20 Most Expensive Watches – Dress Like a Boss

If you’re like most people, you will have a few watches at home. Perhaps one to wear at casual events l (meeting friends for lunch or running errands), and another timepiece to wear in professional settings, such as the workplace. And you’re probably pretty happy with your watches, but occasionally, you daydream. Maybe you’ve always fancied a gold-tone Rolex with a diamond bezel, or if you’re an outdoorsy person you might love a high-end Tag Heuer watch to tell you about the time on your next adventure. No matter who you are or what timepieces you like, you’re sure to see a watch that whets your appetite in this list of the 20 most expensive watches! Most have a seven-figure price tag, but there are a few here that are in the eight-figure range—like the stunning Graff Diamonds Hallucination that’s going for a whopping $55 million! Take a few minutes to fantasize with us here, (or if you are rich you can plan on a purchase!) as we discover some truly incredible timepieces.

20. Louis Moinet Magistralis – $860,000

You may be wondering why this watch costs just shy of a million dollars…well actually what makes this watch so special is that it contains a piece of a real 2,000-year-old lunar meteorite, which on its own usually costs $1,000 per gram. This timepiece specifically contains an authentic Dhofar 459 lunar meteorite—apiece of the moon that landed on Earth! The Louis Moinet Magistralis also contains 18-karat gold and features a chronograph and a minute repeater. The sound of the repeater mechanism is amplified by the watch base which makes this watch a musical instrument! The watch also contains four old rose gold-colored, recessed subdials for its sleek look and is made with a black dial, you could wear an authentic piece of the moon on your wrist!

19. Hublot Black Caviar Big Bang – $1 Million

Made entirely from ceramic and featuring 501 baguette-cut black diamonds the Hublot Big Bang Black Caviar has a mesmerizing design—yet it remains simplistic. A glossy black “alligator” strap stitched on the rubber is attached to the polished, black 41 mm ceramic case and bezel. Inside lies, a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective finish resting next to the Hublot logo and complemented by 18-karat white gold. This watch uses a self-winding movement, so there’s no need to replace batteries— the timepiece charges itself through the movement of your arm while you’re mobile, and once fully charged, the Big Bang Black Caviar can work for up to 42 hours. It is water resistant to 100 meters and 100% scratchproof.

18. Chopard Super Ice Cube – $1.1 Million

This high-end timepiece as its name implies, truly resembles an ice cube! If you’re looking for an eye-catching watch with a “bling-bling” design, this fits the bill. The 18-karat white gold band is completely covered on the top and sides in baguette-shaped diamonds.  Wonder what the face is covered in?  You guessed it:  Baguette-shaped diamonds. There are no subdials to distract you; and apart from the hour and minute hands and a small Chopard logo, the blue dial is completely encrusted with 60-carat diamonds.  This super luxury watch uses a Swiss movement for accurate timekeeping even 100m meters underwater, has a scratch-resistant square face, is 30 mm in diameter, and is the perfect watch for a lady that seeks luxury when she checks the time.

17. Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon Reference 6002 – $1.3 Million

This incredible double-face timepiece is made up of 705 parts, with 12 components, such as a minute repeater, tourbillon mechanism, and a perpetual calendar.  The eponymous feature is on the back of the watch—the sky chart showcases the night sky in whatever region you’re in, and the moon-phase display shows you if there will be a full or crescent moon that night. It has a hand-engraved face in white gold. Another thing that makes this Sky Moon watch so exclusive and special is the fact that simply having the money to purchase it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to obtain it! Everyone who desires this timepiece has to submit an application showing a track record with the company, as well as a sincere appreciation for the precision craftsmanship of fine watches.

16. Vacheron Constantin Tour de I’Ile – $1.5 Million

Released in 2005 by Vacheron Constantin in a limited edition of seven pieces to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the brand, the Tour de l’Ile was the world’s most complicated wristwatch at the time of its appearance. It features a double-sided design with tourbillon movement, a minute repeater, a star chart, a celñestial annual calendar, a perceptual calendar with moon phase, sunrise and sunset times, and dual time zones. This 47 mm wide and 18 mm tall watch took over 10,000 hours of research and development.

15. Greubel Forsey Art Piece 1- $1.5 Million

Stephen Forsey and Robert Greubel teamed up to produce Art Piece 1, a watch made with a Greubel Forsey 30-degree double-tourbillon and a Wigan micro-sculpture—both of which can be seen through the magnifier in the crown. The watch is made out of grey gold casing and the strap is leather. It has a manual winding mechanism and a power reserve of 72 hours. The watch will work 30 meters underwater. The Art Piece 1 is a one-piece limited series—an exquisite artwork. As you view the nano-sculpture through the magnifier you’ll find a variety of sculptures, including a ship, a Coke bottle, a mask, and a hummingbird. The designs were created by a British artist—Willard Wigan, who was presented with a knighthood in 2007 by Prince Charles. Incredibly it is known that in order to sculpt these microscopic pieces Wigan worked in-between each heartbeat to avoid his body shaking, which would cause damage to the micro-sculptures.

