The Ten Most Expensive Watches
From Patek Philippe to Richard Mille, explore the top ten most expensive watches that have redefined luxury and horological history.
From vintage Patek Philippe masterpieces with rare complications to cutting-edge Richard Mille prototypes worn by world-class athletes, the following ten watches have achieved extraordinary prices at auction. Defined by mechanical ingenuity, exceptional craftsmanship, and storied provenance, these timepieces represent the rare convergence of innovation, heritage, and exclusivity. Explore the top 10 most expensive watches sold at auction since 2024.
Key Takeaways: Most Expensive Watches
| Rank | Watch | Notable Feature | Price (USD) |
| 1 | Audemars Piguet ‘Grosse Pièce’ No. 16869 | Double-dial astronomical watch, minute repeater with grande & petite sonnerie, one-minute tourbillon, celestial chart of London sky, perpetual calendar, equation of time, chronograph, sidereal time, power reserve, made 1914–1921 | $7,736,000 |
| 2 | Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300G | 20 complications, grande sonnerie, minute repeater, reversible case, celebrity provenance (Sylvester Stallone) | $5,400,000 |
| 3 | Patek Philippe Ref. 2499 ‘Second Series’ (Gobbi Milano) | Pink gold, perpetual calendar chronograph, only 9 known, retailer-signed dial, moon phases | $4,320,000 |
| 4 | Patek Philippe John Motely Morehead Double-Movement Minute Repeater | Double-movement, minute repeater, split-seconds chronograph, two sets of hands, made 1924, sold 1925 | $3,710,000 |
| 5 | Patek Philippe Ten-Day ‘Presse-Papier’ Desk Clock | Perpetual calendar, moon phases, 10-day power reserve, wood base, historically important desk clock | $2,734,000 |
| 6 | Patek Philippe Ultra-Slim Minute Repeater (Morehead III) | Ultra-slim construction, minute repeater, two-register dial, made 1920, sold 1922 | $2,490,000 |
| 7 | Rolex Reference 6100 ‘Dragon’ | Yellow gold, cloisonné enamel dragon dial, by Nelly Richard, circa 1954, family of original owner | $1,758,000 |
| 8 | Patek Philippe Ref. 2524/1 ‘Third Series’ (Gübelin) | Pink gold, minute repeater, only two known, double-signed dial, Cal. 12''' RM | $1,605,500 |
| 9 | Richard Mille Prototype 3 Ref. RM27-01 Rafael Nada | Prototype, tourbillon, 19 grams total weight, tested in-match by Nadal, carbon nanotube case, extreme shock resistance | $1,390,000 |
| 10 | Rolex ‘Tropical Paul Newman’ Daytona Ref. 6241 | Tropical exotic dial, pump pushers, black acrylic bezel, Valjoux 722-1, exceptional patina | $914,400 |
1.Audemars Piguet ‘Grosse Pièce’ No. 16869, 7,736,000 USD
Audemars Piguet ‘Grosse Pièce’ No. 16869 sold for $7,736,000 in December 2025.
This extraordinary “Grosse Pièce” is one of the most important complicated timepieces ever produced by Audemars Piguet and stands as a landmark achievement in early 20th-century horology. Crafted in yellow gold and featuring a rare double-dial, double open-faced construction, the watch combines an astonishing array of complications, including a minute repeater with grande and petite sonnerie, a one-minute tourbillon, perpetual calendar, chronograph with 60-minute and 12-hour registers, equation of time, moon phases, power reserve, and 24-hour sidereal time display.
Begun in 1914 for the London retailer S. Smith & Son Ltd., the watch was exhibited at the Geneva Watch Exhibition in 1920 before being delivered in 1921. Most remarkably, it incorporates a celestial chart depicting the night sky over London, underscoring the scientific ambition and astronomical precision that define this masterpiece. Its record-setting result firmly establishes the Grosse Pièce as one of the most complex and historically significant watches ever sold at auction, ranking among the very pinnacle of horological achievement.
2. Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Reference 6300G Circa 2021, 5,400,000 USD
This Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Reference 6300G was sold for 5,400,000 USD in June 2024. A timepiece of extraordinary complexity, the above piece is the pinnacle of Patek Philippe’s horological mastery. Introduced in 2016, this model marked the brand's first grande sonnerie watch in its permanent collection. Featuring twenty complications and including five chiming modes and a reversible case, the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime is a testament to the brand's innovative prowess.
This particular watch was notably owned by legendary actor Sylvester Stallone. Accompanied by a grand presentation box, literature, and numerous accessories, this watch was a comprehensive collector’s item. Stallone’s ownership further solidified its place as a unique and highly desirable piece, making it the top-selling Patek Philippe watch sold by Sotheby's this year. Indeed it ranks as one of the most expensive Patek Philippe watch examples we have sold in our 280 year history.
3. Patek Phillipe Reference 2499 'Second Series' Circa 1957, 4,320,000 USD
This Patek Philippe Reference 2499 ‘Second Series’ was sold for 4,320,000 USD in June 2025. One of the most iconic perpetual calendar chronographs ever made, this rare pink gold 2499—through Gobbi Milano—is one of only nine known examples in its configuration, and the only one with a retailer-signed dial. Preserved in remarkable condition, with sharp hallmarks and deeply fluted lugs, this watch combines rarity, provenance, and timeless design in a way few others can.
