This list of most expensive watches sold at auction documents the watches sold at auction worldwide for at least 1.5 million US dollars. The final price listed is the total price paid by the buyer converted to US dollars, according to the currency exchange rate at the time of auction. This price is the aggregate of the hammer price (i.e., the winning bid or sale price at the auction) plus any buyer's premium paid to the auction houses (where levied, and in accordance with the rates charged by the relevant auction house). [1] [2] While the rates of buyer's vary between auction houses (which rates can also vary within each auction house based on the nature of the lot and its value), most auction houses publish their results inclusive of the buyer's premium, and so the rankings which follow are based on the aggregated price paid by the buyer: for the watch itself (the hammer or sale price) and for the auction house's services and administrative costs (the buyer's premium). Inflation-adjusted prices are also listed for reference. If a watch has been sold at auction for several times, only the highest final price is included. Finally, any auctioned watch without public online records from auctioneers (e.g. major auction houses) will not be included in the ranking.
As of December 2022, the most expensive watch (and wristwatch) ever sold at auction is the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010, fetching US$31.19 million (31,000,000 CHF) in Geneva on 9 November 2019. [3] [4] The most expensive pocket watch ever sold at auction is the Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication, fetching US$23.98 million (23,237,000 CHF) in Geneva on 11 November 2014. [5] [6] [7] [8]
As of December 2022, at least 115 timepieces have been sold at auction for over US$2 million, and at least 173 timepieces have been sold at auction for over $1.5 million. Among the top 10 of these watches, nine are Patek Philippe timepieces and one is Rolex's.
The following table shows the breakdown of auction houses that have sold the most expensive watches at auctions (for at least US$2 million). As of December 2022, there are at least six auction houses that have sold watches for no less than $2 million: Christie's, Phillips, Antiquorum, Sotheby's, Poly Auction, and Monaco Legend Auctions. [12]
Ranking range | Phillips | Christie's | Sotheby's | Antiquorum | Monaco Legend Auctions | Poly Auction | Audemars Piguet auction for charity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st – 115th | 45 | 40 | 17 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
The following table has a threshold of 1.5 million US dollars.
Ranking range | Phillips | Christie's | Sotheby's | Antiquorum | Monaco Legend Auctions | Poly Auction | RR Auction | Loupe This | Audemars Piguet auction for charity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st – 173rd | 65 | 60 | 24 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
The following table shows the brand breakdown of the most expensive watches ever sold at auction (for at least US$1.5 million). As of December 2022, there are 19 manufacturers that have manufactured watches that qualify: Patek Philippe, Rolex, Breguet, Audemars Piguet, Philippe Dufour, F. P. Journe, George Daniels, Richard Mille, URWERK, Zenith, Vacheron Constantin, Omega, Tag Heuer, Chopard, Bulova, Cartier and Attributed to Piguet & Capt.
Among these brands, Philippe Dufour, F.P. Journe, George Daniels, Richard Mille, URWERK and Piguet & Capt are independent watchmakers. [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19]
Rank | Manufacturer | Piece(s) |
---|---|---|
1 | Patek Philippe | 114 |
2 | Rolex | 22 |
3 | George Daniels | 6 |
4 | Breguet | 4 |
4 | F. P. Journe | 4 |
4 | Philippe Dufour | 4 |
7 | Audemars Piguet | 3 |
7 | Richard Mille | 3 |
7 | Vacheron Constantin | 3 |
10 | Omega | 2 |
11 | Bulova | 1 |
11 | Cartier | 1 |
11 | Chopard | 1 |
11 | Jehan Cremsdorff | 1 |
11 | Attributed to Piguet & Capt | 1 |
11 | Tag Heuer | 1 |
11 | URWERK | 1 |
11 | Zenith | 1 |
The following table contains details of the 173 timepieces auctioned for at least US$1.5 million, ranked according to their original auction prices. The inflation-adjusted price is given by consumer price index inflation-adjusted value of United States dollars in 2023.
