MLuxury watches have long been coveted not only for their function, but also as symbols of status, craftsmanship, and timeless elegance. The world’s most expensive watches are purchased for a variety of reasons – as a sign of success, an appreciation for precision engineering, or simply as heirlooms that will last for generations. For those who are curious, we’ve compiled a list of the world’s most expensive watches. Each watch on this list justifies its eye-watering price tag through unparalleled craftsmanship and attention to detail.
The ten most expensive watches in the world
Here is a list of the most expensive watches in the world, compiled from industry sources:
| Rank | Name of the watch | Price ($) | Price (Rs Crores) |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Graff Diamonds Hallucination | 55 million US dollars | 458 Crores |
| #2 | Graff Diamonds The fascination | 50 million US dollars | 416 Crores |
| #3 | Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 | 31 million US dollars | 258 Crores |
| #4 | Breguet Grande Complication Marie Antoinette | 30 million US dollars | 249 million |
| #5 | Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaillerie 101 Manchette | 26 million US dollars | 216 million |
| #6 | Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication | 26 million US dollars | 216 million |
| #7 | Chopard 201 carat | 25 million US dollars | 208 Crores |
| #8 | Rolex Paul Newman Daytona Ref. 6239 | 18.7 million US dollars | 155 Crores |
| #9 | Jacob & Co. Billionaire Watch | 18 million US dollars | 149 million |
| #10 | Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Ref. 1518 | 12 million US dollars | 99 million |
Now let’s look at the reasons why these watches are so expensive: Also read: Why are products marketed to women sometimes more expensive?
Graff Diamonds Hallucination
- Material used: platinum
- Year of manufacture: 2014
- Movement: Quartz
The Hallucination, made by Graff Diamonds, is the most expensive watch in the world. Laurence Graff, the visionary chairman of Graff Diamonds, was the inventor of this masterpiece. Featuring a selection of 110 carats of multi-coloured diamonds in various cuts, set on a platinum bracelet, the Hallucination seamlessly combines haute couture with the world of watchmaking. Unveiled at Baselworld in 2014, the Hallucination is ideal for those seeking a shimmering and captivating spectacle. Read also: The 5 most expensive islands to visit
Graff Diamonds The fascination
- Material used: Diamond
- Year of manufacture: 2015
- Movement: Quartz
Securing second place on our list of the world’s most expensive watches is The Fascination. It is once again designed by Graff Diamonds – a renowned British jewelry brand celebrated for its expertise in sourcing and refining some of the world’s most famous diamonds. This watch can also be worn as a bracelet. It has an impressive 152.96 carats of white diamonds, with a rare 38.13 carat pear-shaped diamond making up the central dial. The pear-shaped diamond can be removed and worn as a ring. Read also: The 10 most expensive paintings in the world
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=/qRM16u0ZUTQ
Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010
- Material used: white gold
- Year of manufacture: 2019
- Movement: Manual
The Grandmaster Chime is the most expensive Patek watch ever sold. This watch was made in honor of the brand’s 175th anniversary in 2014. What makes this watch truly exceptional is its double dial. Both dials are decorated with blue opaline, complemented by applied gold numerals and subdials made of 18-carat solid gold. Read also: The 10 most expensive things in the world
Its other impressive features include five different striking modes, an audible alarm and a date repeater. The white gold case and navy blue alligator leather strap complete the look of this masterpiece.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=/m7xL1jqwflM
Breguet Grande Complication Marie Antoinette
- Material used: Gold
- Year of manufacture: 1827
- Movement: Automatic
This watch is said to have originally been commissioned for the French Queen Marie Antoinette by one of her lovers. This watch took an incredible 40 years to create, a saga that ended tragically when Marie Antoinette was executed before the masterpiece was completed. The historical background only adds to the romance and mystique surrounding this watch.Read also: The 10 most expensive houses in the world
Designed by Abraham-Louis Breguet, it was described as a poem in clockwork form. Encased in gold, the watch is a marvel of its time and has every feature imaginable at the time, from a perpetual calendar to a thermometer. Despite a turbulent history, which includes a theft at the end of the 20th century, the watch now finds a safe home in the LA Mayer Museum.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaillerie 101 Manchette
- Material used: white gold
- Year of manufacture: 2012
- Movement: Manual
Jaeger-LeCoultre, a premier brand known for its craftsmanship, crafted this watch as a gift to Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate the milestone of her 60-year reign. Crafted from white gold, this watch features an elegant hand-wound mechanism and a movement covered with sapphire crystal. Five hundred and seventy-seven diamonds are inlaid into the design, giving it a unique level of luxury and craftsmanship. The showpiece features the miniature Caliber 101 movement, considered one of the smallest in the world.
Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication
- Material used: Gold
- Year of construction: 1932
- Movement: Manual
This Patek Philippe gold pocket watch was made in 1933 for American banker Henry Graves and is a testament to an era when watchmaking relied on the skill of artisans. The watch took an impressive seven years to develop and produce. The watch is one of the most complicated pocket watches ever made and features a calendar, a minute repeater with Westminster chimes, sunrise and sunset times and a star chart reflecting the night sky as observed from Graves’ New York residence.
Chopard 201 carat
- Material used: white gold and yellow gold
- Year of construction: 2000
- Movement: Mechanical
Set with an incredible 874 diamonds totaling 201 carats and in a variety of colors, this $25 million watch is considered a masterpiece by Swiss watchmaker Karl Scheufele III. It is a favorite of celebrities and royalty alike. The appeal of this watch goes beyond its dazzling sparkle. When you press the spring mechanism, three heart-shaped diamonds (15 carats pink, 12 carats blue and 11 carats white) open like flower petals to reveal the pavé-set dial. Inside are three pear-shaped yellow diamonds totaling an impressive 8.45 carats.
Rolex Paul Newman Daytona Ref. 6239
- Material used: stainless steel
- Year of construction: 1968
- Movement: Manual
Famous actor Paul Newman, known for his passion for exquisite watches and his love of racing cars, is associated with this watch as his wife commissioned it for him in 1968. Joanne Woodward, Paul Newman’s wife, engraved the words “Drive Carefully Me” on the watch. Newman’s Daytona was auctioned in 2017 and it took just 12 minutes for the watch to find a new owner via a phone bid. The quick sale is no surprise considering that Rolex is not only the most prestigious watchmaker in the world but also one of the most famous luxury brands worldwide.
Jacob & Co. Billionaire Watch
- Material used: white gold
- Year of manufacture: 2015
- Movement: Manual
Living up to its grand title, the Jacob & Co. Billionaire watch is adorned with a stunning 189 carats of Akosha diamonds. These diamonds are cut to create the illusion of being 30 percent larger than a standard emerald-cut diamond. The watch’s skeleton dial showcases the intricate, hand-crafted tourbillon movement, which consists of 167 elements and 18 jewels. Both the bracelet and dial are crafted from 18-carat white gold and exude luxury. The finishing touch, a rose-cut jewel on the crown, is the proverbial icing on the cake.
Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Ref. 1518
- Material used: stainless steel
- Year of construction: 1943
- Movement: Manual
This watch stands out for its unique case as part of an exclusive four-piece series. The reference 1518 marked a turning point for the company, representing a renaissance and a return to its core principles of combining innovation with tradition. Made from high-quality stainless steel, it deviates from the norm of Patek Philippe luxury watches, which are usually found with yellow or rose gold cases. While one might assume that a steel case would reduce its value compared to its gold counterparts, the rarity of high-quality watches made from this material counteracts this.
