FINE WATCHES TO INVEST
1. PATEK PHILIPPE
Patek Philippe produce some of the most coveted and high-end timepieces in the world, fetching millions of dollars for some of their rarer models. This prestigious watch brand with a history of innovative designs, has long been favored by royalty.
Famous wearers: Queen Victoria, Ellen DeGeneres, Robert Downey Jr, John Mayer, Nicolas Sarkozy
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| Robert Downey Jnr in his Patek Philippe Aquanaut |
Price range: $15,000 – $1 million+
Most expensive Patek Philippe sold: Henry Graves Jr.’s Supercomplication watch for $24 million in 2014.
2. AUDEMARS PIGUET
Audemars Piguet is one of the oldest watch manufacturers in the world.
Famous wearers: James Corden, Tom Cruise, Lebron James, Usher
Most expensive Audemars Piguet sold: Signed Audemars Piguet Geneve Leap Year Perp for $545,000 in 2015
3. VACHERON CONSTANTIN
Classic Swiss watch manufacturer Vacheron Constantin dates back to 1755 and Napoleon Bonaparte was an owner of one of their timepieces.
Famous wearers: Marlon Brando, Donald Trump, Kate Bosworth, Rick Ross, Silvio Berlusconi
Most expensive Patek Philippe sold: Henry Graves Jr.’s Supercomplication watch for $24 million in 2014.
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| Supercomplication |
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| Stainless steel Patek Philippe 1518 sold for $11,136,642 at a Philips Bacs & Russo auction |
Audemars Piguet is one of the oldest watch manufacturers in the world.
Famous wearers: James Corden, Tom Cruise, Lebron James, Usher
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| Lebron James Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore |
Price range: $7,000 – $850,000+
Most expensive Audemars Piguet sold: Signed Audemars Piguet Geneve Leap Year Perp for $545,000 in 2015
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| Signed Audemars Piguet Geneve Leap Year Perp |
3. VACHERON CONSTANTIN
Classic Swiss watch manufacturer Vacheron Constantin dates back to 1755 and Napoleon Bonaparte was an owner of one of their timepieces.
Famous wearers: Marlon Brando, Donald Trump, Kate Bosworth, Rick Ross, Silvio Berlusconi
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| Silvio Berlusconi |
Price range: $18,000 – $6 million+
Most expensive Vacheron Constantin sold: King Fouad for $2.77 million in 2005
4. TAG HEUER
Tag Heuer was established in Switzerland. Popular among racecar drivers, Tag Heuer was also the first watch brand to go into space.
Famous wearers: Patrick Demsey, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Barack Obama, Will Smith
Most expensive Vacheron Constantin sold: King Fouad for $2.77 million in 2005
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| King Fouad Vacheron Constantin |
4. TAG HEUER
Tag Heuer was established in Switzerland. Popular among racecar drivers, Tag Heuer was also the first watch brand to go into space.
Famous wearers: Patrick Demsey, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Barack Obama, Will Smith
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| Will Smith in his Tag Heuer Monaco |
Price range: $1,500 – $10,000+
Most expensive Tag Heuer sold: Steve McQueen’s Heuer for $799,500 in 2012
5. A. LANGE & SÖHNE
Founded in 1845 in Germany, A. Lange & Sohne closed its doors 1948 after the post-war Soviet administration municipalized the company’s property. However, they went back into business in 1990 and have gone on to make their mark on the watchmaking industry with their highly complicated timepieces.
Famous wearers: Vladimir Putin, Carmelo Anthony
Most expensive A. Lange & Söhne sold: The Platinum Tourbillon for $486,250 in 2014
Most expensive Jaeger-LeCoultre sold: Atmos 561 for $425,000 in 2013
7. ROLEX
Despite the soaring popularity of Rolex’s iconic watches, each timepiece is still made by hand. Internationally recognized as a status symbol, Rolex watches are forever in high demand.
Famous wearers: Justin Timberlake, Mark Wahlberg, Orlando Bloom, David Beckham, Kanye West, Tiger Woods
Price range: $5,000 – $650,000+
Most expensive Rolex sold: Bao Dai Rolex for $5 million in 2017
8. HUBLOT
Part of the LVMH group, Hublot is one of the younger watch brands, established in 1980. In 2010 they were appointed the official Watchmaker of Formula 1.
Famous wearers: Kylie Jenner, Kobe Bryant, Jay Z, Usain Bolt
Most expensive Hublot sold: Hublot King Power Model Limited Edition Tourbillon for $191,723 in 2014
9. BREGUET & FILS
Founded in 1775, Breguet is one of the oldest watchmaking companies in the world, famed for their coin-edge cases.
