Patek Philippe is a top watchmaker known for its intricate and unique designs worldwide. Founded in 1839 in Geneva, this luxury brand is famous for its exclusive, limited-edition pieces, which are highly valuable and provide excellent investment returns.

For example, the Grandmaster Chime, created to celebrate the brand's 175th anniversary, became one of the most expensive wristwatches ever sold. Only seven were made, one of which is displayed in the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva. Each watch took 100,000 hours to handcraft, including 20 complications and six patented innovations.

Patek Philippe watches are always pricey, but how high can their prices go?  Let's explore some of the most exquisite Patek Philippe watches of all time that have shaped the brand's history.

The 10 Most Expensive Patek Philippe Watches of All Time That You Can Get Your Hands On

Patek Philippe has nine collections: Grand Complications, Complications, Calatrava, Golden Ellipse, Aquanaut, Gondolo, Nautilus, Twenty-4, and Pocket Watches. The priciest models available on JamesEdition are the Grand Complications and the Nautilus.

Here are the top ten Patek Philippe limited-edition models:

1. Commemorative Collection Grandmaster Chime

This model set the world record for the highest watch price in 2019. Only seven of these Ref 5175 were released in 2014 to celebrate Patek Philippe’s 175th anniversary. Grandmaster Chime watches were made, each with a hand-engraved rose-gold case. One of these is displayed at the Patek Philippe Museum. 

These highly complex watches have 1,366 parts for the movement and 214 for the case. They include features like a minute repeater, an instantaneous perpetual calendar with a four-digit year display, a second-time zone, and a patented acoustic alarm.

2. Grand Complications Sky Moon

The Patek Philippe Ref. 6002 Sky Moon Tourbillon is an exceptional double-faced wristwatch with intricate designs and features on both sides. It boasts 12 different functions, known as complications, which make it highly complex and valuable. The watch comprises 705 tiny parts, each carefully crafted and assembled.

One of its standout features is the beautifully hand-engraved case made from white gold, which adds to its luxurious appeal. Additionally, the watch's dial, or face, is crafted using special enamel techniques called cloisonné and champlevé, creating a stunning and detailed design. 

This combination of intricate mechanics and exquisite artistry makes the Sky Moon Tourbillon a truly extraordinary timepiece.

3. Grand Complications Minute Repeater

This impressive watch was designed for those who appreciate intricate, chiming timepieces. Its open design lets you see the minute repeater mechanism, including the tiny hammers and gongs while wearing it. 

The watch features a manual wound movement, a rose-gold case, and white-gold decorations engraved with detailed leaf patterns.

4. Grand Complications Perpetual Calendar

This watch is a modern version of Patek Philippe's classic Grand Complication models. It has three important features:

• Tourbillon: This mechanism improves accuracy by counteracting the effects of gravity on the watch.
• Minute Repeater: This feature chimes the time on demand.
• Perpetual Calendar: This keeps track of the date, accounting for leap years, so it never needs adjusting.

Additionally, it has a retrograde date display, meaning the date hand moves back to the start at the end of the month. The watch's case is made of 18-karat rose gold and is a bit larger than usual, inspired by the 1930s Calatrava 96 model, giving it a classic yet sophisticated look.

5. Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph Tiffany

Patek Philippe's partnership with Tiffany & Co. dates back to 1851 when Antoine Norbert de Patek met Charles Lewis Tiffany in New York. This collaboration began with a handshake and continues strong today.

This special edition Nautilus watch by Tiffany & Co. features a steel case and an automatic self-winding movement.

6. Nautilus Rose Gold Chronograph

This stunning Patek Philippe 5980/1R-001 watch in 18-karat rose gold will turn heads among collectors. It features a double fold-over clasp and runs on a self-winding automatic movement with a 55-hour power reserve.

The watch has a black face with luminescent gold markers, and it includes a chronograph sub-dial at 6 o’clock for measuring time intervals. There's also a date display positioned at 3 o’clock.

7. Grand Complications Perpetual Calendar

The Patek Philippe 5271P is a special watch known for its perpetual calendar and chronograph functions, all built into one. It's housed in a platinum case adorned with diamonds, giving it a luxurious touch. 

The watch is manually wound, meaning it needs to be wound by hand to keep running. Its black dial adds a sophisticated look and a single baguette diamond positioned at 12 o’clock enhances its design with a touch of sparkle.

8. Grand Complications Celestial

The Grand Complications Celestial watch is a special edition that draws inspiration from the solar system. Its black face is designed to resemble the Milky Way galaxy, with intricate details that make it look like stars in the night sky.

A unique feature of this watch is a small moon that moves with the second hand on the dial, adding to its celestial theme. The watch is encased in rose gold, which gives it a luxurious feel, and it's paired with a stylish strap made from alligator leather, making it both elegant and unique.

9. Nautilus Carbon

The Nautilus Carbon is a stylish watch that uses lightweight carbon fiber to add a new twist to the classic Nautilus design. This material makes the watch very light compared to other Nautilus models.

It was developed as part of the Black Grail Project, which took about 10 months to complete. Only five of these special watches were made, adding to their exclusivity and appeal among collectors and enthusiasts alike.

10. Grand Complications World Time

The Grand Complications World Time watch is designed for those who appreciate intricate timepieces without the highest price tag. It has a platinum case and a dial featuring a detailed world map. 

Around the edge of the dial, you'll find the names of cities from different parts of the globe, allowing you to see the time in various time zones at a glance, whether you're in Auckland or Moscow. 

This feature makes it convenient for travelers and anyone interested in keeping track of international time differences.

The Bottom Line

Patek Philippe watches are popular for their intricate craftsmanship and staggering prices, making them highly coveted among collectors worldwide. From the record-setting Grandmaster Chime to the elegant Nautilus models, each timepiece represents a blend of artistry and precision engineering.

Luxury Time NYC offers a curated selection of luxury watches, including Patek Philippe models, if you're considering adding one to your collection.