When it comes to luxury watches, the stakes are high, and the prices are even higher. The auction block has seen some incredible moments where collectors have paid top dollar for the finest and rarest timepieces. From timeless classics to modern marvels, here are 10 watches that have shattered records and redefined opulence.
Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 – $31 million
Imagine a watch so complex it takes seven years to make. That’s the Grandmaster Chime for you. In 2019, this stainless steel marvel sold for a mind-boggling $31 million. With 20 different functions and two dials, it’s like the Swiss Army knife of watches. No wonder collectors lost their minds over this one-of-a-kind timepiece.
Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona – $17.8 million
Hollywood and horology collided in 2017 when Paul Newman’s personal Rolex hit the auction block. This wasn’t just any watch but a gift from his wife, Joanne Woodward. Although only $1–2 million had been estimated initially, a telephone bidder’s opening offer of $10 million exceeded that amount, pushing the price to a cool $17.8 million. Talk about star power!
Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication – $24 million
Before smartwatches, there was the Graves Supercomplication. Featuring 24 functions, the Supercomplication held the title of the most complex mechanical watch in the world for over 50 years. The watch was sold in Geneva, Switzerland, on November 11, 2014, for approximately $24 million. This amount was the most anyone had ever paid for a watch, including wristwatches and pocket watches.
Omega Tourbillon 30 I – $1.4 million
Back in 1947, Omega created a horological unicorn—the watchmaking equivalent of finding buried treasure. The rare Omega “Tourbillon 30 I” stainless steel prototype was to fetch between $100,000 and $200,000. Still, private collectors were drawn to the watch’s historical significance and bought the prototype for an incredible $1.4 million.
Rolex Daytona Ref. 6239 “Unicorn” – $5.9 million
White gold Daytonas didn’t exist in 1970—except for this one. Aptly named “Unicorn,” it galloped to $5.9 million in 2018. It’s the horological equivalent of spotting Bigfoot riding a unicycle. No wonder collectors can’t resist its mythical allure. The UK-based charity Children Action, which assists in placing kids in secure homes, received the auction’s earnings.
Rolex Daytona Ref. 6265 “Unicorn” in White Gold – $5.9 million
Lightning struck twice for Rolex in 2018. Another white gold Daytona, this time a Ref. 6265, also sold for $5.9 million. This watch was made in 1970 by a German retailer, and it’s the only known vintage white gold Daytona. It’s like Rolex decided to make a solid gold Bigfoot – incredibly rare and valuable.
Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 in Stainless Steel – $11 million
In 1941, Patek Philippe changed the game with the Ref. 1518. It was the first series of perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatches. But here’s the kicker: only four were made in stainless steel. One of these rarities scored $11 million in 2016. In addition to its pristine condition, it has been prominently featured in numerous publications, further increasing its value.
Patek Philippe Gobbi Milan “Heures Universelles” Ref. 2523 – $8.9 million
Ever wanted to wear the world on your wrist? The Gobbi Milan “Heures Universelles” lets you do just that. This 1953 beauty features a stunning enamel dial showing Europe and tells time across the globe. In 2019, it sold for a worldly $8.9 million. That’s what we call a global sensation!
Roger Smith Pocket Watch Number Two – $4.9 million
Talk about a hidden gem! In 2022, a pocket watch crafted by British watchmaker Roger Smith quietly stole the show at a Phillips auction. This masterpiece proves old-school cool never goes out of style. It took Smith five years to make while working solo in his workshop on the Isle of Man.
Breguet & Fils, Paris, No. 2667 – $4.7 million
Finally, we’ll go back to 1814, when the godfather of watchmaking, Abraham-Louis Breguet, created a pocket watch with a thermometer. The watch was among the most intricate creations of its day. Breguet only produced a few, many of which are permanently seen in museums.