Famous wearers: Marie Antoinette, Napoleon Bonaparte, Winston Churchill
Price range: $7,000-$400,000+
Most expensive Breguet sold: Breguet & Fils Paris 2667 Precision Stop Watch from 1814 for $4.7 million in 2012
10. CHOPARD
Chopard began in 1860 by creating ladies watches. In 2013, they began promoting their products as using ethically sustainable gold.
Famous wearers: Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Colin Firth
Price range: $5,040 – $60,000+
Most expensive Chopard sold: Chopard 210 Karat $26 million in 2014
Price range: $5,000 – $600,000+
Most expensive Girard-Perregaux sold: 1945 Jackpot Tourbillon for $176,000 in 2013
12. BLANCPAIN
From 1735 up until 1932, Blancpain was under the ownership of the Blancpain family. However, the final Blancpain’s daughter did not wish to go into the watch industry. It is currently part of The Swatch Group.
Famous wearers: Vladimir Putin, Francis Ford Coppola, Jacques Cousteau
Price range: $7,500 – $1.5 million+
Most expensive Blancpain sold: Marilyn Monroe’s cocktail watch for $250,000 in 2016
13. CARTIER
Cartier is a Parisian jewelry and watch company, with a history of popularity amongst celebrities and royals.
Famous wearers: John F Kennedy, Sofia Vergara, Angelina Jolie
Price range: $2,300 – $2.5 million+
Most expensive Cartier watch sold: Panther Bangle Watch for $660,000 in 2015
14. IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN
The motto of IWC Schaffhausen is Probus Scafusia, meaning “good, solid craftsmanship from Schaffhausen”.
Famous wearers: Bradley Cooper, Chris Evans
Price range: $3,950 – $750,000+
Most expensive IWC Schaffhausen watch sold: Il Destriero Scafusia for $325,000 in 2003
15. ULYSSE NARDIN
Founded in 1846, Ulysse Nardin’s headquarters have held the same location since 1865.
Famous wearers: Michael Jordan, Larry King
Price range: $2,300 – $285,000
Most expensive Ulysse Nardin watch sold: Ulysse Nardin Royal Blue Tourbillon has been known to sell for as much as $1.25 million
Most expensive Tag Heuer sold: Steve McQueen’s Heuer for $799,500 in 2012
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| Heuer Monaco worn by Steve McQueen sold for $799,500 |
5. A. LANGE & SÖHNE
Founded in 1845 in Germany, A. Lange & Sohne closed its doors 1948 after the post-war Soviet administration municipalized the company’s property. However, they went back into business in 1990 and have gone on to make their mark on the watchmaking industry with their highly complicated timepieces.
Famous wearers: Vladimir Putin, Carmelo Anthony
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| Vladimir Putin with his A Lange & Sohne |
Price range: $15,000 – $1 million+
Most expensive A. Lange & Söhne sold: The Platinum Tourbillon for $486,250 in 2014
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| Tourbillon Pour le Merite sold at Christie's May 2014 auction for $486,250 |
6. JAEGER-LECOULTRE
Famous for its intricate designs, Jaeger-LeCoultre is famed for creating the world’s smallest watch caliber.
Famous wearers: Robert Downey Jr., January Jones, Matt Damon, Queen Elizabeth II
Famous for its intricate designs, Jaeger-LeCoultre is famed for creating the world’s smallest watch caliber.
Famous wearers: Robert Downey Jr., January Jones, Matt Damon, Queen Elizabeth II
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| Matt Damon wearing the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso |
Price range: $5,000 – $2 million+
Most expensive Jaeger-LeCoultre sold: Atmos 561 for $425,000 in 2013
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| Atmos 561 |
7. ROLEX
Despite the soaring popularity of Rolex’s iconic watches, each timepiece is still made by hand. Internationally recognized as a status symbol, Rolex watches are forever in high demand.
Famous wearers: Justin Timberlake, Mark Wahlberg, Orlando Bloom, David Beckham, Kanye West, Tiger Woods
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| Tiger Woods wearing the Rolex Sea Dweller Deepsea |
Most expensive Rolex sold: Bao Dai Rolex for $5 million in 2017
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| Bao Dai Rolex |
8. HUBLOT
Part of the LVMH group, Hublot is one of the younger watch brands, established in 1980. In 2010 they were appointed the official Watchmaker of Formula 1.
Famous wearers: Kylie Jenner, Kobe Bryant, Jay Z, Usain Bolt
Price range: $4,200 – $5 million+
Most expensive Hublot sold: Hublot King Power Model Limited Edition Tourbillon for $191,723 in 2014
9. BREGUET & FILS
Founded in 1775, Breguet is one of the oldest watchmaking companies in the world, famed for their coin-edge cases.
