Most Expensive Watches

Some Swiss watches are so expensive for a few reasons. First, Switzerland has long been a major center for watch manufacturing. As a result, many artisans who have spent years studying the trade live and work there, painstakingly handcrafting movements and other components for watches and completing the assembly and finishing process. All that labor increases the cost of luxury Swiss watches while also limiting the number of them produced. Since the reputation of Swiss watches is so stellar, demand for them often vastly exceeds supply, which further adds to pricing. In addition, luxury watches manufactured in Switzerland often feature costly materials, such as genuine gold, platinum and titanium. Keep in mind that not all watches made in Switzerland are luxury timepieces. Makers also craft fashion watches in the country, so prices do vary. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Swiss watches.

RM watches are so expensive for a few reasons. First, Richard Mille invests heavily in research and development to pioneer new technologies and materials, such as Graph TPT, a proprietary graphene that is ultralight but still highly durable. This exclusive metal and the other materials that go into Richard Mille watches, such as genuine gold and titanium, also factor into their aspirational prices. What's more, artisans handcraft each watch via traditional processes that can take a few days or even several years to complete, increasing the cost of production. Plus, Richard Mille produces its watches in limited quantities, sometimes making only 10 or a dozen of certain designs. Consequently, demand for these Swiss watches tends to greatly outpace the supply. On 1stDibs, explore a range of Richard Mille watches.

Bulgari watches are expensive for a few reasons. For one thing, Bulgari's artisans often use painstakingly complex, time-consuming crafting techniques to make the dramatic timepieces. One example is the tubogas jewelry technique, which links a flexible series of thin horizontal bands and is what gives Bulgari's iconic Serpenti watch its coiling effect. Due to the amount of time and skill it takes to execute its techniques, Bulgari tends to have high labor costs. In addition, the luxury maker uses pricey materials such as 18-karat gold, platinum and titanium. Also, the number of Bulgari watches produced each year is usually less than the demand for them, which leads to higher pricing. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of Bulgari watches.

There are a few reasons why Mido watches are so expensive. One contributing factor is the materials, such as titanium and sapphire glass, that go into every Mido watch. The luxury maker also invests heavily in research and development, which has allowed it to offer cutting-edge timepieces for decades. A major example is its Multi-Fort automatic movement. When it debuted in the 1930s, it was the world's first-ever shock-proof and waterproof automatic movement. Its history of innovation has made Mido a trusted name in watches and driven demand for its timepieces, which also impacts their price points. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of watches.

Piaget watches are so expensive for a few reasons. For starters, the company has a long history of watchmaking excellence. In 1874, at age 19, Georges-Édouard Piaget began manufacturing handmade timepiece components and movements in a workshop on his family farm in La Côte-aux-Fées, Switzerland. The company expanded into luxury wristwatches and pocket watches under the direction of Georges-Édouard’s son, Timothée Piaget. Later, Timothée’s sons, Gérald and Valentin Piaget, would lead a team of talented craftspeople into a new era of innovation for the brand in both watches and luxury jewelry. Piaget also has a reputation for developing unique timepieces, often through collaborations. For example, in 1967, Yves Piaget worked with Salvador Dalí on a collection of pieces featuring the Dalí d’Or gold medals of the artist and his wife, Gala. Piaget watches also feature costly materials, such as 18-karat gold and platinum, which adds to their prices. Plus, many Piaget timepieces take several months to craft from start to finish, increasing labor costs and leading to a limited supply that contributes to Piaget's lofty price points. Explore a large selection of Piaget watches on 1stDibs.

Patek Philippe watches are commonly seen as the best brand for Swiss watches, particularly because of their quality, level of expertise, and value. In the manufacturing process there are often 60 steps needed even for subtle aspects which also adds to the cost.

The cost of the most expensive Graff watch is likely to change over time as the luxury watchmaker unveils new timepieces. However, one of the priciest watches Graff has ever produced is the Hallucination, which carried a $55 million price tag when it debuted in 2014. This platinum bracelet watch features 110 carats of fancy diamonds in yellow, blue, pink and other colors. It took a team of 30 specialists four and a half years to handcraft the quartz watch. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Graff watches.

