The cost of luxury watches can vary widely depending on the brand, model, materials used, complexity of the mechanism, and rarity. In general, luxury watches start at a few thousand euros and can reach figures well over a million euros for highly exclusive and complex pieces.
The price ranges of luxury watches
Here are some indicative price ranges:
- Low luxury bracket: 1,000 to 5,000 euros. This range includes watches from brands recognized for their quality but with entry-level or less complicated models. Examples may include some basic models from Tag Heuer, Longines or Omega.
- Middle luxury range: 5,000 to 20,000 euros. This range includes watches with moderate mechanical complexities, superior materials, and some brand exclusivity. Brands such as Rolex, Omega, and IWC are often found in this category, with specific models that can vary greatly in price depending on features.
- High luxury range: 20,000 euros and up. Here are watches from ultra-premium brands such as Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Vacheron Constantin, offering extraordinary craftsmanship, mechanical complexity, precious materials, and high rarity. Prices can reach astounding amounts, especially for limited pieces or collector’s watches.
However, it is important to note that the value of a luxury watch can also be influenced by secondary market factors, such as demand for a specific model, its history, and provenance. Some vintage watches or watches that belonged to famous personalities can far exceed their intrinsic value because of their history and uniqueness.
Which luxury watches are the most expensive
The world’s most expensive luxury watches are extraordinary pieces, often one-of-a-kind or part of very limited editions, that combine craftsmanship, precious materials, mechanical complexity, and sometimes fascinating stories.
Here are some of the most expensive watches ever sold or appraised:
- Graff Diamonds Hallucination: Valued at over $55 million, this watch is more of a jewel than a piece of watchmaking. It is set with over 110 carats of rare colored diamonds, making it one of the most expensive and luxurious watches in the world.
- Graff Diamonds The Fascination: Valued at about $40 million, it combines a fine jewelry watch with a detachable 38.13-carat central diamond that can be worn as a ring.
- Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010: Sold for about $31 million in a 2019 charity auction, it holds the record for the most expensive watch ever sold at auction. This unique piece features 20 complications, including a perpetual calendar, time chime, and a reversible display.
- Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaillerie 101 Manchette: With an estimated value that may exceed $26 million, it combines an ultra-thin watch with a stunning gem-set manchette designed for Queen Elizabeth II.
- Jacob & Co. Billionaire Watch: Valued at about $18 million, this watch sports 260 carats of emerald-cut diamonds and a skeleton movement.
- Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 stainless steel: This vintage watch sold for about $11 million at auction, making it one of the most expensive chronographs ever sold. The rarity is due to the fact that it is one of only four known stainless steel specimens.
- Rolex Paul Newman Daytona Ref. 6239: Owned by actor Paul Newman, this watch set a record for Rolex when it sold for $17.8 million at auction in 2017. Its value comes not only from its rarity but also from the history of its famous owner.
Would you like to try to win a luxury watch? At The Royal Watchery you are offered this opportunity!