23 Best Sapphire Watches for 2023

Sapphire—a material that is almost as hard as diamond—has been used in watches for years as the crystals over the dials (in part due to being extremely scratch-resistant). It’s not the easiest material to work with, due to its extreme toughness. It can be difficult to cut and mold and even harder to add color to the translucent material. It is also not a cheap material to work with. Yet, over the last few years more and more brands have ventured into the task of doing more with sapphire. They’re pushing boundaries by cutting blocks of it into unique and fun shapes. Everything from traditional round cases to tonneau, square, and even wildly unexpected shapes that resemble car engines or jets. We’ve gathered some of the best, most extravagant, and minimal sapphire watches for you to explore and learn more about.

Code41 X41 Sapphire

Price: $16,745+ USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

Code41 is a Swiss watch company that has been making waves in the industry through their accessible mechanical watches as well as their brand values. Code41 doesn’t refer to themselves as a brand, rather a community project. Their mission is to produce Swiss made mechanical watches available to all with their wide range of prices. They provide full transparency into the product origin, sales, and costs. They’ve even fundraised the X41 series, allowing donators to become investors of Code41 and giving them shares in the company. This modern take on watchmaking has given them added visibility and collectors are recognizing it. The X41 series features their first sapphire watch case. While it is currently sold out, it retailed starting at $16,745 USD.

Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire

Price: $69,000 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

The Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire watch is simple and clean in its all-clear look, but with a much more complicated openworked dial. The sapphire case matches the transparent rubber strap. Both allow you to see right through it. The silver skeleton dial gives a monochromatic look and does not disrupt the harmony in this piece. We might be more used to Hublot’s bold color choices, but this piece still stands out. A great choice for those who love Hublot but want a more minimal style. The watch is limited to 500 pieces and retails for $69,900 USD.

Hublot Big Bang Integrated Tourbillon Full Blue Sapphire

Price: $527,000 USD; Case Size: 43mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

At times Hublot's innovation in case materials can be overlooked but they actually are one of the brands that offers the most variety in colored sapphire cases. Some of their available colors are yellow, orange, pink, purple, and blue. Blue is a more common color when it comes to brands stepping beyond clear sapphire cases. So, it’s only natural that Hublot has undertaken a full blue sapphire crystal piece. The Hublot Big Bang Integrated Tourbillon Full Blue Sapphire offers a sapphire case and integrated sapphire bracelet. A full sapphire construction is a more unique push in the sapphire trend, that most others have not yet endeavored. The watch is limited to only 10 pieces and is available for $527,000 USD.

Chopard L.U.C. Full Strike Sapphire

Price: $473,000 USD; Case Size: 42.5mm; Water Resistance: Movement: Manual Wind; Crystal: Sapphire.

In 1996 Chopard introduced their L.U.C. watch collection. A heritage line that embodies Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele’s vision. The L.U.C collection is crafted in-house, from movement to parts to assembly, giving full control of the entire manufacturing process to Chopard’s watchmakers. The L.U.C. collections was also the first step for Chopard into the minute repeaters complication, which they have modernized twice already in the last few years. The Chopard L.U.C. Full Strike Sapphire was a 25th anniversary special celebrating 25 years of success for the L.U.C collection. The sapphire case is a new material addition to this collection which usually features steel, gold, platinum, or even a ceramic titanium case. The clear sapphire case of this piece allows for 360-degree views of the movement and was limited to 5 pieces! It has since sold out from their website but retailed for $473,000 USD.

Bell & Ross BR-X1 Tourbillon Skeleton Sapphire

Price: $480,000 USD; Case Size: 45mm; Water Resistance: 0; Movement: Manual Wind; Crystal: Sapphire.

The Bell & Ross BR-X1 Tourbillon Skeleton Sapphire is so unique that they brand only produced a single piece! Bell & Ross has taken a slightly different approach to their skeleton dial compared to most other pieces on this list. They wanted to capture the true transparency of the sapphire, so they minimized the mechanics of the skeleton movemeng, giving the watch more empty space. They kept true to their heritage of using black (a reference to aircraft materials and signature color since their first timepiece) on the tourbillon cage. This also contrasts really well with the transparent case. Also, in true Bell & Ross fashion, the watch has a square case shape. This limited edition piece costs $480,000 USD.

Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron Blue Sapphire Crystal

Price: $1,500,000 USD; Case Size: Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Manual Wind; Crystal: Sapphire.

