    Graff Diamonds Fascination ($40 million) The 2nd most expensive watch in the world is also made by Graff Diamonds—the Fascination watch containing 114 carats of colorless diamonds. The teardrop-shaped diamond dial can be removed and worn as a separate ring if you want to double your bling. The watch face is made up of a 38.13-carat D pear-shaped diamond that is surrounded by 152.96 carats of white diamonds. The incredible shimmer from the many pristine diamonds makes this watch something you’ll never forget.
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  3. 3
    Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 ($31 million) The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime US debuted in 2014 to honor Patek Philippe’s 175th anniversary as a company. The watch is made from stainless steel and includes 20 different complications, including gorgeous chimes that can be preprogrammed to ring at a specific time and date. It also boasts a double-face case that you can turn around to reveal a 2nd style of watch. [2]
    • In watchmaking, a complication refers to any feature that goes beyond displaying hours, minutes, and seconds. [3]
    • Common watch complications include having a date window, calendars, a chronograph (or stopwatch), a moon phase display, or a power reserve indicator.
    • Many luxury watches also feature a complication called a tourbillon, meaning “whirlwind” in French. A tourbillon is when a watch’s timekeeping parts (like the balance wheel and escapement) spin in a visible rotating cage. [4]
  4. 4
    Breguet Grande Complication Marie Antoinette ($30 million) This Breguet is one of the few pocket watches on the list, but it’s easy to see why this one is listed at #4. The Grande Complication pocket watch was originally made for Marie Antoinette (hence its name) and was actually only completed 34 years after her death. This remake was ordered by Nicolas Hayek, the founder of the Swatch watch group, in 2004; it was officially finished in 2008 as a self-winding watch now worth $30 million. [5]
  5. 5
    Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaillerie 101 Manchette ($26 million) The Joaillerie 101 Manchette was created for Queen Elizabeth II. Like other top watches on the list, it includes polished diamonds on a white gold setting. The watch operates on a manual winding 101 caliber movement and stands out because of its geometric pattern design and super small watch face, which makes it feel more like an incredibly expensive bracelet than a watch.
    • A watch’s movement is the internal mechanism responsible for making the watch run. Mechanical and automatic movements are made up of mechanical parts, while a quartz movement usually requires a battery to run. [6]
    • Jewelry and watch designer Bill Green notes that “when you're winding a watch in a clockwise direction, it's doing all of its work. It's like riding a bicycle. When you ride a bicycle and you pedal forward, it's propelling you forward. When you pedal backward, it's really not doing any work. When you're winding, you can simply grasp it back and forth, and you're fine. With an automatic watch, you will not come to a stop because there is a slip clutch mechanism that allows the mainspring to slip.”
  6. 6
    Chopard 201-Carat ($25 million) The Chopard 201-Carat greatly resembles the top watch on the list—the Graff Hallucination- due to its multicolored array of gemstones. Included among the gems are 874 diamonds, including a 15-carat heart-shaped pink diamond, a nearly 13-carat blue diamond, and an 11-carat D-colored diamond. The most entertaining part of the Chopard watch is how it opens up like a flower whenever the spring mechanism is pressed.
  7. 7
    Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication ($26 million) This pocket watch is named after Henry Graves, a banker who commissioned the watch from Patek Philippe. Made from 18-carat gold, it’s known as the world’s most complicated watch. It’s hand-built to feature over 24 functions, including Westminster chimes, a perpetual calendar, sunrise and sunset times, plus a celestial map of New York from the vantage point of Henry Graves’ 5th Avenue apartment. [7]
  8. 8
    Jacob & Co. Billionaire Timeless Treasure ($20 million) The Jacob & Co. Billionaire Timeless Treasure debuted at the 2023 Watches & Wonders event in Geneva, Switzerland. Its design features 425 Asscher-Cut Fancy Yellow and Intense Yellow diamonds, cut from 880 carats of rough yellow diamonds. It has an 18-carat yellow gold case and lattice-motif bracelet. [8]
    • Ascher-cut diamonds are square-shaped with clipped corners, which allows viewers to see 57 different facets on the edges of the stone itself.
  9. 9