What the most expensive pocket watch is will vary over time as luxury watchmakers release new models. In 2019, Patek Philippe set a record when a brand new Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 fetched an auction price of $31 million, making it the most expensive pocket watch ever sold. Before that, another Patek Philippe model, a 1932 Henry Graves Supercomplication, held the record. Explore a wide range of pocket watches on 1stDibs.

Vacheron Constantin watches are so expensive for a few reasons. For one thing, the luxury Swiss watchmaker consistently uses high-quality materials, such as 18-karat gold, platinum, titanium, ceramics and sapphire glass, to produce its timepieces. In addition, all movements and complications are made in-house and, in some cases, can take as many as 6 to 12 months to complete. Assembling the watches requires more time and effort and exact attentiveness to detail. As a result, Vacheron Constantin only produces around 20,000 watches annually. The limited supply, compared to the great demand for the watches, increases selling prices. Shop a variety of Vacheron Constantin watches on 1stDibs.

A Franck Muller watch is expensive for a few reasons. The luxury watchmaker produces its movements in-house, adding many complications to its watches. As a result, producing them is labor-intensive and requires the work of skilled artisans. In addition, the maker incorporates costly materials, such as 18-karat gold, platinum and sapphire glass, into its designs. Also, many of Franck Muller's models are limited edition, meaning there is a very limited supply compared to the demand. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Franck Muller watches.

There are a few reasons why Roger Dubuis watches are so expensive. For one thing, the Swiss watchmaker invests heavily in research and development, which has allowed it to introduce some truly innovative timepieces over the years. From 2011 to 2015, Roger Dubuis introduced a series of standout designs, including the Quatuor RD101, the company's first watch with four sprung balances and five differentials to help account for the earth's gravity. In 2017, Roger Dubuis partnered with Pirelli and Lamborghini to release two luxury race car-inspired timepieces: the Excalibur Spider Pirelli and the Excalibur Aventador S. In addition to having unique designs, Roger Dubuis watches feature luxury materials, such as rose gold, cobalt and titanium. Due to their painstaking details, the timepieces take 350 to 720 hours to build from start to finish. As a result, Roger Dubuis generally produces only 24,000 watches per year on average. Demand often exceeds supply, contributing to the price. Explore a range of Roger Dubuis watches on 1stDibs.

Girard-Perregaux watches are so expensive for a few reasons. First, the luxury watchmaker uses costly fine materials to craft its timepieces and powers them with components built entirely in-house. What's more, manufacturing at Girard-Perregaux is a painstaking process that can take months. Consequently, labor costs for producing Girard-Perregaux watches are high. Although the company did launch an initiative to increase its annual production in 2023, it still makes fewer watches annually than many other makers. High demand for Girard-Perregaux watches combined with a limited supply drives up prices. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Girard-Perregaux watches.

What the most expensive watch by Franck Muller is will likely change over time as new styles arrive on the market. However, one of the most aspirationally priced pieces ever produced by the luxury maker was the Aeternitas Mega. Released in 2009, it retailed for $2.58 million. The 42-millimeter tonneau 18-karat watch is highly complex, with 36 complications and 1,483 components. Explore a variety of Franck Muller watches on 1stDibs.

Jacob & Co.'s most expensive watch will likely change over time as the luxury watchmaker debuts new models. In 2023, Jacob & Co. broke its previous records by introducing the Billionaire Timeless Treasure, which had a $20 million price tag. The handcrafted watch took three and a half years to craft and features 880 carats of yellow diamonds. Shop a variety of Jacob & Co. watches on 1stDibs.

The most expensive Franck Muller watch will vary over time as the luxury maker introduces new timepieces. One of its most aspirationally priced models is the Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega 4, a rare watch that cost $2.7 million when it was initially released in 2009. The timepiece features 36 complications and consists of 1,483 components and 99 jewels. Find a wide range of Franck Muller watches on 1stDibs.