Rank | Manufacturer | Watch model | M.Y. | Style | Price (USD millions) | Auction date | Auction place | Auction house | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Original | Inflation- adjusted | |||||||||
1 | Patek Philippe | Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 | 2019 | Wrist | 31.000 | 37.175 | 11/09/2019 | Geneva | Christie's | [3] [4] |
2 | Patek Philippe | Henry Graves Supercomplication | 1932 | 23.983 | 30.867 | 11/11/2014 | Geneva | Sotheby's | [5] [6] | |
3 | Rolex | Paul Newman Daytona Ref. 6239 | 1968 | Wrist | 17.753 | 22.067 | 10/26/2017 | New York | Phillips | [11] |
4 | Patek Philippe | Stainless Steel Ref. 1518 | 1943 | Wrist | 11.137 | 14.139 | 11/12/2016 | Geneva | Phillips | [20] [21] |
5 | Patek Philippe | Prince Mohammed Tewfik A. Toussou Pink Gold Ref. 1518 with French calendar | 1948 | Wrist | 9.570 | 9.570 | 12/09/2021 | New York | Sotheby's | [22] |
6 | Patek Philippe | Gobbi Milan "Heures Universelles" Ref. 2523 | 1953 | Wrist | 8.967 | 10.686 | 11/23/2019 | Hong Kong | Christie's | [9] [10] |
7 | Patek Philippe | Two-Crown Worldtime Ref. 2523 Eurasia | 1953 | Wrist | 7.682 | 9.044 | 05/08/2021 | Geneva | Phillips | [23] |
8 | Patek Philippe | Gobbi Milano Pink Gold Ref. 2499 | 1957 | Wrist | 7.680 | 8 | 25/04/2022 | Hong Kong | Sotheby's | [24] |
9 | Patek Philippe | Stainless Steel Ref. 5016A-010 | 2015 | Wrist | 7.259 | 9.331 | 11/07/2015 | Geneva | Phillips | [25] [26] |
10 | Patek Philippe | Nautilus Ref. 5711/1A-018 Tiffany & Co | 2021 | Wrist | 6.503 | 7.31 | 12/11/2021 | New York | Phillips (Bacs & Russo) | [27] |
11 | Patek Philippe | Titanium Ref. 5208T-010 | 2017 | Wrist | 6.226 | 7.739 | 11/11/2017 | Geneva | Christie's | [28] [29] |
12 | Rolex | Daytona Unicorn Ref. 6265 | 1970 | Wrist | 5.937 | 7.204 | 05/12/2018 | Geneva | Phillips | [30] [31] [32] |
13 | Patek Philippe | Gold Chronograph Ref. 1527 | 1943 | Wrist | 5.709 | 7.977 | 05/10/2010 | Geneva | Christie's | [33] [34] |
14 | Patek Philippe | Worldtimer Guilloché Ref. 2523/1 | 1954 | Wrist | 5.553 | 6.538 | 11/06/2020 | Geneva | Phillips | [35] |
15 | Rolex | Paul Newman Big Red Daytona Ref. 6263 | 1980 | Wrist | 5.475 | 6.446 | 12/12/2020 | New York | Phillips | [36] |
16 | Philippe Dufour | Grande et Petite Sonnerie No.1 | 1992 | Wrist | 5.210 | 5.210 | 11/05/2021 | Geneva | Phillips | [37] |
17 | Audemars Piguet | Royal Oak Concept Black Panther Flying Tourbillon Unique Piece Ref. 26620IO [38] | 2021 | Wrist | 5.200 | 5.85 | 04/10/2021 | Los Angeles | Audemars Piguet | [39] [40] |
18 | Rolex | Emperor Bảo Đại Ref. 6062 | 1952 | Wrist | 5.060 | 6.29 | 05/13/2017 | Geneva | Phillips | [41] [42] |
19 | Patek Philippe | Yellow Gold Calibre 89 | 1989 | 5.042 | 7.161 | 11/14/2009 | Geneva | Antiquorum | [43] [44] | |
20 | Patek Philippe | White Gold Calibre 89 | 1989 | 5.003 | 8.07 | 04/24/2004 | Geneva | Antiquorum | [45] [46] | |
21 | Patek Philippe | Stainless Steel Ref. 130 | 1927 | Wrist | 4.987 | 6.41 | 05/10/2015 | Geneva | Phillips | [47] [48] |
22 | F. P. Journe | F. P. Journe x Francis Ford Coppola FFC Blue | 2021 | Wrist | 4.934 | 5.55 | 11/06/2021 | Geneva | Christie's | [49] |
23 | Breguet | Breguet & Fils, Paris No. 2667 | 1814 | 4.686 | 6.219 | 05/14/2012 | Geneva | Christie's | [50] [51] | |
24 | Patek Philippe | Henry Graves Minute Repeater | 1895 (case in 1927) [Note 1] | Wrist | 4.607 | 5.49 | 11/11/2019 | Geneva | Christie's | [52] [53] |
25 | George Daniels | Yellow Gold Space Traveller's I | 1982 | 4.561 | 5.435 | 07/02/2019 | London | Sotheby's | [54] | |
26 | George Daniels | Yellow Gold Space Traveller's II | 1982 | 4.325 | 5.376 | 11/19/2017 | London | Sotheby's | [55] [56] | |
27 | F. P. Journe | Chronomètre à Résonance "Souscription" 001/00R | 2000 | Wrist | 4.278 | 4.278 | 11/07/2021 | Geneva | Phillips | [57] |
28 | George Daniels | Spring Case Tourbillon | 1992 | Wrist | 4.096 | 4.265 | 05/11/2022 - 06/11/2022 | Geneva | Phillips | [58] |
29 | Patek Philippe | Platinum World Time Ref. 1415 | 1939 | Wrist | 4.027 | 6.822 | 04/13/2002 | Geneva | Antiquorum | [59] [60] |
30 | Philippe Dufour | Duality No.8 | 1996 | Wrist | 4.001 | 4.001 | 11/07/2021 | Geneva | Phillips | [61] |
31 | Patek Philippe | J.B. Champion Ref. 2458 | 1952 | Wrist | 3.993 | 5.299 | 11/12/2012 | Geneva | Christie's | [62] [63] |
