Watchmaking has always fascinated humankind and has earned fascination and awe rightfully so. It is a complex process that needs years of learning and experience. Mastering this craft demands patience, skill, exceptional attention to detail and precision. With this article, we want to present 5 of the most prestigious watches ever made. These watches in particular showcase outstanding quality, skilful craftsmanship, and stunning designs in High Jewellery watchmaking.
Nr. 5 – Jacob & Co Billionaire Watch: $18 Million
The Billionaire Warch by Jacob & Co. is a unique and well-crafted masterpiece of a cascade of diamonds. The entirety of the watch is specked in diamonds starting with the white gold case embedded in 38 white Ashoka-cut Diamonds amounting to 36.86 carats and one white rose-cut diamond with 0.35 carats. The bracelet is set with 252 Ashoka-cut Diamonds weighing 151.22 carats. The hour markers are set with 11 Baguette-cut Diamonds resulting in 0.7 carats. All of the diamonds portray an intense whiteness and top-of-top purity. With its 176 components, the watch portrays a vertically aligned structure. The exquisite skeleton movement is set in white gold bridges.
This watch is born from the love of Jacob Arabo for diamonds. Dreaming about creating a piece where diamonds and watchmaking would peak together, the journey started in 2016 and crafted a one-of-one timepiece entirely set with enormous diamonds: Billionaire. The initial Billionaire set new records with its unique design, number of diamonds, and price tag, paving the way for numerous variations. The Ashoka cut was invented by William Goldberg and derived from the classic emerald cut.
The Ashoka-cut is named after the legendary third-century emperor of India Ashoka Maurya. With a rectangular shape, rounded corners, and 62 precisely cut facets, less than 1% of all rough diamonds even possess the potential to be Ashoka-cut.
With its large, assertive, brilliant and gleaming light of hundreds of large diamonds, Billionaire Ashoka is the ultimate statement of wealth.
Nr. 4 – Chopard 201-Carat Watch: $25 Million
The Chopard 201-Carat Watch already conveys a lot through its name. The watch has an extraordinary design that may not be immediately noticeable at first glance. The watch’s bracelet is adorned with a group of flawless D-colour-graded diamonds. 260 pear-shaped and 91 round-shaped diamonds are arranged into a daisy flower shape, weighing 10.29 carats. Featured around the centre are 48 round-cut 8.81-carat yellow diamonds. The bracelet is adorned with 29 pear-shaped yellow diamonds, amounting to 25.52 carats, scattered throughout its intricate design.
Another 443 diamonds in an intense yellow are in this watch, weighing 4.95 carats altogether. However, the main focus of this watch is on the gleaming white and yellow gold centre, where three heart-shaped diamonds make this design so unique. A fancy pink diamond, weighing 15.37 carats, a fancy blue diamond weighing 12.70 carats and a stunning D-colour diamond weighing 11.36 carats. The breathtaking total is 874 individual stones.
An interesting surprise this watch holds is when one presses the spring-loaded mechanism in the piece, the three heart-shaped stones open like flower petals exposed to the sun, baring the pavé-set watch face, which contains three pear-shaped yellow diamonds that total 8.45 carats.
The watch exudes elegance and sophistication, from its design to the band, radiating an aura of luxury and exclusivity. Its allure is heightened by a captivating sparkle that attracts everyone’s attention.
Nr. 3 – Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaillerie 101 Manchette: $26 Million
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaillerie 101 Manchette is a remarkable timepiece that combines the finest traditions of high jewellery with the craft of fine watchmaking. This watch is a white gold bracelet featuring a small hand-wound clock protected by sapphire glass. This watch has 576 diamonds and is inspired by the Art Deco era. The white gold tiles are arranged in a pavé arrangement and each tile encrusted in diamonds differs. Certain pieces feature sixteen diamonds set in a traditional four-by-four layout, whereas others showcase a white gold diagonal cross adorned with three diamonds in every triangular segment. Occasionally the diamonds are broken up by white gold, slightly domed tiles, adding another charm to this masterpiece.
Launched in 1929, this tiny calibre continues Jaeger-LeCoultre’s legacy of technical mastery. The Caliber 101 collection is renowned as one of the world’s smallest mechanical movements. Watches with this movement have limited production as only 50 pieces are made yearly.
Nr. 2 – Graff Diamonds The Fascination: $40 Million
The Fascination, an innovative timepiece, has been crafted by British jeweller Graff. This fabulous watch was designed with fine white diamonds of 159.96 carats and another stunning 38.13-carat pear-shaped D-graded diamond. Unique to this watch is that the pear-shaped diamond can be worn as a watch dial or a ring. This transforms the watch into an astounding three-in-one high jewellery piece.
The pear-shaped diamond can be extracted from the bracelet and placed into a custom ring setting, using the intricately designed internal mechanisms. In its place, a diamond watch face can be inserted making the watch a highly architectural masterpiece.
The Fascination watch highlights the strong connection between the London-based diamond house and the Swiss watchmaking studio of the brand.
Nr. 1 – Graff Diamonds Hallucination: $55 Million
The Graff Diamonds Hallucination watch is a sculptural masterpiece designed by Mr. Graff himself. Set in a platinum bracelet, the watch is adorned with diamonds in the rarest colours and weighs a total of 110 carats. To make this remarkable piece of craftsmanship even more charming, many different cuts were used on the diamonds. This includes heart-shaped, pear-shaped, marquise, emerald, radiant and round cuts. Surrounded by pink diamond studs, the dial is seamlessly integrated with other gemstones. The dial itself consists of smaller pink and white diamonds as well.
Mr. Graff and his team of designers, gemologists, and master craftsmen spent countless hours creating this masterpiece. Powered by a quartz movement, this jewellery watch keeps accurate time. Over several years, Mr. Graff collected rare diamonds for this watch. “For many years now, I have thought about creating a remarkable watch that illustrates our all-consuming passion for diamonds,” shared Mr Graff in one interview. “The Hallucination watch has made my dream a reality.”
Each watch portrays outstanding Swiss craftsmanship and extraordinary designs. These timepieces possess a unique quality beyond their artistic significance, carrying a substantial monetary value that exceeds one’s expectations. The Tim & Co. Moonphase and Date Ladies Watch is another gorgeous piece of craftsmanship. Visit our watches department to discover our selection and witness the timeless yet contemporary piece of a Swiss-made watch.