    Jacob & Co. Billionaire Watch ($18 million) This 2nd Jacob & Co. watch entry in the top 10 most expensive watches features over 260-carat baguette-cut diamonds, along with a white gold watch encasing and diamond hour markers. The watch has a 72-hour power reserve, 239 emerald-cut baguette diamonds, and is an impressive 47.5 mm wide. The watch itself has a calibre JCAM09 manually wound tourbillon movement with skeletonized bridges, which creates a stunning view of the watch itself.
    • The back of the watch includes an engraving of the “billionaire” logo—the billionaire title is named after Billionaire Lifestyle, the company of Formula 1 business Flavio Briatore.
  10. 10
    Rolex Paul Newman Daytona Ref. 6239 ($18.7 million) This Rolex Daytona is the only watch on the top 10 associated with Hollywood actors—in this case, Paul Newman. It dates back to 1968 and was originally a gift to Paul Newman from his wife, actress Joanne Woodward. It’s a chronograph watch with an off-white dial and 3 black sub-dials. One of 2 Rolex watches on the top 20 list, the Daytona is also the most American watch on the list. [9]
  11. 11
    Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Ref. 1518 ($12 million) The Patek Philippe 1518 features leaf-shaped hands and applied indices, along with a day-month function as seen in 2 openings at the 12 o’clock mark; there is also a lunar phase function located at the top half sub-dial at 6.
    • Only 281 watches were made between 1941 and 1954, which included just 2 stainless steel models.
  12. 12
    Patek Philippe Calibre 89 ($5.5 Million) This pocket watch is known as the most complicated watch ever made by Patek Philippe. It has an 88.2 mm diameter and over 33 complications, like a 1-minute tourbillon, an alarm, solar meantime, and both barometer and compass functions. Only 4 of these pocket watches were made—in yellow gold, white gold, pink gold, and platinum. [10]
  13. 13
    Hublot Big Bang Diamond ($5 Million) The Hublot Big Bang diamond watch features no less than 1,280 3-carat diamonds, which were hand-cut by a New York jeweler with over 40 years of experience. It’s even better known as the watch Beyonce gave to Jay-Z for his 43rd birthday!
  14. 14
    Louis Moinet Meteoris ($4.6 Million) There are only 4 Louis Moinet Meteoris watches in existence—even more rare is the fact that they each contain a piece of meteorite, either from the moon, Mars, or an asteroid (depending on the watch). All 4 watches are sold as a collection and feature a tourbillon and a mechanical planetarium that symbolizes the solar system.
  15. 15
    Rolex Daytona Ref. 6263 Oyster Albino ($4 Million) This Rolex is known as the Oyster Albino because of the white color on its chronograph subdials. It has a stainless steel case and bracelet, with a caliber 727 movement. Only 4 of these watches were made, but this model was famously owned by musician Eric Clapton.
  16. 16
    Patek Philippe 5004T ($3.9 Million) This sporty Patek Philippe features a titanium body and contrast stitching. What makes it sought after at auction, though, is that it’s part of the Patek Philippe 5004 series that was discontinued. The watch was originally created for the 2013 Only Watch charity auction. It also features a split-seconds chronograph, perpetual calendar, hand-engraved gold dial, and a calfskin strap.
  17. 17
    Patek Philippe 1928 Single Button Chronograph ($3.6 Million) Though one of many Patek Philippes on the top 20 most expensive list, this chronograph is one of the oldest ones as it was created in 1924. It’s made of 18-karat white gold, has 28 different jewels, and includes a moon phase function.
    • The watch is also the 2nd watch on the top 20 once owned by guitarist Eric Clapton.
  18. 18
    Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega 4 ($2.7 Million) This intricately designed watch is known for being the most complicated wristwatch in the world because it features 1,483 components and 36 complications. For instance, it has an eternally renewable calendar that doesn’t need to be adjusted for 1,000 years. It also has a tourbillon and Westminster chimes function; the watch comes in a white gold case with a curved design that is recognized as a Franck Muller signature. [11]
  19. 19
    Lange & Söhne Grand Complication ($2.5 Million) This Grand Complication is the only Lange & Söhne watch on the list, and debuted in 2013. Featuring a gold case, it has 876 moving parts and is 50mm in diameter. Some of its more well-known features include a moonphase perpetual calendar, a split-second chronograph, and a sonnerie that strikes every hour and every quarter-hour.
  20. 20
    Vacheron Constantin Tour de I’Ile ($1.5 Million) Vacheron’s Tour de I’lle was released in 2005 on the 250th anniversary of the Vacheron Constantin watch company. Only 7 limited edition watches exist as examples of the most complicated 2-sided wristwatch ever made by Vacheron Constantin. It’s 47 mm in diameter, made from pink gold, and has 16 grand complications, including a perpetual calendar and time/sky chart.
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Section 2 of 4:

