Some of our favorite timepieces have recently fetched never-before-seen prices in the volatile luxury watches marketplace, with the well-known brands being sold for over triple their retail price. However, the absurd prices of these pieces pale in comparison to the most expensive timepieces ever sold at auction. We’ve gathered a comprehensive list of some of the most expensive watches ever sold at Auction. And don’t expect watches adorned with carats of diamonds. These watches feature complications, history and heritage.

30. Patek Philippe Titanium Ref. 5004T ($3.98 million)

The first, and number 30 on our list, is an offering from Patek made specifically for the Only Watch auction that donates all proceeds to muscular dystrophy. The Patek Philippe Ref. 5004T itself is the fourth ever Patek to be cased in titanium. Patek’s caliber 27-70 Q has 407 individual parts that allows it to have both a split-seconds chronograph and perpetual calendar complication. The watch sold at auction for $3.98 million USD.

29. Patek Philippe J.B. Champion Ref. 2458 ($3.99 million)

The Patek Philippe Ref. 2458 was commissioned by one the most prolific post-war clients of the brand - J.B. Champion. He was an incredibly successful criminal defense attorney who also had an appreciation for incredible wristwear. His commissioning of this watch is part of what makes it so expensive. The watch itself was made solely for competition in the Geneva Observatory “Concours de Chronometrie”. The movement within this watch was designed with the highest standard of finishing that Patek had to offer. It was stamped with two Geneva seals, showing that it is the absolute highest caliber movement that Patek had ever placed into a wristwatch. The quality was so high that it was not financially viable for Patek to make the movement as a commercial offering, resulting in very few produced, and only one being produced for J.B Champion. Its mechanical prowess and rarity of the watch combined means that it sold for $3.99 million USD by Christie at auction.

28. Philippe Dufour Duality No. 8 ($4 million)

The first non-Patek on this list, the Philippe Dufour Duality No. 8 features a unique complication. The Duality line of watches features a double escapement, meaning there are two balance wheels beating in such a way that they compensate for each other’s inaccuracies. Very few examples of this technology exist, one of the only modern-day examples can be found in the F.P. Journe Resonance. Dufour initially planned to make 25 of these timepieces, but due to the mechanical complexity, only 9 were ever produced. This example is the only one of three made in pink gold. The Duality No. 8 was the last ever produced Duality, making it one of the rarest, most mechanically complex, and sought-after watches. It sold for $4 million USD at auction.

27. Patek Philippe Platinum World Time Ref. 1415 ($4.03 million)

One of the more unique offerings from Patek Philippe, the 1415 Platinum World Time, was first bought by Chairmee Lee (son of the founder of Samsung). The watch is cased in platinum with white gold numerals and hands. With teardrop lugs and was sold in brilliant condition, the watch was so exclusive that it was not seen from 2002-2021, when it was finally sold at auction in 2021 for $4.03 million USD.

26. F.P. Journe Chronometre a Resonance “Souscription” 001/00R ($4.27 million)

The F.P. Journe Chronometre a Resonance ‘Souscription’ utilizes the same technology that the previously mentioned Philippe Dufour Duality does, housing a dual escapement that self-regulates regardless of the position of the watch. The two balance wheels oscillating simultaneously in close proximity cancel each other’s inconsistencies out, resulting in higher accuracy. This complication is incredibly difficult to pull off, the balances must be accurately sized and placed within a very specific distance of one another, otherwise, it will result in the watch failing to keep accurate time at all. This specific version of the Chronometre a Resonance was one of the first 20 Resonance movement watches offered to clients. They were first offered only to the buyers of the brand’s Souscription Tourbillons, making obtaining one an impossibility without first obtaining their other offerings. Modern-day examples of the Chronometre a Resonance are offered at $106,000, which is trumped when compared to the “Souscription”, which sold at auction for a not-so-small fortune of $4.27 million USD. We love this watch so much we might call our banker to give us a loan to pick one up.

