A useful watch can cost less than dinner. At the other end of the auction room, the attraction is a particular object: who owned it, how it was made, and whether another one will ever come along.
These 100 wristwatches and pocket watches capture that extraordinary end of the market. The first ten get a closer look; the remaining results follow in a compact ranking. Every price leads back to an auction house or the watchmaker.
The first ten
Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010
Original result: CHF 31,000,000.00 · November 2019
Two faces, a reversible steel case and twenty complications make this an extraordinary object before its price enters the story. Patek Philippe created this unique Grandmaster Chime for Only Watch in 2019. The charity auction raised CHF31 million from this lot alone. Its result belongs to that fundraising occasion: it is not a retail price for a production Grandmaster Chime.
Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication
Original result: CHF 23,237,000.00 · November 2014
Commissioned for the American collector Henry Graves Jr. and delivered in 1933, this pocket watch gathers 24 complications into one mechanical instrument. Its two faces include an astronomical display, bringing the sky into an object small enough to carry. Sotheby’s recorded CHF23,237,000 in 2014. The fascination here is as much about the ambition of its maker and patron as the precious metal.
Rolex Daytona 6239 — Paul Newman
Original result: US$17,752,500.00 · October 2017
A “Paul Newman” dial is a collecting category; this Daytona actually belonged to Paul Newman. Phillips sold his reference 6239 at its Winning Icons auction in New York in 2017. That personal connection makes the watch fundamentally different from another Daytona with the same dial design. The published US$17,752,500 result captures the value bidders placed on that specific history.
Patek Philippe 1518 — stainless steel
Original result: CHF 14,190,000.00 · November 2025
Steel is the unusual material here: only four steel examples of Patek Philippe’s reference 1518 are publicly known. This 1943 watch returned to Phillips in November 2025 and achieved CHF14,190,000, surpassing its own 2016 result. We count it once in this list. Its perpetual calendar and chronograph belong to a reference that helped establish the layout of complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches.
Patek Philippe 6301A-010 — Only Watch
Original result: CHF 15,700,000.00 · May 2024
A blue-green enamel dial and diamond hour markers identify this unique steel reference 6301A-010. Inside are grande and petite sonnerie mechanisms and a minute repeater: intricate ways of making time audible. Patek Philippe donated it to Only Watch, where it brought CHF15.7 million in May 2024. As with the Grandmaster Chime above, the fundraising context is part of the result.
F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance — Souscription No. 007
Original result: US$13,922,000.00 · June 2026
This early Chronomètre à Résonance comes from F.P. Journe’s twenty-piece Souscription series. Number 007 combines platinum and pink gold with a pink-gold dial, while its two time displays hint at the resonating mechanism within. The June 2026 New York sale reached US$13,922,000. It adds an independent maker to a part of the list otherwise dominated by Patek Philippe and Rolex.
F.P. Journe FFC Prototype — Francis Ford Coppola
Original result: US$10,755,000.00 · December 2025
An animated mechanical hand displays the hours on this FFC prototype made for filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. A rotating ring supplies the minutes. The unusual display grew from a conversation between Coppola and François-Paul Journe, giving the watch a connection to both creators. We use the current Phillips lot record of US$10,755,000; its earlier sale press release reported US$10,775,000.
Patek Philippe 2499 — pink gold, first series
Original result: HK$80,370,000.00 · May 2026
The first series of the reference 2499 pairs square chronograph pushers with a perpetual calendar. This 1951 example adds a pink-gold case, an especially scarce configuration. Its movement and case numbers identify the same watch previously sold in 2014, so that earlier result is omitted here. Its return to auction in Hong Kong in May 2026 produced HK$80,370,000.
Patek Philippe 2523 — South America
Original result: CHF 7,961,000.00 · May 2026
A miniature map of South America fills the cloisonné enamel centre of this 1953 world-time watch. Around it, city names and a 24-hour scale turn an intricate dial into a practical way to compare time zones. Phillips identifies it as one of two known examples with this map. Its CHF7,961,000 result in May 2026 reflects a rare meeting of watchmaking and enamel craft.