The 10 Most Expensive Watch Brands in the World

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  1. 1
    Richard Mille The newest watch brand on the list was founded in 1999 and is known for its oversized, boldly designed statement pieces that are durable enough to be a favorite of sports celebrities like Rafael Nadal and Fernando Alonso. [12]
    • Price Range: $60,000 to $1,300,000+
  2. 2
    Patek Philippe Founded in 1839, the Swiss watch company Patek Philippe is today the last remaining family-owned watch manufacturer in Geneva. It’s known for innovations like the split-seconds chronograph, the winding and setting crown, and the 1st electric clock.
    • Price Range: $21,000 to $485,000+
  3. 3
    Audemars Piguet Audemars Piguet was founded in Switzerland in 1875 by friends Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet. It’s most famous for its Royal Oak collection that debuted in 1972 and is a favorite among A-list celebrities, especially hip-hop artists and professional athletes. [13]
    • Price Range: $45,000 to $300,000+
  4. 4
    Breguet Breguet was founded in 1775 Switzerland by watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet, who first created a pocket watch for Marie Antoinette and a wristwatch for the Queen of Naples.
    • Price Range: $12,000 to $220,000+
  5. 5
    Grand Seiko The other non-Swiss watch brand on the list is the Japanese Grand Seiko, which was founded as a luxury offshoot of Seiko in 1960. During competition, the Grand Seiko mechanical watch beat out Swiss watches in precision in 1971. [14]
    • Price Range: $600 to $200,000+
  6. 6
    A. Lange & Söhne The German A. Lange & Söhne is only one of 2 non-Swiss watch companies on the list of most expensive watch brands. It was founded in 1845 by Ferdinand Adolph Lange in the small mining town of Glashütte. Their watches are known for being incredibly precise and showing off unique design features. [15]
    • Price Range: $13,000 to $140,000+
  7. 7
    Vacheron Constantin Vacheron Constantin was founded in Switzerland in 1755 as one of the oldest luxury watch manufacturers worldwide. Their watches have been worn by figures as famously diverse as Napoleon and President Harry Truman, while they’re known for having multiple complications. [16]
    • Price Range: $12,300 to $131,000+
  8. 8
    Rolex Rolex is one of if not the most well-known watch brands worldwide and was founded in Switzerland in 1905. They also debuted the 1st waterproof watch (called the Oyster) in 1926.
    • Price Range: $5,500 to $75,000+
  9. 9
    Jaeger-LeCoultre Founded in 1833, the Swiss watch company Jaeger-LeCoultre is known for its unique watch designs. Its most famous watch is the Reverso, which has a watch face that flips around to protect itself inside the watch casing. [17]
    • Price Range: $7,000 to $60,000+
  10. 10
    Blancpain Founded in 1735 Switzerland, Blancpain is the oldest watch brand in the world. It’s most famous for the Fifty Fathoms diving watches that debuted in the 1950s and were made for the French navy’s combat swimmers (and later, the U.S. Navy Seals). [18]
    • Price Range: $9,000 to $30,000+
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Section 3 of 4:

What makes luxury watches so expensive?

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  1. The materials used to create a watch greatly affect its asking price and can include gold, stainless steel, and platinum. For gold alone, yellow gold brings the most value, with white gold costing slightly less. Rose gold is more durable for everyday wear, but it costs the least to make. The majority of wristwatches are made with stainless steel, while platinum is considered the top watch material available. [19]
    • While white gold is an alloy of gold, platinum is a pure white metal known for its durability and scratch resistance.
    • Craftsmanship also affects how well the chosen materials are created; more extensive craftsmanship means a more intricate watch design and movement.
    • A well-crafted watch made from stainless steel can help guys look rich without being rich just as a solid gold or platinum watch can.
  2. 2
    Technology The technology behind each brand, style, and model of watch is based on various factors, like research and development. Companies develop new techniques and practices to end up with the most durable, accurate watches that demonstrate the best horology has to offer. They work hard to keep up with technologies that affect power reserve, water resistance, and accuracy, which can make for a higher price when you pick a watch .
  3. 3
    Manufacturing The time it takes to manufacture a watch often comes down to the size of the watch company and whether they import watch parts or make movements in-house like Rolex and Patek Philippe do. This all affects the price of the watch once it comes together.
    • Production time is also a deciding factor with price, since watches that feature multiple complications, or extra features, like a lunar phase or chronograph.
  4. 4
    Brand Prestige Certain brands like Rolex and Audemars Piguet have what is called brand prestige, which means there are so many quality control factors in place to ensure a well-built watch. When top brands charge more, they’re selling you a watch and their well-known reputations in the watch world.
    • Limited inventory can also affect the price of a watch, either from its exclusivity or rarity; many watch companies can’t keep up with consumer demand, which makes certain models “must-haves.” Also, watch prices can go up when they’re re-sold since they’ve become more sought-after or rare.
    • Certified image consultant Tavia Sharp emphasizes that buying a watch “depends on your overall personal style. Are you more classic, or would you go with something a little bit more like luxury or high-end because it's going to communicate something? It’s communicating different things depending on what type of watch you invest in. Also, a watch is something that will last a long time; if you invest in a high-quality watch, it's something that you can keep for a very long time.”
  5. Some of the most expensive luxury watches get that way because of famous people who wear the watch brand, that specific model, or the exact watch itself. A good example is the Rolex Daytona 6239 that Paul Newman famously wore when he raced cars, which was signed “Drive Carefully, Me” by his wife Joanne Woodward.
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Section 4 of 4:

