The World’s Best and Most Expensive Watches
1. Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime
The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A is one of the most expensive watches ever sold, with a price tag over $31 million. This masterpiece combines elegance with groundbreaking engineering, offering 20 complications including a perpetual calendar, moon phase, and minute repeater. Its reversible case allows the wearer to admire both dials, crafted in fine white gold. Beyond its functionality, the Grandmaster Chime reflects centuries of Swiss craftsmanship. Each piece takes years to complete, making it an ultimate collector’s dream. This watch is not just a timekeeper, but a legacy in horology.
2. Rolex Paul Newman Daytona
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Paul Newman” is iconic in the world of luxury watches. Originally retailing at modest prices, it gained fame after Hollywood legend Paul Newman was seen wearing it frequently. In 2017, his personal Daytona sold at auction for $17.8 million, cementing its legendary status. Known for its exotic dial with contrasting sub-dials, this watch represents the perfect blend of racing history and luxury style. Collectors admire it for both rarity and historical value. Unlike other Rolex models, the Paul Newman Daytona is not just a watch—it is a symbol of timeless prestige.
3. Jacob & Co. Billionaire Watch
The Jacob & Co. Billionaire Watch is pure extravagance, priced around $18 million. It is encrusted with 260 carats of emerald-cut diamonds, making it one of the flashiest watches ever made. Its skeletonized movement, the manual-winding tourbillon caliber, is visible beneath the dazzling stones, showcasing both art and engineering. This timepiece is not just about telling time but about making a bold statement of wealth and success. Worn by celebrities and billionaires, it reflects luxury at its peak. With its unmatched brilliance, the Billionaire Watch continues to stand as a symbol of opulence in modern horology.
4. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Complication
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Grande Complication combines sporty elegance with masterful complications. Retailing around $1 million, it features a perpetual calendar, minute repeater, and split-seconds chronograph within its iconic octagonal case. Crafted in white or rose gold, its skeletonized dial reveals the intricate movement inside, reflecting the house’s commitment to fine craftsmanship. The Royal Oak design itself is legendary, first introduced in 1972 and forever changing the world of sports-luxury watches. This complication model is among the brand’s finest achievements, merging technical mastery with timeless design. It is highly desired among seasoned collectors worldwide.
5. Richard Mille RM 56-02 Sapphire
The Richard Mille RM 56-02 Sapphire stands out for its futuristic design and transparency. Priced at around $2 million, it is crafted entirely from sapphire crystal, offering a clear view of the skeletonized tourbillon movement. The suspension cables within the movement resemble high-tech engineering, making it both artistic and mechanical brilliance. Richard Mille is known as the “watchmaker for billionaires,” and this piece is a perfect example. It combines luxury with innovation, offering something rarely seen in traditional horology. Only a handful of these watches exist, making them ultra-rare and highly sought after by elite collectors.
6. Vacheron Constantin 57260
The Vacheron Constantin Ref. 57260 is the most complicated watch ever created, with 57 complications. Valued at around $8 million, it took eight years of development by three master watchmakers. Features include a perpetual calendar, sunrise and sunset times, moon phases, and even Hebrew calendar functions. It is encased in white gold, weighing more than a kilo, reflecting the sheer complexity and beauty inside. This masterpiece isn’t meant for daily wear but as a historic horological achievement. The Ref. 57260 is a testament to Vacheron Constantin’s legacy, being one of the oldest watchmakers still operating today.
7. Graff Diamonds Hallucination
The Graff Diamonds Hallucination is considered the most expensive watch ever made, valued at $55 million. Unlike traditional luxury watches, it is covered with 110 carats of rare multi-colored diamonds, set in a platinum bracelet. This watch is less about horology and more about jewelry craftsmanship. Each diamond is meticulously selected and arranged to form a breathtaking mosaic of colors. Though it has a tiny quartz dial, its true value lies in the artistry of the gems. The Hallucination is not practical for daily wear but remains a record-breaking statement piece in luxury and extravagance.
8. Hublot Big Bang Diamond
The Hublot Big Bang Diamond is a glittering timepiece priced at around $5 million. It is encrusted with 1,280 diamonds, each cut by the same New York-based jeweler to ensure uniform brilliance. The watch combines Hublot’s bold design with pure luxury, making it a standout among collectors. Known for its chunky case and sporty style, the Big Bang series has always been iconic, but this diamond-studded model takes it to another level. Beyond its dazzling appearance, it carries Hublot’s signature fusion of innovation and elegance. For those who love bold luxury, this piece is an ultimate choice.
9. A. Lange & Söhne Grand Complication
The A. Lange & Söhne Grand Complication is a German masterpiece priced around $2.5 million. Featuring a minute repeater, split-seconds chronograph, and perpetual calendar, it showcases the brand’s exceptional engineering. Only a very limited number of these watches exist, each requiring over a year to produce. Encased in pink gold with an elegant dial, it is admired for its understated yet powerful design. Unlike diamond-heavy luxury watches, Lange focuses on technical excellence and heritage. This makes it a favorite among true connoisseurs of fine watchmaking, valuing artistry over flashy display. It’s pure horological poetry.
10. Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication
The Henry Graves Supercomplication by Patek Philippe is one of the most historic and valuable watches ever made. Commissioned in 1925 by banker Henry Graves Jr., it took eight years to complete. This pocket watch includes 24 complications, such as a perpetual calendar, sunrise and sunset times, and a celestial chart. In 2014, it sold at auction for $24 million, making it one of the most expensive timepieces in history. Crafted entirely by hand, it represents the pinnacle of pre-digital watchmaking. For collectors, it remains a holy grail—an eternal symbol of Patek Philippe’s supremacy in horology.