The first place in the rating of «watches-millionaires»
Patek Philippe of 1933 is an Absolute champion - gold pocket Patek Philippe 1933 watch with 24 complications, which manufacture required nearly eight years!
It was assembled by order of a New York financier Henry Graves Jr. After the owner's death in 1953, his collection passed to his children by inheritance.
In 1968, a unique timepiece was transferred to the Museum of Time in Rockford.
In 1999 the museum was closed, and all its exposure came at Sotheby's auction, and was sold for 28 million dollars.
Graves' Patek Philippe, previously estimated no more than five million, was bought for 11 millions.
Second place
Patek Philippe Caliber 89. The issue of handheld Patek Philippe Caliber 89 watch was dedicated to the 150th company's birthday in 1989.
The watch consisted of 1 728 parts and indicated multiple time parameters with 24 arrows!
Among the model's 33 complications, there was even the Easter's date pointer.
Preparation of «gift» started nine years prior to the anniversary, five of which required only for theoretical calculations.
Total they manufactured four Caliber 89 copies: in platinum and three colors of gold.
In 2004, the white gold version was sold at Antiquorum for 5 002 652 dollars.
Third place in overall standings and first one in «Watches» class
Patek Philippe World Time.
The third place is taken by platinum Patek Philippe World Time, released in 1939.
In 2002, at the same Antiquorum it was sold for 4 026 524 dollars.
Special prize: the most expensive steel watch in the world
Patek Philippe Ref.530. You might wonder, but it is again occupied by Patek Philippe!
In 2004, a Ref.530 1939 wristwatch was sold for 1 669 318 U.S. dollars.
Curiously, the watch was deprived of any complications, except for an additional 30-minute counter at «3» position and tachometer’s scale.
And it is even more curious, that of a hundred-plus copies of given modification released for the period from 1937 till 1950, only few ones had steel cases - most of the copies were issued in gold and platinum.
