How much would you pay for a watch? What if it was the only one of its kind, or a record-breaker in terms of complications, or once owned by someone famous or historically significant? And just how expensive are the most expensive watches to ever change hands in a sale? In today’s red-hot watch auction market, the answers, and the sums, may surprise you. Here we run down the list of the top 12 watches in descending order of the price they fetched on the auction block, while spotlighting some of the timepieces with the most fascinating backstories and representing the most impressive technical achievements. You’ll find the expected abundance of watches from Patek Philippe and Rolex (the clear leaders in the category) but also a few from other watchmakers, large and small, who’ve recently broken into the upper echelon. At the end, we’ll spotlight the highest selling watches from a few other brands that didn’t crack the top 25 but maintain a robust presence on the watch auction scene.
12-Graff Diamonds Hallucination: $55 million:
One of the most awe-inspiring accomplishments in modern times, Graff Diamonds’ The Hallucination watch is an exclusive creation that lives up to its name. By having 110 carats of diamonds of various cuts strewn across a platinum bracelet, it captures even the most untrained eye with its dazzling array of colors. While the beauty and sparkle of this piece can easily distract from its timekeeping capabilities, there is indeed a small dial at its center keeping perfect track of the time. Exquisite and mesmerizing, Graff Diamonds have surely set a new standard in high fashion Horlogerie.
The Hallucination certainly lives up to its name, with its eye-watering price tag of $55 million when it was first unveiled at Baselworld in 2014 a true testimony to the thousands of hours that went into crafting it. Combining expertise from top designers, gemologists and expert craftsmen, its unique design takes your breath away with its luscious colours, sparkling diamonds and intricate detailed work. This is for people who want more than the standard jewellery pieces; those looking for something truly special – a showstopper that makes you feel like a million dollars. Whether you’re after an exquisite piece of jewellery for yourself or are on the hunt for something to give someone as an extra special gift, this one fits the bill perfectly.
| Manufacturing date: | 2014 |
| Material: | platinum |
| Movement: | quartz |
| Sale details: | www.graff.com |
11-Graff Diamonds The Fascination: $40 million:
Those with an eye for sparkle and a taste for the finer things in life will settle for nothing less than The Fascination. A staggering work of craftsmanship by Graff Diamonds, this revolutionary timepiece is a definite showstopper. More than just a watch, it’s also a sparkling ring thanks to its 15 carat pear-shaped diamond dial, along with an additional 152 carats worth of white diamonds encrusting its exterior. Words cannot accurately do justice to The Fascination—with an ultimate price tag of forty million dollars, it truly is one the most coveted pieces of jewelry money can buy.
10-Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010: $31 million:
It’s not every day that you can purchase two timepieces for the price of one, but with the Grandmaster Chime from Patek Phillippe, that’s precisely what you get. For the hefty sum of $31 million, you don’t just get to enjoy a luxurious watch on your wrist- you get to experience something entirely unique. Inspired by classic pocket watches, this double- dialed timepiece features a blue opaline face with gold numerals and an acoustic alarm and date repeater. Cold enough to put even the wealthiest collector in awe of his purchase, the Grandmaster Chime comes complete with a navy alligator leather band and is truly perfect for anyone who desires to be woken up in style and luxury.
| Manufacturing date: | 2019 |
| Case size: | 47.7 mm |
| Material: | white gold |
| Movement: | manual |
| Auction date: | 9th November 2019 |
| Auction house: | Christie’s |
| Auction place: | Geneva |
| Sale details: | www.patek.com |