25. George Daniels Yellow Gold Space Traveller II ($4.32 million)

The George Daniels Space Traveller II has a unique back story, making it a ripe pocket watch for auction. George Daniels was at a dinner in Zurich when he was offered a large sum for his personal pocket watch, a gold Daniels with a double-wheel escapement. Daniels did not want to sell it, but the buyer was persistent. Eventually, Daniels did sell it but ended up regretting it immensely. This regret led to him attempting to create a pocket watch far better than the one he sold. Being one of the greatest watchmakers of all time, he did. The Space Traveler’s II is by no means his most complicated piece, but it shows his unique take on watchmaking. The piece features an independent double-wheel escapement, allowing for twin-time displays of both mean solar time and sidereal time (using the rotation of the earth relative to fixed stars). Daniels kept this pocket watch on him until his death, making it incredibly valuable and sought after by collectors. It sold for $4.32 million USD.

24. George Daniels Yellow Gold Space Traveller I ($4.56 million)

This is George Daniel’s original Space Traveller, which is incredibly similar to the Space Traveller II, but it lacks the more refined looks and center hand of the second edition. However, it does house the same double-wheel escapement that accounts for both solar and sidereal time. This was the original idea that was more masterfully executed in the second edition. However, this by no means makes it any less valuable, as the Space Traveller I fetched $4.56 million USD at auction.

23. Patek Philippe Henry Graves Minute Repeater ($4.6 million)

The Patek Philippe ‘Henry Graves’ Minute Repeater was a custom commission from the man himself. The watch was commissioned in the 1920s and used a minute repeating movement that was invented in 1895. The movement was first used in this very watch, as Patek had no former use of such a movement until this watch was commissioned. The minute repeating action reportedly has a noticeably higher pitch than most of today’s minute repeaters. Its timeless design means that it retains its wearability, even 100 years later. The uniqueness and age combined with the stunning good looks of the watch makes it a hot item among collectors. It should then be no surprise that it fetched $4.6 million USD at auction.

22. Breguet Breguet & Fils, Paris No. 2667 ($4.68 million)

The Breguet Paris No. 2667 was made in 1814, which makes it the oldest watch on the list by over 100 years. This was an experiment by Breguet to fit two movements within the same case in order to utilize the phenomenon of resonance to get his watches to perform even more accurately. It was initially sold in August 1814 for 5,000 francs. Only two other watches in this style were ever sold, and they were sold to the kings of Britain and France. The incredible age combined with the mechanical prowess of the watch makes it understandable that it fetched $4.68 million USD at auction.

21. F.P. Journe x Francis Ford Coppola FFC Blue ($4.93 million)

The F.P. Journe x Francis Ford Coppola FFC Blue most certainly has an obviously unique dial design in that a literal hand sits on the center of the dial. Contributing to the Only Watch 2021 auction, the idea for the watch first came when Francis Ford Coppola asked Journe if it would be possible to display time using a physical hand. As one can imagine, using 5 fingers to display 12 hours and 60 minutes is no easy task. It took Journe 7 years of development, but the outcome is incredible. The hand simulates that of a prosthetic - using levers, cams, and gears to move the fingers every which way. The price reflects the jaw-dropping technology, as it sold for $4.93 million USD at auction.

20. Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Ref. 130 ($4.98 million)

The Patek Philippe Ref. 130 has a complication we have yet to see on this list: a monopusher chronograph. The Ref. 130 was only produced one time by Patek Philippe, making it one of the rarest watches in their catalog. Produced in 1927, this watch has a sector dial alongside a pulsometer gauge on the outer edge of the dial. There is another one of these watches in existence, and they were supposedly made in conjunction with one another for a pair of brothers who were doctors (hence, the pulsometer). The watch was never restored and only had two owners ever, adding even further to the collection’s total value. This stainless steel model sold at auction for 4.98 million USD.

19. Patek Philippe White Gold Calibre 89 ($5 million)

Patek Philippe is known for their various complications, however, this particular watch definitely takes the cake as the most complicated watch of the 20th century. The Calibre 89 features a grand total of 33 different complications. Yes, 33. Some of the most notable complications include sidereal time, a second time zone, time of sunrise/sunset, perpetual calendar (including leap years), season, solstice, equinox, and zodiac indication, star chart, phases of the moon, minute repeater, split-seconds chronograph and about 20 more complications as well. If you can think of a complication, this watch probably has it within its 18k white gold case. A large amount of complications comes with an equally large price tag, as it sold for $4.98 million USD at auction.

18. Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Calibre 89 ($5.04 million)

This is the same as the Patek Philippe Calibre 89, but cased in yellow gold instead of white gold. I’ll take the opportunity for the additional description to add more complications that this remarkable watch features. In addition to the previously listed features, it includes an alarm, tourbillon, a reminder for the date of Easter, and of course it has three mainsprings to power all the functions. This model sold for slightly more than the white gold model, getting auctioned off for $5.04 million USD.

17. Rolex Emperor Bảo Đại Ref. 6062 ($5.06 million)

At the time of the auction, the Rolex Emperor Bao Dai was the world record-holding watch for the most expensive Rolex sold at auction. It was personally owned by His Majesty Bao Dai, who was the last emperor of Vietnam. The watch itself features a triple calendar complication, with a pointer indicating the date on the outside of the dial along with the day and month centered on the dial directly under the Rolex logo. It is made of 18k yellow gold, and is one of only 3 black dial models made in this variant, and one of one with diamond indices. The watch is considered a “holy grail” among collectors, so it should be no surprise that it fetched $5.06 million USD at auction.

16. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Black Panther Ref. 26620IO ($5.2 million)

Although at first glance the Audemars Piguet Ref. 26620IO watch looks more like a kids toy than it does high horology, Audemars Piguet put all their effort into making sure this watch will not be mistaken for any ordinary watch. The 3D white gold and hand-carved Black Panther, white gold hands, and sandblasted titanium case all received Audemars Piguet’s highest-quality of finishing. Only one in this case design has ever been made, making it a unique piece by Audemars. It sold for a staggering $5.2 million USD at auction.

15. Philippe Dufour Grande et Petite Sonnerie No.1 ($5.21 million)

The second Philippe Dufour on this list, the Grande et Petite Sonnerie is the first wristwatch to house such a complication that chimes off the hours and quarter hours automatically. It’s a bit like an automatic minute repeater that operates on its own. However, it needs to be crafted far more meticulously, as it chimes 4 times an hour for 24 hours, meaning it chimes 96 times in one day alone. This causes many problems, including having a large enough power reserve to run a minute repeater 96 times, while still having enough power to run the wristwatch for a solid amount of time. Not only this, but the minute repeating mechanism must be integrated into the timekeeping mechanism in order for it to activate at the appropriate times. This adds an additional layer of complexity to the complication. This watch is the first to incorporate such a complication, and this specific piece was the first model ever made. Such horological prowess is matched by very few watches. The sheer complication and innovation this watch brings to the world of horology means it also comes with a daunting price tag of $5.21 million USD.

14. Rolex Paul Newman Big Red Daytona Ref. 6263 ($5.47 million)

The Rolex Daytona Ref. 6263 is one of the two Daytonas put up for auction that once belonged to the actor Paul Newman. This was the watch Newman wore the longest and was most photographed with it on his wrist, and he later gifted it to his daughter. He was known to brag about the accuracy of this watch, betting to his friends that this Rolex was more accurate than theirs. After calling Central Time, he would take the money from his friends. Having been owned by someone of such fame clearly adds quite some value, as this watch sold for $5.47 million USD when it was auctioned off.

13. Patek Philippe Worldtimer Guilloché Ref. 2523/1 ($5.55 million)

The second of the Patek Worldtimers on this list is the Patek Philippe Worldtimer Ref. 2523/1. This model features a hand-guilloche dial, a rose gold case and handset, twin crowns (one to wind and set the movement, the other to rotate the outer chapter ring), and is incredibly exclusive. These vintage Worldtimer models from Patek are incredibly valuable pieces, with many of them going for millions of dollars. This model is no exception, as it was sold for $5.55 million USD at auction.

