From “holy grail” Patek Philippes to the avant-garde wizardry of Richard Mille, we scour the digital halls of Sotheby’s to find the ultimate expressions of wrist-bound wealth.

In the world of high-stakes collecting, there is “luxury,” and then there is the Sotheby’s Buy Now marketplace—a digital vault where the six-figure price tag is merely the entry fee. While the auction hammer gets the headlines, the private sales floor is where the real connoisseurs hunt for the “impossible” finds.

To save you the scrolling, we’ve curated the pinnacle of the current collection. To keep things interesting, we’ve limited the selection to one standout per house. From “quiet luxury” platinum to diamond-encrusted “giraffes,” these are the ten most expensive watches on Sotheby’s right now.

Consider this your ultimate window-shopping checklist.

The Connoisseur’s Choice

• Price: $870,600
• The Vibe: Horological Sorcery

If you know, you know. François-Paul Journe is the darling of the independent scene, and the Résonance is his magnum opus. Utilizing the physical phenomenon of resonance—where two balance wheels beat in synchronization to improve accuracy—this 38mm platinum masterpiece is as much a physics experiment as it is a timepiece. Circa 2004, it represents the “golden era” of Journe.

The Ultra-Light Heavyweight

• Price: $478,400
• The Vibe: Formula 1 for the wrist

Richard Mille doesn’t make watches; they make “racing machines for the wrist.” This RM 67-02, dedicated to rally legend Sebastien Ogier, is crafted from TPT carbon and quartz. It is impossibly light, incredibly durable, and carries that unmistakable RM silhouette that acts as a universal signal for “I’ve made it.”

The Poet’s Perpetual

• Price: $347,100
• The Vibe: A planetarium in pink gold

While others track the date, Patek Philippe tracks the universe. The Celestial features a dial that displays the sky chart of the Northern Hemisphere, the phases of the moon, and the meridian passage of Sirius. It is a romantic, astronomical complication that reminds the wearer that time is, quite literally, written in the stars.

The Wild Card

• Price: $303,800
• The Vibe: Unapologetic Opulence

Forget the “Steel Professional” hype; this is Rolex at its most flamboyant. Nicknamed the ‘Giraffe’ due to its unique diamond-set dial pattern and warm rose gold tones, this 2024 unworn model is for the collector who finds the standard Daytona a bit too… subtle. It’s loud, it’s rare, and it’s spectacular.

The Jewelry Hybrid

• Price: $273,250
• The Vibe: Red Carpet Ready

Piaget has long blurred the line between master watchmaker and master jeweler. The Limelight is a white gold and diamond-set bracelet watch that functions as a piece of high jewelry first and a timepiece second. It’s a relic of 2018 elegance that remains timeless.

The Genta Evolution

• Price: $268,800
• The Vibe: Rose Gold Royalty

The Royal Oak is the most influential watch design of the last 50 years. This version elevates the icon with a flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock and a full 18k rose gold construction. It’s the perfect blend of the integrated-bracelet sports watch aesthetic and “Grand Horlogerie” complexity.

The German Precision

• Price: $205,600
• The Vibe: Industrial Elegance

Glashütte’s finest export, the Zeitwerk is famous for its digital “jumping hour” display. This ‘Striking Time’ limited edition adds an audible chime to the mix, sounding the quarter-hours and hours. In 44mm platinum, it feels like a piece of heavy machinery—but finished with the delicacy of a Stradivarius.

The Sci-Fi Classic

• Price: $151,800
• The Vibe: Steampunk Chic

Max Büsser and Friends (MB&F) are known for “Horological Machines,” but the Legacy Machine series reimagines what a watch might have looked like 100 years ago if designed by a visionary. This semi-skeletonized perpetual calendar is a dizzying array of gears and bridges, suspended under a high-domed sapphire crystal.

The Art Piece

• Price: $135,000
• The Vibe: The Bestiary of Belle Époque

Cartier’s “Animal” series is the peak of their creative jewelry division. This 2024 unworn piece uses diamonds and gemstones to create a sculptural form that happens to tell the time. It is a testament to Cartier’s reign as the “King of Jewelers.”

The Indie Icon

• Price: $131,500
• The Vibe: Intergalactic Stealth

De Bethune is the “insider’s” brand. The DB28 GS “John Player Special” (named after the iconic black-and-gold Lotus F1 livery) features their signature floating lugs and a zirconium case. It looks like something fallen from a spaceship, yet it wears with a comfort that defies its futuristic architecture.

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