The Top 5 Most Expensive Audemars Piguet Watches
Read on to learn more about the 5 most expensive Audemars Piguet watches, highlighting the brand’s craftsmanship, rarity, and enduring collector appeal.
Audemars Piguet remains a popular choice for collectors in 2024, with Sotheby's watch specialists bringing a wide range of exceptional examples to market. Much of the brand’s appeal lies in its ability to take iconic designs such as the Royal Oak and elevate them through complex complications and advanced engineering. Strong collector demand continues to drive remarkable auction results. Since 2021, Sotheby’s has sold nearly $70 million in Audemars Piguet watches, reflecting sustained global interest in rare Royal Oak references and historically important complicated timepieces. In this guide, we recap the top five most expensive Audemars Piguet watches sold at auction since 2024.
Most Expensive Audemars Piguet Watches
Rank | Model | Notable Features | Price (USD) |
| 1 | Audemars Piguet “Grosse Pièce” No. 16869 (1921) | Unique astronomical pocket watch; 19 complications including celestial sky chart, tourbillon, perpetual calendar, and grande/petite sonnerie; only known AP pocket watch with sky chart of its era | $7,736,000 |
| 2 | Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “The Roast” Ref. 26730BC.ZZ.1320BC.99 (2024) | Unique piece for Tom Brady; 41 mm white-gold case; diamond “Brady” markers; custom rotor | $720,000 |
| 3 | Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “The Roast” Ref. 26730BC (2024) | Unique piece for Tom Brady; white‑gold case; baguette diamond bezel; salmon tapisserie evolutive dial; custom diamond “TOM BRADY” indices; flying tourbillon | $621,000 |
| 4 | Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Ref. 15203PT (2012) | Platinum case; limited edition of 40; skeletonised calibre 5122; 40th‑anniversary commemorative model | $327,000 |
| 5 | Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked Ref. 15416CE (2020) | Black ceramic case and bracelet; skeletonised movement; dual balance wheel architecture for enhanced precision | $310,000 |
1. Audemars Piguet “Grosse Pièce” No. 16869 (1921), 7,736,000 USD
Completed in 1921 after seven years of development, the “Grosse Pièce” No. 16869 sold for 7,736,000 USD in December 2025, becoming the most expensive Audemars Piguet watch ever sold at Sotheby’s. Created for S. Smith & Sons of London, this extraordinary astronomical pocket watch features 19 complications—including a celestial chart for the night sky over London, perpetual calendar, minute repeater with grande and petite sonnerie, one-minute tourbillon, equation of time, power reserve, and sidereal time. Displayed at the 1920 Geneva Watch Exhibition before its completion, it represents a watershed moment in early 20th-century complicated watchmaking.
Encased in massive 18k yellow gold and fitted with two dials—one for mean time with perpetual calendar and one for sidereal time with a hand-painted blue enamel sky chart—the Grosse Pièce stands as one of the most important technical achievements in Audemars Piguet’s history. Its celestial display depicts 315 stars and labeled constellations rendered in gold, framed by “Eastern” and “Western Horizon” plaques. This unique masterpiece is tied as the most complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch ever made, rivaling the famed “Universelle” of 1899, and remains the only known example from the brand to unite a sky chart with a tourbillon during this era.
2. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 'The Roast' Reference 26730BC.ZZ.1320BC.99 Circa 2024, 720,000 USD
This Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 'The Roast' Reference 26730BC.ZZ.1320BC.99 was sold for 720,000 USD in December 2024. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 'The Roast' Reference 26730BC.ZZ.1320BC.99 sold for an impressive 720,000 USD in December 2024. Designed as a unique piece for Tom Brady to wear during his Netflix special, The Roast of Tom Brady, the watch features a 41mm white gold case with a dazzling diamond-set bezel. Its salmon dial, with a radiating pattern around the flying tourbillon, replaces standard hour markers with Brady’s name in diamonds, while the Roman numeral "VII" highlights his seven Super Bowl victories. A custom rotor bearing Brady’s signature is visible through the sapphire crystal case back, making this piece both personal and exceptional.
