Rare Watches: Explore the World's Most Exquisite Timepieces

Product Information

The Speedmaster Professional is one of the most coveted Omega models. Even though the Biel-based manufacturer still produces an almost unaltered version of this wristwatch, vintage versions of the so-called "Moonwatch" are extremely popular. This is especially true of those with the

First introduced in 1941, the Patek Philippe Ref.1518 made horology headlines as the first-ever perpetual calendar and chronograph—yet another reason why this watch impresses collectors. And while you might think steel would make a watch less valuable than gold, it’s hard to find high-end watches in this material. Rarity always pushes prices up. It’s unknown how many of the 4907 actually were made, as only one model has ever been seen at auction, so if others exist, their whereabouts are unknown. Protecting your collectionFor the casual person, 100% originality is not such a big deal,” says Boutros. “You want something that looks good and that can be worn easily without worry. You may not want to have to pay the premium that comes with an all original vintage watch in mint condition. Compromises can be made as long as certain replacement parts came from the brand versus aftermarket. Obviously you don’t want anything that’s counterfeited. You don’t want a refinished dial. You don’t want anything overly polished.” There are a lot of places where you could go to get one of these collectible watches. That doesn't mean that you should go there. Featuring a kaleidoscopic array of 110 carats of different colored diamonds in a range of different cuts, set into a platinum bracelet, The Hallucination brings high fashion to the world of Horlogerie. About as far from a tactical watch as you can get, it’s almost easy to forget this piece’s timekeeping capabilities, but there is a tiny dial in the center of all that sparkle. If you don't have the time or you're simply not interested in immersing yourself deeply in the subject, then you're much better off depending on a serious dealer. A dealer can offer you a watch that they have inspected at a fair price and in some cases, even offer a warranty.

Wristwatches: Wristwatches gained popularity in the early 20th century and are designed to be worn on the wrist. Antique wristwatches can have different case shapes, including round, rectangular, or tonneau (barrel-shaped). They can feature various materials such as gold, silver, platinum, or stainless steel. Antique wristwatches can also have different movement types, including manual wind, automatic, or early quartz movements. This Rolex is one of the rarest timepieces we’ve seen; only 12 of this chronograph were originally made. We’ve rounded up five of the rarest watches we would absolutely love to have the pleasure of owning. Rolex 4133 ‘Split-Seconds’ For a sportier and edgier watch, you can't go wrong with a classic design from Breitling. Our range of vintage Breitling watches includes iconic models such as their Navitimer model, designed for pilots and aviation enthusiasts, and their Cosmonaute model, which famously made its way into outer space in 1962. Today, the brand is known for its high-quality, reliable and intricate designs. Indeed, with its utterly unique profile, made from white gold and featuring a series of polished and diamond-set links, plus a miniature caliber 101 movement (one of the smallest in the world), this watch deserves to be worn in the chambers of historic palaces and to exclusive state functions.

You’ll be surprised at the wealth of hyper-specific information there is on the internet, thanks to all the detail-oriented watch nerds spending time writing articles, posting YouTube videos or waxing poetic in forums.

Furthermore, every dent, scratch, and mark on older timepieces comes with its own unique story. Some models are even the stuff of legends, having been owned by actors, politicians, or famous athletes. Of course, such vintage watches aren't exactly a bargain. Take Paul Newman's personal Daytona, for example – it is the most expensive wristwatch of all time. A commission for a private client, this Vacheron Constantin timepiece really is the most complicated watch in the world and includes 57 different complications, made up of 2826 individual components and 242 jewels. Ten of those complications were brand new horological inventions at the time of manufacture. Searching for information and comparing prices from a large selection of watches is part of the watch buying experience. This also includes

Vacheron Constantin Chronometre Royal Ref. 4907

This one is crafted in rose gold with an elegant and highly distinctive guilloché patterned dial. One of the first Patek Philippe creations to incorporate the brand’s dual-crown system, you use one crown to wind the watch and the other to control the city disk for the 24-city timer. The combination of polished and brushed surfaces adds to the sophisticated aura of this one-of-a-kind timekeeper.

Weighing only 1.1 kg, the timepiece features no less than 33 complications, including sunrise and sunset times, world time for 125 cities, a perpetual calendar, a split-second chronograph, a minute repeater, a barometer, an altimeter, and a compass. No wonder it took nine years to build the movement alone. It is indeed a top contender for the world’s most expensive gold watch.This wristwatch was made on his request and solved this problem. It's a classic design with an appealing history. Omega Speedmaster This watch is a favourite with collectors due to it being one of the most complicated timepieces to exists. These virtually indestructible cases are ideal for collectors who frequently attend watch meets, or commute to and from watch auctions and other events. So if you want to know the most expensive watch in the world with its price, keep reading. We used inflation-adjusted prices to create our list of the world’s most high-end watches ever sold, so you know how much these watches would be worth if they went on the market today. [ 1]