15. Hublot Black Caviar Big Bang – $1 Million
Source: gphg.org
The Hublot Big Bang Black Caviar is crafted entirely from ceramic and adorned with 501 baguette-cut black diamonds, creating a captivating yet simple design. Its sleek 41 mm ceramic case and bezel boast a polished black finish, complemented by a glossy black “alligator” strap stitched onto rubber. The watch features a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating, adorned with the Hublot logo and surrounded by 18-karat white gold.
Powered by a self-winding movement, this timepiece eliminates the need for battery replacements. The watch charges itself as you move, utilizing the motion of your arm. Once fully charged, the Big Bang Black Caviar can operate for up to 42 hours. With a water resistance of 100 meters and 100% scratchproof construction, it combines style with durability.
14. Chopard Super Ice Cube – $1.1 Million
source: Instagram.com
Meet the ultimate ice cube-inspired timepiece! If you crave a dazzling, attention-grabbing watch, this one’s a showstopper. The 18-karat white gold band is fully adorned with baguette-shaped diamonds, covering both the top and sides. And guess what? The face is no exception – it’s a radiant display of baguette-shaped diamonds totaling 60 carats, with no distracting subdials.
Stephen Forsey and Robert Greubel collaborated to create Art Piece 1, a unique watch featuring a Greubel Forsey 30-degree double-tourbillon and a micro-sculpture by Wigan, both visible through the magnifier in the crown. The watch boasts a grey gold casing and a leather strap, a manual winding mechanism, and an impressive 72-hour power reserve. It is water-resistant up to 30 meters.
The Art Piece 1 is a one-piece limited series, truly an exquisite artwork. Observing the nano-sculpture through the magnifier, you’ll discover various intricate designs, including a ship, a Coke bottle, a mask, and a hummingbird. These detailed sculptures were crafted by British artist Willard Wigan, who received a knighthood from Prince Charles in 2007. Interestingly, Wigan meticulously worked in between each heartbeat to prevent body vibrations that could damage the delicate micro-sculptures.
11. Richard Mille RM 56-02 Sapphire – $2 Million
Launched in 2011, this exquisite timepiece originates from earlier designs, showcasing a captivating blend of intricate craftsmanship and innovation. The remarkably detailed case and the sophisticated movement are both crafted from sapphire, marking a groundbreaking achievement in watchmaking—a first for a case and movement of such complexity to be made entirely from pure sapphire.
The unique appearance of the RM 56-02 Sapphire is accentuated by the suspension of its complex movement in the air through cables. A limited edition of only 10 pieces, it operates with a manual winding mechanism featuring a baseplate made of grade 5 titanium. The sapphire material offers remarkable scratch resistance, withstanding any substance except diamonds. The meticulous crafting of the sapphire case involves over 40 days of continuous machining around the clock. In every aspect, the RM 56-02 Sapphire stands as a true technical masterpiece.
10. Rolex Antimagnetique Ref. 4113 from 1942 – $2.4 Million
Everyone recognizes Rolex, even those not deeply into watch collecting, and it’s widely known that Rolex timepieces come with a hefty price tag. On Saturday, May 14, 2016, a particular historic Rolex set a record at a Geneva auction by selling for nearly $2.5 million. Why the steep price? This watch’s exceptional worth lies in its extreme rarity.
Crafted in 1942, its case is unique, being made of stainless steel rather than a precious metal. Only 12 of these Rolex watches exist, gifted to racing drivers in the 1940s. Boasting an oversized design, this split-second chronograph features a 44-mm steel case and two subdials for a timeless look and feel. This manually winding watch, likely retired from practical use, fetched the highest price ever paid for a Rolex.
9. Jaeger-LeCoultre Hybris Mechanica Grande Sonnerie – $2.5 Million
Take a look at the left side of this watch’s dial, and you’ll witness the seamless coordination of 1,406 parts working in harmony. This timepiece boasts a petite sonnerie, a grande sonnerie, a minute repeater, and silent modes. Encased in 18-carat white gold, it weighs less than platinum and was designed in 2009 by David Candaux, who allocated a significant portion of its components to acoustic functions.
A notable world-first detail about this Jaeger-LeCoultre masterpiece is its rendition of one of the lengthiest melodies ever played by a grande sonnerie watch—the Westminster chime of the Big Ben clock. Described by marketing as a “harmonious blend of time and music,” it offers a resplendent experience to the discerning ear.
8. Grand Complication by Lange & Söhne – $2.5 Million
Crafted in 2013, this stands as the most prized timepiece in the brand’s collection. It takes a full year to meticulously create each one, with only six in existence. Boasting multiple complications and a total of 876 parts, a standout feature of the Grand Complication is its flying seconds hand, completing a revolution in five jumps every second. Achieving such precise timekeeping requires a dedicated spring barrel.
Encased in a substantial 18-carat pink gold casing, this timepiece houses a perpetual calendar, a grande and petite sonnerie with a minute repeater, a chronograph with a split-second mechanism, and a moon phase display. The Grand Complication is not just a watch; it’s a handsome and authoritative statement piece.
7. Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega 4 – $2.7 Million
When you search online for information about this watch, the first result is a Franck Muller page proudly declaring that Aeternitas is the most complicated wristwatch ever created! This timepiece truly pushes the boundaries of watchmaking, boasting a record-breaking 36 complications and a total of 1,483 components. The Aeternitas, living up to its name, is an everlasting creation, featuring a calendar on a 1000-year cycle that renews endlessly. Crafted in-house in Switzerland, the Aeternitas comes in five models and is aptly referred to as the “pinnacle of success in watchmaking.”
6. Rolex Daytona Ref. 6263 Oyster Albino – $4 Million
This timeless watch, with only four ever produced, fetched a cool $4 million in 2014, holding the title of Rolex’s most expensive timepiece. Its name, the Rolex Daytona, stems from the distinctive white subdials. Fashioned with a stainless-steel case and a blue bezel, the watch showcases three “albino” subdials and is adorned with a steel band and screw-down pushers.
The connection to the Daytona Beach racetrack in Florida adds a racing mystique to the Rolex brand. Rolex founder Hans Wildorf aimed to blend the record-breaking speed of Sir Malcolm Campbell in his “Bluebird” (reaching 396 km/h) with the global prestige of the Rolex brand. To cement this alliance, Wildorf appointed Campbell as a “Rolex Ambassador,” giving birth to the iconic Rolex Daytona. Campbell wore a Rolex during his historic attempt at the Daytona track.
5. Louis Moinet Meteoris – $4.6 Million
This exceptionally rare timepiece, part of a limited set of only four, stands out for featuring a genuinely rare and exotic meteorite moon rock. With a sleek black band leading to a detailed dial that provides a glimpse into the inner workings of the watch, this timepiece represents the legacy of master mechanic Louis Moinet.
Louis recognized as one of the most influential watchmakers in history, is hailed as a pioneer of chronometry. His company has a remarkable history of crafting watches for illustrious clients, including Napoleon Bonaparte, Thomas Jefferson, Tsar Alexander I, and King George IV of England, among others. Today, his watches continue to circulate, emphasizing that horology is not just a science but also an art.
4. Hublot Big Bang – $5 Million
The Big Bang timepiece not only aims but successfully makes a striking statement. Hublot’s flagship model seamlessly blends contemporary and iconic design with timeless features. Adorned with a total of 1,280 diamonds, each weighing at least three carats, this elegant watch is more than just a timepiece – it’s, as the marketing touts, “a state of mind.” Adding to its allure, there are six massive square emerald-cut stones, each weighing 3 carats.
Notably, every stone on this watch was cut by the same jeweler to ensure a consistent cut signature. As a meaningful gesture, Beyoncé gifted this watch to her husband Jay-Z on his 43rd birthday.
3. Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 in Stainless Steel – $11 Million
We’re entering the exclusive realm of top-tier luxury timepieces with the renowned “1518 Steel.” This watch fetched a staggering $11 million at a Phillips auction in Geneva in November 2016, drawing interest from seven eager bidders. The horology industry recognizes it as the first watch in a rare four-piece series. While most Patek Philippe watches typically sport rose gold or yellow gold cases, what sets the 1518 Steel apart is its stainless-steel case, adding a unique and rare quality.
Patek Philippe pioneered the first perpetual calendar in the 1940s, holding the exclusive feature for over 50 years. The 1518 Steel, measuring 35 mm in diameter, is manually wound, dating back to the middle of World War II, and stands as a vintage piece that not only made headlines upon its sale but is likely to do so again if ever offered to the public.
2. Jacob & Co. Billionaire Watch – $18 Million
The name of this watch says it all when it comes to both quality and price! Introduced in 2015, the Billionaire is a one-of-a-kind timepiece. Its skeletonized face provides a clear view of the intricate internal movement, while the bezel and band dazzle with a stunning 260 carats of emerald-cut diamonds, showcasing a remarkable “high jewelry tour de force.”
The upper cage boasts a sleek black mirror polish, complemented by hand-beveled and hand-polished edges. Crafted with precision, the tourbillon, balance wheel, hairspring, escape wheel, and other components are meticulously assembled in this watch. Jacob & Co, experts in skeletonizing techniques, masterfully decide what to remove and what to retain, resulting in an almost transparent movement in the Billionaire, elegantly positioned vertically on the wrist.
1. Graff Diamonds Hallucination – $55 Million
Priced at a remarkable $55 million, this unique women’s timepiece boasts over 110 carats of fancy-colored diamonds arranged on a platinum bracelet. The skillful assembly of variously shaped and colored diamonds creates a stunning and lavish presentation. The exceptional value of this watch lies in its use of natural fancy-colored diamonds, which are notably rarer than white diamonds.
The watch’s modest dial allows the pink, blue, green, yellow, and orange diamonds to shine vividly, while the hidden clasp adds a touch of sophistication when closed. To unveil the watch, pressure on a specific diamond in the setting is applied. What sets this women’s watch apart is the invisible platinum setting, giving the impression that the multitude of sparkling diamonds effortlessly coalesce. The designer, along with gemologists and craftsmen, invested thousands of hours in crafting this extraordinary timepiece. Currently held by the Graff Diamonds family, led by CEO Francois Graff, this impressive watch awaits a fortunate owner to claim its brilliance and elegance.