Speaking of unique cases, the Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron Blue Sapphire Crystal is probably one of the most unique ones on our list (next to the MB&F). In collaboration with Bugatti, Jacob & Co. created a blue sapphire crystal watch that resembles the engine of the 16-cylinder Bugatti Chiron engine. It’s even powered by the same movement as the W16 engine (with 16 pumping pistons and spinning turbochargers when activated). The unique shape of the tonneau case looks something like a jet pack and the blue color of the sapphire showcases Jacob & Co.'s next level workmanship. Three crowns sit at the bottom of the case. They control the time, wind the movement, and activate the animation. It took the team months to develop the parts of this piece. It is is made up of 578 hand crafted and hand assembled components. With so much power and mechanics packed into it the piece, it retails for $1,500,000 USD.

Jacob & Co. Astronomia Flawless Diamond

Price: $1,000,000 USD; Case Size: 50mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Manual Wind; Crystal: Sapphire.

Jacob & Co. has made it on this list twice due to their astounding engineering achievements in their sapphire crystal watches. The Jacob & Co. Astronomia Flawless Diamond is no exception. The four arm movement floats in the center of the piece. All four of the complications on the arms are unique to Jacob & Co. One displays a magnesium and hand-lacquered globe of the earth, an other a spherical-shaped diamond with 288 facets known as the "Jacob-Cut". The third complication is a triple-axis tourbillon, and the fourth displays a subdial with hours and minutes. A 2.88 diamond sits at the center of the four arms. The featured diamonds aren’t the only reason the watch is called the Flawless Diamond. The crystal-clear sapphire case with unobstructed views of the timepiece adds to its flawlessness. This classic piece retails for a clean one million USD.

Aventi A11 Sapphire

Price: $12,235 USD; Case Size: 48mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Manual Wind; Crystal: Sapphire.

Another watch on our list which embodies the precision of an engine is the Aventi A11 Sapphire tourbillon. One of the cool things about Aventi is their new approach to watchmaking where they do not have a team of watchmakers, boutiques, factories, or offices. Rather they partner with other watchmakers to produce their movements and pieces. They sell from around the world through their website and they give their employees the luxury of working from wherever they are. Through this process they’ve successfully produced sapphire timepieces in both clear and blue. Our focus is on the blue sapphire case for this list. Like their other watches it has the same fun geometrical shape reminiscent of a square but slightly more angled at the top where the crown sits. Allocations have currently been paused on the sapphire collection because of its complexity in production. They have strict criteria on who can receive one of their sapphire timepieces so if you’re interested, you’ll have to make an appointment. While not inexpensive, Aventi makes one of the more affordable sapphire watches. The blue sapphire piece retails for $12,235 USD.

Aventi Wraith

Price: CHF 24,500 ($27,500 USD); Case Size: 44mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Manual Wind; Crystal: Sapphire.

The second Aventi on our list showcases the maturation of the brand. For the Wraith, Aventi switched out Chinese tourbillon for a Swiss made tourbillon. But the most interesting part of the watch is definitely the case. The brand also developed a proprietary “Saphite” material for their case construction. What is Saphite you might ask? Well, it is a sapphire material that is even more scratch resistant that normal sapphire while also having the ability easily to be colored in any way you would want. Like other Aventi timepieces, the Wraith is available by allocation, with 10 pieces being allocated in a given month. While there are a lot of technical achievements in this watch, it is still incredibly affordable for a Swiss made sapphire tourbillon watch. The Aventi A15-01 Paraiba Wraith retails for CHF 24,500 ($27,500 USD).

Richard Mille RM 53-02 Tourbillon Sapphire

Price: $2,200,000; Case Size: 42.7mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Manual Wind; Crystal: Sapphire.

Richard Mille has produced quite a few sapphire watches in their iconic curved tonneau cases, including the RM 53-02 Tourbillon Sapphire. The triple curved case shape is not an easy one to produce in sapphire, so they’ve limited the watch to 10 pieces. Due to its unique curved structure, which gives depth to the watch from all angles, allows for one of the best visual displays of its movement compared to others on our list. This is an important feature for Richard Mille timepieces since they put a lot of focus and detail into their movements. For the RM 53-02 Tourbillon Sapphire, the brand created a movement suspended with braided cables (0.27mm in dimension) that resemble an actual bridge. Not only does the architecture of this movement give the appearance of weightlessness, it is made so that the watch can remain lightweight and comfortable to wear on the wrist. The Richard Mille RM 53-02 retailed for $2,200,000 USD.

Zenith Defy Zero G

Price: $203,389 USD; Case Size: 46mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

Zenith, meaning the highest celestial point, embodies its name with their Defy Zero G sapphire watch. They play heavily into the theme of cosmos and gravity with a movement that looks like it is floating freely in space. The dial also showcases other points of interest, including a starry night sky. The El Primero 8812 SK automatic movement is inspired by the gimbal system. The spherical piece at the bottom of the dial is made up of 139 components and counters the effects of gravity. The dial itself is handcrafted in a medley of meteorite, aventurine glass and grand feu enamel on a gold base. The intricate piece was a limited edition of 10 pieces and retailed for $203,389 USD.

