Take a look the most expensive watch brands around the world. Explore the beauty of watches on Review Me First!
If there is one word that describes luxury timepieces, it is "expensive." The most fascinating, rare, and opulent clocks worldwide are multi-million dollar masterpieces that will wind up in treasured private collections, if not museums. There's a reason it's called Haute Horlogerie.
Their sole purpose appears to be to shatter world records, grab the attention of top collectors, and entice millionaires and billionaires, members of royal families, and Hollywood A-listers to empty their wallets.
These watches, from the world's most expensive watch brands (think Patek Philippe, Rolex, Chopard, and Vacheron Constantin), turn the heads of even mildly interested in timepieces with their exquisite engineering, superb styling, precious stones, precious metals, and exclusivity—many of which are one-of-a-kind or limited editions.
So, if you want to discover the price of the most expensive watch in the world, keep reading. We created our list of the world's most expensive timepieces ever sold using inflation-adjusted pricing, so you know exactly how much these watches would be worth if they were sold today.
Our list of the most expensive watches globally—many of which are also the rarest watches in the world—includes a broad spectrum of timepieces, from historic pocket clocks to timepieces more similar to luxury jewellery. You might not be able to buy any of them right now, but what's the harm in fantasising?
Top Most Expensive Watch Brands
Let the countdown begin!
21. Patek Philippe Worldtimer $5.5 million
Patek Philippe is one of the world's top luxury watch companies, so expect to see its name frequently appear on our list. The first is this extremely rare Patek Philippe world timer, one of just four in existence. Just two versions of the clock have ever been auctioned off.
This one is made of rose gold and features an attractive and unique guilloché patterned dial. One of the first Patek Philippe designs to employ the brand's dual-crown technology, you wind the watch with one crown and operate the city disc for the 24-city timer with the other. The blend of polished and brushed surfaces contributes to the refined appearance of this one-of-a-kind timepiece.
Best for the most polished of exotic things.
20. Patek Philippe Platinum $5.8 million
After selling for 6.6 million Swiss francs at Antiquorum's Geneva auction in April 2002, this watch already set a global record as the most expensive watch ever. It was rarely seen again until it appeared at Christie's Hong Kong auction house in 2022, adding to its mystical and elusive aura.
It is no longer the most expensive watch globally, but it is still a highly sought-after timepiece. With its monochromatic design, this Patek Philippe masterpiece provides real high-end drama as the world's only platinum reference 1415 HU. Patek Philippe's world-time mechanism is regarded as the company's first manufacturing world timer.
Best for a stunning display of horological brilliance.
19. Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Calibre $6 million
The Caliber 89 from Patek Philippe, known for some time as the most complex timepiece globally, is one of just four in the globe. The other three are constructed of pink gold, white gold, and platinum, respectively.
The clock weighs just 1.1 kg and includes 33 complexities, including sunrise and sunset timings, world time for 125 cities, a perpetual calendar, split-second chronograph, minute repeater, barometer, altimeter, and compass. It's no surprise that the movement alone took nine years to manufacture or that it's a strong candidate for the world's most costly gold watch.
Despite its outstanding engineering, Calibre 89 failed to find a buyer at the most recent auction. But we're confident it won't be homeless for long.
Best for: One of the most intricate and sought-after timepieces in the world.
18. Rolex Daytona Unicorn $6.1 million
The second most expensive Rolex ever sold in public, this clock has been making headlines since Hodinkee first highlighted it in 2013. Collectors are baffled by the presence of a white gold vintage Daytona. The Daytona was designed to be a daily sports watch, so using material as opulent as white gold.
The Rolex Daytona Ref. 6265 was introduced in 1970 and is now available with a premium white gold bracelet. This one-of-a-kind timepiece also has a striking black dial with white gold indices.
Best for proving that if there is one thing better than gold, it is white gold.
17. Patek Philippe Titanium $6.6 million
Many of the world's most costly timepieces are one-of-a-kind or highly uncommon. One example is this Patek Philippe clock, the first and only titanium edition of the Reference 5208 Triple Complication wristwatch.
The usage of titanium, which the company rarely uses, immediately elevates this watch in the eyes of collectors. A minute repeater, monopusher clock, and an instantaneous perpetual calendar are all included in the watch.
The blue watch face has a hand-guilloched 'Carbon' pattern, and a display back allows the lucky owner to observe the meticulous artistry at work.
Best for: Making a statement with titanium, one of the finest and rarest elements in the luxury watch industry.
16. Patek Philippe Gold $6.8 million
When initially introduced in the 1940s, this significant forerunner of future Patek Philippe wristwatches caused quite a sensation. Its case design was undeniably avant-garde in style and proportions—rounder, bigger, with extended and slightly curved lugs.