14. Richard Mille RM 56-02 Sapphire – $2 Million

This beautiful timepiece, released in 2011, was created from earlier designs. The highly detailed case, as well as the complex movement, are both made of sapphire. Never before had such a complicated case and movement been made out of pure sapphire, it was a technical milestone in watchmaking. The complex movement is suspended in the air by cables for a truly unique appearance. The RM 56-02 Sapphire was made in a limited edition of 10 pieces. It has a manual winding mechanism with a baseplate made of grade 5 titanium. The sapphire is scratch-resistant to any materials other than diamonds. The sapphire case is made over 40 days of 24/7 continuous machining. This watch is a technical masterpiece.

13. Rolex Antimagnetique Ref. 4113 from 1942 – $2.4 Million

Rolex is a brand that everyone knows—even if they’re not an avid watch collector, and most people know that Rolex timepieces are costly. On Saturday, May 14, 2016, this particular historical Rolex was sold at a Geneva auction for a record sum. What made this watch cost almost $2.5 million? This watch is valued so much because of its extreme rarity. Made in 1942, its case is made of stainless steel rather than precious metal, this Rolex watch is one of only 12 in existence, which were gifted to racing drivers in the 1940s. Featuring an oversized design, this split-seconds chronograph has a 44-mm steel case and two subdials for a classic look and feel. This manually winding watch will likely never be worn according to its function again and fetched the highest price ever paid for a Rolex.

12. Jaeger-LeCoultre Hybris Mechanica Grande Sonnerie – $2.5 Million

If you glance at the left side of the dial of this watch, you will see the 1,406 parts working perfectly together inside. This watch has a petite sonnerie, in addition to a grande sonnerie, minute repeater, and silent modes. The case is in 18-carat white gold, which weighs less than platinum.  It was designed in 2009 by David Candaux who dedicated the majority of its parts to acoustic functions. An interesting and also world-first fact about this Jaeger-LeCoultre timepiece is that it plays one of the longest melodies that has ever been recreated by a grande sonnerie watch. It plays the Westminster chime of the Big Ben clock. The marketing people say it is “a harmonious blend of time and music” it is a “resplendent experience to the discerning ear”.

11. Grand Complication by Lange & Söhne – $2.5 Million

Created in 2013, this is the most valuable watch offered by the brand. It takes about 12 months to make this watch—only six will ever be created. It has multiple complications—and 876 parts. A feature of the Grand Complication is the flying seconds. Every second, this hand performs a revolution in five jumps! The precision and energy required to perform this level of timekeeping necessitates a separate spring barrel This timepiece has a big gold case that contains a perpetual calendar, a grande and petite sonnerie with minute repeater, and a chronograph with a split-seconds mechanism. It also offers a moon phase display. The Grand Complication is made in 18 carat pink gold. A very handsome and authoritative timepiece!

10. Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega 4 – $2.7 Million

When you search online for information on this watch, your first result will be a Franck Muller page announcing that Aeternitas is the most complicated wristwatch ever made in the world! This timepiece does indeed push the limits of watchmaking with a record-breaking 36 complications and a total of 1,483 components.  The Aeternitas has over a thousand pieces and as its name suggests, it is an eternal creation—it uses a calendar that’s on a 1000-year cycle—renewable to infinity. Swiss-made in-house, the Aeternitas has five models and is called quite appropriately the “pinnacle of success in watchmaking”.

9. Rolex Daytona Ref. 6263 Oyster Albino – $4 Million

This classic-style watch, of which only four were ever made, sold for a cool $4 million in 2014 and is the most expensive timepiece that Rolex sells. It gets its name from the white subdials. Made with a stainless-steel case and blue bezel, this watch features three of the “albino” subdials. It has a steel band and screw-down pushers. Daytona Beach, a racetrack in Florida, adds to the racing mystique of the Rolex brand. Hans Wildorf, the founder of Rolex, wanted to combine the record-breaking speed of Sir Malcolm Campbell in his 396 km/h “Bluebird” with his globally prestigious watch brand. Wildorf asked Campbell to be a “Rolex Ambassador”. Hence the Rolex Daytona! Campbell wore a Rolex during his record-breaking attempt at the Daytona track. 

8. Breguet Antique Number 2667 – $4.5 Million

This vintage pocket watch features an 18-carat yellow gold case that sports a lovely lustrous shine. Made with two oscillating bodies, this rare timepiece uses Arabic suspended numerals on the left subdial and Arabic suspended numerals on the right subdial. The watch was crafted more than a century ago by luxury brand Breguet, a watchmaking business more than 200 years old. Breguet began in 1770, around the time of the American Revolution. The brand has been associated with luxury and superb innovation in craftsmanship since then.