Originally sold by the family of the original owner in 2007, it has appeared at Sotheby’s, each time drawing global attention. With its Wenger case, Stern Frères dial, and extraordinary retailer connection, this 2499 is a landmark trophy from the golden era of complicated wristwatches.
4. Patek Philippe John Motley Morehead Double-Movement Minute Repeating Split-Seconds Chronograph, 3,710,000 USD
Patek Philippe’s John Motley Morehead Double-Movement Minute Repeating Split-Seconds Chronograph sold for $3,710,000 in December 2025. One of the most extraordinary and intellectually ambitious watches ever created by Patek Philippe, this unique commission incorporates two independent movements housed within a single case, allowing for six centrally mounted hands—an arrangement found in no other known Patek Philippe timepiece. Manufactured in 1924 and delivered in 1925 to American industrialist, scientist, and diplomat John Motley Morehead III, the watch combines a minute repeater, split-seconds chronograph with register, dual constant-seconds displays, and two complete timekeeping systems operating in parallel.
The watch’s provenance is as exceptional as its technical construction. Following Morehead’s death in 1965, the piece was sold by his estate through legendary New York dealer Ephraim Greenberg to renowned collector Robert M. Olmsted, alongside two additional Patek Philippe masterpieces from Morehead’s collection. Archival documentation—including the original 1965 invoice and Olmsted’s handwritten inventory—confirms the acquisition of all three watches for $11,000. As one of only two known double-movement Patek Philippe watches ever produced, and the only example to incorporate a split-seconds chronograph, this watch stands as a landmark of bespoke horology from Patek Philippe’s most experimental era.
5. Patek Philippe Ten-Day ‘Presse-Papier’ Perpetual Calendar Desk Timepiece ,2,734,000 USD
Patek Philippe’s Ten-Day ‘Presse-Papier’ Perpetual Calendar Desk Timepiece sold for 2,734,000 USD in December 2025. A historically important and previously unknown masterpiece, this extraordinary silver and gold two-train desk timepiece was made for American patron Thomas Emery in 1928 and delivered in 1933. Long believed lost despite being recorded in Patek Philippe’s archives, the rediscovery of Emery’s Presse-Papier coincided almost exactly with the manufacture’s 2025 re-edition of the model—underscoring its enduring significance. Unlike the two previously known examples commissioned by Henry Graves Jr. and James Ward Packard, Emery’s clock is the only Presse-Papier fitted with a ten-day power reserve, elevating it to the most technically advanced execution of the series.
Beyond its extended autonomy, Emery’s Presse-Papier distinguishes itself through its refined aesthetics and mechanical sophistication. The elaborately engraved silver case features canted corners unique within the trio, mirrored by an oversized wooden base with marquetry inlay designed to accentuate the clock’s architectural presence. Its perpetual calendar, moon-phase display with hand-engraved “man in the moon” motifs, and diamond-set balance endstone further set it apart from the Packard and Graves examples, both now preserved in the Patek Philippe Museum. As the final and most evolved expression of the Presse-Papier concept—and almost certainly the last vintage example remaining in private hands—this timepiece represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to acquire one of the rarest and most important Patek Philippe creations ever made.
6. Patek Philippe Double-Movement Minute Repeating Pocket Watch Made for John Motley Morehead III, 2,490,000 USD
This Patek Philippe double-movement minute repeating pocket watch sold for 2,490,000 USD in December 2025. An extraordinary feat of early 20th-century horological engineering, this ultra-slim yellow gold pocket watch houses two fully independent movements within a single case, each with its own mainspring, gear train, escapement, and balance. One movement drives the time and minute-repeating mechanism, while the second independently displays time—an unprecedented configuration connected only by a shared winding pinion. Commissioned for John Motley Morehead III, one of Patek Philippe’s most important American patrons, the watch features two sets of central hour and minute hands, distinguished in blued steel and gold, along with dual constant-seconds subdials, allowing each movement to operate visibly and independently.
Beyond its mechanical audacity, the watch is a study in refinement and restraint. The matte gold dial with Roman numerals is housed in an 18k yellow gold ultra-slim bassine case with hidden hinges and a discreet repeating slide integrated into the band. The ingenious olivette at 1 o’clock controls time-setting for both movements, underscoring the watch’s technical coherence despite its complexity. Accompanied by its original Patek Philippe box, archival extract, and a 1965 invoice documenting its acquisition by Robert M. Olmsted, this watch stands among the most important experimental pocket watches ever produced by Patek Philippe—an object that bridges scientific ambition, patronage, and absolute mechanical mastery.