Famous wearers: Marie Antoinette, Napoleon Bonaparte, Winston Churchill
Price range: $7,000-$400,000+
Most expensive Breguet sold: Breguet & Fils Paris 2667 Precision Stop Watch from 1814 for $4.7 million in 2012
10. CHOPARD
Famous wearers: Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Colin Firth
Price range: $5,040 – $60,000+
Most expensive Chopard sold: Chopard 210 Karat $26 million in 2014
11. GIRARD-PERREGAUX
Established in Switzerland in 1791, Girard-Perregaux produce prestigious handcrafted watches. In 1880, Constant Girard manufactured the first major commercial production of a wristwatch.
Famous wearers: Hugh Jackman, Kobe Bryant, Quentin Tarantino, Pierce Brosnan
Established in Switzerland in 1791, Girard-Perregaux produce prestigious handcrafted watches. In 1880, Constant Girard manufactured the first major commercial production of a wristwatch.
Famous wearers: Hugh Jackman, Kobe Bryant, Quentin Tarantino, Pierce Brosnan
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| Hugh Jackman in his vintage Girard-Perregaux |
Price range: $5,000 – $600,000+
Most expensive Girard-Perregaux sold: 1945 Jackpot Tourbillon for $176,000 in 2013
12. BLANCPAIN
From 1735 up until 1932, Blancpain was under the ownership of the Blancpain family. However, the final Blancpain’s daughter did not wish to go into the watch industry. It is currently part of The Swatch Group.
Famous wearers: Vladimir Putin, Francis Ford Coppola, Jacques Cousteau
Price range: $7,500 – $1.5 million+
Most expensive Blancpain sold: Marilyn Monroe’s cocktail watch for $250,000 in 2016
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| Blancpain 1735 Grande Complication |
Cartier is a Parisian jewelry and watch company, with a history of popularity amongst celebrities and royals.
Famous wearers: John F Kennedy, Sofia Vergara, Angelina Jolie
Price range: $2,300 – $2.5 million+
Most expensive Cartier watch sold: Panther Bangle Watch for $660,000 in 2015
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| 15 units limited edition Cartier Extra Large Tortue High Complication Platinum cost at $500,000 |
14. IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN
The motto of IWC Schaffhausen is Probus Scafusia, meaning “good, solid craftsmanship from Schaffhausen”.
Famous wearers: Bradley Cooper, Chris Evans
Price range: $3,950 – $750,000+
Most expensive IWC Schaffhausen watch sold: Il Destriero Scafusia for $325,000 in 2003
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| IWC Siderdale Scafusia - $750,000 |
15. ULYSSE NARDIN
Founded in 1846, Ulysse Nardin’s headquarters have held the same location since 1865.
Famous wearers: Michael Jordan, Larry King
Price range: $2,300 – $285,000
Most expensive Ulysse Nardin watch sold: Ulysse Nardin Royal Blue Tourbillon has been known to sell for as much as $1.25 million
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| Ulysse Nardin Royal Blue Tourbillon |
16. PANERAI
One of the few non-Swiss watch companies on the list, Panerai is an Italian brand. Founded in 1860, the brand entered into a partnership with legendary car manufacturer Ferrari from 2005-2010.
Famous wearers: Sylvester Stallone, Bill Clinton, Hugh Grant
Price range: $4,000 – $1 million
Most expensive Panerai watch sold: 1955 Luminor for $478,000 in 2014
17. PIAGET
Known for their delicately enameled pieces, The Luxury Institute jewelry brand study placed Piaget as the 6th most prestigious jewelry brand back in 2008.
Famous wearers: Ryan Reynolds, Olivia Palermo
Price range: $7,000 – $3.3 million
Most expensive Piaget watch sold: Retrograde Sliding Clock for $500,300 in 2014
18. BREITLING
In April this year, luxury Swiss watch makers Breitling was sold for an enormous $870 million. Breitling has long been the watch brand of choice for aviation industry and has appeared in the James Bond movie “Thunderball”.
Famous wearers: John Travolta, David Beckham
Price range: $3,000 – $280,000
The Omega Speedmaster, worn by Buzz Aldrin in 1969, made history by becoming the very first watch on the moon.
Famous wearers: Daniel Craig, Elvis Presley, Steve Carrell
Price range: $1,000 – $708,742
Most expensive Omega watch sold at auction: Seamaster Planet Ocean in Casino Royale for $250,250 in 2007
20. MONTBLANC
Montblanc was founded in 1911 by a banker from Hamburg and an engineer from Berlin. Originally a luxury pen manufacturer, the brand now produces luxury watches and jewelry as well.
Famous wearers: Hugh Jackman,
Price range: $2,000 – $388,600
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