7. Louis Moinet Meteoris – $4.6 Million

Not only is this an extremely rare timepiece, (only four, in a set, were ever created), but it also features the very rare and exotic meteorite moon rock. Made with a black band leading to an intricate dial that allows you to see into the inner workings of the watch, this timepiece is the legacy of master mechanic, Louis Moinet. Louis was one of the most influential watchmakers of all time, they call him a pioneer of chronometry. His company has made watches for an impressive list of clients: Napoleon Bonaparte, Thomas Jefferson, Tsar Alexander I, and King George IV of England to name a few. His watches are still in circulation today, proving horology is as much an art as a science.

6. Hublot Big Bang – $5 Million

This Big Bang timepiece attempts, and succeeds, at making a bold appearance. Hublot´s flagship model combines contemporary and iconic design with classic features.  With 1,280 diamonds, each at least three carats, this elegant watch is, as the marketing says, “more than a watch: a state of mind”. There are also six massive square emerald-cut stones weighing 3 carats each. Each stone on this timepiece was cut by the same jeweler to ensure that they all feature the same cut signature. The watch was given by Beyonce to her husband Jay-Z on his 43rd birthday.

5. Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 in Stainless Steel – $11 Million

We are now getting right up into the rare stratosphere of highest-level luxury timepieces. This watch sold in Geneva, in November 2016 at a Phillips auction for $11 million. There were seven bidders, so no shortage of cashed-up clients after what is known in the horology industry simply as “1518 Steel”. It´s the first watch in a rare four-piece series. Most Patek Philippe timepieces feature a rose gold or yellow gold case, but this watch has a stainless-steel case—a feature that makes it so rare. Patek Philippe introduced the first perpetual calendar in the 1940s and this brand was the only one with this feature for more than 50 years. The 1518 Steel is 35 mm in diameter, manually wound, made in the middle of World War II, and is a vintage piece that made world headlines on its sale and will again if ever offered to the public.

4. Jacob & Co. Billionaire Watch – $18 Million

The very name of this watch gives you a fair idea of what to expect in terms of quality and price! Introduced in 2015, there is only one Billionaire in existence. The skeletonized face lets you see the intricate internal movement, and the bezel and band are encrusted with 260 carats of emerald-cut diamonds, called a “high jewelry tour de force”. It has a black mirror polish upper cage, and hand-beveled, hand-polished edges, and the tourbillon, balance wheel, hairspring, escape wheel, and other superbly crafted components are carefully assembled in this timepiece. Jacob & Co are masters of the skeletonizing techniques and know what to remove and what to keep. The result is a nearly see-through movement in the Billionaire, converted vertically to sit nicely on the wrist. 

3. Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication – $24 Million

Made for American banker Henry Graves Jr., this is the most expensive pocket watch created by Patek Philippe. This 18-carat gold watch features a minute repeater with Westminster chimes, a celestial chart, sunset and sunrise times, as well as 24 complications. The celestial chart on this watch was modeled after the night sky in New York where Graves had his residence. Apparently, Graves commissioned the Supercomplication to outdo his rival in the watch-collecting world, automobile manufacturer James Ward Packard. The watch took world-best creation and was delivered to Graves eight years after its commission! After passing down the Graves family, the Sotheby’s November 2014 auction sold the Supercomplication to an anonymous buyer.

2. Graff Diamonds The Fascination – $40 Million

Spoiler alert: In addition to offering the world’s current most expensive watch, Graff also offers the world’s second most expensive watch! A quick look at this timepiece gives you a good idea of why it’s so pricey. The Fascination watch contains a whopping 152.96 carats of white diamonds, as well as a pear-shaped, 38.13-carat removable diamond in the center, which can be worn as a ring. This piece is marketed as a three-in-one, watch, bracelet, and ring. Laurence Graff OBE, founder and chairman of Graff Diamonds, said: “It is a true celebration of our diamond mastery”. Unveiled in Switzerland in 2015 and expected to be purchased in Asia, the Fascination is surpassed, so far, only by the next and final watch in this list:

1. Graff Diamonds Hallucination – $55 Million

Valued at a cool $55 million, this one-of-a-kind woman´s timepiece has more than 110 carats of fancy-colored diamonds set on a platinum bracelet. The variously shaped and colored diamonds are brought together masterfully, creating a breathtaking and opulent display. This watch is so valuable because it uses natural fancy-colored diamonds, which are much more rare than white diamonds. The watch’s small dial allows the pink, blue, green, yellow, and orange diamonds to really stand out, and the clasp is hidden when the watch is closed. To open the watch, you apply pressure to a particular diamond in the setting. What really makes this women’s watch so very impressive is the invisible platinum setting, which gives the abundance of sparkling diamonds the impression of being effortlessly held together. The designer, along with gemologists and craftsmen spent thousands of hours creating this incredible timepiece. This extraordinary watch is yet to go to the wrist of an owner, and the Graff Diamonds family, with CEO Francois Graff, are its custodians. Until an interested and wealthy person decides to raise their hand!