Round-UpA Quick Glance At 10 Of The Most Expensive Watches Available Today
From full pave designs to heavy-duty chronographs, here's a list of expensive watches that easily qualify as objets d'art
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Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance
Producing a ‘resonance watch’ is one of the horological world’s biggest challenges because it needs two watch movements with their own set of oscillators (balance wheels and balance springs), escapements, gear trains, mainsprings, to consistently regulate each other and maintain oscillation-rate stability. The 43.40mm Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance model nails this technique with the brand’s patented ‘Huygens Resonance Clutch Spring’ technology devised by their co-founder Claude Greisler. Apart from the high-end technology, the watch is made entirely from 18 karat rose gold—hand-decorated rose gold hands, pin buckle and folding clasp. Figuring in the brand’s own list of expensive watches is this robustly built model, protected on both sides by anti-reflective sapphire crystal to ensure 50m water resistance. Along with the genuine alligator horn-back strap, there is the option of a rubber strap.
Bovet Amadeo Fleurier
Thanks to the patented Amadeo convertible system, the Bovet Amadeo Fleurier can shapeshift into a wristwatch, table clock, pocket watch. The Bovet Amadeo Fleurier is powered by the exquisite manual-winding movement 14BM02AI that offers a seven-day power reserve. A noteworthy element is the positioning of the tourbillon cage that is visible from both sides. The decorative vintage elements on the dial interspersed with blue and purple jewels gives both old family wealth and nouveau rich vibes. The breathtaking mastery of the blue crafted guilloche dial, genuine black leather strap and a rose gold ‘pocket watch’ chain are other design attractions.
Carl F. Bucherer Patravi
TravelTec from Carl F Bucherer’s Patravi line seduces with a highly sturdy body made from titanium, ceramic and rubber. Among the most expensive watches from Carl F. Bucherer is this 46.60mm model that sports a skeletonised chronograph dial jampacked with three time zones (two of which are bi-directional rotating flanges with 24-hour scales); a running seconds counter at three o’clock, a 30-minute chronograph at nine o’clock. Plus, a date aperture at four o’clock. Making it sturdy is the 18-karat rose gold case, cradled by an extremely tough black high-tech bezel; the titanium push-piece at 10 o’clock that lets you jump time zones with each push; the solid rubber chronograph push-pieces, screw-down crown, and the strap. These elements coupled with anti-reflective sapphire crystal on both sides ensure the watch provides upto 50m water resistance. The automatic movement CFB 1901.1 offers a 42-hour power reserve.
Corum Golden Bridge Classic Rose Gold
Corum’s Golden Bridge model became the ultimate gamechanger when it unveiled in 1980, with parts of its movement stacked one above the other like a ‘baguette’ over which sits a decorative bridge and the watch hands. This arrangement is bang centre, from a spring barrel at six o’clock to the escapement placed at 12 o’clock. A 21.30mm diamond-studded rose gold tonneau case with a protective sapphire crystal frames the golden bridge, resulting in a see-through transparent dial.
H Moser & Cie. Pioneer Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton
A ‘Funky Blue fumé domed sub-dial’ at 12 o’clock displaying the primary time zone atop a highly skeletonised dial is the USP of this H Moser & Cie model in steel. Promising absolute accuracy is the skeletonised automatic movement HMC 811, housing the unique package consisting of the cylindrical hairspring and the one-minute flying tourbillon at six o’clock. The hairspring has ceramic bearings and is modelled after early and more precise marine chronometers, but almost never fitted in wristwatches; something which the engineering leg of the brand has changed. Supporting construction are the V-shaped intricate chamfered bridges coated in anthracite PVD that add to the drama. The 42.8mm case, made from 18-karat rose gold, in addition to a domed sapphire crystal, ensures a 120-m water-resistance.
IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Tourbillon Rétrograde
The 45mm IWC Schaffhausen Portofino Tourbillon Retrograde appears minimalistic but is a heavy-duty wonder. It is built with an impressionable eight-day power reserve, a flying tourbillon at six o’clock and a retrograde date display in analogue format designed like an arc between eight to 10 o’clock. The IW516501 manual winding movement allowing for date display to jump back to the first every month and ensures nine days of power reserve. The silver-plated dial complements the rose gold case that promises 30m water resistance. Luxury manufacturer Santoni has provided the high-quality dark brown leather strap.
Jacob & Co. Brilliant Mystery Pave Diamond
Looking more like a bejewelled bracelet than a watch is this Jacob & Co. models that conveys a minimalistic design through a glittering full pave dial. The 38mm model from the Brilliant Mystery Pave line exudes a feminine energy with its 18-karat rose gold case set in 89 white diamonds, each weighing 0.90ct-karat. Circling this arrangement is a slim bezel studded with 56 diamonds, 0.55-karat each, underlining a thick bezel showcasing 298 white diamonds, 6.50-karat each. Adding to the allure are floating hour and minute hands like a cat’s ears. This arrangement is shielded under a protective sapphire crystal, and offers 30m water resistance. The Swiss Quartz ETA Caliber E01.701 powers this dial.
Louis Moinet Memoris 18K Rose Gold
Available in a limited edition of 12 colours, the Louis Moinet Memoris from the Mechanical Wonders collection exemplifies what superior craftsmanship and technology can do when fused together. The 46mm rose gold case of the Memoris gives precedence to the chronograph complication and designs all its horological parts around it. A total of 60 parts designed and fitted to work in tandem, ensure the chronograph setup rests on a movement plate, above the automatic movement. A subtle hint eluding to the subordinate position of the primary time zone is its literal placement on the dial—as a sub-dial at six o-clock. The in-house calibre LM79, one of its kind as its made from 311 parts, beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour, and offers 48 hours of power reserve.
Parmigiani Tonda GT Chronograph Rose Gold
With a satin-finished 18-karat rose gold case juxtaposed with a clou triangulaire guilloché patterned silver-and-grey dial, the 42mm Tonda GT Chronograph is a class apart. The combination of this sturdy setup along with a ARunic anti-reflective sapphire crystal ensures 100m water resistance. Finesse oozes from the fluted bezel and crown, the indices of 18-karat rose gold appliques and black luminescent coating, and the skeletonised hands. Moreover, its PF071-COSC calibre is composed of 331 parts! The calibre, viewable through the openworked sapphire crystal caseback, powers the self-winding chronograph at 5Hz or 36,000vph and provides a 65-hour power reserve.
Urwerk UR-210 RG
Part of the Urwerk Ur-Satellite series, the Ur-210 RG is one of the top complicated timepieces. The artistry lies in the unconventional 43.60mm case, made from ‘RG’—acronym of 18-karat rose gold—and black titanium in matt finish forms the crown and caseback. The caseback deserves a special mention for its dotted texture, peek into the movement via a sapphire crystal aperture and an actual switch to adjust the in-house, automatic winding system, UR-7.10. One unique feature is the calibre’s ‘Turbine Control’ system that ensures the automatic rotor spins slower than usual or altogether stops winding as a protective measure in anticipation of shock-inducing conditions, like bad weather or treacherous terrain.
Shop The Story
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Armin Strom Resonance
RF61.5N.AL.M.40.CL
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Bovet Fleurier
AIFSQ029
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Carl F. Bucherer Patravi
00.10620.21.93.01
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Corum Golden Bridge
113.161.85/0002 0000
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H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer
3811-1200
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IWC Portofino
IW516501
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Jacob & Co. Brilliant
BM526.40.RD.RD.ABSAA
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Louis Moinet Mechanical Wonders
LM-79.50.17
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Parmigiani Tonda
PFC903-1500140-X01482
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Urwerk UR-Satellite
UR-210 RG
