The ultimate sign of sophistication is buying one of the most expensive IWC watches. Every person in the world wants to be respected and appreciated for what he has. In today’s materialistic world, a man’s possessions can often mean everything. The respect of a man passing you by can be raised exponentially by how he dresses and what he wears, which includes an elegant watch on his wrist. Of course, most quality watches aren’t cheap, but many are worth the price.
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This is where the International Watch Company comes in. Established back in the 1860s in Switzerland by an American known as Florentine Jones, one century and a half old company provides luxurious watches that only the super rich can afford. The American aimed to combine the absolute mastery of craftsmanship by the Swiss with the technology developed in the United States and create a set of superior quality, unrivaled watches. While initially, hesitation was expressed by the Swiss, mainly due to the fact that watchmakers worked at home while Jones aimed to open a factory there; this was allayed when Jones met with industrialist and watchmaker Johann Heinrich Moser, and the two then made plans that led to them becoming the sole manufacturers of watches in the Northeast of Switzerland.
The Swiss company has also focused on ensuring that the watches can easily be repaired and that replacement material is always available. In fact, the company still claims that it has the ability as well as the material necessary in order to repair any watch that the company has made since 1868, which is an incredible feat, if true.
These watches exude a class that can be matched by few other companies. In fact, maybe the 6 most expensive Jaeger Lecoultre watches are the only watches that can compete with IWC. However, even though most, if not all, IWC watches are an item of luxury, their top watches are a class unto themselves. These are not watches that can be afforded by mere mortals. Some of these watches cost as much as an expensive home. Other watches cost even more. You could buy a Mercedez or even a Ferrari for the price of some of these watches. Hence, we ranked the IWC watches according to their exorbitant price tag in order to be able to judge the best IWC watches available. We browsed through auctions held by Sothebys and Christies while also scouring reputed websites such as Bloomberg in order to determine our list. We collected all the expensive watches we found on these auction websites and ranked them according to their price. Most of the watches mentioned in this list are exclusives, with their rarity adding to their value. With this in mind, here are the most expensive IWC watches, according to our sources:
16. IWC Grande Compilation
Purchase price of watch: $115,000
This ostentatious watch has over 60 jewels present while also being made completely from platinum. Only 50 such watches were produced in total and hence, this has led to a huge increase in the price of the watch, which still pales in comparison to some of the other incredible watches present in this list. You can learn more about the watch here.
15. IWC Grande Compilation
Purchase price of watch: $116,000
This Grande Compilation wristwatch has a host of features, which include the watch exhibiting the phases of the moon, a leap year indicator and a perpetual calendar. Of course, the reason behind the exorbitant price is that the watch is made entirely out of platinum while also being encrusted with an astounding 65 jewels. For more information regarding the watch, you can access this page.
14. IWC Tourbillon Destriero Scafusia
Purchase price of watch: $121,000
This extremely rare watch is one of only 125 ever made by the International Watch Company to celebrate its 125th anniversary. In addition to the platinum watch, it comes with a platinum case as well, while for further information, you can go here.
13. IWC Grande Compilation
Purchase price of watch: $126,000
Another Grande Compilation watch makes the list which boasts all the features mentioned in the previous entry. Of course, it barely needs to be said that not only is the watch made entirely out of platinum while being encrusted with 68 jewels, it is also an extremely rare and limited edition watch, hence accounting for its high price. You can view more information about the watch here.
12. IWC Tourbillon wristwatch
Purchase price of watch: $126,700
It goes without saying that this watch is extremely rare and one of a kind. It as a perpetual repeating calendar and also has a feature which allows you to notice the phases of the moon. In addition, apart from being made from platinum, it features 76 jewels in the watch as well. Please visit this page for more information regarding the features of the watch.
11. IWC Grande Compilation wristwatch
Purchase price of watch: $131,000
This platinum watch managed to fetch top dollar at a Christie’s auction, becaus it contains 68 jewels, a nickel-finished lever and 4 secondary dials which can tell you the date, months, and even seconds along with the phases of the moon as well. It further has a platinum clasp as well, which only adds to its already extremely high price.
10. IWC Tourbillon wristwatch
Purchase price of watch: $135,000
An oversized watch featuring an 18K gold display case is what made this limited edition literally worth its weight in gold. Even the buckle of the watch is made from 18K gold, while the display is made from sapphire. The watch also bears an incredible 76 jewels, all of which together make it one of the most expensive IWC watches in the world. To know more about this watch, you can visit this page.
9. IWC Tourbillon wristwatch
Purchase price of watch: $138,000
This pink gold special edition beauty has been made out of 18K gold. The watch is finely engraved as well while featuring a three armed titanium carriage, as well as 76 jewels, explaining the reasoning behind its astronomical price. Meanwhile, the display of the watch is made out of sapphire, showing that no expense has been spared in the making of this exclusive watch. For more information, you can go to this page.
8. IWC Tourbillon wristwatch
Purchase price of watch: $163,000
This pink gold IWC Tourbillon wristwatch is one of a kind and is even resistant to extreme levels of heat and cold. Meanwhile, its rarity simply adds to its price as well. This watch also contains an 18K gold buckle, while it boasts 76 jewels as well. You can find out more about it here.
7. IWC Tourbillon wristwatch
Purchase price of watch: $192,000
With only 125 such watches ever produced, its rarity has ensured that its price will always remain extremely high. Made manually and from 18K gold, this watch has 76 jewels and an 18k gold buckle as well, while more information about the watch can be gleaned here.
6. IWC Tourbillon Destriero Scafusia
Purchase price of watch: $215,000
This watch was one of the 125 watches made in the period 1993-2001, in order to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the International Watch Company, its producer. With nearly two dozen functions and over 700 parts, this watch is considered to be the most complicated and technical watch of the 125 produced. For more information, you can visit this page.
5. IWC Tourbillon Destriero Scafusia
Purchase price of watch: $220,000
This watch is also part of the 125 watches made to mark the 125th anniversary of the International Watch Company and has all the features of the previous watch. To learn more about this watch, you can click here.
4. IWC Tourbillon Destriero Scafusia
Purchase price of watch: $242,500
Most of the watches in this list are from the 125 exclusive watches made to mark the International Watch Company’s 125th anniversary and this is no exception. The reason this is more expensive than its predecessors is because of the fact that it is made out of platinum. You can find out more here.
3. IWC Tourbillon Destriero Scafusia
Purchase price of watch: $250,000
We weren’t kidding when we said most of the watches in this list were from the 125 watches produced for the 125th anniversary of the International Watch Company. Not only does it also have all the features of the Destriero Scafusia watches mentioned earlier, it also has an internal slider which you can replace in 2199, after which the watch will run without any requirements for rewinding until 2499. You can learn more here.
2. IWC Grande Compilation
Purchase price of watch: $318,000
Launched around 20 years ago, the watch with its platinum case and bracelet costs a staggering $318,000 and features a permanent calendar in addition to moon phases and a minute repeater as well. You can learn more about this watch here.
1. IWC Tourbillon wristwatch
Purchase price of watch: $328,000
The most expensive IWC watch ever made, the IWC Tourbillon wristwatch sold for an incredible $328,000 at a Christie’s auction. In addition to being made entirely out of platinum, this watch also features 76 jewels, a whole host of functions, the details of which can be viewed here. Furthermore, the watch comes with a platinum buckle, further enhancing the aura cast by this incredible example of man’s ability to craft the most intricate and beautiful designs.