Despite the efforts of horology specialists, nothing is known about this watch, other than that it was one of just two Ref. 1527 watches. It contains a clock, as well as a date and moon phase display. There are also 23 diamonds in the movement. The buckle is composed of 18k gold, which, combined with the watch's rarity, explains why it achieved such a high price at auction.
Best for a timepiece with a sense of wonder and surprise.
15. Patek Philippe White Gold $6.9 million
We've already looked at the Calibre 89, also known as the most complex wristwatch globally, and it's back as the 15th most expensive watch ever sold, this time in white gold.
The watch was designed for Patek Philippe's 150th anniversary and had an almost absurd amount of complexities, such as a second-time zone, sunrise and sunset timer, perpetual calendar, century leap year correction, solstice and zodiac indication, and a unique date of Easter indication. This latter difficulty is especially noteworthy—complicated to construct since it is determined astronomically and fluctuates yearly.
With all of the engineering within the case, it's no surprise that this astronomical watch measures an astounding 88.2 mm in diameter and 41.07 mm in thickness—a genuine monster.
14. Patek Philippe Two-Crown Eurasia Dial $7.7 million
This Patek Philippe clock is known as a 'grail' watch, extremely covetable and supremely beautiful. It is one of the most mythological and legendary in the horological world—befitting of a company that has developed some of the finest men's watches of all time.
The Silk Road 2523 is the name of the watch. Its most notable feature is a dial depicting a map of Eurasia. It also has a global time complication, a dual crown, a 41-city ring and is both intricate and easily recognisable. There are only three yellow gold 2423 world clocks with this dial, which is why collectors are prepared to spend more than $7.5 million for one.
Best for billionaire travellers and bling-obsessed jetsetters on a European tour.
13. Patek Philippe Stainless Steel $7.9 million
This Patek Philippe watch is based on the brand's reference 5016 and is an extraordinarily complex and magnificently high-end design. While Ref. 5016 was discontinued in 2011, the manufacturer chose to reintroduce it for this occasion. The reference is already relatively uncommon, and this one-off is unique, which explains why watch collectors are prepared to go to such lengths to obtain it.
Three of the most coveted watch complications have a minute repeater, a tourbillon, and a perpetual calendar with retrograde date. It also has a unique blue dial made of Grand-Feu enamel, and the mechanism is contained in a tiny 36.8 mm case.
Best for bringing a classic back to life for one happy owner.
12. Vacheron Constantin $8 million
This Vacheron Constantin clock, commissioned for a private client, is the most intricate watch globally, with 57 distinct complications, 2826 unique components, and 242 gems. Ten of the difficulties were brand new horological innovations at the time of their creation.
What are some of the most notable functions? All included the Judaic calendar, a 'night mode,' and a double retrograde split-seconds chronograph. The casing is relatively straightforward and uncomplicated, letting the immaculate mechanics take centre stage. Given that it took three watchmakers eight years to develop and manufacture, it seems fair that this watch sold for about $8 million.
Best for the ultimate in complex, ornate, and outrageously difficult watches.
11. Patek Philippe ‘Heures Universelles’ $9 million
As seen by this list, Patek Philippe is exceptionally adept at producing watches that collectors would battle over, and this double-crown world timer is yet another example.
It doesn't take a watch specialist to recognise this clock as something exceptional, with its blue enamel dial contrasting nicely with the sumptuous 18k pink gold casing. It incorporates Louis Cottier's Heures Universelles global time system, which he trademarked in the 1930s. It's also the only known reference 2523 with both Patek Philippe and Gobbi Milano's signatures.
Best for telling the time all around the world in the most eye-catching and traffic-stopping method possible.
10. Patek Philippe Stainless Steel $12 million
The major draw, which is part of a limited edition four-piece collection, is its casing. Its high-quality stainless steel casing separates it from other Patek Philippe luxury watches, generally constructed of yellow or rose gold.
The Patek Philippe Ref.1518, initially released in 1941, created horology news as the first-ever perpetual calendar and chronograph—yet another reason why this watch delights aficionados. While you would assume that steel would make a look less costly than gold, high-end timepieces in this material are difficult to come by. Rarity always raises pricing.
Best for demonstrating that stainless steel can be elegant and sought after.
9. Jacob & Co. Billionaire Watch $18 million
We've arrived at the top ten most expensive and unusual watches in the world. No luxury timepiece has ever been more appropriately titled than Jacob & Co.'s Billionaire.
It lives up to its name, studded with 189 carats of Akosha diamonds—a cut designed to make each diamond look 30% larger than a conventional emerald cut diamond. Then there's the skeleton structure, where you can watch the tourbillon movement in action, consisting of 167 components and 18 diamonds.
The bracelet and dial are constructed of 18k white gold and are flawlessly interwoven, with a final rose-cut gem on the crown serving as the icing on the cake. It's no surprise that Floyd Mayweather opted to purchase it.
