The 10 Most Expensive Watches Sold at Auction in the 21st Century So Far

It wasn't until the 21st century that Patek's wristwatches regularly began to fetch more than $2 million at auction It's worth noting that the top five sales occurred within the past three years and the top sale-i.e., the most expensive wristwatch in the world-sold just last month 1526, is a unique stainless steel perpetual calendar wristwatch manufactured in 1949, with phases of the moon, magnetic balance and applied painted Arabic numerals that belonged to Briggs Cunningham II, "The epitome of the millionaire American sportsman, a victorious America's Cup skipper and a respected motor racing personality, esteemed as a driver, owner and manufacturer" Sold at Christie's Geneva in May 2008 for $3,956,159.

2458 is a unique platinum chronometer wristwatch with Guillaume balance, Bulletin d'Observatoire, additional diamond-set dial and platinum bracelet, commissioned by the American lawyer J.B Champion in 1952 1527, a unique 18k gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases and tonneau-shaped case, manufactured in 1943 and famed for its unusual-for-the-time size and dial layout, which presaged some of the watchmaker's most iconic models.

6265 "The Unicorn" Cosmograph Daytona is a unique 18k white gold chronograph wristwatch with black dial and bark finished bracelet, circa 1970 A unique 18k pink gold two-crown world time wristwatch with 24-hour indication and double-signed blue enamel dial, the Patek Philippe Ref. . Source