We think we can all agree that luxury watches are not called luxury for no reason. You might even faint upon checking their price tags if you are not ready and are not well-versed in luxury watches. The good thing is, luxury watches are more of an investment because they retain their value and make you highly respectable as you wear them. Aside from the models that you see in these luxury brands’ stores, there are also watch pieces that are so expensive you can even deem them as relics. These watches come from different watch brands such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, and more. What usually makes them valuable are their craftsmanship and the story behind them. Here are some of them:
1. Patek Philippe Ref. 1518
Rolex, Omega, and the likes are all expensive, being luxury watches. However, Patek Philippe watches are of a different caliber when we talk about luxury watch prices. The reason for this is because Patek Philippe watches are highly exclusive. Experts say that since its establishment in 1839, the brand has only manufactured fewer than a million pieces which are little compared to the usual count luxury watch brands have. This exclusivity makes Patek Philippe’s watches all the more valuable.
Of course, we will start this list with a Patek Philippe watch, namely, the Ref. 1518. The Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo Geneva Watch Auction placed the timepiece on auction in Geneva, Switzerland. Out of eight bidders, an anonymous buyer took home the watch for over $11 million after 13 minutes of bidding. The brand created Ref. 1518 in 1941. Technically, you can already consider this piece as vintage. The Ref. 1518 is also the first perpetual calendar chronograph watch that any watch brand ever released in a series.
2. Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona
Of course, this list will not be complete without a Rolex watch! We mentioned earlier that what makes a timepiece valuable is sometimes the story behind them. The Rolex Daytona owned by the late Paul Newman is an example of this. Paul Newman was a renowned actor and race car driver in the 60s up until the 80s.
Phillips had put up the Paul Newman Rolex Daytona for auction in New York in 2017. After 12 minutes of bidding, an anonymous phone buyer won the bid for the price of $17.8 million. This watch is valuable because aside from the fact that Paul Newman is an icon, this is also a gift to him from his wife, actress Joanne Woodward. Because of his love for racing, Joanne Woodward sent him this watch perfect for racing, with engravings “Drive Carefully, Me”.
3. Jacob & Co. Billionaire Watch – $18 Million
Upon seeing the watch itself, you will immediately know that it does not kid when it says that it is a billionaire watch. The timepiece is a sparkling watch with 19 jewels and 167 components. In case you are wondering, the diamonds that blind you as you look at the watch are 189 carats of Akosha diamonds. Akasha diamonds make each stone appear 30% bigger than the usual emerald-cut diamond.
4. Supercomplication
Our next most expensive watch is a pocket watch Patek Philippe created. This pocket watch made of gold is a true vintage. The brand created this watch in 1033 for Henry Graves Jr., a banker. The Patek Philippe Supercomplication took about five years to design, engineer, and make. The fact that it took five years might already tell you that this is not an ordinary pocket watch. This golden pocket watch has 24 complications like a perpetual calendar, a minute repeater coupled with Westminster Chimes, a celestial calendar, an indicator to tell the time of sunset and sunrise, and more. This watch costs about $24 Million.
5. Chopard 201-Carat: $25 million
This watch is a watch for royalty that commands attention. It has a total of 201 carats from its 874 diamonds. This $25 million has a breathtaking array of different colors. The Chopard 201-Carat is truly a state-of-the-art watch and a favorite piece of A-listers and important personalities. With 15-carat pink diamond, 11 carats white diamond, and 12-carat blue diamond, this watch is totally for the bling.
6. Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaillerie 101 Manchette
You might already have an idea about how prestigious and grand this timepiece is when you learn that this is a gift of a top luxury watch brand to Queen Elizabeth II. The famous Swiss brand Jaeger-LeCoultre created a sophisticated watch for Queen Elizabeth II in celebration of her 60 years of reign.
Expert watchmakers created this unique timepiece with white gold and a series of links studded with diamonds. It has a small caliber of 101 movements. This watch is about $26 million.
7. Breguet Grande Complication Marie Antoinette
We have another pocket watch as one of the most expensive watches in the world. If the quote, “let them eat cake!” is familiar to you, then you might have an idea about Marie Antoinette. She was the queen during the French Revolution. Some say that one of Marie Antoinette’s lovers commissioned this watch for her. It is so intricate that it took 40 years to complete. Today, the L.A. Mayer museum secured the pocket watch. Although, anyone can buy it for the price of $30 million.
8. Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010
Patek Philippe again gains a place in the most expensive watches in the world. With the Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010, you pay $31 million for two timepieces. This watch has one dial in front and another at the back. This is the most expensive watch Patek Philippe has ever sold.
A valuable watch for you
Here are just some of the most expensive watches in history. Without a doubt, they truly exemplify the definition of the best of the best when it comes to timepieces. Surely, they cost a fortune, but even you can own a valuable watch on your own! Its story and use make a watch valuable. If you want to celebrate a milestone, treat yourself and get a luxury watch you can share your victories with!
