The Record Ledger · updated July 2026 · 96 documented results
The 10 Most Expensive Watches Sold at Auction in 2023
The most expensive watch sold at auction in 2023 ever documented by MostExpensiveWatches is the Patek Philippe World Time 'North America' ref. 2523, which realized $8,530,000 at Christie's Hong Kong in 2023 — the top of 96 documented results totaling $68,074,357.
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1
Patek Philippe World Time 'North America'
$8,530,000 · 2023 · Christie's Hong Kong
An exceptionally rare world time reference featuring a cloisonné enamel dial depicting the map of North America, one of only three known.
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2
Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon
$5,815,300 · 2023 · Christie's Hong Kong (Online)
Set a world record for the most expensive watch sold in an online-only auction; features 12 complications and a hand-engraved case.
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3
Patek Philippe Quantieme Perpetuel
$5,800,000 · 2023 · Phillips Hong Kong
The first perpetual calendar wristwatch ever produced by Patek Philippe, originally owned by Aisin-Gioro Puyi, the last Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. This piece is one of only eight known examples of the reference 96 with a perpetual calendar complication.
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4
Richard Mille Tourbillon Sapphire
$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.
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5
Rolex Daytona "John Player Special"
$2,800,000 · 2023 · Sotheby's Geneva
An exceptionally rare 18k yellow gold Paul Newman Daytona with the iconic black-and-gold "JPS" livery, one of only approximately 300 gold examples produced.
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6
Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar 'Senza Luna'
$2,500,000 · 2023 · Christie's Geneva
A rare variant of the first automatic perpetual calendar by Patek Philippe, lacking the moonphase indicator. Only a handful of these 'Senza Luna' (without moon) examples were produced, often at the specific request of clients.
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7
Rolex Cosmograph 'Black Dial'
$2,100,000 · 2023 · Phillips Geneva
A triple calendar moonphase featuring a rare black lacquer dial with pyramid indexes. Unlike the 'Stelline', this configuration is exceptionally scarce, representing the peak of Rolex's mid-century dress watch complications.
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8
Richard Mille Tourbillon Bubba Watson
$1,994,000 · 2023 · Sotheby's Hong Kong
Known as the 'Pink Watch,' this ultra-shock-resistant tourbillon was engineered to withstand 10,000 Gs of acceleration for professional golf.
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9
Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Special Edition
$1,800,000 · 2023 · Christie's Geneva
One of only four special-edition watches created in 2006 to celebrate the reopening of Patek Philippe's Geneva Salons, featuring a salmon dial.
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10
Richard Mille Pharrell Williams
$1,608,000 · 2023 · Sotheby's Hong Kong
A collaboration with Pharrell Williams featuring a hand-engraved astronaut helmet dial with a grand feu enamel reflection of Earth as seen from Mars.
How the record was set
Every documented result that beat all before it.
| Year | New record | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1,994,000 | Richard Mille Tourbillon Bubba Watson · Sotheby's Hong Kong |
| 2023 | $2,100,000 | Rolex Cosmograph 'Black Dial' · Phillips Geneva |
| 2023 | $2,500,000 | Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar 'Senza Luna' · Christie's Geneva |
| 2023 | $2,800,000 | Rolex Daytona "John Player Special" · Sotheby's Geneva |
| 2023 | $4,548,000 | Richard Mille Tourbillon Sapphire · Sotheby's Hong Kong |
| 2023 | $5,800,000 | Patek Philippe Quantieme Perpetuel · Phillips Hong Kong |
| 2023 | $5,815,300 | Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon · Christie's Hong Kong (Online) |
| 2023 | $8,530,000 | Patek Philippe World Time 'North America' · Christie's Hong Kong |
The full Record Ledger Most expensive for sale right now Play HAMMER 🔨
Cite this record
Every figure above is a documented hammer price with a primary source on its lot page. Cite as “MostExpensiveWatches Record Ledger”, e.g.:
“The most expensive watch sold at auction in 2023 ever documented by MostExpensiveWatches is the Patek Philippe World Time 'North America' ref. 2523, which realized $8,530,000 at Christie's Hong Kong in 2023 — the top of 96 documented results totaling $68,074,357.” — MostExpensiveWatches, July 2026. https://mostexpensivewatches.net/most-expensive/sold-in/2023
Machine-readable: /data/records.json · See also the Grail Index and the daily Price Index.