7. Rolex Reference 6100 ‘Dragon’ Cloisonné Enamel Dial, 1,758,000 USD
This Rolex Reference 6100 ‘Dragon’ sold for 1,758,000 USD in December 2025. An extraordinary departure from the utilitarian identity for which Rolex is best known, the Reference 6100 ‘Dragon’ stands among the rarest artistic expressions ever produced by the brand. Featuring a cloisonné-champlevé enamel dial depicting a coiled dragon, scholarship suggests that fewer than ten Rolex wristwatches with this motif exist, with only one other known example sharing the same reference. The dragon—an enduring symbol of power across cultures—is rendered with remarkable depth and dimensionality through painstaking rounds of enameling and firing, creating subtle tonal gradations across the limbs and tail.
The dial is attributed to master enameller Nelly Richard, one of the most important artisans commissioned by Stern Frères during the mid-20th century. Crafted on a 22k gold base rather than copper, the enamel benefits from exceptional luminosity and durability, while applied gold hour markers and a hand-milled pearled minute ring further elevate the composition. The reverse of the dial bears period production markings, underscoring its bespoke nature. Preserved in exceptional condition and offered directly from the family of the original owner with its original bracelet, this Reference 6100 represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to acquire one of the most elusive and visually arresting Rolex watches ever made.
8. Rolex ‘The Companion Oyster’, Reference 34075, 1,728,558 USD
The Rolex “Companion Oyster,” Reference 34075, sold for approximately $1,728,558 in December 2025. Consigned by an important private collector who had owned the watch for more than 25 years, this historically significant timepiece is one of the earliest known Rolex Oysters and among only a handful of pre-patent examples still in existence.
Manufactured in early to mid-1926, before Rolex secured the Oyster case patent in 1927, the watch bears the rare “Patent Pending” stamp inside the caseback. Its provenance is exceptional: it belonged to Mercedes Gleitze, the pioneering British swimmer and Rolex’s first brand ambassador, who famously wore the Oyster during her endurance swims. Preserved exactly as she last wore it, the watch represents a defining moment in the birth of the modern waterproof wristwatch and Rolex’s emergence as a global innovator.
9. Richard Mille Prototype 3 Reference RM27-01 Rafael Nadal Circa 2014, 1,270,000 CHF
This Richard Mille Prototype 3 Reference RM27-01 Rafael Nadal was sold for 1,270,000 CHF in May 2025. This model showcased an exceptional blend of innovation and athleticism. A product of the collaboration between Richard Mille and tennis legend Rafael Nadal, this model represented the culmination of extensive research and development. Weighing only 19 grams with the strap, it was one of the lightest tourbillon watches ever produced. The movement, weighing just 3.5 grams, was rigorously tested by Nadal throughout his tennis season, proving its resilience against extreme shocks and movements.
Constructed from grade 5 titanium and aluminum-lithium alloy, the movement was suspended by braided steel cables, allowing it to withstand accelerations of up to 5000 G. The case was crafted from grey anthracite polymer injected with carbon nanotubes to ensure exceptional durability. Limited to 50 pieces worldwide and further rarefied by its prototype status, this piece was a coveted collector's item.
10. Rolex Daytona Paul Newman Reference 6241 Circa 1969 1,140,000 USD
This Rolex Daytona Paul Newman Reference 6241, famously known as the "John Player Special," was sold for $1,140,000 in December 2024. This exceptionally rare variant of the "Paul Newman" Daytona takes its name from the striking black-and-gold livery of the Lotus Formula One cars sponsored by John Player & Sons in the 1970s. The reference 6241, produced between 1966 and 1969, is among the rarest Daytona models, with only approximately 3,000 examples made, and an estimated 300 crafted in yellow gold. Even rarer still, only a small fraction of these featured the coveted John Player Special dial, making this particular piece a standout in horological history.
What elevates this watch is its unique 14k yellow gold case, a departure from the more common 18k gold, paired with a matching 14k yellow gold Rolex Jubilee bracelet. This watch's provenance adds to its allure: it was part of Tom Brady's personal collection and gained public attention when he wore it during the New England Patriots' 2023 home opener. The occasion, which honored Brady with an announcement of his induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame, saw the legendary quarterback sporting this iconic timepiece.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luxury Watches
What makes a watch one of the most expensive ever sold at auction?
The world’s most expensive watches achieve their status through a rare convergence of technical complexity, historical importance, rarity, and provenance. Timepieces such as grand complications from Patek Philippe or unique commissions by Audemars Piguet combine exceptional mechanical ingenuity with singular narratives—whether through bespoke construction, experimental movements, or ownership by notable figures. Condition, originality, and documented history further elevate value at auction.
Why do Patek Philippe watches dominate records for auction prices?
Patek Philippe has long been regarded as the pinnacle of traditional Swiss watchmaking. Its dominance in record-setting results reflects the brand’s mastery of grand complications, including perpetual calendars, minute repeaters, split-seconds chronographs, and sonnerie mechanisms. Limited production, archival transparency, and a history of bespoke commissions for elite patrons have made vintage and unique Patek Philippe watches especially coveted by collectors.
Do modern watches compete with vintage timepieces at the highest price levels?
Yes. While vintage watches continue to anchor the top of the market, modern horology has firmly established its place among the most expensive watches sold at auction. Cutting-edge creations from brands like Richard Mille—particularly rare prototypes and athlete-tested models—demonstrate how innovation, advanced materials, and contemporary provenance can rival historic masterpieces in value.
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