From a $55 million colorful diamond wristwatch to a timepiece commissioned for the French queen Marie Antoinette in the 1700s, we have put together a list of record-breaking timepieces. Keep reading to take a close look at the top 10 most expensive watches in the world and why they command such high prices.
What Are The Most Expensive Watches In The World?
- Graff Diamonds Hallucination – $55 million
- Graff Diamonds The Fascination – $40 million
- Breguet No. 160 – $30 million
- Chopard 201-Carat Watch – $25 million
- Patek Philippe Supercomplication – $24 million
- Jacob & Co. Billionaire Watch – $18 million
- Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona – $17.8 million
- Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 – $11.1 million
- Vacheron Constantin 57260 – $8 million
- Hublot Big Bang – $5 million
1. Graff Diamonds Hallucination – $55 Million
Topping the list of the word’s most expensive watches is the Graff Diamonds Hallucination. Unveiled at the Baselword watch and jewelry fair, this unprecedented watch is made up of 110 carats of diamonds. Diamonds of all colors, including Fancy Pink, Fancy Yellow, Fancy Green, and Fancy Blue, and cuts, including emerald, heart, pear, marquise, and round, are combined to create this spectacular timepiece.
2. Graff Diamonds The Fascination – $40 Million
Known for their luxurious diamond jewelry items, Graff Diamonds created The Fascination watch, which contains 152.96 carats of diamond with a center diamond that is a 38.14-carat D Flawless pear shape. The center diamond detaches into a ring that can be worn separately.
3. Breguet No. 160 – $30 Million
The original version of this piece was allegedly commissioned for Marie Antoinette by one of her lovers. Abraham-Louis Breguet began working on the watch in 1782, and Marie Antoinette was executed before its completion in 1827 by Breguet’s son.
It included every known complication at the time, including a thermometer, chime, and perpetual calendar. The watch was on display at the L.A. Mayer Museum in Jerusalem until it was stolen in 1983. The piece was eventually recovered and is still on display at the Mayer Museum today.
4. Chopard 201-Carat Watch – $25 Million
This stunning timepiece contains 874 diamonds, totalling 201 carats, in an array of colors. The center of the Chopard watch is comprised of three heart-shaped diamonds in yellow, pink, and blue.
5. Patek Philippe Supercomplication – $24 Million
This gold pocket watch was created in 1933 by Patek Philippe for banker Henry Graves Jr. It took 5 years to design and build and features 24 complications, including a perpetual calendar, sunrise and sunset times, and a celestial calendar from Graves’ apartment on Fifth Avenue in New York.
6. Jacob & Co. Billionaire Watch – $18 Million
The Billionaire Watch contains 260 carats of emerald-cut diamonds, 167 individual components, and 19 jewels. The bracelet and watch face are one seamless construction made of 18K white gold.
7. Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona – $17.8 Million
Movie star and race-car enthusiast, Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona that sold for a staggering $17.8 million back in 2017. Art Deco in style, the 1968 Daytona reference 6239 was engraved with 'Drive Carefully, Me' by wife and actress Joanne Woodward. Paul went on to gift it to his daughter’s boyfriend at the time, who donated a sizable amount of the sale to the Nell Newman Foundation.
8. Patel Philippe Ref. 1518 – $11.1 Million
In late 2016, the stainless steel-cased Patek Philippe ref 1518 sold at a watch auction for just over $11 million. Patek Philippe produced the 1518 model in 1941, making it the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch every produced in a series.
9. Vacheron Constantin 57260 – $8 Million
Including 57 complications, 2826 individual components, and 242 jewels, Vacheron Constantin’s 57260 watch is a technological and artistic feat. It took 8 years to design and create, and is estimated to have been commissioned for $8 million for a private client.
10. Hublot Big Bang – $5 Million
Hublot’s Big Bang watch contains 1,282 diamonds in total, including more than 100 carats of baguette diamonds and 6 emerald-cut diamonds weighing more than 3 carats each. Beyoncé famously purchased a Hublot Big Bang for her husband Jay-Z as a birthday present back in 2012.
What Makes Luxury Watches So Expensive?
The primary factors that determine how much a luxury timepiece is worth are:
- Technology
- Craftsmanship
- Materials used
- Brand
These factors all work in conjunction to determine the ultimate value of a timepiece. The precision, craftsmanship, labour and skill that go into luxury watches is what sets them apart from others. Rolex watches, for example, are all handle assembled and the brand has their own foundry that makes the gold they use in their pieces.
How To Sell Upgrade Or Trade In Your Watch
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If you are interested in selling or trading in your luxury watch, jewelry or handbags, myGemma offers a convenient and safe online service. With an A+ BBB rating and hundreds of online reviews from our customers, you can be sure that you are selling your luxury watch to a trustworthy buyer.
There are no fees charged and our team of expert buyers can accurately assess the value of your piece and make you a strong offer.
How Much Is My Watch Worth?
Ultimately, a limited edition timepiece that is highly sought after will always fetch high prices. And a watch that has been well-cared for, comes with box and papers, has been regularly serviced and is in great condition will also do well.
To find out exactly how much you could sell your luxury items for, click the button below to receive your price quote from our experts. Your dedicated client representative will contact you via phone or email and will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.
