The 21 Most Expensive Watches in 2023

There are all kinds of glamorous, high-end watches, and then there is the most expensive watch among them. If you are looking for something to show off your wealth and status, then a high-class watch is the perfect way to do it.

In this article, we will take a look at some of the highest-priced watches in the world. We will also discuss what makes these watches so special, and why they cost so much money. So if you’re curious about the most prestigious watches in the world, keep reading!

What Is the Most Expensive Watch in the World?

The following list contains some of the most luxuriously expensive watches, and it is all about exclusivity and extravagance. Many of these timeless masterpieces are rare and difficult to find. There are also those that have been featured only once as a limited edition and have caught the eye of collectors and millionaires around the world, whether because of their value and beauty or due to their elaborate complications (additional functions and mechanisms).

1. Graff Diamonds Hallucination

This watch was made by Graff Diamonds. Laurence Graff, chairman of the company, is behind the idea of this masterpiece. It features over 110 carats of different colored diamonds set in a platinum bracelet. This wristwatch was first displayed back in 2014, and today it remains known as the most expensive watch in the world with a price tag of $55 million.

It is incredibly easy to forget that this breathtaking invention is in fact a timepiece.

Set among all the dazzling colored precious stones at the center of the Graff Diamonds Hallucination, there is a tiny quartz dial that shows you the time.

Manufacturer: Graff Diamonds 

Price: $55 million 

2. Graff Diamonds The Fascination

This unique demonstration of diamond opulence is a convertible watch that can also be worn as a ring. The Fascination watch contains 152.96 carats of white diamonds with a pear-shaped 38.14-carat diamond in the middle. The center diamond is detachable and can be worn as a ring.

The Fascination is another expensive watch made by the British Graff Diamonds company that comes with an eye-watering price tag of $40 million.

Manufacturer: Graff Diamonds 

Price: $40 million 

3. Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010

This fancy watch features a stainless steel reversible case and a time side dial in rose gold with 18k gold dial plates. The Grandmaster Chime is the most complex Patek wristwatch that comes with 20 complications and five acoustic functions which include an acoustic alarm and date reporter. It includes a black alligator leather strap and hand-stitched scales.

The Grandmaster Chime in steel was sold for $31 million at a 2019 Geneva auction and became the most expensive Patek Philippe watch ever sold.

Manufacturer: Patek Philippe 

Price: $31 million 

4. Breguet Grande Complication Marie-Antoinette

With its design dating back almost two centuries ago, this limited edition watch has a story to tell. According to Breguet, watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet received the order for this pocket watch in 1783. This timepiece was meant to be a gift for Queen Marie-Antoinette herself but sadly never made it into her hands.

Every complication that existed back then was made part of this creation. Brequet’s Grande Complication has a gold case and includes a thermometer and a calendar. The watch was part of the L. A. Mayer Museum for Islamic Art collection until it was stolen in 1983. Luckily, it found its way back to the museum in 2007. Today this gorgeous historical watch replica created by Breguet in 2008 is valued at $30 million and is one of the most expensive watches in the world.

Manufacturer: Breguet 

Price: $30 million 

5. Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaillerie 101 Manchette

The unique design of this stunning piece makes it seem more like jewelry than a timepiece.

It is no secret that the Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaillerie 101 Manchette was made in honor of none other than Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate the 60th year of her reign.

This truly luxurious yet elegant bracelet is a combination of polished white gold links and a set of diamonds plus a miniature Calibre 101 watch.

Manufacturer: Jaeger-LeCoultre

Price: $26 million 

6. Chopard 201-Carat Watch

Some people are drawn to expensive watch brands because of the bling, others are amazed by the technical skill. If you are looking for something unique and glamorous that you cannot get in a jewelry subscription box, the Chopard 201 is definitely a choice to consider. With 874 different colored diamonds, this timepiece is valued at $25 million.

At the center of this remarkable model, there are three heart-shaped diamonds (a white 11-carat diamond, a blue 12-carat diamond, and a pink 15-carat diamond).

Manufacturer: Chopard 

Price: $25 million 

7. Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication

This pocket watch that was originally made in 1933 is known as the most complicated watch ever made without computer assistance. It includes 24 complications, a perpetual calendar, sunrise and sunset times, a miniature repeater, and a celestial chart.

This piece is one of the most expensive Patek Philippe creations; valued at $24 million it was sold to an anonymous bidder at a 2014 Geneva auction.

Manufacturer: Patek Philippe 

Price: $24 million 

8. Jacob & Co. Billionaire Watch

It is no accident that this wristwatch is named the Billionaire Watch. It is adorned with 189 carats of Ashoka cut diamonds. The hand-crafted face is composed of 167 elements and 18 jewels. The bracelet and dial of this unique timepiece are made of 18k white gold while the crown holds a rose-cut white diamond.

The watch market value of the Billionaire Watch is $18 million.

Manufacturer: Jacob & Co

Price: $18 million

9. Rolex Paul Newman Daytona Ref. 6239

This Rolex watch comes with a sleek Art Deco design and was originally owned by the famous actor and race-car enthusiast Paul Newman. The watch comes with a “Drive carefully me” engraving on its back case which is said to have been commissioned by Newman’s wife Joanne Woodward.

The Rolex Paul Newman Daytona Ref. 6239 was sold at a New York auction back in 2017 for $17.7 million. It comes as no surprise as the Rolex company is renowned for the production of luxury expensive watches.