Most Expensive Watch FAQs

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  1. 1
    Which watch brand is the most expensive? Patek Philippe is considered the most expensive watch brand worldwide, with Richard Mille, Vacheron Constantin, and Audemars Piguet close behind (although Richard Mille features a watch costing over $1 million). Patek Philippe watches start at about $21,000 and can go up to nearly $500,000. Their prices come down to craftsmanship, brand prestige, and limited inventory. [20]
  2. 2
    What is the rarest watch in the world? The Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication was originally considered not only the most complicated watch in the world but also the rarest. It’s actually a gold pocket watch that was made completely by hand and features 24 complications, like a perpetual calendar and celestial chart. [21]
  3. 3
    Which watch sold for $31 million? The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 sold at the 2019 Christie’s Only Watch charity auction for $31 million. It’s made of stainless steel, which is considered a less expensive metal than gold or platinum, and has 20 complications to its credit. It’s best known for its 2 dials (black and salmon colored) that can be flipped or reversed according to the wearer’s mood. [22]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.luxhabitat.ae/the-journal/top-10-most-expensive-watches-in-the-world/
      2. ↑ https://www.luxhabitat.ae/the-journal/top-10-most-expensive-watches-in-the-world/
      3. ↑ https://www.hautehorlogerie.org/en/watches-and-culture/library/watch-complications
      4. ↑ https://www.hodinkee.com/watch101/tourbillon
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      6. ↑ https://www.tourneau.com/watch-education/watch-movements.html
      7. ↑ https://chronohunter.com/chronicles/most-expensive-watches-of-all-time
      8. ↑ https://chronohunter.com/chronicles/most-expensive-watches-of-all-time
      9. ↑ https://www.luxhabitat.ae/the-journal/top-10-most-expensive-watches-in-the-world/
      1. ↑ https://www.luxhabitat.ae/the-journal/top-10-most-expensive-watches-in-the-world/
      2. ↑ https://www.luxhabitat.ae/the-journal/top-10-most-expensive-watches-in-the-world/
      3. ↑ https://www.watchfinder.com/articles/feature-top-10-most-expensive-luxury-watch-brands
      4. ↑ https://www.watchfinder.com/articles/feature-top-10-most-expensive-luxury-watch-brands
      5. ↑ https://www.watchfinder.com/articles/feature-top-10-most-expensive-luxury-watch-brands
      6. ↑ https://www.watchfinder.com/articles/feature-top-10-most-expensive-luxury-watch-brands
      7. ↑ https://www.townandcountrymag.com/style/jewelry-and-watches/g21968637/best-watch-brands/
      8. ↑ https://www.townandcountrymag.com/style/jewelry-and-watches/g21968637/best-watch-brands/
      9. ↑ https://www.townandcountrymag.com/style/jewelry-and-watches/g21968637/best-watch-brands/
      10. ↑ https://lapatiala.com/why-are-watches-so-expensive/#h-precious-materials
      11. ↑ https://wristadvisor.com/how-much-is-a-patek-philippe-and-what-is-a-patek-worth/
      12. ↑ https://theluxuryplaybook.com/the-10-rarest-watches-in-the-wolrd/
      13. ↑ https://youtu.be/WH6a3cCWL2E?si=nMW2fIp4cr_dPH5G&t=208

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