One of the most prevalent fashion statements throughout time is the watch. Whether studded in diamonds or filled with intricate machinery, watches dominate the jewelry section. While some watches are quite affordable, some can cost millions of dollars. If you’ve heard of brands like Rolex, Piaget, or Patek Philippe, you might recognize these twelve most expensive watch brands currently for sale.
11. Piaget, $3,800-$3.3 million
Our twelfth most expensive watch brand is Piaget, which opened in 1874 in the Swiss Jura mountains through creator Georges-Édouard Piaget. Some of their notable watches include the ultra-thin watch, ornamental stone watches, and a limited-edition collection of Dali watches in 1967.
Piaget’s most expensive watch is the Emperador Temple Watch worth $3.3 million.
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10. Rolex, $5,000-$17.8 million
Another Swiss-based expensive watch brand is Rolex, one of the more well-known watches on our list. Founded by Han Wilsdorf in Geneva, the company led in innovations such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism.
The most expensive Rolex sold is the Paul Newman Daytona which sold for $17.8 million at auction.
9. Blancpain, $9,000-$1.34 million
Blancpain began in 1735 when Jehan-Jacques Blancpain registered as a watchmaker, which continued as a family-run business for almost 200 years. Their innovative techniques in the last ten years have led to the creation of 43 new in-house calibers or movements, like the Calendrier Chinois Traditional or the Tourbillon Carrousel.
Their most expensive watch is the Specialties Tourbillon Diamonds Watch, which sold for $1.34 million.
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8. Breguet $9,500-$10 million
Abraham-Louis Breguet’s journey began in 1747 as he left his home in Neuchâtel to study in Versailles and Paris under master watchmakers. As he honed his craft, he created a company we know as Breguet today.
Breguet’s company has created several inventions for the watch, including the Breguet hands, the Breguet balance spring, and the gong spring. The most expensive Breguet watch is the Breguet Classique Double Tourbillon Dragon.
7. A. Lange & Söhne, $11,200-$2.5 million
The creator of A. Lange & Söhne, Ferdinand Adolph Lange, was only 15 years old when he started his apprenticeship under well-known watchmaker Johann Friedrich Gutkaes. After completing his apprenticeship, he perfected his pieces and became internationally known, creating a dynasty that would continue to push forward watchmaking for decades.
The most expensive A. Lange & Söhne watch is the Grand Complication, which debuted in 2013.
6. Audemars Piguet, $15,000-$869,000
Born in one of the centers for high-end watchmaking, Audemars Piguet was destined to follow in fate’s footsteps. Growing up in the Vallée de Joux north of Geneva, Piguet slowly climbed the ranks from apprentice to master, leaving us with incredible watches.
Some of his pieces include Tourbillon Openworked, Grande Sonnerie Carillon Supersonnerie, and Minute Repeater Supersonnnerie. The most expensive Audemars Piguet watch is the Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph.
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5. Vacheron Constantin, $15,000-$11 million
Founded in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron in Geneva, Vacheron Constantin can be considered as the world’s oldest watch manufacturer with more than 260 years of uninterrupted production. The three main founders of the company are Jean-Marc Vacheron, his successor and son Abraham, and his grandson Jacques.
Some notable watches from the company include the Overseas Chronograph and the Métiers D’Art Tribute to Explorer Naturalists. The most expensive Vacheron Constantin watch is the Vacheron Constantin Kalista.
4. Jacob & Co., $15,000-$20 million
Jacob Arabo, the founder of Jacob &Co., started his journey in the United States after leaving the former USSR for a better life. Over the summer he apprenticed with a watchmaker, which nurtured his need to create not only functional watches, but ones that stood out in a crowd.
Creativity has been the mantra for the company ever since, with stunning pieces like Astronomia Solar Zodiac, Caviar Tourbillon, and the Opera Godfather. The most expensive Jacob & Co. watch is the Billionaire Timeless Treasure Timepiece, valued at $20 million.
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3. Patek Philippe, $18,000-$31 million
Our fourth expensive watch brand is Patek Philippe, founded in 1839 by Antoine Norbert de Patek and François Czapek. Just five years after creating the company, watchmaker Jean Adrien Philippe received a bronze medal for his keyless winding and hand-setting system at the Industrial Exposition in Paris. After a name change in 1951, Patek Philippe became the brand we recognize today.
Some of their watches include the Grand Complications, Gondolo, and Calatrava. Their most expensive watch is the Grandmaster Chime 6300A-010 which cost $31 million.
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2. F.P. Journe, $30,000-$1.16 million
One of the more recently created brands on our list is F.P. Journe, which was created in 1999. Over 40 years prior, François-Paul was born in Marseille, France, and began his watchmaking journey. Two years after he graduated from watchmaking school in 1976 he began working on his first tourbillon pocket watch, later becoming one of the most expensive watch brands.
Some notable creations include the Automatique Réserve, Gino’s Dream, and the Quantième Perpétuel. F.P. Journe’s most expensive watch is the Astronomic Blue.
1. Richard Mille, $30,000-$2 million
Though he didn’t start in the watchmaking industry, Richard Mille proved that you can still create an international brand at fifty years old. With an opportunity to create a new approach to horology, the price was no object for Mille, whose 2001 original piece was sold with a six-digit price tag, immediately ranking him high in the luxury watch market and on our list.
Some of his pieces include the RM UP-01 Ferrari, RM 65-01, and RM 031. The most expensive Richard Mille watch costs $2 million.
