The fascination with the most expensive watches ever sold transcends mere timekeeping. These extraordinary timepieces have become icons of craftsmanship, engineering, and prestige, commanding record prices at auction. Over the past decade, the horology market has witnessed staggering hammer prices as collectors and investors alike chase rare timepieces that blend art and mechanical mastery.
This blog explores the most expensive watches ever sold , backed by verified auction records, and the stories that elevate them beyond luxury watches to cultural and financial treasures.
5 Most Expensive Watches Sold
1. Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-012 — $31 Million
Under the dazzling lights of Geneva’s 2019 Only Watch charity auction, a hush fell over the room as the bidding climbed to unfathomable heights. Then, with a sharp crack of the gavel, history was made. The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 , a singular creation in stainless steel, had just sold for a staggering $31 million , instantly becoming the most expensive wristwatch ever auctioned.
In the years since, whispers have circulated of even higher offers in private circles, and rumors have floated about a record-breaking resale in 2025. But to date, none have been confirmed. The 6300A-010 remains a lone titan in the world of auction block glory, a grail among grails, unmatched in both complexity and lore.
Read more about this record sale here
2. Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication – $24 Million
The allure of horological history reached new heights in 2014 when the legendary Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication hammered for $24 million at Sotheby’s Geneva.
Commissioned in 1925 by New York banker Henry Graves Jr., this pocket watch took eight years to complete and boasts 24 complications, including celestial charts tailored to Graves’ Manhattan apartment. Once the most complex watch in existence, it remains a testament to human ingenuity and stands as one of the most expensive watches ever sold , forever linking the worlds of art, science, and personal ambition.
Read more about the Sothebys auction : Here
3. Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman” Ref. 6239 – $17.75 Million
The enduring fascination with vintage Rolex Daytonas reached its pinnacle in 2017 when Paul Newman’s own Rolex Daytona Ref. 6239 crossed the block at Phillips New York for an electrifying $17.75 million.
This watch, with its iconic “Exotic Dial,” had been a gift from Newman’s wife, inscribed on the caseback with the words “Drive Carefully Me.” Worn daily by the Hollywood legend, it carries the charisma of its owner, transforming a tool watch into a cultural artifact. Few timepieces have so dramatically bridged the worlds of celebrity, style, and horology, securing its place among the most expensive watches ever sold .
Read more about Daytonas and its history : Here
4. Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Ref. 1518 – $11.14 Million
History was made at Phillips Geneva in 2016 when a Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 in stainless steel achieved $11.14 million, rewriting the record books for vintage wristwatches.
One of only four known examples, this 1940s masterpiece is the first perpetual calendar chronograph ever produced in series. Its crisp dial, sharp case edges, and rarity captured the hearts of collectors worldwide, solidifying its reputation as one of the most expensive watches ever sold and a cornerstone of any dream collection.
Hodinkee’s coverage of this sale is available here .
5. Rolex Daytona “Unicorn” Ref. 6265 – $5.9 Million
In 2018, the watch community was electrified when the one-of-a-kind Rolex Daytona “Unicorn” Ref. 6265 fetched $5.9 million at Phillips Geneva, making headlines as one of the most expensive watches ever sold .
Crafted in white gold, a material virtually unheard of for manual-wind Daytonas of its era, the Unicorn stands alone in Rolex’s archives. Born in 1970 and hidden for decades in a private collection, it emerged as a dazzling anomaly, captivating collectors and reaffirming the Daytona’s mythical status in the world of luxury watches .
Read more about it : Here
The Trends Behind 2025’s Record Sales
These record-breaking results highlight key trends shaping the high-end watch market:
Rise of Independent Watchmakers
F.P. Journe’s soaring results confirm that collectors increasingly look beyond traditional houses for rarity and craftsmanship. Brands like Philippe Dufour, Rexhep Rexhepi, and Greubel Forsey also enjoyed strong results throughout 2025.
Steel Sports Watch Mania Persists
Despite the softening in some luxury sectors, prices for vintage steel sports models, especially Rolex Daytonas and Royal Oaks, remain resilient. Condition, provenance, and rare dial variants continue to drive premiums.
Sapphire and Transparency Craze
Richard Mille’s sapphire pieces show how modern materials captivate the ultra-high-net-worth market. Collectors want not just a watch but a statement of technical audacity.
Fresh-to-Market Pieces Reign Supreme
Collectors crave watches with “untouched” history. Watches surfacing from original owners’ families consistently outperform estimates, as seen with the Paul Newman Daytona Lemon Dial.
How the Auction Houses Are Evolving
Auction houses are adapting to an increasingly global, tech-savvy clientele:
Live streaming and digital bidding continue to democratize access, allowing bidders worldwide to participate in real-time.
Private sales and boutique auctions are booming, enabling discreet transactions for ultra-rare watches without the glare of public records.
Houses are also focusing on curated thematic sales (e.g., “Independents Only” or “Iconic Sports Watches”) to attract targeted collectors.
Christie’s, Sotheby’s, Phillips, Bonhams, and Antiquorum each reported record revenues from watch sales in 2025, reflecting strong confidence in watches as both collectibles and alternative assets.
What Lies Ahead for 2026?
After such blockbuster results in 2025, the question on every collector’s mind is: what next?
Insiders hint at several potentially record-breaking lots expected in 2026, including:
A unique piece from A. Lange & Söhne crafted for a German industrialist
A platinum Nautilus rumored to be surfacing at Phillips
More sapphire masterpieces from Richard Mille and Hublot
Even amidst global market uncertainties, collectors remain undeterred. As we move into 2026, the world of watch auctions looks set to keep thrilling us with new records and surprises.
Final Thoughts
2025 has proven that watches are far more than just instruments for telling time , they’re portable works of art, symbols of taste, and increasingly, significant stores of value . The stories behind each record sale reflect not only technical brilliance but also passion, history, and sometimes a bit of magic.
As the gavel comes down on another remarkable year, we can only wonder which timepieces will next set the world ablaze.
Stay tuned and keep an eye on the auction calendars. The next record-breaker might just be around the corner.Â
