True aficionados of watches are always fascinated by those “one of a kind” watches. They are the time pieces, usually owned by the super-wealthy, steeped in history and lore.
Still, we’re all attracted to the stories surrounding those super expensive watches, their history, and why they are valued so high.
Most of these watches are one of a kind and owning one represents a status symbol setting the owner apart from other billionaires.
“Why are they so expensive,” you ask?
It’s usually because of three factors:
- Expensive parts such as rare diamonds or gold.
- The amount of time it took to complete and the detail level of what the watch can do
- How much unique or intangible value can be attributed to the watch
Here are the four most-expensive watches in existence.
#4. HUBLOT – BIG BANG ~ Price: $5,000,000
It was Marilyn Monroe who famously sang “Diamonds are a girl’s Best friend”. And, she would have LOVED this watch! So did Beyonce Knowles, who bought it for her husband Jay-Z as a birthday gift for his 43rd anniversary!
It consists of some 1280 diamonds that have at least 3 carats each. Each stone was cut by a well renowned jeweler from New York, with over 40 years of experience, in order to make sure each bears the same cut signature.
#3. PATEK PHILIPPE – HENRY GRAVES – POCKET WATCH ~ Price: $11,000,000
It used to be the most expensive pocket watch the world had ever seen!
It was sold for $11 Million back in 1999. If we adjust for inflation and the economic environment + its novelty factor this piece could easily go for over $15 Million if it was to be resold.
Made in 1933 for banker Henry Graves by Patek Philippe himself, it took over 5 years to complete!
It happens to be one of the most complicated and complex pocket watches in the world with over 24 functions!
#2. CHOPARD 201-CARAT WATCH ~ Price: $25,000,000
With 874 rare diamonds the Chopard 201-carat watch used to be the world’s most expensive watch and still is the highest priced jewelry watch out on the market!
Sold in the year 2000 for this unbelievable amount of $25 million it made the front page of every luxury publication at the time.
It features a very small display and such a wide variety of diamonds that even at close inspection it is very likely for you to miss some.
#1. BREGUET GRANDE COMPLICATION MARIE-ANTOINETTE ~ Price: $30,000,000
Here we are!
The most expensive watch in the world 2016 is priced at $30.000.000.
So what makes this watch so costly?
It was commissioned by an alleged lover of Marie Antoinette, the French queen. Work on the watch began in 1782 by Abraham-Louis Breguet and was finished in 1827 by his son, 4 years after his death.
The result, an amazing piece of design, class and technology containing every function that was possible at that time.
Sadly, Marie Antoinette did not get to see the watch, since it was completed 34 years after her execution, but we can be sure she would’ve been impressed.
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