32 | Patek Philippe | Titanium Ref. 5004T | 2013 | Wrist | 3.985 | 5.212 | 09/28/2013 | Monaco | Antiquorum | [64] [65] |
33 | Patek Philippe | Stainless Steel Ref. 1526 | 1949 | Wrist | 3.956 | 5.598 | 05/12/2008 | Geneva | Christie's | [66] [67] |
34 | Patek Philippe | Serpico y Laino Yellow Gold Ref. 2499 | 1952 | Wrist | 3.882 | 3.882 | 11/05/2021 | Geneva | Phillips | [68] |
35 | Patek Philippe | Asprey Yellow Gold Ref. 2499 | 1952 | Wrist | 3.880 | 4.708 | 11/13/2018 | Geneva | Sotheby's | [69] |
F. P. Journe | Tourbillon Souverain à Remontoir d'Egalité "Souscription" 001/99T | 1999 | Wrist | 3.880 | 3.880 | 11/06/2021 | Geneva | Phillips | [70] | |
37 | Patek Philippe | Alan Banbery Senza Luna Ref. 3448J Prototype with Leap Year Indication | 1970 (encased in 1975) [Note 2] | Wrist | 3.742 | 3.742 | 05/22/2021 | Hong Kong | Christie's | [71] |
38 | Rolex | Daytona Oyster Ref. 6263 | 1969 | Wrist | 3.718 | 4.622 | 05/14/2017 | Geneva | Phillips | [72] [73] |
39 | Patek Philippe | Calatravone Stainless Steel Ref. 570 | 1942 | Wrist | 3.668 | 3.668 | 05/09/2021 | Geneva | Phillips | [74] |
40 | Patek Philippe | Eric Clapton Ref. 2499/100 | 1987 | Wrist | 3.656 | 4.852 | 11/12/2012 | Geneva | Christie's | [75] [76] |
41 | Patek Philippe | White Gold Chronograph | 1928 | Wrist | 3.636 | 4.925 | 05/16/2011 | Geneva | Christie's | [77] [78] |
42 | Patek Philippe | Jean-Claude Biver Pink Gold Ref. 1518 | 1948 | Wrist | 3.567 | 4.199 | 06/27/2020 | Geneva | Phillips | [79] |
43 | Omega | 1957 | Wrist | 3.418 | 3.418 | 11/05/2021 | Geneva | Phillips | [80] [81] | |
44 | Audemars Piguet | Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Only Watch Ref. 15202XT | 2021 | Wrist | 3.399 | 3.82 | 11/06/2021 | Geneva | Christie's | [82] |
45 | Breguet | Breguet & Fils, No. 217 | 1800 | 4.616 | 05/16/2016 | Geneva | Christie's | [83] [84] | ||
46 | Patek Philippe | Pink Ref. 1518 | 1947 | Wrist | 3.330 | 3.47 | 08/05/2022 | Geneva | Phillips | [85] |
47 | Patek Philippe | Stainless Steel Ref. 1436 | 1945 | Wrist | 3.301 | 4.243 | 11/07/2015 | Geneva | Phillips | [48] [86] |
48 | Patek Philippe | Star Calibre 2000 Ref. 990/1 | 2008 | 3.281 | 4.354 | 11/28/2012 | Hong Kong | Christie's | [87] [88] | |
49 | Rolex | Rolex Daytona Lapis Lazuli Platinum Ref. 16516 | 1999 | Wrist | 3.270 | 3.85 | 07/12/2020 | Hong Kong | Sotheby's | [89] [90] |
50 | Patek Philippe | Serpico y Laino Gold Ref. 2499 | 1952 | Wrist | 3.235 | 3.925 | 11/12/2018 | Geneva | Christie's | [91] [92] |
51 | Rolex | Daytona Turquoise Hardstone Lacquer Ref. 16516 | 1998 | Wrist | 3.139 | 3.139 | 04/23/2021 | Hong Kong | Sotheby's | [93] |
52 | Patek Philippe | Sky Moon Tourbillon Ref. 5002R-001 | 2010 | Wrist | 3.114 | 3.24 | 24/05/2022 | Hong Kong | Christie's | [94] |
53 | Patek Philippe | White Gold Ref. 2497 | 1954 | Wrist | 3.083 | 3.083 | 11/05/2021 | Geneva | Phillips | [95] |
54 | Patek Philippe | Platinum Ref. 2497 | 1954 | Wrist | 3.067 | 4.34 | 05/12/2008 | Geneva | Christie's | [96] [97] |
55 | Rolex | Daytona Neanderthal Ref. 6240 | 1966 | Wrist | 3.010 | 3.652 | 05/12/2018 | Geneva | Phillips | [98] [99] [100] |
56 | Patek Philippe | Tiffany & Co. Ref. 2499 | 1971 | Wrist | 2.999 | 3.639 | 10/02/2018 | Hong Kong | Sotheby's | [101] |
57 | Patek Philippe | Gold World Time Ref. 2523 | 1955 | Wrist | 2.990 | 3.968 | 05/14/2012 | Geneva | Christie's | [102] [103] |
58 | Patek Philippe | Yellow Gold Luminous Ref. 2499 | 1958 | Wrist | 2.977 | 3.1 | 25/04/2022 | Hong Kong | Sotheby's | [104] |
59 | Patek Philippe | Yellow Gold Split-seconds Chronograph | 1923 | Wrist | 2.965 | 3.816 | 06/10/2014 | New York | Sotheby's | [105] |
60 | Patek Philippe | Two-Crown Worldtime Ref. 2523 with Guilloché Gold Dial | 1953 | Wrist | 2.910 | 2.910 | 11/08/2021 | Geneva | Christie's | [106] |
61 | URWERK | Atomic Master Clock & Titanium Wristwatch | 2018 | Wrist | 2.900 | 3.456 | 12/10/2019 | New York | Phillips | [107] |
Patek Philippe | Pink Gold Ref. 1518 | 1958 | Wrist | 2.900 | 3.02 | 25/04/2022 | Hong Kong | Sotheby's | [108] | |
63 | Patek Philippe | Emperor Haile Selassie Ref. 2497 | 1954 | Wrist | 2.898 | 3.602 | 05/15/2017 | Geneva | Christie's | [109] [110] |
64 | Patek Philippe | Yellow Gold World Time Ref. 2523 | 1953 | Wrist | 2.857 | 3.551 | 11/28/2017 | Hong Kong | Phillips | [111] [112] |
