For those who have been bitten by the watch collection bug will appreciate the absolute rarity of the below collection. They are not only some of the most rare timepieces on the planet, but also the most expensive and highly sought after and respected.
1. Bao Dai Rolex Ref. 6062
The Bao Dai Rolex Ref. 6062 is a highly sought-after and rare watch known for its historical significance and unique design. This watch was produced by Rolex in the 1950s and is considered one of the most valuable and rare vintage Rolex watches. The Bao Dai Rolex is considered so rare because only three pieces were made with a black dial, gold case and diamond hour markers and one of them was made with a yellow gold case.
The watch was owned by Bao Dai, the last emperor of Vietnam, and it is considered as an important historical piece. The watch features a unique combination of a triple calendar and a moon phase complication, which is considered a very unique and rare feature for a vintage watch.
In 2017, a Bao Dai Rolex Ref. 6062 with a black dial and a gold case sold for $5,060,427 at Phillips auction. The watch attracted a lot of attention from collectors and enthusiasts, due to its historical significance and unique design.
Collectors are particularly drawn to the Bao Dai Rolex Ref. 6062 for its historical significance, unique design, and rarity. The watch is considered a masterpiece of watchmaking and a true testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the Rolex brand. It's also considered as a symbol of a historical event in the world history.
2. Patek Philippe Ref. 1518
The Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 in stainless steel is a highly coveted and rare watch due to its unique combination of features and materials. Patek Philippe is known for producing watches in precious metals such as gold and platinum, so a stainless steel version of the Ref. 1518 is a highly unusual and rare find. The reference 1518 was the first serially-produced perpetual calendar chronograph, only four known examples of the Ref. 1518 in stainless steel were made, and only one is known to have surfaced on the market.
In November 2016, one of the four known examples of the Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 in stainless steel was sold at auction for over 11 million dollars, making it the most expensive stainless steel watch ever sold at that time. That specific watch was offered in auction by Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo and it was sold for CHF 11,002,000 (around $ 11,136,642) with premium.
These high prices are a testament to the watch's historical significance and rarity, as well as the prestige of the Patek Philippe brand.
3. Vacheron Constantin Chronometre Royal Ref. 4907
The Vacheron Constantin Chronometre Royal Ref. 4907 is a highly sought-after and rare watch known for its technical excellence and historical significance. This watch is a historical timepiece, as it was first introduced in 1907, and only a small number were produced. The watch was produced for just a short period of time, making it a highly sought-after piece for collectors.
The watch features a manual winding movement and it is considered one of the most accurate watches of its era. The watch also features a chronometer certification, a indication of the high precision and quality of the watch. The watch is considered as a very rare and exclusive piece, as only a few were produced, making it an important piece for collectors.
In 2020, a Vacheron Constantin Chronometre Royal Ref. 4907 sold for $1,8 million at Phillips auction. The watch attracted a lot of attention from collectors and enthusiasts, due to its historical significance, technical excellence, and rarity.
Collectors are particularly drawn to the Vacheron Constantin Chronometre Royal Ref. 4907 for its historical significance and technical excellence, as well as its rarity. The watch is considered a masterpiece of watchmaking and a true testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the Vacheron Constantin brand.
4. Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010
The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 watch is a highly sought after collector's piece due to its combination of intricate mechanics and luxurious design. The watch features a grande sonnerie, a minute repeater, and a chiming mechanism that allows it to strike the hours and quarter hours, as well as a perpetual calendar, a date repeater, and a second time zone. The watch also has a reversible case, with a black enamel dial on one side and a non-black dial on the other side. The watch is made of white gold and has a limited production of only 7 pieces. All of these factors, along with the reputation and prestige of the Patek Philippe brand, make the Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 a highly desirable collector's piece.
The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 is a highly exclusive and limited edition watch with only 7 pieces ever made. The watch was sold for $31 million, at a charity auction held by Only Watch in November 2019, making it the most expensive watch ever sold at that time. The watch was purchased by an anonymous buyer. The proceeds from the sale of the watch went to support research on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
It is important to note that this record was held until November 2020 when a Patek Philippe ref. 1518 in stainless steel was sold for $31.1 million, which is the current record holder for the most expensive watch ever sold.
5. Patek Philippe 3974
The Patek Philippe 3974 is a highly sought-after and rare watch known for its technical excellence and historical significance. This watch is a historical timepiece, as it was first introduced in the 1980s, and only a small number were produced. The watch was produced for just a short period of time, making it a highly sought-after piece for collectors.
The watch features a perpetual calendar and a chronograph, which is considered a very unique and rare feature for a vintage watch. The watch also features a self-winding movement and it is considered one of the most accurate watches of its era. The watch is considered as a very rare and exclusive piece, as only a few were produced, making it an important piece for collectors.
In 2019, a Patek Philippe 3974 sold for $2,6 million at Phillips auction. The watch attracted a lot of attention from collectors and enthusiasts, due to its technical excellence, historical significance, and rarity.
Collectors are particularly drawn to the Patek Philippe 3974 for its technical excellence, historical significance, and rarity. The watch is considered a masterpiece of watchmaking and a true testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the Patek Philippe brand. The combination of a perpetual calendar and a chronograph in one watch, makes it a highly sought-after timepiece for collectors of high-end watches.