Before You Win the Lottery, Feast Your Eyes on These Super-Expensive Watches
Let's face it: We've all sat and wondered what we'd spend our money on if we won the lottery. Cars, houses, holidays and rare designer handbags are probably the first splurges that come to mind. However, another big-ticket item that many swoon over is watches.
Serving as the ultimate status symbols amongst the rich and famous, it's little wonder so many of us aspire to own a luxe timepiece. So, just in case you wake up tomorrow to six figures sitting in your bank account and you're not sure how to spend it, we decided to give you a helping hand by rounding up the most expensive watches for women in the world. Should that turn out not to be the case, it's still fun to look, right?
Some watches are so expensive that brands won't even disclose their cost. Instead, they operate on a "price upon request" basis. However, with a bit of digging on our part, below you'll find the most expensive watches for women that come with price tags (albeit eye-watering ones) attached. One day, huh?
Set with 07 brilliant-cut diamonds totalling 3.32 carats and 28 baguette-cut diamonds totalling 2.91 carats, this 18-karat white gold watch is exactly what you'd expect from Cartier. It's water-resistant to 3 bar (approximately 30 metres), so you can even wear it when you fancying taking a dip in the water surrounding your yacht in St. Tropez.
Is this a timepiece or heirloom jewellery? Perhaps both, as this the outcome when acclaimed watch brand De Grisogono combines expertise from both crafts. Named after founder Fawaz Gruosi's daughter, the Allegra is impeccably handmade from 18-karat rose gold and decorated with precisely 658 sparkling white diamonds totalling 14.30 carats. It also boasts an emerald-green strap.
One of the world's oldest watchmakers, Swiss brand Vacheron has been creating timepieces since 1755. Forming part of the Patrimony Collection, this piece is inspired by styles debuted in the '50s, cast from 18-karat white gold and decorated with glistening diamonds at the bezel, dial and bracelet. Fancy, indeed.
Live your best Breakfast at Tiffany's life with this wrist candy. Crafted from 18-karat white gold, this watch also features a sleek mother-of-pearl mosaic dial set against a black satin strap with an ornate diamond buckle. With 76 round brilliant diamonds and four baguette diamonds, this is a watch you'll want to wear over your opera gloves to really show it off.
It's not hard to denote the inspiration behind Bvlgari's Serpenti Collection, and this 18-karat rose-gold watch is our favourite. The loop-around detail will look incredibly chic paired with rolled-up, crisp white shirting. And, for the eagle-eyed amongst you, that is indeed a cabochon-cut pink rubellite on the side screw-in crown.
Offering a cool contrast between the leather strap and the sparkling face, this is probably as discreet as diamond watches get. Outside, a fully diamond-set dial is complemented by 18-karat rose gold-finish hands and hour markers. Oh, and a diamond-set bezel and case add further gleam.
It might not be the most expensive watch on our illustrious list, but there's no denying the allure of Rolex. The brand's iconic Datejust is given a fanciful makeover with diamonds and solid gold to create the Pearlmaster.
As another one of the world's first premium watchmakers, Breguet combines tradition with everyday wearability in its designs. Part of the Classique collection, this androgynous watch features an automatic movement, an extra-thin 3-millimetre self-winding function and a sub-dial—all encased in pure platinum.
Easily the most "fashiony" of the watches on our illustrious list, Gucci gives us yet another accessory to pine after. This time, a watch cast from 18-karat gold with two tiger heads encircling a lustrous mother-of-pearl dial. Detailed with 0.116 carats of glistening tsavorites for eyes and enamelled vines at the back of the strap, wear this with your daily bracelets for more is more appeal.
Jaeger-LeCoultre is one of the most authoritative maisons in watchmaking and is known the world over for its classic designs. This unisex style boasts an 18-karat rose-gold case, sapphire crystal glass, enamel dial and 550 diamond stones totalling 2.3 carats.
Pearls are big on the street style scene right now, but this watch is anything but a passing phase. Omega pulls out all the stops with its Ladymatic watch, which is made from 18-karat Canopus white gold. Its bezel is decorated with diamonds whilst the polished screw-in crown is set with a brilliant-cut diamond. The white pearled mother-of-pearl dial features 12 further diamonds. The white gold jewellery bracelet is composed of pearls—either plain polished—and set with diamonds or white Akoya pearls.
As well as telling time, this beautiful 18-karat gold watch also charts the phases of the moon. It may look vintage owing to its timeless face, but Patek Philippe still crafts this diamond-encrusted style today.
Piaget is known in the watchmaking industry for pushing boundaries, having earned the accolade of creating the world's thinnest watch. While this isn't that style, Piaget's craftsmanship is easy to see thanks to the exposed mechanisms, offset with a glitter diamond backdrop.
Forming part of the brand's Charms collection, Van Cleef & Arpels watch features diamonds, diamonds and more diamonds (358 to be precise, totalling 2.75 carats). Oh, and they're all set against 18-karat white gold.
While we're on the subject of high-end style, we may as well check out the most expensive handbags in the world, too…
Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.
Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.
Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.
-
4 Anti-Trend Outfits I Spot Every Time I'm in Europe
Classic looks that are always in style.
By Natalie Cantell
-
3 Non-Holiday Ways to Wear Velvet This Winter
You're welcome.
By Eliza Huber
-
Hailey Bieber Just Used the TikTok Styling Hack That Will Actually Go the Distance
I'm going to use it this weekend.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
After 15 Years as a Fashion Writer, I Know These Free Style Tweaks Will Make a Big Impact
How to give your wardrobe a new lease on life.
By Emma Spedding
-
4 Dated Sweater Trends I'm Purging From My Small NYC Closet by the Year's End
And the chic knitwear I'm making room for.
By Natalie Cantell
-
The Holiday Accessories Edit: 6 It Buys Defining the Season
From belts to bags.
By Anna LaPlaca
-
20 Stylish and Effective Accessories That Offer Sweet Relief for Sound-Sensitive Fashion People
Calming, efficient, and oh so chic? Yes, please.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
The Affordable Trend New Yorkers Will Wear Instead of Suede This Winter
Chic and cheerful.
By Natalie Cantell