65 | Patek Philippe | Pink Gold Ref. 2499 | 1971 | Wrist | 2.782 | 3.458 | 11/11/2017 | Geneva | Phillips | [113] [114] |
66 | Patek Philippe | Gold Ref. 1526 | 1942 (case in 1948) [Note 3] | Wrist | 2.773 | 3.938 | 11/16/2009 | Geneva | Christie's | [115] [116] |
67 | Vacheron Constantin | King Fuad I No. 402833 | 1929 | 2.77 | 4.32 | 04/03/2005 | Geneva | Antiquorum | [117] [118] | |
68 | Breguet | Breguet, Paris, No. 4111 | 1827 | 2.751 | 3.651 | 05/14/2012 | Geneva | Christie's | [119] [120] | |
Patek Philippe | Pink Gold Ref. 2499 | 1950 | Wrist | 2.751 | 3.651 | 05/14/2012 | Geneva | Christie's | [120] [121] | |
70 | Patek Philippe | Tiffany & Co. Yellow Gold Ref. 2523/1 | 1963 | Wrist | 2.747 | 2.86 | 22/10/2022 | Monaco | Monaco Legend Auctions | [122] |
71 | Patek Philippe | Jean-Claude Biver Yellow Gold Ref. 2499 | 1957 | Wrist | 2.743 | 3.229 | 06/28/2020 | Geneva | Phillips | [123] |
72 | Jehan Cremsdorff | Gold, Enamel and Diamond-set Verge Watch | 1650 | 2.734 | 3.258 | 07/03/2019 | London | Sotheby's | [124] | |
73 | Patek Philippe | Gobbi Milan World Time Ref. 2523 | 1953 | Wrist | 2.728 | 3.812 | 11/15/2010 | Geneva | Christie's | [125] [126] |
74 | Patek Philippe | Pink Gold Ref. 2499 with German Calendar | 1957 | Wrist | 2.722 | 2.722 | 05/09/2021 | Geneva | Phillips | [127] |
75 | Patek Philippe | White Gold Ref. 6002G | 2014 | Wrist | 2.717 | 3.297 | 10/03/2018 | Hong Kong | Poly Auction | [128] |
76 | Patek Philippe | Pink Gold Ref. 2499 | 1951 | Wrist | 2.678 | 3.447 | 11/09/2014 | Geneva | Christie's | [129] [130] |
77 | Philippe Dufour | Grande et Petite Sonnerie No.1 Piece Unique | 1989 | 2.553 | 2.553 | 11/07/2021 | Geneva | Phillips | [131] | |
78 | Patek Philippe | Pink Gold Ref. 2499 | 1968 | Wrist | 2.538 | 3.222 | 05/31/2016 | Hong Kong | Phillips | [132] [133] |
79 | Patek Philippe | Pink Gold World Time Ref. 2523/1 | 1954 | Wrist | 2.509 | 3.185 | 05/31/2016 | Hong Kong | Phillips | [133] [134] |
80 | Patek Philippe | Ref. 3974 | 1990 | Wrist | 2.498 | 2.6 | 27/05/2022 | Hong Kong | Phillips | [135] |
81 | Patek Philippe | Gradowski Clockwatch | 1890 | 2.48 | 4.2 | 06/08/2002 | Hong Kong | Antiquorum | [117] [136] | |
82 | Patek Philippe | White Gold Ref. 6002G | 2016 | Wrist | 2.470 | 2.944 | 11/23/2019 | Hong Kong | Christie's | [137] |
83 | Rolex | Antimagnetique 4113 | 1942 | Wrist | 2.466 | 3.131 | 05/14/2016 | Geneva | Phillips | [138] [139] |
84 | George Daniels | Grand Complication | 1987 | 2.391 | 2.849 | 05/12/2019 | Geneva | Phillips | [140] [141] | |
85 | George Daniels | Anniversary in platinum No. 00 | 2019 | Wrist | 2.389 | 3.236 | 11/06/2022 - 12/06/2022 | New York | Phillips | [142] |
86 | Patek Philippe | Freccero Pink Gold Ref. 3448 | 1968 | Wrist | 2.338 | 3.167 | 11/14/2011 | Geneva | Christie's | [143] [144] |
87 | Patek Philippe | White Gold Ref. 5002G-010 | 2012 | Wrist | 2.320 | 2.765 | 11/25/2019 | Hong Kong | Phillips | [145] [146] |
88 | Richard Mille | Charles Leclerc RM67-02 Prototype | 2021 | Wrist | 2.302 | 2.59 | 11/06/2021 | Geneva | Christie's | [147] |
89 | Patek Philippe | White Gold Ref. 2497 | 1954 | Wrist | 2.300 | 2.859 | 11/11/2017 | Geneva | Phillips | [114] [148] |
Patek Philippe | Pink Gold Ref. 1518 | 1947 | Wrist | 2.300 | 2.741 | 12/10/2019 | New York | Phillips | [149] | |
91 | Patek Philippe | Pink Gold Repeater | 1894 | 2.29 | 3.102 | 11/13/2011 | Geneva | Antiquorum | [150] [151] | |
92 | Patek Philippe | Ref. 5217 | 2015 | Wrist | 2.284 | 2.38 | 26/04/2022 | Hong Kong | Sotheby's | [152] |
93 | Patek Philippe | Ref. 3448/100 "The Blue Royale" | 1973 (cased in platinum in 1997) | Wrist | 2.282 | 2.282 | 11/25/2021 | Hong Kong | Phillips | [153] |
94 | Patek Philippe | Rose Gold Ref. 2499 | 1957 | Wrist | 2.280 | 3.35 | 05/14/2007 | Geneva | Christie's | [154] [155] |
95 | Patek Philippe | Ref. 1415 Heures Universelles "Eastern Hemisphere" | 1949 | Wrist | 2.273 | 2.273 | 05/22/2021 | Hong Kong | Christie's | [156] |
96 | Rolex | Pink Gold Ref. 6062 | 1953 | Wrist | 2.271 | 2.36 | 23/04/2022 | Monaco | Monaco Legend Auctions | [157] |
97 | Patek Philippe | Gold World Time Ref. 2523 | 1953 | Wrist | 2.267 | 2.918 | 11/09/2014 | Geneva | Christie's | [130] [158] |