Patek Philippe 1518 — Prince Tewfik, “Pink on Pink”
Original result: US$9,570,000.00 · December 2021
Pink gold appears in both the case and dial of this reference 1518, originally owned by Prince Tewfik Adil Toussoun. Its royal provenance adds another layer to an already scarce configuration. Sotheby’s sold it for US$9,570,000 in December 2021. Alongside the steel 1518 higher in the list, it shows how different versions of the same reference can tell quite different collecting stories.
The ranking continues: 11–100
Patek Philippe Gobbi Milan "Heures Universelles" Ref. 2523
November 2019Christie's · Auction record 2201US-dollar value:≈ US$8,968,365.00Original result: HK$70,175,000.00- US-dollar value:≈ US$8,504,015.00Original result: HK$66,625,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$8,394,576.00Original result: CHF 7,320,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$8,381,455.00Original result: HK$65,475,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$7,752,800.00Original result: CHF 7,048,000.00
- US-dollar value:US$7,736,000.00Original result: US$7,736,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$7,680,172.00Original result: HK$60,265,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$7,322,630.00Original result: CHF 7,300,000.00
- US-dollar value:US$6,503,500.00Original result: US$6,503,500.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$6,313,134.00Original result: CHF 5,505,000.00
F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance "Souscription No. 18" in Platinum and 18k Pink Gold
May 2026Phillips · Auction record 6US-dollar value:≈ US$6,261,938.00Original result: CHF 4,875,000.00- US-dollar value:≈ US$6,233,480.00Original result: CHF 6,200,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$6,232,772.00Original result: HK$48,850,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$5,938,094.00Original result: CHF 5,937,500.00
Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon 6002G-001 — online auction
March 2023Christie’s · Auction record 111US-dollar value:≈ US$5,796,239.00Original result: HK$45,450,000.00- US-dollar value:≈ US$5,697,130.00Original result: CHF 6,259,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$5,545,999.00Original result: CHF 4,991,000.00
- US-dollar value:US$5,475,000.00Original result: US$5,475,000.00
- US-dollar value:US$5,400,000.00Original result: US$5,400,000.00
- US-dollar value:US$5,202,000.00Original result: US$5,202,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$5,180,684.00Original result: CHF 4,749,000.00
Louis Richard "Triple Detent Constant Force One Minute Tourbillon Chronometer" in 18k Yellow Gold
May 2026Phillips · Auction record 108US-dollar value:≈ US$5,096,896.00Original result: CHF 3,968,000.00- US-dollar value:≈ US$5,042,022.00Original result: CHF 5,120,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$5,031,603.00Original result: CHF 6,603,500.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$5,025,776.00Original result: CHF 5,066,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$5,018,923.00Original result: CHF 4,645,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$4,909,050.00Original result: CHF 4,500,000.00
- US-dollar value:US$4,900,000.00Original result: US$4,900,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$4,647,069.00Original result: CHF 4,339,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$4,603,823.00Original result: CHF 4,575,000.00
Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Ref. 1518 ‘Pink on Pink’ in 18k Pink Gold
November 2025Phillips · Auction record 144US-dollar value:≈ US$4,430,914.00Original result: CHF 3,569,000.00F.P. Journe, Tourbillon Souverain Anniversaire “Hong Kong”, "Number 1 of 5”
June 2026Phillips · Auction record 85US-dollar value:US$4,355,000.00Original result: US$4,355,000.00F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance "Souscription" 001/00R
November 2021Phillips · Auction record 140US-dollar value:≈ US$4,256,692.00Original result: CHF 3,902,000.00- US-dollar value:≈ US$4,231,692.00Original result: CHF 3,690,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$4,206,993.00Original result: HK$32,965,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$4,164,349.00Original result: CHF 3,242,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$4,130,471.00Original result: CHF 3,327,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$4,124,682.00Original result: CHF 3,690,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$4,087,175.00Original result: CHF 4,083,500.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$3,993,415.00Original result: €2,950,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$3,992,694.00Original result: CHF 3,660,000.00
Patek Philippe, Ref. 1518 in 18 karat rose gold with silver dial, 1948
June 2026Phillips · Auction record 101US-dollar value:US$3,992,000.00Original result: US$3,992,000.00- US-dollar value:≈ US$3,991,380.00Original result: CHF 3,779,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$3,966,326.00Original result: CHF 6,603,500.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$3,935,487.00Original result: CHF 4,137,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$3,860,695.00Original result: CHF 3,539,000.00
