In the world of horology, where precision meets craftsmanship, there exists a realm reserved for the truly exceptional. Beyond the ordinary, beyond the attainable, lie timepieces that defy convention and redefine luxury. In this feature, we highlight exclusive watches that retail for over USD 1 million. These horological masterpieces are not merely instruments to measure time; they are expressions of artistry, innovation, and heritage, each bearing a price tag that mirrors their unparalleled rarity and beauty.
Bulgari Giardino Marino Grande – USD 2,979,000
Inspired by Bulgari’s Mediterranean roots, the Giardino Marino Grande High Jewellery Secret Watch in 18 kt rose and white gold is an ode to the vibrant marine life and the rich nature of Southern Italy. Full of dynamism and movement, the flexible timepiece is made of gold starfish, anemones, corals and shells set with diamonds, emeralds, blue and pink sapphires, Paraiba, green and pink tourmalines, tanzanites, mandarin garnets, rubellites, peridots and rock crystals. Powered by the in-house micro-calibre Piccolissimo, one of the smallest mechanical movements to date, the watch hides a precious treasure: two detachable elements that can be worn as earrings. With over a year and a half in development and 3,850 hours of skilled work, this stunning creation displaying Bulgari’s unparalleled jewellery mastery is truly one-of-a-kind.
Giardino Marino Grande High Jewellery Secret Watch with Piccolissimo mechanical manufacture micro-movement, manual winding (2.5 mm thick), 30-hour power reserve and 21’600 Vph (3Hz) frequency, 18 kt rose and white gold case and bracelet set with diamonds, emeralds, blue and pink sapphires, Paraiba tourmalines, tanzanites, green and pink tourmalines, mandarin garnets, rubellites, peridots and rock crystals, and snow-set diamond dial. Detachable elements to be worn as earrings.
Piaget Limelight Aura High Jewelry – USD 1,630,000
Taking center stage in the stunning diamond high jewelry category, the Limelight Aura High Jewelry watch features a case in rhodium finish 18K white gold set with 26 emerald-cut diamonds (approx. 8.8 ct) and 14 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 0.8 ct). The exquisite dial is set with 52 emerald-cut diamonds (approx. 4.8 cts) and the bracelet in rhodium finish 18K white gold set with 210 emerald-cut diamonds (approx. 44.6 cts). The Limelight Aura High Jewelry watch features Manufacture 430P ultra-thin hand-wound mechanical movement.
Jacob & Co The Mystery Tourbillon Black Spinel and Rose Gold – Over USD 1,000,000
Mystery watches, timepieces where the time indications seem to be floating over the dial, are part of the grand history of watchmaking, going back more than 100 years. It should come as no surprise high watchmaking and diamond jewelry house Jacob & Co. has brought the mystery back with a contemporary high watchmaking and high jewelry twist.
The Mystery Tourbillon combines high watchmaking, a world first with two linked central, back-to-back triple axis tourbillons, with high jewelry, as the case is invisibly set with baguette hexagonal black spinel and the dial is set with hexagonal, “overlapping” black spinel. The sophisticated and ground-breaking Mystery was more than one year in development.
