The World’s Most Expensive Timepieces

They recorded that Switzerland produced 31 million timepieces in 2011, a 10-year record. Appetite for these luxury items is insatiable, which in turn drives up the price of collectors' items and limited edition watches. Consequently the world's most expensive watches have hit an all-time high.

Every one of the world's most expensive watches is a Swiss-export. Why? Because Switzerland is home to the most experienced and talented horologists (watchmakers) in the world. This is because they create mechanical timepieces from many sophisticated ‘complications' (watch-parts), which ensure deadly precision and durability.

4. Louis Moinet "Meteoris" Watch ($4.6-Million)

Louis Moinet was a talented artist. He dedicated his whole life to art, and part of this process was his obsession with horology. His talents paid off as one of his timepieces, the Meteoris, is now ranked as the fourth most expensive watch in the whole world.

This watch stands out because of the materials used to create it. Moinet actually commissioned Meteorite hunter Luc Labenne, to source pieces of meteorites from the Moon, Mars, an asteroid, and an ancient meteorite to create the hand-engraved dial. He used 18-carat gold material to create the case.



3. Breguet & Fils, Paris, No. 2667 Precision Watch ($4,682,165)

This watch was first sold in 1814. It was the first experimental watch manufactured by Breguet and has two complete movements. The watch has changed hands over the many decades, including a stint with the Prince of Carignan, Count of Villafranca.

This timepiece is a pocket watch. Pockets watches evolved from the first timekeeping mechanism, the clock-watch. Because of their history and age, they are classed as ‘vintage' pieces therefore many of them find a place in the world ‘most expensive' timepieces list.

The Breguet & Fils, Paris, No. 2667 Precision Watch is a fine watch with 18k gold precision. It is currently valued at $4,682,165, making it the third most expensive watch in the world.



2. Patek Philippe Ref 1527 Wristwatch ($5-Million)

Quite surprisingly, the Patek Philippe Ref 1527 wristwatch finds itself at number two on the list of world's most expensive timepieces, given that it was created in 1943 and is there much less ‘vintage' than many other timepieces.

This is perhaps one of the more practical watches on the list. It is also beautiful. It features an 18K gold perpetual calendar, a matte-silver dial, 23 jewels, bimetallic compensation balance and has gold Arabic number markers. It is currently valued at $5 million.



1. Patek Phillipe Henry Graves Supercomplication Pocket Watch ($11-Million)

The clear winner of the world's most expensive watches is the Patek Phillipe Henry Graves Supercomplication Pocket Watch. Valued at $11-Million, it is over twice as expensive as its successor.

The story behind it is reckless and excessive. In 1927 two rich American friends, (James Packard, an automobile manufacturer and Henry Graves, a banker) decided to have a competition over who could obtain the most ‘complicated' watch in the world.

Henry Graves commissioned Patek Philippe to create a one of a kind timepiece. The outcome was the so-called ‘supercomplication'. In 1927 it was the most advanced horological technology ever produced.

The features of this watch include being created using solid 18-karat gold. It had a chronological function for each hour, two faces, 24 complications, a chiming repeater for the minutes, and a chart of the skyline of New York City. No wonder it took four years to build.

It is safe to say that Henry Graves won the competition. Fetching $11 million by an anonymous bidder at Sotheby's in 1999, this timepiece is currently displayed in the watchmaker's museum in Geneva in Switzerland.

More information about Watch Harbour: www.watchharbour.co.uk