MEW MostExpensiveWatches

Ranking

Every Brand's Auction Record

The single highest documented result for each maker, computed from 1,156 sourced auction lots — the brand-by-brand ceiling map of the collector market, updated as new records fall.

  1. 1

    Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime 6300A-010

    $31,000,000 · 2019 · Christie's Geneva (Only Watch)

    Steel-cased Grandmaster Chime made exclusively for the Only Watch 2019 charity sale. Patek's most complicated wristwatch (20 complications, double-faced reversible case) in a metal Patek never produces for retail. Sold for charity.

  2. 2

    Rolex Daytona 'Paul Newman' 6239

    $17,752,500 · 2017 · Phillips New York

    Paul Newman's personal Daytona, gifted by his wife Joanne Woodward in the late 1960s. Caseback inscribed 'DRIVE CAREFULLY ME'. The watch that defined the exotic-dial Daytona category.

  3. 3

    F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance “Souscription No. 007”

    $13,922,000 · 2026 · Phillips New York

    Verified result from The New York Watch Auction: XIV (Phillips New York), concluded 2026-06-14. Reported by the MostExpensiveWatches auction desk with primary sources on file.

  4. 4

    Vacheron Constantin Reference 57260

    $8,000,000 · 2015 · Vacheron Constantin (commission)

    Bespoke 8-year commission completed for the brand's 260th anniversary. 57 complications including double retrograde split-seconds chronograph + Hebrew perpetual calendar. Still holds the record for the most complicated mechanical watch ever made.

  5. 5

    Audemars Piguet Grosse Pièce 16869

    $7,736,000 · 2025 · Sotheby's New York

    The most complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch in private hands, featuring 19 complications including a celestial sky chart, tourbillon, and grande sonnerie.

  6. 6

    Breguet Sympathique Clock and Wristwatch Sympathique No. 1

    $6,617,010 · 2025 · Phillips Geneva

    A unique horological ensemble created by F.P. Journe and THA in 1991; the master clock automatically winds and sets the accompanying tourbillon wristwatch.

  7. 7

    Philippe Dufour Grande et Petite Sonnerie No. 1

    $5,182,109 · 2021 · Phillips Geneva

    The first wristwatch ever made with a Grande and Petite Sonnerie minute repeating movement, marking a historic milestone in independent watchmaking.

  8. 8

    Richard Mille Tourbillon Sapphire RM 53-02

    $4,548,000 · 2023 · Sotheby's Hong Kong

    One of only eight pieces produced, this model features a triple-curved case crafted entirely from blue sapphire crystal and a movement suspended by braided cables.

  9. 9

    George Daniels Spring Case Tourbillon

    $4,092,075 · 2022 · Phillips Geneva

    A unique, double-dialed wristwatch handmade by George Daniels for his personal use, featuring a spring-release case and the co-axial escapement; it set a record for any British-made wristwatch.

  10. 10

    Rexhep Rexhepi AK-06

    $3,861,000 · 2026 · Phillips Geneva

    Set a world record for any Akrivia or Rexhep Rexhepi watch; this stainless steel AK-06 features an open-worked dial and 100-hour power reserve.

  11. 11

    Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow 2915-1

    $3,400,000 · 2021 · Phillips Geneva

    A first-generation Speedmaster from 1957 featuring the 'Broad Arrow' hands and tropical brown dial. This sale shattered previous records for Omega, highlighting the surging market for early production tool watches in original condition.

  12. 12

    Greubel Forsey Quadruple Tourbillon GF03

    $2,898,000 · 2022 · Christie's Hong Kong

    A monumental platinum quadruple tourbillon featuring two double tourbillons linked by a spherical differential, achieving exceptional chronometric precision.

  13. 13

    A. Lange & Söhne Grand Complication 912.032

    $2,485,000 · 2024 · Phillips Geneva

    Lange's most complicated watch ever. Grande/petite sonnerie, minute repeater, split-seconds rattrapante chronograph, perpetual calendar. 6 examples made — Lange repurchases the unsold ones to maintain market position.

  14. 14

    Akrivia Chronomètre Antimagnétique Only Watch 2024 RRCA

    $2,310,000 · 2024 · Christie's Geneva

    A unique piece created for the 10th edition of Only Watch, featuring a Faraday cage for magnetism resistance and a stainless steel case by Jean-Pierre Hagmann.

  15. 15

    Heuer Monaco 1133B

    $2,208,000 · 2020 · Phillips New York

    One of the original watches worn by Steve McQueen during the filming of 'Le Mans'. It was gifted by McQueen to his personal mechanic, Haig Alltounian, and remains one of the most culturally significant Heuer chronographs in existence.

  16. 16

    Cartier Crash London Crash

    $2,028,800 · 2026 · Christie's Geneva

    A world auction record for the model, this 1990 example features the 'JC' mark for Jacques Cartier and original London hallmarks, representing the pinnacle of Cartier London's avant-garde design.

  17. 17

    Kari Voutilainen Masterpiece Chronograph II

    $1,842,500 · 2026 · Phillips New York

    Verified result from The New York Watch Auction: XIV (Phillips New York), concluded 2026-06-14. Reported by the MostExpensiveWatches auction desk with primary sources on file.

  18. 18

    Roger Smith Series 2

    $1,100,000 · 2023 · Phillips New York

    A masterpiece of British horology from the protégé of George Daniels. This Series 2 features the latest evolution of the Co-Axial escapement and Smith's signature engine-turned dial.

  19. 19

    H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Only Watch 6810-1200

    $817,500 · 2021 · Christie's Geneva

    A unique piece created for Only Watch 2021, featuring a Vantablack dial and a three-dimensional movement with a cylindrical hairspring developed in collaboration with MB&F.

  20. 20

    Tudor Black Bay GMT One (Only Watch 2021) 7983/001U

    $712,555 · 2021 · Christie's Geneva

    A unique piece created for the Only Watch 2021 charity auction, featuring a secret aged finish on the case, bracelet, and movement, and the first Tudor to receive Master Chronometer certification.