Manufacturer: Rolex 

Price: $17.7 million

10. Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Ref. 1518

What sets this limited edition wristwatch apart from other Patek Philippe luxury watches is its high-grade stainless steel case. The Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Ref. also included the first-ever perpetual calendar and chronograph. Coming from Patek Philippe, one of the dominating most expensive watch brands on our list, this collectors’ dream was sold for $12 million.

Manufacturer: Patek Philippe 

Price: $12 million 

11. Patek Philippe Gobbi Milan ‘Heures Universelles’ Ref. 2523

This vintage timepiece dates back to 1953 and is an example of the craftsmanship of the Golden Age of watchmaking. It features an 18k pink gold case with a blue enamel dial. It also comes with the famous Heures Universelles world time system.

Only seven wristwatches of this design were released and this timepiece is the only one in existence that has a blue dial signed by both Gobbi and Patek Phillippe. This alone is reason enough for it to find its place on the world’s most expensive watch list.

Manufacturer: Patek Philippe 

Price: $9 million

 12. Vacheron Constantin 57260

The Vacheron Constantin 57260 is known as the most complicated watch in the world with 57 complications, 2,826 mechanical components, and 242 jewels. It was commissioned by an anonymous American collector and took around 8 full years to design.

It features a Judaic calendar, a double-retrograde split-seconds chronograph that allows you to time multiple events at once. This timepiece was sold for $8 million making it the most expensive smartwatch on this list.

Manufacturer: Vacheron Constantin 

Price: $8 million

13. Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Ref. 5016A-010

This Patek Philippe creation features three of the most admired watch complications: a perpetual calendar with a moon phase display, a minute repeater, and a tourbillon. This Patek incredibly rare timepiece fell out of production in 2011.

Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Ref. 5016A-010 is a limited edition that consists of a blue Grand-Feu enamel dial placed in a stainless steel case.

Manufacturer: Patek Philippe 

Price: $7.9 million 

14. Patek Philippe Two-Crown Worldtime Ref. 2523 Eurasia 

The Two-Crown Worldtime Ref is another spectacular timepiece coming from the most expensive watch brand Patek Philippe. This legendary watch is one of only three ever created. It is known as Silk Road 2523 as it features an enamel dial with a map of Eurasia.

Other features that make this piece a collector’s favorite include a world time compilation, a dual crown, and a 41-city ring.

Manufacturer: Patek Philippe 

Price: $7.7 million

15. Patek Philippe White Gold Calibre 89

Calibre 89 was first introduced for the brand’s 150th anniversary. It is one of the most complicated watches in the world featuring 33 complications, a sunrise and sunset timer, a second-time zone, an astronomical calendar, a thermometer, and an Easter indication.

Its price is estimated at $6.9 million and it is one of the most expensive watches for men.

Manufacturer: Patek Philippe 

Price: $6.9 million 

16. Patek Philippe Gold Chronograph Ref. 1527

Not much is known about this mysterious watch. It was commissioned back in 1940 and caused quite a stir in the watch market of that time. Compared to other contemporary timepieces it comes with larger proportions. It consists of an 18k gold buckle and a chronograph with date and moon phases.

Only three of the kind were produced which adds to the rarity and uniqueness of this vintage model.

Manufacturer: Patek Philippe 

Price: $6.8 million

17. Patek Philippe Titanium Ref. 5208T-010 

Many of these luxury expensive watches are either limited editions or one-time productions. The Patek Philippe Titanium belongs to the latter category. It is incredibly rare for the Patek brand to use titanium for its creations which makes this timepiece even more valuable in the collectors’ eyes.

This Patek design features a perpetual calendar, minute repeater, and back display which gives the owner a glimpse into the workings of the watch’s mechanisms.

Manufacturer: Patek Philippe 

Price: $6.6 million 

18. Rolex Daytona Unicorn Ref. 6265 

This white gold Rolex Daytona is the only one of its kind, and that’s how it got its nickname Unicorn. Although white gold was used in the 70s for more prestigious watches, the Daytona was meant to be an everyday sports watch, and being made of luxurious white gold definitely sets it apart from the crowd.

This expensive watch includes a white gold bracelet, a black index dial, and white gold indexes.

Manufacturer: Rolex 

Price: $6.1 million 

19. Hublot Big Bang 

The Hublot Big Bang contains more than 100 carats of baguette diamonds and 6 emerald-cut diamonds, including 126 diamonds in total, each weighing around three carats. It is said that every stone was cut by the same jeweler to ensure that they all have the same signature cut.

Manufacturer: Hublot 

Price: $5 million

20. Louis Moinet Meteoris 

This beautifully crafted Louis Moinet makes its way on our most expensive watch list not only because of its exclusivity but also because it has a special secret. There are four variants and each one comes with a piece of an asteroid or meteorite inside which explains the $4.6 million price tag and name as well.

Manufacturer: Louis Moinet 

Price: $4.6 million

21. Breguet Antique Number 2667 

This vintage timepiece was created more than a century ago by Breguet which is one of the most highly respected watch brands. This pocket watch features an 18k gold case with two oscillating bodies placed inside of it. This rare Breguet pocket watch was sold at a 2012 Christie’s auction in Geneva for $4.5 million.

Manufacturer: Breguet 

Price: $4.5 million 

Conclusion

The title of the most expensive watch in the world goes to a different timepiece over the years and as you can see, there are all kinds of outstanding watches that come with a hefty price tag. If you’re looking to purchase one of them, be prepared to spend a lot of money. However, whatever price you pay is worth it as you’ll be getting a timepiece that is truly unique and luxurious.