This watch celebrates both Audemars Piguet’s iconic Royal Oak design and Brady’s legendary career. Created in 1972 by Gérald Genta, the Royal Oak redefined luxury sports watches, and this piece continues that legacy with a bold, modern twist. Consigned directly by Brady, this one-of-a-kind timepiece combines exclusivity, craftsmanship, and a connection to a sports icon, making it a truly remarkable collector’s item.
3. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “The Roast” Ref. 26730BC, Circa 2024, 621,000 USD
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “The Roast” Reference 26730BC sold for 621,000 USD, a result that reflects the extraordinary appeal of this unique flying tourbillon created specifically for Tom Brady. Encased in white gold with a baguette diamond‑set bezel, the watch features a striking salmon dial with a tapisserie evolutive pattern radiating asymmetrically from the tourbillon aperture. In place of traditional indices, the dial spells out “TOM BRADY” in calibré and baguette‑cut diamonds, with the Roman numeral VII marking his seven Super Bowl victories. Through the sapphire crystal case back, a custom rotor bearing Brady’s signature reinforces the watch’s personal provenance. As the only known Audemars Piguet watch to feature a custom name on the dial, this piece represents a rare intersection of celebrity ownership, technical mastery, and bespoke craftsmanship, making it one of the most distinctive Royal Oak creations ever produced.
4. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Ref. 15203PT, Circa 2012, 327,000 USD
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Reference 15203PT sold for 327,000 USD, underscoring the enduring significance of the Royal Oak’s design language and its continued evolution since its groundbreaking debut in 1972. Introduced as a limited edition of 40 pieces to commemorate the model’s 40th anniversary, this platinum example preserves the proportions and spirit of Gérald Genta’s original creation while showcasing a skeletonised calibre 5122 derived from the historic calibre 2121. The movement’s contemporary decoration and galvanic anthracite finish highlight the technical artistry that has defined the Royal Oak for over half a century. For collectors, this reference represents a rare opportunity to acquire a commemorative model that pays tribute to one of the most influential designs in modern watchmaking.
5. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked Ref. 15416CE, Circa 2020, 310,000 USD
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked Reference 15416CE sold for 310,000 USD, a result that reflects the growing appreciation for the brand’s technical innovations within the Royal Oak line. Crafted entirely in black ceramic, the watch features a skeletonised movement that reveals the dual balance wheel architecture designed to enhance precision and stability. The openworked bridges and gear train are framed by a slate‑grey chapter ring, allowing the wearer to appreciate the mechanical depth and architectural complexity of the calibre. Paired with a matching ceramic bracelet, the watch delivers a striking blend of cutting‑edge engineering and understated luxury, making it a standout example of contemporary Royal Oak craftsmanship
Frequently Asked Questions About Audemars Piguet Watches
How much are Audemars Piguet watches?
Prices vary by model, material, and complexity. Stainless-steel Royal Oak models typically start around $30,000, while gold or high-complication pieces often range between $80,000 and $200,000. Limited editions and celebrity-associated watches—like Tom Brady’s “The Roast”—can far exceed these figures at auction. Vintage and platinum references have achieved prices in the six- to seven-figure range.
Why are Audemars Piguet watches so expensive?
Audemars Piguet combines hand-finishing, technical innovation, and limited production. The brand pioneered the luxury sports-watch category with the 1972 Royal Oak, crafted in stainless steel yet finished to haute-horology standards. Today’s models feature in-house calibers, intricate complications, and precious materials produced in small numbers. Each watch reflects over a century of craftsmanship rooted in Le Brassus, Switzerland.
How does Audemars Piguet compare to Patek Philippe or Rolex?
While Rolex focuses on durability and precision at scale, and Patek Philippe emphasizes classical complications, Audemars Piguet bridges both worlds—offering avant-garde design with high-horology craftsmanship. The Royal Oak’s bold geometry and open-worked dials set it apart visually, while its exclusivity rivals Patek’s most complex models. Collectors value AP for its balance of innovation, heritage, and distinctive identity within luxury watchmaking.
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