Top 10 Most Expensive Watches Ever Sold

What price would you be willing to pay for a watch? Imagine if it was one-of-a-kind, a groundbreaking feat of engineering, or once owned by an iconic figure from history. And how immense have the most expensive watches sold been? In today's fiery market for luxury timepieces, the numbers might astound you. Here we recount the top 10 watches ever auctioned off while highlighting some of the most fascinating stories behind them and showcasing their impressive technical advancements. 

Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 (US$31.19 million, 2019, Christie’s)

In 2014, Patek Philippe debuted the first-ever Grandmaster Chime watch, marking their 175th anniversary. And in 2019, at the Only Watch auction in Geneva, a unique stainless steel version of this prized timepiece made history with its record-breaking hammer price of $31 million. The intricate watch boasts an impressive 20 complications, elegantly displayed on two dials - one sleek ebony black and the other a delicate salmon hue. Its swiveling and reversible case is adorned with elaborate hobnail guilloché detailing. Of the many groundbreaking features, two are patented world premieres: an acoustic alarm that chimes at a pre-programmed time and a date repeater that can strike the date on demand. Other notable functions include a Grande and Petite Sonnerie, moon phases, and a perpetual calendar. As with tradition, all proceeds from this auction were directed towards research for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. 

Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication Ref. 198.385 ($24 million, 2014, Sotheby’s)

Henry Graves, Jr., a distinguished financier from New York and an enthusiastic collector of timepieces, was rumored to be embroiled in a fierce competition with fellow mogul James Ward Packard to attain the title of owning the world's most complicated watch. In 1933, Patek Philippe fulfilled Graves' request and crafted the Henry Graves Supercomplication – a fitting name for its 24 complications, surpassing the 10 complications of Packard's watch made in 1927 by the same company. This exquisite, gold pocket watch boasts an array of horological marvels such as Westminster chimes, a perpetual calendar, sunrise and sunset times, and even a celestial map depicting New York from the vantage point of Graves' opulent Fifth Avenue residence. Following Graves' passing in 1953, the watch exchanged hands numerous times over the years until it was finally auctioned off at Sotheby's in 1999 for a staggering $11,002,500 to Sheikh Saud bin Mohammed Al Thani of the Qatar Royal Family – setting a new record for the highest price ever paid for a watch at that time. After Al Thani's demise, Sotheby's auctioned off this prestigious timepiece in 2014 to an undisclosed buyer, surpassing its previous record and solidifying its position as one of the most coveted watches in history.

Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona Ref. 6239 ($17.75 million, 2017, Phillips)

The Hollywood legend and car enthusiast Paul Newman proudly sported a rare and unique Rolex Daytona (Ref. 6239) during his illustrious racing career. This particular watch affectionately dubbed the "Paul Newman Daytona," has become one of the most highly coveted timepieces in the secondary market. So it came as no surprise when the actual watch worn by Newman himself caused a stir at an auction in New York on October 26, 2017. The stainless steel chronograph, measuring 37mm in diameter, featured a distinct off-white dial with black subdials and a minute track, as well as an engraved tachymeter-scale bezel. It was gifted to Newman by his wife, actress Joanne Woodward, with a sweet reminder to "drive carefully - me" etched on the back, referencing Newman's foray into racing during that period. After being passed down within the Newman family for nearly half a century, the watch finally made its way to auction and sold for an astounding $17.75 million, solidifying its place as the most expensive Rolex ever sold.

Patek Philippe Sonnerie Minute Repeater Only Watch Ref. 6301A ($17.3 million)

Taking a whopping US $ 17.3 million at Only Watch 2024 was the timepiece as elusive as it is majestic – from its Rare Handcrafts dial with a mesmerizing hand-guilloche pattern that resembled the ripples on the blue surface of the ocean. The hour markers of Patek Philippe Sonnerie Minute Repeater are swapped for sleek baguette-cut diamonds and its power reserve indicators feature the “only one” inscription. The manually-wound caliber GS 36 – 750 PS IRM features both Grande and Petite Sonnerie as well as a Minute Repeater complications, with the latter one chiming the classical three gongs.

Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Ref. 1518 ($11.137 million, 2016, Phillips)

The Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph, originally crafted in 1941, held the record for being the most expensive watch sold at auction with a staggering price of 9.6 million Swiss francs at a Geneva Phillips Auction in 2016. This timepiece is not only significant for its hefty price tag but also for its first-of-its-kind combination of a perpetual calendar and chronograph. Only four models were ever made in steel during this era due to the scarcity of material during World War II. Despite this, the 35mm case still holds a beautifully modified Valjoux caliber, showcasing Patek's renowned craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Patek Philippe “Prince Mohammed Tewlik A. Toussou” Ref. 1518 ($9,570 million, 2021, Sotheby’s)

This particular Patek Philippe timepiece showcases the unique combination of a perpetual calendar and chronograph, housed in a stunning 35mm rose-gold case. Its provenance is equally impressive, having once been owned by Prince Mohammed Tewfik A. Toussou of Egypt. The Prince, a direct descendant of the founder of modern-day Egypt Muhammad Ali, acquired this watch in 1951. It was one of only around 340 pieces crafted by Patek Philippe and released in 1941, making it highly coveted among watch collectors. With its striking copper-pink dial, this version is even more exclusive, with only 14 known to exist. Following the Prince's passing in April of 2021, his heirs entrusted Sotheby's to auction off this rare gem, which sold for an astounding $9.5 million in December of that same year in New York City.

Patek Philippe Gobbi Milan "Heures Universelles" Ref. 2523 ($8.967 million, 2019, Christie’s)

A true gem from 1953, this exceedingly rare Patek (one of only seven in existence) was up for auction at Christie's in Hong Kong in 2019 and still holds the record of the most expensive watch ever sold in Asia. Its world-time feature, crafted by the renowned watchmaker Louis Cottier, is enclosed within a rose gold case and adorned with a striking blue enamel dial. This particular piece stands out as the sole known example of its reference to bear the signatures of both Patek Philippe and the esteemed Milan retailer Gobbi. On its outer ring, elegantly etched and enameled, are the names of 40 international cities, while a two-tone 24-hour ring lies within, marked with shades of gray for nighttime and white for daytime.

Patek Philippe Two Crown Worldtime Ref. 2523 “Eurasia” ($7.682 million, 2021, Phillips)

A dazzling Patek Philippe world timer, with a price tag of $7.8 million at the 2021 Geneva auction, shattered records for both having a "Heuer Universelle" world-time function and being the most expensive yellow-gold watch ever sold. Fondly known as "The Silk Road," this particular reference is famous for its intricate cloisonne dial depicting the vast expanse of Eurasia. 

Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Ref. 5016A-010 ($7.259 million, 2015, Phillips)

At the 2015 Only Watch Geneva, this luxurious Patek Philippe timepiece sold for over $7 million. Its steel case encases a trio of prestigious complications: a minute repeater, a tourbillon, and a perpetual calendar featuring a moon-phase display. Powered by a manually wound movement with 506 parts, the watch boasts a retrograde date hand that elegantly resets to the beginning of each month after 28, 29, 30, or 31 days. The effortlessly chic dark blue alligator strap further adds to its desirability, while its modest size of just under 37mm in diameter belies its ultra-complex inner workings.

Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711/1A-018 “Tiffany & Co.” ($6.5 million, 2021, Phillips)

Amidst the frenzy of a world-renowned model's discontinuation, Patek Philippe made a bold move. In collaboration with Tiffany & Co., their exclusive U.S. retail partner, they released a limited run of Nautilus models with striking Tiffany Blue dials as a final ode to the iconic timepiece. All 170 pieces were quickly snatched up by Patek's most devoted and wealthy customers, except for one special edition set aside for auction. The winning bid of $6.5 million was placed by none other than avid Patek collector Zach Lu, with proceeds going towards the Nature Conservancy.