The most expensive watch vs. the most expensive piece of jewellery

Watches and jewellery; two industries, that don’t sell anything essential for life, just something pretty and shiny, still making billions of dollars per year. It will not surprise you that the high-end pieces go for obnoxious amounts of money. But how much would you pay for the costliest watch or jewellery? Let’s find out…

 

Before we start, for the sake of this argument, let’s look at actual jewellery and wristwatches, not uncut gems or huge wall clocks from the 17th century. Just “normal” watches and jewellery.

 

1. The most expensive watch ever sold

For the most expensive watch ever sold goes to no one else than Patek Philippe. No surprise there. We’re talking about the Grandmaster Chime. 

 

Source: Prestige

Patek Philippe debuted this watch in 2014 for its 175th anniversary, with the 2019 Only Watch auction featuring a unique stainless steel version—the only one of its kind. It is Patek’s most complicated wristwatch, offering 20 complications across two dials, including a Grande and Petite Sonnerie, a date repeater, and an acoustic alarm. 

 

The watch sold for a record-breaking $31 million, with proceeds benefiting Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research.

 

The guy is one lucky owner because the watch looks just stunning.

 

2. The most expensive jewellery ever sold

Mouawad’s L’Incomparable Necklace, valued at $55 million in 2013, set a world record as the most expensive necklace. Its centerpiece was the 407.48-carat yellow Incomparable Diamond, set in an 18K rose gold necklace with a total of 229.52 carats of white diamonds. 

 

Source: Mouawad

The diamond was later recut into the 303-carat Golden Canary, enhancing its brilliance. In 2022, Sotheby’s sold the Golden Canary diamond alone for $12.4 million.

 

$55 million is ridiculous, but in this case, we think it’s justified.

 

And we have a winner

 

It was very close, but the winner - by just $24 million dollars - was the Mouawad’s L’Incomparable Necklace. 

 

Source: Mouawad

What do you think? Would you spend $55 mill on a piece of jewellery? Let us know!