Four of Baselworld’s Most Expensive Watches
A visit to Baselworld is a feast for the eye, as it offers some of the world’s most spectacular watches. Exotic materials, intricate complications, and precious gem settings can quickly get the price tag up to astronomical heights. Here are four of the most expensive watches that were presented at the fair!
Jacob & Co Astronomia Flawless
One million dollars and only two diamonds to show for: the Jacob & Co Astronomia Flawless might not be what you expect from a man known as Jacob the Jeweler, but in this lies exactly what makes this watch so special. By putting the Astronomia in a sapphire case, the unique complications of this watch are even better to observe. The movement itself has been stripped to its bare minimum, giving center stage to the revolving movement, which includes a magnesium globe and a triple axis tourbillon. The moon is represented by a 1 carat colorless diamond in the spherical Jacob Cut, while the sun is a 2.2. Carat Fancy Yellow Diamond.
Graff MasterGraff Minute Repeater
When it comes to prices Graff’s watches are always POA. That being said, we know that one of their most valuable new introductions is the MasterGraff Minute Repeater. Here Graff‘s modesty continues, as they don’t even mention in the name of this watch that it is fitted with a flying tourbillon as well. By creating a dial of colored sapphire crystal, the minute repeater mechanism is visible behind it, creating quite the spectacle when you pull the lever to activate it. This version is without gemstone setting, but of course, Graff wouldn’t be Graff if they also didn’t offer several versions set with colorless diamonds.
Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Power Reserve 5 Days High Jewellery
With a price tag of $1,579,000,-, the Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Power Reserve 5 Days High Jewellery might have very well been the most expensive watch on the show. This white gold watch is completely set with baguette cut diamonds, and that is what makes this watch so special. Baguette cut diamonds have more volume due to their shape, then brilliant cut diamonds of the same size, this makes for a higher carat weight making them more valuable. Apart from that is the setting of this Hublot a work of art. Only a bare minimum of white gold is visible between the stones, if there is any at all, and that makes it that this watch represents the finest in setting techniques. For those who find the 1574 diamonds (with a total carat weight of 84.90) a bit too much for every day, rest assured: also this Big Bang is fitted with Hublot’s easy strap release system, allowing you to swap it out for any rubber or leather strap from their collection at a moments notice!
Bulgari Serpenti High Jewelry Secret Watch
Another high jewelry beauty is this Serpenti Secret Watch by Bulgari. Wrapped around your wrist, it looks like a most exotic pet, with the scales of the snake set with brilliant cut, colorless diamonds. Of course, it is an eye catcher, and one that without a doubt would have Liz Taylor’s approval would she still be among us, but the craftsmanship and details are second to none. Just as a real snake does this Serpenti wrap around your wrist with just the right amount of tension, automatically adapting to the size of your arm. Priced at $263,000,- it can indeed also tell time, but for that, you need to dare to open the mouth of the snake!