8. Rolex Paul Newman Daytona $18.7 million
Paul Newman, the late actor and heartthrob, was known for his passion for exquisite timepieces and racing cars. As a result, his wife Joanne Woodard had this watch engraved with the words "Drive Carefully" when it was commissioned in 1968.
The Paul Newman Rolex Daytona Ref.6239, with its unique black and cream exotic dial and exquisite Art Deco style, attracts more than just horological enthusiasts and everyone interested in Hollywood history.
The auction lasted barely 12 minutes until the watch was sold by telephone to the highest bidder. It's not surprising, given that Rolex is not only the most renowned watch manufacturer in the world but also one of the most celebrated luxury brands.
Best for a Hollywood-approved timepiece with a captivating tale.
7. Patek Philippe Henry Graves $26 million
This Patek Philippe gold pocket watch took seven years to design and manufacture for a wealthy American banker named Henry Graves in 1933, back when watchmaking had to rely on artisans rather than computer calculations.
One of the most expensive pocket watches in the world, and it has a perpetual calendar, a minute repeater with Westminster Chimes, dawn and sunset times, and a celestial chart based on the night sky as seen from Graves' New York residence.
The complex clock was sold to an unknown bidder after a 15-minute bidding war between some of the world's finest watch collectors—a must-have for every pocket watch enthusiast's collection.
Best for: The pocket watch that can compete with all pocket watches.
6. Chopard 201-Carat $25 million
This Chopard clock may not be subtly sober, but it indeed makes a statement. With 874 diamonds—201 carats in total—in various stunning colours, this 25 million dollar watch is perhaps the Swiss watchmaker's greatest work, a darling of both A-listers and royalty.
Some individuals are drawn to high-end timepieces because of their engineering and technological prowess. Others are only interested in the bling. This Chopard clock is most likely the latter, with its 15-carat pink diamond, 12-carat blue diamond, and 11-carat white diamond. But so what if you can afford it? It's simply a coincidence that it also tells the time. If this specific model isn't for you, check out our list of the finest luxury watches for women for other options.
Best for confirming that diamonds genuinely are everyone's best friend.
5. Jaeger-LeCoultre 101 Manchette $26 million
If we told you that this exquisite watch was created by top-tier firm Jaeger-LeCoultre as a present for none other than Queen Elizabeth II to commemorate the 60th year of her reign, you'd have a good sense of what to anticipate.
Indeed, with its distinctive white gold profile and a succession of polished and diamond-set links, as well as a minuscule calibre 101 movements (one of the tiniest in the world), this watch deserves to be worn in the rooms of ancient palaces and at special state occasions.
Best for royal-approved elegance from minimalist chronograph masters.
4. Breguet Grande Complication for Marie Antoinette $30 million
According to legend, one of Marie Antoinette's lovers commissioned this watch for the legendary French royal and lover of life's finer pleasures. This unique item took almost 40 years to create, and she was executed before the job was completed, adding to the romance and intrigue of this historic timepiece.
It is encased in gold and has every complexity available at the time, including a perpetual calendar and thermometer. The watch was stolen in the late 1900s and is safely stored at the L.A. Mayer museum, but it is offered for purchase for anyone with $30 million.
Best for a famous timepiece with an intriguing backstory.
3. Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime $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 beautiful plus. This watch features two dials: 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 distinct 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 composed of white gold, while the strap is navy blue alligator leather.
Best for: Being woken up by the sound of the world's third most expensive watch.
2. Graff Diamonds The Fascination $40 million
The Fascination, which is second on our list of the most expensive timepieces globally, is the product of Graff Diamonds, a British jeweller company known for collecting and polishing some of the world's most famous diamonds.
The Fascination is not only a marvel of horological artistry, but it is also a one-of-a-kind exhibition of diamond expertise. Without a doubt, one to give all other women's watches a run for their money.
This clock is made of 152.96 carats of white diamonds with a 38-carat pear-shaped diamond dial in the centre that may also be worn as a ring. A convertible watch means you're getting twice the bang for your buck—all $40 million of it.
Best for jewels and gems for big spenders who love bling.
1. Graff Diamonds Hallucination $55 million
Another Graff Diamonds masterpiece is the most costly watch ever produced. As the title indicates, The Hallucination is really stunning and delightfully imaginative.
The Hallucination, which has a kaleidoscope array of 110 carats of different coloured diamonds in a variety of different cuts set on a platinum bracelet, introduces high-fashion to the realm of Horlogerie. It's nearly easy to overlook this piece's timekeeping skills because it's about as far away from a tactical watch as you can go, yet there's a small dial in the centre of all that sparkle.
The Hallucination, which cost an eye-watering $55 million when shown initially at Baselworld in 2014, is the result of thousands of hours of effort by a team of designers, gemologists, and experienced artisans.
Best for a dazzling and sensual extravaganza that will make you feel like a million bucks.