98 | Patek Philippe | Stainless Steel Ref. 1591 | 1944 | Wrist | 2.264 | 3.327 | 11/12/2007 | Geneva | Christie's | [155] [159] |
99 | Patek Philippe | Stephen Palmer No. 97912 | 1898 | 2.252 | 2.946 | 06/11/2013 | New York | Christie's | [160] [161] | |
100 | Patek Philippe | Trossi Leggenda Chronograph | 1932 | Wrist | 2.236 | 3.166 | 05/11/2008 | Geneva | Sotheby's | [162] [163] |
101 | Patek Philippe | Platinum Ref. 1579 | 1946 | Wrist | 2.213 | 2.997 | 11/14/2011 | Geneva | Christie's | [150] [164] |
102 | Tag Heuer | Steve McQueen Monaco Ref. 1133 | 1969 | Wrist | 2.208 | 2.6 | 12/12/2020 | New York | Phillips | [165] [166] |
103 | Patek Philippe | Ref. 5531R-010 World Time Minute Repeater with the New York Skyline | 2017 | Wrist | 2.198 | 2.198 | 12/09/2021 | New York | Sotheby's | [167] |
104 | Patek Philippe | Pink Gold Ref. 2499 | 1951 (encased in 1957) [Note 4] | Wrist | 2.161 | 2.827 | 11/11/2013 | Geneva | Christie's | [168] [169] |
105 | Patek Philippe | Yellow Gold Ref. 2499 with Italian Calendar | 1957 | Wrist | 2.143 | 2.143 | 05/09/2021 | Geneva | Phillips | [170] |
106 | Patek Philippe | Rose Gold Ref. 2499 | 1951 | Wrist | 2.129 | 3.606 | 10/19/2002 | Geneva | Antiquorum | [60] [171] |
107 | Audemars Piguet | Gérald Genta Royal Oak Ref. 5402 | 1978 | Wrist | 2.107 | 2.19 | 10/05/2022 | Geneva | Sotheby's | [172] |
108 | Patek Philippe | White Gold Ref. 2497 | 1953 | Wrist | 2.083 | 2.681 | 11/09/2014 | Geneva | Christie's | [130] [173] |
109 | Zenith | Mahatma Gandhi No. 421357 [Note 5] | 1910 | 2.069 | 2.938 | 03/05/2009 | New York | Antiquorum | [174] [175] | |
110 | Rolex | Deep Sea Special No.1 | 1953 | Wrist | 2.066 | 2.066 | 11/08/2021 | Geneva | Christie's | [176] |
111 | Patek Philippe | Jean-Claude Biver Spider Lugs Stainless Steel Ref. 1579 | 1946 | Wrist | 2.047 | 2.41 | 06/28/2020 | Geneva | Phillips | [177] |
112 | Patek Philippe | World Map Ref. 605HU | 1948 | 2.045 | 2.13 | 24/05/2022 | Hong Kong | Christie's | [178] | |
113 | Patek Philippe | Two-Crown Worldtime Ref. 2523/1 | 1965 | Wrist | 2.041 | 2.041 | 05/22/2021 | Hong Kong | Christie's | [179] |
114 | Rolex | Daytona Oyster Ref. 6263 | 1969 | Wrist | 2.036 | 2.585 | 05/14/2016 | Geneva | Phillips | [139] [180] |
115 | Patek Philippe | Gübelin Ref. 2499 | 1951 | Wrist | 2.024 | 2.412 | 12/10/2019 | New York | Phillips | [181] |
116 | Rolex | Stainless Steel Ref. 6062 | 1953 | Wrist | 1.988 | 2.471 | 05/13/2017 | Geneva | Phillips | [182] [183] |
117 | Patek Philippe | Yellow Gold Ref. 2499 with Italian Calendar | 1953 | Wrist | 1.982 | 1.982 | 06/05/2021 | Hong Kong | Phillips | [184] |
118 | Patek Philippe | Henry Graves Grande Complication | 1926 | 1.981 | 3.09 | 11/14/2005 | Geneva | Christie's | [185] [186] | |
119 | Breguet | King George III Recordon, London, Gold Four Minute Tourbillon No. 1297 | 1808 | 1.979 | 2.33 | 07/14/2020 | London | Sotheby's | [187] | |
120 | Rolex | Marlon Brando Stainless Steel Ref. 1675 | 1972 | Wrist | 1.952 | 2.326 | 11/10/2019 | New York | Phillips | [188] |
121 | Patek Philippe | Titanium Cathedral Minute Repeating Annual Calendar Ref. 5033 | 2003 | Wrist | 1.951 | 2.297 | 07/13/2020 | Hong Kong | Christie's | [189] |
122 | Patek Philippe | Grogan Split-seconds Chronograph | 1925 | Wrist | 1.945 | 2.94 | 11/13/2006 | Geneva | Christie's | [155] [190] |
Rolex | Stainless Steel Ref. 4113 | 1942 | Wrist | 1.945 | 2.318 | 11/09/2019 | Geneva | Phillips | [191] [192] | |
Rolex | Pink Gold Ref. 6062 | 1952 | Wrist | 1.945 | 2.318 | 11/09/2019 | Geneva | Phillips | [192] [193] | |
125 | Rolex | Daytona The Arabian Knight Ref. 6263 | 1974 | Wrist | 1.931 | 2.343 | 05/12/2018 | Geneva | Phillips | [194] [195] |
126 | Patek Philippe | Yellow Gold Officer | 1923 | Wrist | 1.918 | 3.508 | 11/14/1999 | Geneva | Antiquorum | [155] [196] |
127 | Patek Philippe | Stainless Steel Ref. 3939 | 2011 | Wrist | 1.911 | 2.588 | 09/23/2011 | Monaco | Antiquorum | [197] [198] |
128 | Richard Mille | RM27-04 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal | 2021 | Wrist | 1.891 | 2.13 | 11/05/2021 | Geneva | Phillips | [199] |
129 | Patek Philippe | Lee Kun-hee Platinum Ref. 1415 Heures Universelles | 1946 | Wrist | 1.887 | 1.887 | 05/22/2021 | Hong Kong | Christie's | [200] [201] |