12. Patek Philippe Gold Chronograph Ref. 1527 ($5.7 million)

This model of Patek, the Ref. 1527, is one of only two existing models. The only other model is in the Patek Philippe museum in Switzerland, making this the only privately owned model of the watch. This watch has a chronograph function, while the other 1527 does not, making it all the more valuable. Beyond just a chronograph, though, it features the day, date, month, and moonphase, which Patek fits into a 37.6mm case. This watch is essentially a piece unique, and combining this with the stunning condition and age gives you one very valuable timepiece. And valuable it is, selling for $5.7 million USD at auction.

11. Rolex Daytona Unicorn Ref. 6265 ($5.9 million)

Known as the “Holy Grail” or “Unicorn” of Daytonas, this specific watch was the only Daytona to feature an 18k white gold case housing the handwinding Rolex movement. It also features a beautiful black “sigma” dial. The uniqueness of the case material is really what sets this watch apart. While most Daytonas are made of stainless steel, only this one is crafted in 18k white gold. Most people were not even aware of its existence until it was first sold in 2013. It remains the second most expensive Rolex to ever be sold at a public auction. It was sold for $5.9 million USD.

10. Patek Philippe Titanium Ref. 5208T-010 ($6.22 million)

The Patek Philippe Ref. 5208T-010 in titanium was made for Only Watch 2017, an auction in which the proceeds go towards research in the field of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Patek Philippe has famously contributed many stellar pieces to this auction, and this model is not excluded from that tradition. Featuring a minute repeater, perpetual calendar, and chronograph complication, this piece is completely packed with all the bells and whistles. Pair that with a rarely used titanium case and you have yourself an incredible piece unique from Patek. It’s really no surprise that this watch fetched $6.22 million USD at auction.

9. Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711/1A-018 Tiffany & Co. ($6.5 million)

Of course, the famous Tiffany and Co. Nautilus had to make this list. This watch was the center of attention of many enthusiasts for months, with numerous sources attempting to track down precisely where the 170 allocated pieces had gone. This watch was initially released to celebrate the Tiffany and Co. 170th anniversary, but it turned out to be far more than that. It upended the entire watch world, as enthusiasts fought over whether or not the watch was “cool” or “pretty” or “worth the publicity”. Of course, the hype around this watch mostly died down eventually, but I think everyone will remember the time when this watch was the center of attention. It was auctioned off for $6.5 million USD in New York, which is quite a bit more than its original retail price of just $52,635 (which you won’t be able to pick up in Tiffany’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue). Although, we’ve also seen a more recent auction of the Tiffany Blue Nautilus sell for $3.2 Million USD with Christies - So maybe the price is starting to settle down. If there is a billionaire watch that makes a statement on the wrist, with the bright blue/green dial, this is it.

8. Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Ref. 5016A-010 ($7.25 million)

This watch was another piece made by Patek Philippe for the Only Watch 2015 auction. Although it resembles the 2017 piece, upon closer inspection it is vastly different. It features a minute repeater, a tourbillon, and a retrograde date. It almost seems impossible to fit all those complications into one watch, but somehow Patek Philippe never fails to disappoint. It is housed in a stainless steel case, and the beautiful blue enamel dial is stunning to look at. This piece was auctioned off for $7.25 million USD.

7. Patek Philippe Dual-Crown Worldtime Ref. 2523 Eurasia ($7.68 million)

The Dual-Crown Worldtime “Eurasia” is the first vintage watch on the list, and it is a stunner. Made in 1953, this watch is only 1 of 3 known examples made with the map of Eurasia on the dial. The world-timer complication was not a popular complication in the 20th century, but is far more popular now due to the ease of airplane travel between time zones. When this was first released in 1955, airplane travel was just starting to take off (pun intended). The rarity and condition of the watch, matched with the stunning enamel dial makes it a pure work of art. This watch fetched $7.68 million USD at auction in 2021.

6. Patek Philippe Gobbi Milan "Heures Universelles" Ref. 2523 ($8.9 million)

Yet another of the Patek Worldtimers makes its way onto the list, this one more expensive than the rest. It’s no surprise why once you look closely at the stunning blue enamel dial and the mint condition that the watch is in. It still has the rose gold case and handset of all the other models, as well as the dual crowns for adjusting both the movement and the time zone. The sheer beauty and flawless condition of this model makes it worth a few million more than others, as it sold for $8.9 million USD.

