The 20 most expensive watches to go under the hammer on an online auction site have been revealed, as a scarcity in brand-new luxury watches fuels a surge in bidding for second-hand timepieces. Due to their rarity, luxury watches often command greater sums at auction than their retail price.
![[The iconic Patek Philippe Nautilus – a watch worn by Thierry Henry and Hailey Bieber – was first created in 1976]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/20/12/93351005-14213285-The_iconic_Patek_Philippe_Nautilus_has_been_worn_by_Arsenal_lege-a-25_1734697844960.jpg)
The iconic Patek Philippe Nautilus – a watch worn by Thierry Henry and Hailey Bieber – was first created in 1976, but its discontinuation in 2021 has caused demand to rocket in recent years. A version manufactured in 2021 with an Olive Green dial and 32 flawless baguette diamonds with a total weight of 3.6cts sold for a staggering £548,000.
![[A Richard Mille RM 72-01 - a model worn by F1 ace Charles Leclerc – sold for an eye-watering £242,500]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/20/12/93351941-14213285-image-a-28_1734698004043.jpg)
It originally retailed for £74,400 earlier the same year, meaning its value jumped £473,600 in less than 12 months. In total, Patek Philippe makes up 13 of the top 20 – including the entire top 5. In sixth place, a Richard Mille RM 72-01 - a model worn by F1 ace Charles Leclerc - is the first timepiece on the list that isn’t from the Patek Philippe line.
![[Patek Philippe Nautilus with 'factory set diamonds' sold for £296,500]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/20/12/93347113-14213285-image-a-35_1734699092463.jpg)
The 2022 watch - the brand’s first ever flyback chronograph – sold for an eye-watering £242,500. This 2021 version of the Patek Philippe Nautilus manufactured with an Olive Green dial and boasted 32 flawless baguette diamonds sold for a staggering £548,000.
![[The 2022 Patek Philippe Celestial 5 went was bought for £260,000 at auction]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/20/12/93347161-14213285-image-a-33_1734699013468.jpg)
The iconic Patek Philippe Nautilus – a watch worn by Thierry Henry and Hailey Bieber – was first created in 1976. A Richard Mille RM 72-01 - a model worn by F1 ace Charles Leclerc – sold for an eye-watering £242,500. Rolex only manages one entry in the top 20 – a 1954 Rolex Submariner 6200 which fetched a £205,200.
![[While this 1954 Rolex Submariner sold for £205,500 2021]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/20/12/93347119-14213285-image-a-32_1734698988853.jpg)
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