In 2025 the most expensive watches on the planet were not content with merely telling the time they wanted to dominate it wrestle it to the ground and then charge you the price of a seaside mansion for the privilege. These were not watches for people who asked practical questions or checked bank balances twice. They were loud confident absurdly brilliant objects created by brands that decided restraint was terribly unfashionable. Outlook Luxe looked at the top five and what emerged was a collection of wrist worn statements that cared little for logic and even less for modesty. They glittered, they complicated, they dazzled, and most importantly they reminded us that true luxury was never about need; it was about want turned up to eleven.
Chopard L.U.C Grand Strike
The Chopard LUC Grand Strike stands as the most complex watch ever created by Chopard Manufacture and a landmark achievement in contemporary haute horlogerie. Crafted in an 18k ethical white gold 43mm case, this extraordinary timepiece houses the hand wound calibre LUC 08.03 L composed of 686 components and developed entirely in house over more than 11000 hours of research and refinement. It features the full triumvirate of chiming complications with grande sonnerie petite sonnerie and minute repeater alongside a one minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock and COSC certified chronometric performance. The watch is distinguished by its patented sapphire crystal gongs machined in a single block with the dial delivering exceptional clarity and resonance tuned to a C sharp and F natural chord. Certified by both the Poincon de Geneve and COSC the movement offers a 70-hour power reserve with a dedicated sonnerie barrel providing at least 12 hours of chiming autonomy. An open dial gets dauphine shaped power reserve hands, Concentric display of the watch and strikework power reserves at 2 o’clock, fuse hour and minute hands, dauphine small seconds hand at 6 o’clock all in 18k white gold. The outer periphery of the timepiece has a railway-type minutes track engraved on the sapphire crystal glass
Price – 9 crore (approx.)
Patek Philippe Haute Joaillerie
This white gold Nautilus Haute Joaillerie from Patek Philippe elevates the iconic sports watch into a dazzling expression of gem set artistry and mechanical refinement. The case and integrated bracelet are meticulously adorned with a spectacular total of 1480 diamonds combining 195 baguette cut diamonds weighing 13.27 carats with 1285 brilliant cut diamonds totaling 6.43 carats. The bezel alone features 32 baguette cut diamonds weighing 4.84 carats while the case is set with 100 brilliant cut diamonds at 0.74 carat. The dial sparkles with 297 brilliant cut diamonds totaling 1.33 carats complemented by 13 baguette cut diamond hour markers weighing 0.48 carat. Extending the brilliance further the bracelet is set with 150 baguette cut diamonds weighing 7.95 carats and 888 brilliant cut diamonds totaling 4.36 carats and is secured by a white gold fold over clasp. Powering this haute joaillerie creation is the self winding calibre 26 330 S featuring sweep seconds and a stop seconds function for precise time setting. Measuring 27 mm in diameter and just 3.32 mm thick the movement comprises 181 parts and 29 jewels operates at 4 Hz and offers a minimum power reserve of 45 hours. A 21K gold central rotor Gyromax balance Spiromax balance spring and the Patek Philippe Seal underscore its exceptional pedigree
Price – Rs. 8 crore (approx.)
IWC Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph
Limited to just 100 pieces, the IWC Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph represents a masterful convergence of technical complexity and refined design. Housed in a 43.5 millimetre case crafted from 18k Armor Gold, the watch benefits from a proprietary alloy with significantly enhanced hardness compared to conventional gold. Introduced as part of the evolved Portugieser design language, this reference features an Obsidian coloured dial created through an intricate 60 step process, including the application of fifteen layers of transparent lacquer that deliver remarkable depth and a near three dimensional visual effect. Gold plated hands and solid gold appliques complement the rich dial tone, while a black Santoni alligator leather strap with an 18 carat Armor Gold folding clasp completes the ensemble. At 6 o’clock, a state of the art flying minute tourbillon composed of 56 parts and weighing just 0.675 grams performs a full rotation every minute and includes a tourbillon stop for precise time setting. Additional complications include a retrograde date display at 9 o’clock and a flyback chronograph with combined hour and minute totaliser at 12 o’clock. Powering the watch is the IWC manufactured calibre 89900 with 375 components, a solid gold oscillating mass, a 68 hour power reserve and refined finishes visible through the sapphire caseback
Price – Rs. 2 crore (approx.)
Roger Dubuis Hommage La Placide
Unveiled to mark the Maison’s 30th anniversary, Hommage La Placide is an emotive tribute that bridges past and present while honouring the enduring spirit of Roger Dubuis. At its heart lies the RD1472 calibre offering a 48-hour power reserve, a reimagined in house movement developed to the highest standards of Genevan excellence, uniting a perpetual calendar with an elegant biretrograde display in a technically and aesthetically harmonious composition. This sophisticated calibre reflects Mr Roger Dubuis’ lifelong passion for expressive high watchmaking, blending mechanical mastery with poetic design. Inspired by the tranquil waters of Lake Geneva, the dial is finished in a distinctive Leman Blue shade that recalls the formative years of the founder’s watchmaking journey. Crafted through a meticulous process involving five layers of deep lacquer, the dial reveals remarkable depth, light and texture, creating a landscape that evolves with every glance. This 38mm pink gold timepiece gets a minute railway track on the outer periphery of the dial, month indicator with leap year markings at 12 o’clock, retrograde date indicator at 3 o’clock, retrograde day of the week at 9o’clock, and a moonphase at 6 o’clock.
Price – Rs. 1.5 crore (approx.)
De Bethune DB Kind Of Two GMT
The De Bethune DB Kind of Two GMT is a remarkable expression of duality, uniting two distinct identities within a single, meticulously engineered timepiece. Crafted in polished grade five titanium, the 43.3 millimetre case features patented floating lugs and an ingenious turning mechanism that allows the watch to be worn with either dial facing outward, transforming both its aesthetic and functional character. Measuring just 11.4 millimetres thick, the watch remains elegantly proportioned despite its technical ambition. Powering both faces is a single manual winding calibre offering a 4-day power reserve delivered by De Bethune’s self regulating twin barrel system. The movement showcases a titanium balance wheel with white gold inserts for thermal stability, a patented flat terminal balance spring, a silicon escape wheel and the brand’s signature dead beat seconds. One side presents a refined display with silver hour and minute rings accented by blued details and polished titanium hands, while the reverse guilloche centre, convex architecture and hand polished rose gold hands. A jumping seconds display and independently adjustable second time zone complete the composition, making the DB Kind of Two GMT a masterclass in mechanical freedom, functional clarity and horological perfection.
Price – Rs. 2 crore (approx.)