5. Patek Philippe Prince Mohammed Tewfik A. Toussou Pink Gold Ref. 1518 with French calendar ($9.57 million)

Just one look at this watch and you can already tell it’s probably worth more than you can afford. The stunning pink salmon dial with the yellow gold case and indices makes for an incredibly attractive combo. Only 14 of these were produced in this combination, and this one in particular was owned by Prince Mohammed Tewfik A. of Egypt. The watch was bought by the prince himself, and still has the paperwork to go with it. The watch was very lightly worn, so despite its age it is still in near-perfect condition. The previous ownership of royalty fetches a royal price tag, as it sold for $9.57 million USD at auction.

4. Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Ref. 1518 ($11.1 million)

This watch was formerly the most expensive in the world when it was sold, and today is still the fourth most expensive watch of all time. The Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 was launched in 1941, and featured the first ever perpetual calendar paired with a chronograph complication. Crammed inside the 35mm stainless steel case is a Valjoux movement that was heavily modified and expertly finished by Patek to achieve their goals. Only four watches were ever made in stainless steel, and with the incredibly (for the time) complex movement it makes for a very valuable watch indeed. The watches were also released in the middle of WW2, meaning that two of the four stainless steel models were actually lost, only to be found in Hungary in the early 2000s. The combination of the complications and influence of design can be seen in later models of the Patek Philippe lineup, making this a very influential piece for the brand as a whole. This watch was sold for $11.1 million USD at auction.

3. Rolex Paul Newman Daytona Ref. 6239 ($17.7 million)

The legendary Paul Newman Daytona had to make its way into the top 5 on this list. This truly legendary Daytona was worn by none other than the incredible Paul Newman himself. This is arguably the most iconic Rolex watch of all time, garnering large amounts of popularity over the fact that Paul Newman himself owned this watch which was given to him by his wife Joanne Woodward. Paul was a man of many talents, being an actor, entrepreneur, and racecar driver. His background in racing makes it no surprise that he went for the Daytona, utilizing the chronograph and tachymeter features as they were meant to be. The legendary status of this watch and the fact that it was owned by Paul Newman himself makes this one of the most valuable watches in the world, and makes it the most expensive Rolex of all time. It sold for a staggering $17.7 million USD.

2. Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication ($23.98 million)

The Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication was the world’s most complex timepiece for several decades. Henry Graves Jr, a prominent broker, asked Patek to create for him a timepiece with the most complications. So Patek gathered their finest watchmakers and created the Supercomplication. The movement features 110 wheels, 50 bridges, 430 screws, 90 springs, 120 mechanism parts, 70 jewels, two dials, and 19 hands. The gold case itself weighs 415 grams. This many complications does come with quite some weight. In total, the watch has 24 complications, which is quite the feat when you recognize that the piece was made in 1936. Some of the features of the watch include sidereal time in hours, minutes, and seconds, time of sunrise and sunset, perpetual calendar, days of the month, days of the week, months, star chart, phase of the moon, split-seconds chronograph, grande sonnerie, petite sonnerie, minute repeater, alarm, and several others. The watch remained the most complex ever made for decades to come. The Henry Graves Supercomplication was sold for $23.98 million USD at auction.

1. Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 ($31 million)

Finally, the most expensive watch in the world. The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime is a one-of-one timepiece made for the Only Watch 2019 auction, in which all proceeds go towards medical research. This watch exceeds all others ever made by Patek. In fact, it is their most complicated watch to date. It has features such as a grande sonnerie, petite sonnerie, alarm, perpetual calendar, moon phase, and 15 other complications. In total, the watch houses 20 complications. In order to run all these complications, Patek’s movement is made up of an incredible 1,366 parts.

The watch features two faces in order to fit all the complications. The lugs swivel in order for the wearer to easily switch faces, and there are several buttons on the case to control all the complications. One could say this watch is the peak of high horology (if you have that fascination). It was auctioned off in 2019 for an unbelievable $31 million USD. This is indeed a watch for billionaires. I mean, even Jay-Z has a Grandmaster Chime (though not this exact model).

30 Most Expensive Watches Ever Sold At Auction