F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain à Remontoir d'Egalité "Souscription" 001/99T
November 2021Phillips · Auction record 138US-dollar value:≈ US$3,860,695.00Original result: CHF 3,539,000.00- US-dollar value:≈ US$3,853,500.00Original result: CHF 3,000,000.00
Patek Philippe Alan Banbery Senza Luna Ref. 3448J Prototype with Leap Year Indication
May 2021Christie's · Auction record 2513US-dollar value:≈ US$3,741,059.00Original result: HK$29,050,000.00Patek Philippe John Motley Morehead — double-movement minute repeater
December 2025Sotheby’s · Auction recordUS-dollar value:US$3,710,000.00Original result: US$3,710,000.00- US-dollar value:≈ US$3,692,447.00Original result: CHF 3,722,000.00
F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance — Sincere Fine Watches, black mother-of-pearl
December 2025Phillips · Auction record 97US-dollar value:US$3,690,000.00Original result: US$3,690,000.00- US-dollar value:≈ US$3,636,497.00Original result: CHF 3,443,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$3,583,667.00Original result: CHF 3,206,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$3,564,886.00Original result: CHF 3,380,000.00
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Only Watch Ref. 15202XT
November 2021Christie's · Auction record 6US-dollar value:≈ US$3,381,790.00Original result: CHF 3,100,000.00- US-dollar value:≈ US$3,344,807.00Original result: CHF 3,297,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$3,322,880.00Original result: CHF 3,245,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$3,311,233.00Original result: CHF 3,301,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$3,274,566.00Original result: CHF 2,722,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$3,231,802.00Original result: CHF 2,516,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$3,223,032.00Original result: CHF 3,252,500.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$3,114,930.00Original result: HK$24,450,000.00
- US-dollar value:US$3,085,000.00Original result: US$3,085,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$3,068,702.00Original result: CHF 2,813,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$3,051,168.00Original result: CHF 3,207,400.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$3,012,801.00Original result: CHF 3,012,500.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$2,998,665.00Original result: CHF 2,334,500.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$2,977,636.00Original result: HK$23,365,000.00
Patek Philippe Two-Crown Worldtime Ref. 2523 with Guilloché Gold Dial
November 2021Christie's · Auction record 88US-dollar value:≈ US$2,919,111.00Original result: CHF 2,670,000.00- US-dollar value:≈ US$2,919,070.00Original result: CHF 2,911,500.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$2,858,414.00Original result: HK$22,300,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$2,844,064.00Original result: CHF 2,480,000.00
F.P. Journe, Chronomètre à Résonance “Souscription No. 17”, 2000
December 2025Phillips · Auction record 20US-dollar value:US$2,843,000.00Original result: US$2,843,000.00- US-dollar value:≈ US$2,824,782.00Original result: CHF 2,540,500.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$2,787,472.00Original result: CHF 2,772,500.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$2,778,477.00Original result: CHF 2,238,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$2,763,366.00Original result: CHF 2,787,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$2,759,429.00Original result: CHF 3,306,250.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$2,727,837.00Original result: CHF 2,547,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$2,727,837.00Original result: CHF 2,547,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$2,695,000.00Original result: CHF 2,450,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$2,636,890.00Original result: CHF 2,359,000.00
Philippe Dufour Grande et Petite Sonnerie No.1 Piece Unique
November 2021Phillips · Auction record 145US-dollar value:≈ US$2,540,706.00Original result: CHF 2,329,000.00- US-dollar value:≈ US$2,538,753.00Original result: HK$19,720,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$2,501,636.00Original result: CHF 2,238,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$2,498,118.00Original result: HK$19,610,000.00
Patek Philippe John Motley Morehead III — ultra-slim minute repeater
December 2025Sotheby’s · Auction recordUS-dollar value:US$2,490,000.00Original result: US$2,490,000.00- US-dollar value:≈ US$2,475,707.00Original result: CHF 2,405,000.00
- US-dollar value:≈ US$2,469,735.00Original result: HK$19,325,000.00
There is always a story.
The difference is between owning the model and owning that particular watch. A famous owner, an unusual dial or an ambitious mechanism can change the story completely. These numbers record what buyers paid on specific occasions; they cannot tell us what another example will sell for.