Chanel J12 X-Ray Red Edition

Price: $698,700 USD; Case Size: 38mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Manual; Crystal: Sapphire.

The Chanel J12 X-Ray Red Edition Sapphire is the only watch on the list produced with women in mind (though we would make the argument that at 38 mm it is wearable for women or men). The case and bracelet are decked out in rubies. The crystal-clear sapphire piece displays a contemporary and clean skeleton dial allowing the decadence of the rubies to capture the eye. Rubies are everywhere on the watch, including 46 rubies on the 18k white gold bezel, ruby hour markers, and 34 baguette-cut rubies on the bracelet buckle. The sapphire case and bracelet tone down the watch, which is appreciated with a watch full of gems. In an industry where men’s pieces usually lead the way, the Chanel J12 X-Ray Red Edition is a great touch. The Chanel J12 X-Ray Red Edition retails for $698,700 USD.

MB&F HM9 Sapphire Vision

Price: $440,000 USD; Case Size: 57 x 47 x 23 mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Manual; Crystal: Sapphire.

Advanced engineering and design techniques bring alive the MB&F HM9 Sapphire Vision. Both movement and case are challenging styles in this piece. The case shape resembles a jet engine and is inspired by mid-century aviation designs. While it is available in three materials, titanium, red gold, and the SV sapphire edition, it is the Sapphire Vision that really steals the show. The SV edition is slightly different in its design from the metal pieces. Due to the crystal-clear sapphire and views from all angles it includes co-axial propellers beneath the balances. And for an added visual boost two twin turbines spin freely. One of the coolest features of the piece is that you tell time vertically. The piece sits on your wrist so that you have an aerial view of the jet engine like watch. So, when you tilt your arm over to the side you will see the face of the watch in the cylinder opening. The Sapphire Vision is available with multiple different movements (purple, black, blue, white gold) but each version are limited editions of 5 pieces. Retail price is $440,000 USD.

Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Light

Price: $94,400 USD; Case Size: 44mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Light sapphire watch is shwocase the well-known design, including octagonal bezel, of the Laureato but in a sapphire case. Like the transparent sapphire case, the GP01800 caliber movement is skeletonized to point you can see completely throught it. The mechanics are visible on and off the wrist from every angle. The strap is integrated to the piece with titanium lugs which contrast the sapphire and blend with the skeleton dial. As a limited-edition piece, it is now sold out but retailed for $94,400 USD. You can also inquire about their metallized sapphire crystal edition, which is slightly smokier in color and priced a little higher but encompasses a similar look and feel.

Cyrus Klepcys Vertical Skeleton Tourbillon Sapphire

Price: $267,000 USD; Case Size: 44mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Manual Wind; Crystal: Sapphire.

For the 10th anniversary of the Cyrus Klepcys the brand released 10 limited edition pieces of their Vertical Skeleton Tourbillon Sapphire watch. The watch was designed by watchmaker Jean-François Mojon, the designer behind all Cyrus Klepcys timepieces. He received the honor of “best independent master watchmaker” at the Grand Prix de la Haute Horlogerie of Geneva (GPHG) in 2010. As the name states, at the center of the dial sits a vertical tourbillon which spins between a gold bridge. The complication displays retrograde minute and retrograde jumping hours. It packs 100 hours of power reserve (the power reserve indicator sits at 12 o’clock). The clear square(-ish) sapphire case enhances the 3D dial of this piece. Retail price is $267,000 USD.

Cvstos Metropolitan PS Sapphire / SQLT Green

Price: $42,752 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

Although the Cvstos Metropolitan PS Sapphire/SQLT Green is a clear sapphire case, the green details in the movement, dial, and strap power the look of this piece. Because of the abundment amount of green in this watch, it almost makes it feel like the watch is a fully green in color. The Cvstos tonneau case (a style they use across most of their cases) resembles a Richard Mille piece, but with less of a curve. A modern and interesting feature on this piece is the QR code engraved to the back of the movement. Scanning the QR code will bring up a personalized page about the piece as well as prove authenticity. The watch was a 50 piece limited edition and retailed for about $42,752 USD.

Greubel Forsey Double Balancier Sapphire

Price: $695,000 USD; Case Size: 47.25mm; Water Resistance: Movement: Crystal: Sapphire.

The Greubel Forsey Double Balancier Sapphire watch is interesting because it features both a dial plate and skeletonized portion of the dial. This gives the piece a very unique and modern look. The green or blue dial displays five hour markers (11, 12, 1, 2, and 3) and the watch’s power reserve. The skeleton dial portion of the display appears like it was peeled back to show the mechanics of the piece. It also contrasts well with the colored part of the dial. We appreciate the different approach to this piece, something Greubel Forsey is known for. It costs $695,000 USD.

