Records and rankings
The most expensive watches sold at auction at Sotheby's
Hammer prices in USD at the rate of the sale day, across nine auction houses. Every entry links to its lot. Rare references show their price to Premium members.
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1
George Daniels1982 · Sotheby's · 2 Jul 2019USD 4,495,603 -
2
Patek Philippe ref. 24991952 · Sotheby's · 13 Nov 2018USD 4,024,399 -
3
George Daniels1982 · Sotheby's · 19 Sep 2017USD 3,974,847 -
4
Patek Philippe ref. 24991971 · Sotheby's · 2 Oct 2018USD 3,034,803 -
5
Patek Philippe1895 · Sotheby's · 14 Jun 2012USD 2,994,500 -
6
Patek Philippe1903 · Sotheby's · 10 Jun 2014USD 2,965,000 -
7
Jehan Cremsdorff, ParisSotheby's · 3 Jul 2019USD 2,704,823 -
8
JAQUET-DROZ LESCHOT AND FRISARD GENEVA 1786-1787 SOLD TO JAMES COX LONDON 1787Sotheby's · 11 Jun 2015USD 2,530,000 -
9
Patek Philippe1914 · Sotheby's · 16 May 2006USD 1,924,263 -
10
Patek Philippe Calatrava ref. 3448J1970 · Sotheby's · 16 Nov 2008USD 1,896,347
Most auctioned references
| Rolex 1675 | 1,105 |
| Rolex 1803 | 735 |
| Rolex 5513 | 703 |
| Rolex 1680 | 689 |
| Rolex 6263 | 614 |
Record by brand
| Patek Philippe | USD 19.9 M |
| Rolex | USD 17.8 M |
| Philippe Dufour | USD 6.5 M |
| F.P. Journe | USD 5.7 M |
| George Daniels | USD 5.2 M |
| Urban Jürgensen | USD 4.7 M |
| Richard Mille | USD 4.6 M |
| Audemars Piguet | USD 3.9 M |
Updated
Rankings refresh with every data sync; last update 2026-10-05. 20 lots with doubtful prices are excluded pending review.