When can a watch be called luxury? What are the most expensive models in the world? And what are the best brands of luxury watches? Here is the ranking of the world's most valuable pieces and the list of the best luxury watch brands, both men's and women's.
The watch has always been a cult object for those who want to express their taste and, at the same time, socioeconomic status in an elegant and sophisticated way. A luxury watch, whether for men or women, is an item that expresses the wearer's style and denotes elegance. In addition to this, the right watch is obviously also a worthy complement to the clothing as a whole, accompanying it and emphasizing its class. In particular, luxury watches are defined by specific features that make them so, therefore also very expensive. Primarily, the type of materials used to make them, especially any valuable parts such as precious stones (rare diamonds, rubies, emeralds, etc.) or metals (gold, platinum, etc.).
Beyond that, a watch acquires value based on the time it takes to make it and the level of detail it achieves, two elements that define its quality. Finally, its rarity, which also depends on its non-material (e.g., historical) value. All these peculiarities concur in making a watch a luxury item and, in some cases, a truly valuable piece, if not a work of art. Yes, because some luxury watches are more unique than rare and have unlimited durability, becoming family legacies to be passed down from generation to generation. That's why many watches are very expensive and some are even unattainable: let's find out.
The 10 most expensive watches in the world
There are several brands in the world that produce luxury watches, so there are also many models and valuable pieces with a very high commercial value. Before analyzing them, however, let's find out which are currently the 10 most expensive watches in the world, starting from the tenth to the first in order of value.
10) Vacheron Constantin Tour de l'Ile – 1.5 million dollars: this is the model made to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the manufacturing company (in 2005), Vacheron Constantin, famous for its complex and refined watches.
9) Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega 4 – 1.8 million dollars: above-standard measurements for this watch with visible mechanisms alternating with genuine sapphires, with 36 different complications and more than 1,400 elements making up the internal skeleton.
8) Richard Mille RM 52 06 Sapphire – $2 million: the mechanisms and hands are carved from the highest quality sapphires, and the hour movement is based on a complex suspension mechanism, with a transparent dial that allows it to be observed in action.
7) 1942 Rolex Antimagnetique Ref 4113 – $2.4 million: This vintage model echoes its 1942 predecessor and is a limited edition, numbering only 12 pieces.
6) Lange & Sohne Grand Complication – $2.5 million: this is the most expensive model ever made by Lange & Sohne, with its solid gold case, built-in calendar with moon phases, and its special complexity of execution.
5) Blancpain Le Brassus Tourbillon Carrousel – $3.8 million: a model that includes both the Tourbillon and the Carrousel (a system devised in 1901 with the same function) and features a pure gold case.
4) Patek Philippe 1939 Platinum World Time Watch – $4 million: this model from the famous Swiss watchmaker perfectly combines refinement and precious materials with functionality.
3) Louis Moinet Meteoris Watch – 4.6 million dollars: this is a very rare model, as there are only four examples, which include among the materials fragments from space (the "Meteoris Mars" from Mars, the "Meteoris Rosetta Stone" from the oldest meteorite found on Earth, the "Meteoris Asteroid" and the "Meteoris Moon" from the Moon).
2) Hublot Big Bang – 5 million dollars: lined with the most precious diamonds, weighing more than 100 carats, this model from the famous Swiss watchmaker Hublot, is a very valuable piece.
1) Patek Philippe Reference 1527 Perpetual Calendar – 5.5 million dollars: this is the most expensive wristwatch in the world, with its 18-carat yellow gold case, matte silver dial and perpetual calendar with moon phase indicator.
What are the best luxury watches?
- Rolex GMT Master II 126720VTNR.
- Panerai Submersible Forty-Four Esteel.
- Glashütte Original SeaQ Chronograph.
- Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante.
- Patek Philippe Nautilus 5990/1A.
- Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222.
- Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon.
What is the most prestigious watch brand?
Rolex is undoubtedly the quintessential luxury watch brand, known worldwide and chosen by millions of collectors of valuable wristwatches. Founded in 1905, the luxury watch brand Rolex is a guarantee of prestige for the wearer.
What is the most expensive watch?
Patek Philippe Reference 1527 Perpetual Calendar – $5.5 million: this is the world's most expensive wristwatch, with its 18-carat yellow gold case, matte silver dial, and perpetual calendar with moon phase indicator.
Written by Michael Zippo
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