Labails Temerity

Price: CHF 2,200,000 ($2,500,000 USD); Case Size: 48 mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Manual Wind; Crystal: Sapphire.

When it comes to high end, over-engineered haute horology, nothing can really prepare people for the Labails Temerity - A hyper-designed sapphire case skeleton watch with some surprisingly cool technology built inside. For starters, the watch is a tourbillon with a chronograph function, and a proprietary energy management system. Basically, when a chronograph is started, it strains the mainspring and fairly quickly depletes the power-reserve. For the Temerity, the watch allows a switching of «energy consumption modes », the result is the dual ability to both time events with a 5/100th-of-a-second accuracy (Sports mode) and get up to 120h of power-reserve ( Eco mode). This, in turn, makes the energy consumption of the watch significantly lower than a traditional chrongraph. On top of the technical functionality, it's simply a beautiful watch, even if it's still technically in a concept phase (production is expected to start this year). Price for the Labails Temerity is expected to be very high, at CHF 2,200,000 (around $2.5 million USD). It will also only be available in ultra-limited quantities. You can read more about the Labails Temerity here.

Franck Muller Vanguard Sapphire Rainbow

Price: $150,000 USD; Case Size: 45mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Manual; Crystal: Sapphire.

Franck Muller made a name for itself with their Cintrée Curvex tonneau shaped cases, which has now become synonymous with the heritage of the brand. This case shape is similar to Richard Mille as is their complex movement details, which is showcased in their Vanguard Sapphire collection. Franck Muller's goal in using a sapphire case was to create a case where some of their most significant complications were visible, such as their skeleton movements or triple-axis Tourbillion (in 2004 they were the very first brand in the world to create the tri-axial tourbillon). The rainbow edition of the Vanguard Sapphire model features a colorful movement with bridges in a compilation of vivid colors like red, purple, blues, yellow, and orange. It retails for $150,000 USD.

Rebellion Re-Volt Sapphire

Price: $111,658 USD; Case Size: 38.5mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Manual; Crystal: Sapphire.

Rebellion pushed into new areas for their brand when they introduced the Re-Volt skeleton model. Now, they are getting more creative and have created three (clear, blue, and red) new sapphire watches for the Re-Volt collection. We added the red model to our list because it’s a rare and fun color for sapphire pieces. The case is in a modern square shape. The dials are made to match the color of the case, so the red one features a dial with red and black bridges on the movement. The Re-Volt Red Sapphire piece is available for purchase and costs $111,658 USD.

Bovet Recital 26 Brainstorm Chapter Two

Price: $430,000/$453,000 USD; Case Size: 47.8mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Manual; Crystal: Sapphire.

The full transparent domed sapphire case of the Recital 26 Brainstorm Chapter Two is significant in displaying Bovet's intricate attention to detail. As a high-end watchmaking company, Bovet hand engrave and hand paint designs onto their components. Because of this, high visibility through the 360-degree clear sapphire case is crucial. The surface of the dome subdials are all hand engraved and can be seen from the side angles of the piece. The piece is available in multiple different versions and can range from $430,000 USD and up.

Purnell Escape II Absolute Blue Sapphire Watch

Price: $1,200,000 USD; Case Size: 48mm; Water Resistance: Movement: Manual Wind; Crystal: Sapphire.

The Purnell Escape II Absolute Blue Sapphire is another blue sapphire case watch on our list, but one full of fine details of luxury. Time floats at the top of the piece on a sapphire ring with 12 sapphire baguettes for indices (1.04ct). The movement sits around the sapphire ring. Two ultra-fast Double Spherion triple-axis tourbillons with diamond set cages are situated below the hours and movement. The round case has a slight domed shape to it which allows for more depth from both the sides of the watch and the top view. This emboldens the inner workings and really captures the diamond details of the tourbillons. The piece is a limited edition and retails for $1,200,000 USD.

Artya Diver Sapphire Cyan Gradient

Price: CHF 39,900 (around $44,500 USD); Case Size: 41 mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

If Artya isn't on your radar, it should be. The brand is doing a lot of interesting things, including in the sapphire space. One of the pieces we love is the Artya Diver Sapphire, a simple three handed dive watch with sapphire case and bezel. Artya offers the watch in multiple colors and dial styles, but the Cyan gradient dial with cyan sapphire bezel is our favorite. The cyan, almost turquoise, blue just adds to the maritime theme and gives it a classy look (even with a rubber strap). With 50 meters of water resistance, perhaps its not a true diving watch, but how many of us are actually diving with their watch? Price for the Artya Diver Sapphire Cyan Gradient is CHF 39,900 (around $44,500 USD).