The World’s Most Expensive Watches Ever Sold: A Glimpse Into Timeless Luxury
In the world of luxury timepieces, a watch is more than just an instrument for telling time. It is a statement of wealth, craftsmanship, heritage, and art. For collectors and enthusiasts, acquiring a rare and expensive watch is akin to owning a piece of history or an artwork of unparalleled beauty. Over the years, some watches have fetched astronomical prices at auctions, setting records and captivating the world. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of horology and explore the most expensive watches ever sold.
1. Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime
- Price: $31 million
- Year Sold: 2019
Topping the list is the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010, which was sold at a staggering $31 million at the Only Watch charity auction in Geneva in 2019. This masterpiece was crafted specifically for the auction, making it a one-of-a-kind creation. The Grandmaster Chime is the most complicated wristwatch ever made by Patek Philippe, featuring 20 complications, including a perpetual calendar, a minute repeater, and an alarm with a striking mechanism. Its reversible case is crafted in stainless steel, a rarity for Patek Philippe high-end watches, and is inscribed with the words “The Only One,” further emphasising its exclusivity.
2. Patek Philippe Henry Graves Super complication
- Price: $24 million
- Year Sold: 2014
The Patek Philippe Henry Graves Super complication holds the record as the most expensive pocket watch ever sold. This exquisite timepiece was commissioned by American banker Henry Graves Jr. in 1925 and took eight years to design and manufacture. The Super complication is renowned for its 24 complications, which include a perpetual calendar, a celestial chart of New York City’s night sky, and Westminster chimes. When it was auctioned by Sotheby’s in 2014, it fetched $24 million, cementing its status as a monumental achievement in the history of watchmaking.
3. Rolex Daytona Ref. 6239 "Paul Newman"
- Price: $17.8 million
- Year Sold: 2017
The Rolex Daytona Ref. 6239 "Paul Newman" is not just any Rolex; it’s the Rolex that belonged to the iconic actor and race car driver Paul Newman. This watch is legendary among collectors for its unique “exotic” dial design, which came to be known as the “Paul Newman” dial. Newman’s personal Daytona was given to him by his wife, Joanne Woodward, and it features an inscription on the back that reads, "Drive Carefully, Me." The watch was sold in 2017 at a Phillips auction in New York for $17.8 million, making it the most expensive Rolex ever sold and a symbol of timeless style and charisma.
4. Patek Philippe Stainless Steel
- Price: $11.1 million
- Year Sold: 2016
The Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 in stainless steel is a rare gem in the world of horology. This particular reference is notable for being the world’s first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch produced in a series. Introduced in 1941, only four known examples in stainless steel are in existence, making it exceptionally rare and valuable. When this watch was auctioned by Phillips in 2016, it sold for $11.1 million, setting a new record for a wristwatch at the time and highlighting the allure of stainless steel in luxury watchmaking.
5. Patek Philippe Gobbi Milan "Heures Universelles"
- Price: $9 million
- Year Sold: 2021
The Patek Philippe Gobbi Milan "Heures Universelles" Ref. 2523 is a stunning example of mid-20th-century watchmaking art. This unique world-time wristwatch, produced in 1953, features a beautiful cloisonné enamel dial depicting a map of North America. What makes this particular piece so special is its unique dual signature, with both Patek Philippe and Gobbi Milan logos on the dial. In 2021, it was sold at an auction by Christie’s for $9 million, reflecting its rarity and the demand for vintage Patek Philippe watches.
6. Patek Philippe Stainless Steel
Price: $7.3 million
- Year Sold: 2015
Another Patek Philippe that made headlines is the Ref. 5016A-010 in stainless steel. This watch was specially crafted for the Only Watch charity auction in 2015 and features a tourbillon, a minute repeater, and a perpetual calendar with a retrograde date. What sets it apart is its stainless steel case, as high-end Patek Philippe watches are usually made of precious metals. Its unique combination of complications and materials helped it achieve a final sale price of $7.3 million, making it one of the most expensive watches ever sold.
7. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Ref. 15202PT
- Price: $6.6 million
- Year Sold: 2021
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Ref. 15202PT is a contemporary marvel. Crafted in platinum with a unique smoked green dial, this watch was sold at the Phillips Geneva Watch Auction XIII in 2021 for $6.6 million. The Royal Oak is an icon in luxury sports watches, originally designed by Gerald Genta in 1972. This special edition was made to commemorate the end of the Royal Oak Ref. 15202 series, making it a highly sought-after piece for collectors and fans of the brand.
8. Richard Mille RM Sapphire
- Price: $5 million
- Year Sold: 2021
Known for its innovative designs and use of unconventional materials, Richard Mille is a favorite among modern watch enthusiasts. The RM 56-02 Sapphire is no exception. This model is made entirely out of sapphire crystal, a material known for its scratch resistance and clarity. The watch features a tourbillon and a cable-suspended movement that seems to float within the case. Only ten pieces of this model were produced, and it sold for $5 million, reflecting the brand's reputation for pushing the boundaries of traditional watchmaking.
9. Patek Philippe
- Price: $5.7 million
- Year Sold: 2010
The Patek Philippe Ref. 1527 is a vintage masterpiece with historical significance. Produced during World War II, between 1943 and 1944, this watch is notable for its large size for the period, its 18k gold case, and its complications, including a perpetual calendar and chronograph. It was sold at a Christie’s auction in 2010 for $5.7 million, underscoring its rarity and importance in the history of Patek Philippe's complicated watches.
10. Jacob & Co. Billionaire Watch
- Price: $18 million
- Year Sold: 2018
The Jacob & Co. Billionaire Watch lives up to its name with an extravagant display of wealth. Encrusted with 260 carats of emerald-cut diamonds, this watch is designed to dazzle and impress. Each diamond is set in an 18k white gold bracelet, and the w dial offers a glimpse of the intricate tourbillon movement within. Sold for $18 million in 2018, this watch is a testament to the artistry of jewellery making and horology combined.
Conclusion
The watches on this list represent the pinnacle of luxury, craftsmanship, and exclusivity. From the intricate complications of Patek Philippe to the bold design choices of Richard Mille and the diamond-encrusted opulence of Jacob & Co., each watch tells a story of innovation, artistry, and prestige. For collectors and enthusiasts, these timepieces are more than just instruments to tell time; they are masterpieces that embody the history and culture of watchmaking, worthy