130 | Richard Mille | Sapphire RM56-02 | 2015 | Wrist | 1.856 | 2.307 | 10/02/2017 | Hong Kong | Sotheby's | [202] [203] |
131 | Omega | Elvis Presley Tiffany & Co. Ref. H6582/D96043 | 1960 | Wrist | 1.812 | 2.199 | 05/12/2018 | Geneva | Phillips | [204] [205] |
132 | F. P. Journe | Astronomic Blue | 2019 | Wrist | 1.811 | 2.158 | 11/09/2019 | Geneva | Christie's | [206] |
133 | Patek Philippe | Gradowski Clockwatch | 1890 | 1.810 | 1.810 | 05/22/2021 | Hong Kong | Christie's | [207] | |
134 | Patek Philippe | Yellow Gold Ref. 2499 | 1952 | Wrist | 1.797 | 2.31 | 11/07/2015 | Geneva | Phillips | [208] |
135 | Patek Philippe | Henry Graves Platinum Ref. 811 | 1930 | 1.779 | 2.87 | 05/18/2004 | Geneva | Christie's | [209] [210] | |
136 | Vacheron Constantin | James W. Packard Minute Repeater | 1918 | 1.763 | 2.388 | 06/15/2011 | New York | Christie's | [211] | |
137 | Patek Philippe | White Gold Ref. 130 | 1944 | Wrist | 1.751 | 2.966 | 04/13/2002 | Geneva | Antiquorum | [212] |
138 | Patek Philippe | Gobbi Milan Ref. 2499 | 1960 | Wrist | 1.750 | 2.485 | 05/11/2009 | Geneva | Christie's | [213] |
139 | Rolex | Eric Clapton Crazy Doc Ref. 6239 | 1968 | Wrist | 1.743 | 1.81 | 07/05/2022 | Geneva | Phillips | [214] |
140 | Patek Philippe | Yellow Gold Ref. 2499 | 1956 | Wrist | 1.727 | 2.193 | 05/15/2016 | Geneva | Phillips | [215] |
141 | Patek Philippe | Gold World Time Ref. 2523 | 1953 | Wrist | 1.722 | 2.603 | 04/02/2006 | Geneva | Antiquorum | [216] |
142 | Patek Philippe | Platinum Calatrava Minute Repeater | 1939 | Wrist | 1.711 | 3.324 | 04/20/1996 | Geneva | Antiquorum | [217] |
143 | Patek Philippe | Aviator Prototype Wristwatch | 1936 | Wrist | 1.710 | 2.429 | 05/11/2009 | Geneva | Christie's | [218] [219] |
144 | Patek Philippe | White Gold Ref. 3448 | 1981 | Wrist | 1.696 | 2.218 | 05/13/2013 | Geneva | Christie's | [220] |
145 | Chopard | Happy Diamond Wristwatch | 2015 | Wrist | 1.6735 | 2.151 | 11/10/2015 | Geneva | Christie's | [221] |
146 | Patek Philippe | Stainless Steel Ref. 530 | 1939 | Wrist | 1.673 | 2.699 | 04/24/2004 | Geneva | Antiquorum | [222] |
147 | George Daniels | Edward Hornby Tourbillon Pocket Watch | 1971 | 1.663 | 2.018 | 12/12/2021 | New York | Phillips | [223] | |
148 | Rolex | Daytona Oyster Ref. 6263 | 1969 | Wrist | 1.660 | 2.014 | 05/12/2018 | Geneva | Phillips | [224] |
149 | Cartier | Cartier London Crash | 1967 | Wrist | 1.654 | 1.72 | 05/05/2022 | Online | Loupe This | [225] |
150 | Patek Philippe | Pink Gold World Time Ref. 1415 | 1939 | Wrist | 1.652 | 2.798 | 04/13/2002 | Geneva | Antiquorum | [226] |
Bulova | David Scott Apollo 15 Chronograph No. 885104/01 | 1971 | Wrist | 1.652 | 2.124 | 10/22/2015 | Boston | RR Auction | [227] [228] | |
152 | Rolex | Jack of All Diamonds Daytona Ref. 6269 | 1985 | Wrist | 1.630 | 1.7 | 09/05/2022 | Geneva | Christie's | [229] |
153 | Patek Philippe | Yellow Gold Ref. 2499 | 1954 | Wrist | 1.625 | 1.625 | 11/07/2021 | Geneva | Phillips | [230] |
154 | Patek Philippe | Platinum Ref. 1579 | 1946 | Wrist | 1.623 | 2.154 | 11/12/2012 | Geneva | Christie's | [231] |
155 | Patek Philippe | Sky Moon Tourbillon Ref. 5002P-001 | 2004 | Wrist | 1.590 | 1.590 | 04/08/2021 | Dubai | Christie's | [232] |
156 | Patek Philippe | Trucchi Italian Calendar Ref. 2499 | 1971 | Wrist | 1.584 | 1.888 | 11/09/2019 | Geneva | Phillips | [192] [233] |
157 | Patek Philippe | Platinum Automatic Perpetual Calendar Minute Repeater Ref. 3974 | 2001 | Wrist | 1.579 | 1.859 | 11/06/2020 | Geneva | Phillips | [234] |
158 | Attributed to Piguet & Capt | Pearl-set Musical, Perfume Flask, and Automaton Amphora-Form Watch | 1805 | Amphora-Form | 1.577 | 1.577 | 05/22/2021 | Hong Kong | Christie's | [235] |
159 | Patek Philippe | Gold Ref. 3449 | 1961 | Wrist | 1.5726 | 2.116 | 11/14/2011 | Geneva | Christie's | [236] |
160 | Rolex | Gold Oyster Perpetual Ref. 6062 | 1952 | Wrist | 1.57250 | 1.908 | 12/06/2018 | New York | Christie's | [237] |
161 | Patek Philippe | Yellow Gold Ref. 2499/100 | 1979 | Wrist | 1.57247 | 1.908 | 05/13/2018 | Geneva | Phillips | [238] |
162 | Patek Philippe | Gold Ref. 1563 | 1947 | Wrist | 1.572 | 2.056 | 11/11/2013 | Geneva | Christie's | [219] [239] |
163 | Patek Philippe | Yellow Gold Ref. 2499 | 1960 | Wrist | 1.566 | 1.947 | 08/13/2017 | Geneva | Phillips | [240] |
