7 Watches That Broke Records

These pioneering timepieces are redefining what is possible with their revolutionary engineering. Not only do these machines keep time, but also defy expectations – setting new records and captivating our imaginations. Join us as we embark on a thrilling journey through the world, where the precise meets the daring and innovation knows no boundaries. Discover how legendary brands like Patek Philippe, Omega, IWC, and Ming have shattered barriers in watchmaking, solidifying their place in the Guinness World Records.

Most Expensive Watch Sold at An Auction: Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010

In November of 2019, the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime made headlines when it became the most expensive watch sold for a staggering CHF 31 million (USD 31.2 million) at a charity auction held by Christie's. This exceeded expert predictions, which initially estimated a lower price of CHF 3 million. As the bidding surpassed even Patek Philippe's own record-breaking sale of their 1933 Henry Graves Supercomplication pocket watch in 2014 (which sold for USD 24 million), the audience could sense that history was being made. The Swiss brand had devoted seven long years and over 100,000 hours to create their first grande sonnerie – a timepiece that strikes the hour every quarter-hour. It also features a petite sonnerie, chiming hours and quarters, a minute repeater, acoustic alarms, moonphase indicator, and a perpetual calendar. Housed in a stainless steel case, this melodious masterpiece boasts an astounding 20 complications spread across both its ebony and salmon-colored dials, which can rotate 180 degrees. In keeping with the Only Watch tradition, the astonishing amount of $31.2 million was donated towards research for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Most Complicated Watch Ever Made: Vacheron Constantin Berkley Grand Complication

The Vacheron Constantin Berkley Grand Complication is not for the faint of heart. It is a true masterpiece, breaking boundaries in timekeeping with an astonishing 63 complications. From its intricate astronomical calendar to its melodious grand sonnerie, every element represents unparalleled sophistication and technical ingenuity. What truly sets this watch apart is its incorporation of a genuine Chinese perpetual calendar, honoring traditional Chinese timekeeping with precise lunar cycle and festival tracking. The twin-axis tourbillon, a marvel of engineering, further enhances accuracy by neutralizing the effects of gravity on the movement. And the minute repeater's silencing system showcases the seamless fusion of function and beauty. Meticulously crafted with relentless attention to detail, the Berkley Grand Complication exemplifies Vacheron Constantin's dedication to innovation, blending centuries-old watchmaking tradition with cutting-edge technology. The sleek design and use of premium materials elevate it beyond a mere timepiece, making it a stunning work of art.

The Thinnest Watch Ever Made: Konstantin Chaykin ThinKing

In recent times, the top contenders in the world of slim and sleek timepieces have been Bvlgari, Piaget, and Richard Mille. While Richard Mille's involvement in this particular horological field has been unconventional, both Piaget and Bvlgari have frequently shattered records with their groundbreaking models. However, independent watchmaker Konstantin Chaykin has now taken the lead with his ThinKing prototype, coming in at an astonishingly thin 1.65 mm in back-to-back thickness – officially making it the thinnest mechanical watch on the market. True to his inventive nature, Chaykin completely redesigned the classic movement layout. He realized that the components of a traditional movement could be built on just two levels - one for the coaxial wheel and one for a mobile pinion - resulting in this groundbreaking ultra-thin timepiece.

Most Precise Lunar Phase Watch: IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Eternal Calendar

The Portugieser Eternal Calendar was a showstopper at Watches & Wonders 2024. This stunning watch boasts a perpetual calendar complication, accurately displaying the date, day, month, and year without needing adjustment until 2100 – even accounting for leap years. As part of the iconic Portugieser collection, this watch is the first secular perpetual calendar wristwatch that can be adjusted solely with the crown. It also holds the title for the world's most accurate moon phase display. The double moon display automatically takes into account leap years, skipping three over a span of 400 years. According to IWC, this watch will only deviate from the actual moon's orbit by one day after an astonishing 45 million years. We'll just have to trust their word on that one. With its hyper-precision moon phase display and ability to remain accurate until the year 3999, this platinum Eternal Calendar Portugieser truly is a masterpiece.

The Most Water-Resistant Watch: Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep Professional

For decades, Omega has been renowned for its dive watches, but creating a timekeeping machine that could withstand the extreme conditions of not one and not two but five deep-sea expeditions is a feat unlike any other. The Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep Professional is a watch that defies all expectations with its slim yet lightweight design that, nevertheless, can hold the fort of its robust caliber against several metric tons worth of water above it. The iconic expedition logo sits at the center of the caseback surrounded by concentric circles, symbolizing the MultiBeam sonar technology utilized by The Five Deeps Expedition team to map the ocean floor. Laser-engraved onto the case are important details such as model, reference number, DNV-GL certification, maximum tested depth of 15,000m, and materials used - all testaments to the watch's impressive capabilities.

The Watch With The Most Meteorites: Louis Moinet Cosmopolis

Yet another record breaker, Louis Moinet has once again captivated the watch world by claiming its third Guinness World Record with the Cosmopolis. This timepiece boasts an astounding collection of 48 meteorite fragments gathered from celestial bodies such as Mars, the Moon, and the asteroid Vesta. Each fragment is set into the watch's dial, creating a cosmic display that not only showcases the brand's passion for astronomical themes but also its unwavering dedication to innovation and artistry. The Cosmopolis stands as a shining example of Louis Moinet's ability to fuse science, art, and watchmaking into a singular masterpiece.

The Lightest Watch Ever Made: The Ming LW.01

The Ming LW.01 is touted as the lightest watch in existence, weighing a mere 10.8 grams for its automatic version and just 8.8 grams for the manual wind version - equivalent to 9 paper clips. Its size, measuring at 38mm in diameter and 6.5mm in thickness, is not particularly small. This impressive lightweight quality has been achieved through the use of advanced materials, such as a magnesium compound that is 75% lighter than steel. The dial itself is unconventional, with the movement holder doubling as a small dial ring and hour markers printed on the underside of a specially treated Corning Gorilla glass crystal. While not as durable as sapphire crystal, this glass is significantly lighter in weight. The finishing touch from Ming's designers is a gradient color print on the center of the crystal, giving the illusion of a traditional dial and hiding the movement inside.