What Was the Most Expensive Watches Ever Sold at Auction?
Watches are more than just instruments for telling time; they are marvels of craftsmanship, embodiments of history, and symbols of status. For collectors, watches represent the intersection of art, engineering, and luxury. While many exquisite timepieces command significant prices, a select few have shattered auction records, fetching astronomical sums that reflect their rarity, provenance, and the stories they carry. In this article, we delve into the most expensive watches ever sold at auction, exploring the fascinating narratives behind these extraordinary timepieces.
1. Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 - $31 Million
The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 currently holds the title of the most expensive watch ever sold at auction. It was auctioned for a staggering $31 million at the Only Watch auction in Geneva in 2019. This unique piece was created specifically for the charity auction, which supports research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
The Grandmaster Chime is a true masterpiece of horology, featuring 20 complications, including a minute repeater, a perpetual calendar, and a second time zone. What makes this watch particularly special is its reversible case, allowing the wearer to choose between two dials: one in rose gold and the other in black. The watch’s intricate mechanics are housed in stainless steel, a rarity for Patek Philippe, as most of their high-end watches are made of precious metals. The extraordinary complexity, combined with the fact that it was a unique piece created for a noble cause, drove the price to unprecedented heights.
The Story Behind the Watch
Patek Philippe’s Grandmaster Chime was initially released in 2014 to celebrate the company’s 175th anniversary. The model sold at auction was a one-of-a-kind creation, making it immensely desirable. The proceeds from the auction were donated to the Only Watch charity, emphasizing the blend of philanthropy and luxury in this record-breaking sale. The Grandmaster Chime’s astronomical price reflects not just the technical prowess of the watch but also its emotional and charitable value.
2. Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona Ref. 6239 - $17.8 Million
In 2017, a Rolex Daytona owned by the legendary actor Paul Newman was sold for $17.8 million, making it one of the most expensive wristwatches ever sold. The Rolex Daytona Ref. 6239, often referred to simply as “Paul Newman’s Daytona,” is not just a timepiece; it is a piece of Hollywood history.
The watch was a gift from Newman’s wife, Joanne Woodward, who had it engraved with the words “Drive Carefully Me” on the back. Newman, a racing enthusiast, was frequently photographed wearing the watch, which eventually became an iconic symbol of his style. The term “Paul Newman Daytona” has since become synonymous with a specific style of the Rolex Daytona dial, characterized by its distinctive Art Deco numerals.
The Story Behind the Watch
Paul Newman’s Daytona was more than just a personal possession; it was a part of his identity. The watch was given to Newman in the late 1960s, around the time he was filming the movie “Winning,” which sparked his interest in motorsports. He wore the watch consistently during his racing career, and it became as famous as the man himself.
The watch’s journey to the auction block began when Newman’s daughter’s then-boyfriend, James Cox, was given the watch by Newman in the early 1980s. Cox wore the watch regularly, unaware of its potential value until the watch-collecting community began to take notice. When it finally went to auction, the combination of Newman’s legacy, the watch’s condition, and its provenance resulted in a bidding war that propelled it to its record-breaking price.
3. Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication - $24 Million
The Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication is a pocket watch that has earned its place in horological history as one of the most complex timepieces ever created. Commissioned by American banker Henry Graves Jr. in 1925, the watch was completed in 1932 and features 24 complications, including a perpetual calendar, a minute repeater with Westminster chimes, and a celestial chart of the night sky above Graves’ New York residence.
In 2014, this extraordinary watch was sold at a Sotheby’s auction in Geneva for $24 million, making it the most expensive pocket watch ever sold. The Henry Graves Supercomplication was the result of Graves’ intense rivalry with automobile manufacturer James Ward Packard, who was also commissioning highly complicated watches from Patek Philippe. Graves’ determination to own the most complicated watch in the world led to the creation of this masterpiece, which remained the most complicated watch ever made for over 50 years.
The Story Behind the Watch
The story of the Henry Graves Supercomplication is one of ambition, rivalry, and the pursuit of excellence. Graves and Packard were both wealthy American collectors who sought to outdo each other in their acquisition of complex timepieces. The commission of the Supercomplication was driven by Graves’ desire to surpass Packard’s own collection, leading to a watch that took five years to design and manufacture.
The watch’s astronomical sale price in 2014 was due not only to its technical brilliance but also to its historical significance. It represents a pinnacle of craftsmanship from an era when watchmaking was as much about prestige as it was about timekeeping. The watch’s journey through the decades, including a period during which it was thought to be lost, adds to its mystique and allure.
4. Rolex Bao Dai Ref. 6062 - $5.1 Million
The Rolex Bao Dai Ref. 6062 is a watch steeped in royal history. It was originally owned by Bao Dai, the last emperor of Vietnam. The watch was auctioned by Phillips in Geneva in 2017 for $5.1 million, making it the most expensive Rolex ever sold at that time.
The Bao Dai is one of only three known examples of the Rolex Ref. 6062 in yellow gold with a black dial and diamond markers. The watch features a triple calendar and moon phase complication, making it one of the most complicated Rolexes ever made. Its rarity and imperial provenance make it one of the most sought-after timepieces in the world.
The Story Behind the Watch
Bao Dai purchased the Rolex Ref. 6062 in Geneva in 1954 while attending the Geneva Conference, which sought to bring an end to the First Indochina War. The watch accompanied him during a critical moment in Vietnamese history, adding to its historical significance.
After Bao Dai’s death in 1997, the watch was sold at auction by his family, where it fetched over $200,000. The 2017 auction saw the watch return to the spotlight, where its price skyrocketed due to its unique combination of rarity, condition, and historical importance. The Bao Dai is a symbol of a bygone era, representing both the height of Rolex craftsmanship and a poignant moment in world history.
5. Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 in Stainless Steel - $11 Million
The Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 is a legendary watch in the world of horology, known for being the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch ever produced in a series. While most of these watches were made in yellow or rose gold, a rare few were crafted in stainless steel. One such example was sold at a Phillips auction in 2016 for $11 million, setting a new record for a Patek Philippe wristwatch at the time.
The Ref. 1518 was introduced in 1941 and produced until the early 1950s, with only four known examples in stainless steel. The watch’s combination of a chronograph and a perpetual calendar was a groundbreaking achievement, and the stainless steel case adds an element of rarity that drives collectors wild.
The Story Behind the Watch
The Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 in stainless steel is a grail watch for collectors, representing a perfect blend of horological innovation and rarity. The decision to produce a handful of these watches in stainless steel, rather than precious metals, was unusual for Patek Philippe, adding to the mystique and allure of these pieces.
The watch sold at auction in 2016 was in exceptional condition, with its original dial and case well-preserved. The bidding war that ensued was a testament to the watch’s desirability, ultimately pushing the price to an unprecedented level. The sale of the Ref. 1518 in stainless steel not only set a record but also reaffirmed Patek Philippe’s status as the maker of some of the most valuable and sought-after watches in the world.
Conclusion
The world of high-end watch collecting is one where history, craftsmanship, and provenance come together to create extraordinary value. The watches highlighted in this article are not only marvels of engineering and design but also symbols of the rich stories that surround them. From the charitable intentions behind the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime to the Hollywood glamour of Paul Newman’s Daytona, each of these timepieces has transcended its role as a mere object to become a piece of living history.
As collectors continue to seek out the rarest and most exceptional watches, we can expect to see new records set and new stories unfold. In the ever-evolving world of luxury watches, one thing remains constant: the passion and dedication of those who appreciate the art of timekeeping at its highest level.