164 | Vacheron Constantin | Pink Gold Tour de I'lle | 2005 | Wrist | 1.564 | 2.44 | 04/03/2005 | Geneva | Antiquorum | [241] [242] |
165 | Patek Philippe | White Gold Ref. 3450 | 1985 | Wrist | 1.553 | 1.996 | 12/01/2015 | Hong Kong | Phillips | [243] [244] |
166 | Patek Philippe | Yellow Gold Ref. 3448J | 1975 | Wrist | 1.550 | 2.193 | 11/16/2008 | Geneva | Sotheby's | [245] |
167 | Patek Philippe | Platinum Ref. 69 | 1929 | Wrist | 1.549 | 2.566 | 05/13/2003 | Geneva | Sotheby's | [246] |
168 | Rolex | Paul Newman Daytona John Player Special Ref. 6264 | 1969 | Wrist | 1.545 | 1.819 | 07/31/2020 | London | Sotheby's | [247] [248] |
169 | Patek Philippe | George Thompson Minute Repeater | 1914 | 1.541 | 2.329 | 05/16/2006 | Geneva | Sotheby's | [249] | |
170 | Patek Philippe | Yellow Gold Ref. 2499 | 1951 | Wrist | 1.537 | 1.832 | 04/03/2019 | Hong Kong | Sotheby's | [250] |
171 | Patek Philippe | Yellow Gold Ref. 2499 | 1956 | Wrist | 1.514 | 2.143 | 10/17/2008 | New York | Antiquorum | [251] |
172 | Philippe Dufour | Simplicity 20th Anniversary 00/20 | 2020 | Wrist | 1.512 | 1.78 | 11/08/2020 | Geneva | Phillips | [252] [253] |
173 | Patek Philippe | Serpico y Laino Pink Gold Ref. 1518 | 1951 | Wrist | 1.501 | 1.688 | 05/10/2021 | Geneva | Christie's | [254] |
The following table contains some of the most expensive auctioned watches without public online records from auctioneers (e.g., major auction houses). This list is possibly incomplete.
Rank | Manufacturer | Watch model | M.Y. | Style | Original price (USD millions) | Adjusted price (USD millions) | Auction date | Auction place | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- | Patek Philippe | Titanium Ref. 5524T | 2018 | Wrist | 2.33 | 2.83 | 10/15/2018 | Geneva | Children Action 2018 Auction (with Christie's) [255] [256] |
Rolex SA is a Swiss watch brand and manufacturer based in Geneva, Switzerland. Founded in 1905 as Wilsdorf and Davis by German businessman Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law Alfred Davis in London, the company registered Rolex as the brand name of its watches in 1908 and became Rolex Watch Co. Ltd. in 1915. After World War I, the company moved its base of operations to Geneva because of the unfavorable economy in the United Kingdom. In 1920, Hans Wilsdorf registered Montres Rolex SA in Geneva as the new company name ; it later became Rolex SA. Since 1960, the company has been owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, a private family trust.
Patek Philippe SA is a Swiss luxury watch and clock manufacturer, located in the Canton of Geneva and the Vallée de Joux. Established in 1839, it is named after two of its founders, Antoni Patek and Adrien Philippe. Since 1932, the company has been owned by the Stern family in Switzerland and remains the last family-owned independent watch manufacturer in Geneva. Patek Philippe is one of the oldest watch manufacturers in the world with an uninterrupted watchmaking history since its founding. It designs and manufactures timepieces as well as movements, including some of the most complicated mechanical watches. The company maintains over 400 retail locations globally and over a dozen distribution centers across Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania. In 2001, it opened the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva.
Vacheron Constantin SA is a Swiss luxury watch and clock manufacturer founded in 1755. Since 1996, it has been a subsidiary of the Swiss Richemont Group. Vacheron Constantin is one of the oldest watch manufacturers in the world with an uninterrupted watchmaking history since its foundation in 1755. It employs around 1,200 people worldwide as of 2018, most of whom are based in the company's manufacturing plants in the Canton of Geneva and Vallée de Joux in Switzerland.
A. Lange & Söhne is a trademark of Lange Uhren GmbH, a German manufacturer of luxury and prestige watches. The company was originally founded by Ferdinand Adolph Lange in Glashütte, Kingdom of Saxony in 1845. The original A. Lange & Söhne was nationalized and ceased to exist in 1948, following the occupation by the Soviet Union after World War II. The current A. Lange & Söhne trademark was re-registered when Lange Uhren GmbH was founded in 1990 by Walter Lange, the great-grandson of Ferdinand Adolph Lange.
In horology, a complication is any feature of a timepiece beyond the display of hours, minutes and seconds. A timepiece indicating only hours, minutes and seconds is known as a simple movement. Common complications include date or day-of-the-week indicators, alarms, chronographs (stopwatches), and automatic winding mechanisms. Complications may be found in any clock, but they are most notable in mechanical watches where the small size makes them difficult to design and assemble. A typical date-display chronograph may have up to 250 parts, while a particularly complex watch may have a thousand or more parts. Watches with several complications are referred to as grandes complications.
Breguet is a Swiss luxury watch, clock and jewelry manufacturer founded by Abraham-Louis Breguet in Paris in 1775. Headquartered in L'Abbaye, Switzerland, Breguet is one of the oldest surviving watchmaking brands and a pioneer of numerous watchmaking technologies such as the tourbillon, which was developed into a practical solution by Abraham Breguet in 1801. Abraham Breguet also invented and produced the world's first self-winding watch in 1780, as well as the world's first wristwatch in 1810.
Audemars Piguet Holding SA is a Swiss manufacturer of luxury watches, headquartered in Le Brassus, Switzerland. The company was founded by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet in the Vallée de Joux in 1875, acquiring the name Audemars Piguet & Cie in 1881. The company has been family-owned since its founding.
The Patek Philippe Calibre 89 is a commemorative pocket watch created in 1989, to celebrate the company's 150th anniversary. Declared by Patek Philippe as "the most complicated watch in the world" at the time of creation, it has 33 complications, weighs 1.1 kg, exhibits 24 hands and has 1,728 components in total, including a thermometer, and a star chart. Before Calibre 89, Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication had been the world’s most complicated timepiece ever assembled with a total of 24 different functions.
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is a mechanical chronograph wristwatch designed to meet the needs of racing drivers by measuring elapsed time and calculating average speed. Its name refers to Daytona, Florida, where racing flourished in the early 20th century. It has been manufactured by Rolex since 1963 in four distinct generations ; the second series was introduced in 1988, the third in 2000 and the fourth in 2023. While cosmetically similar, the second series introduced a self-winding movement, and the third series brought manufacture of the movement in-house to Rolex.
An annual calendar is a representation of the year that expires with the year represented, or that must be altered annually to remain current. The term takes different but related meanings across two contexts. One is for static (synchronic) calendars, such as wall calendars or calendar systems. The other is for dynamic (diachronic) calendars, such as digital calendars or timepieces. Static representations of the Gregorian calendar year are annual, because the weekdays of Gregorian dates vary from year to year. The calendar representing one year will not serve for the next year. With perennial calendars, the same representation of the year serves for every year. Perpetual calendars, in this context, are computation devices for determining the weekdays of dates in any given year, or for representing a wide range of annual calendars.
Officine Panerai is an Italian luxury watch manufacturer, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Compagnie Financière Richemont S.A.
Gérald Charles Genta was a Swiss watchmaker and artist. He is known for his eponymous lines of timepieces, such as Gerald Genta and Gerald Charles, as well as his design work with other high-end watch manufacturers, including IWC, Omega, Universal Genève, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet. Genta created the Patek Phillipe Nautilus and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, to date the best-selling models of both houses. He is regarded as one of the most influential people in the history of horology.
Universal Genève SA is a Swiss luxury watch company, founded in 1894 as Universal Watch. It is a subsidiary of Breitling SA. Since its beginnings, the company has produced complete watches with in-house movements. Along with neighboring Geneva companies Audemars Piguet, Girard-Perregaux, Patek Philippe and Rolex, Universal is internationally regarded for its style of craftsmanship as a manufacture d'horlogerie. Universal Genève is known for creating the first-ever chronograph in 1917.
Antiquorum is an auctioneer of modern and vintage timepieces. Established in Geneva in 1974, Antiquorum was the first auction house to auction fine watches over the Internet in the 1990s.
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date is a COSC certified, self-winding chronometer manufactured by Rolex. Initially presented in 1956, the Day-Date was the first watch to display the date as well as the day, spelled in full. The calendar display is offered in 26 languages.
The Tour de I'lle is a complicated wristwatch manufactured by the Swiss manufacturer Vacheron Constantin. It was released in 2005 in a limited edition of 7 pieces to commemorate the manufacturer's 250th anniversary.
The Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication is one of the most complicated mechanical pocket watches ever created. The 18-karat gold watch has 24 complications and was assembled by Patek Philippe. It was named after banker Henry Graves Jr. who supposedly commissioned it out of his desire to outdo the Grande Complication pocketwatch of American automaker James Ward Packard. The two were both at the top of the watch collecting world, regularly commissioning innovative new timepieces.
Czapek & Cie. is a Swiss watch brand named after the Polish watchmaker François Czapek.
Seth Glanville Atwood was an American industrialist, community leader, and horological collector. He was the chairman and president of Atwood Vacuum Machine Company, one of the world's largest manufacturers of automobile body hardware, and a long-time leader of the Atwood family's business which involved in manufacturing, banking and hotel industries, with over 2,500 employees. In addition, Atwood was a director of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association, and had served in the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Graduate School of Business at the University of Chicago.
Philippe Dufour, AHCI is a Swiss-born watchmaker from Le Sentier, Vallée de Joux. He is regarded as a master of modern watchmaking, and his watches are referred as among the best ever made. He finishes all of his watches himself by hand. In 1992, Dufour was the first watchmaker to put arguably the most complex of complications in a wristwatch, a Sonnerie. His other two models include Duality and Simplicity.