PodcastsJan 12, 2026
The latest poscasttest
AuctionsFeb 07, 2016
‘Holy Grail’ of watches garners $24M
The Henry Graves Supercomplication, the most complicated watch ever made entirely by human hand, cemented its status as the most valuable watch in auction history when it sold for $24 million at Sotheby’s Geneva Tuesday.
Geneva--The Henry Graves Supercomplication, the most complicated watch ever made entirely by human hand, cemented its status as the most valuable watch in auction history when it sold for $24 million at Sotheby’s Geneva Tuesday.
Sotheby’s said that five bidders competed for the Patek Philippe-made watch for 15 minutes before it sold to a private unnamed buyer.
With a total of 24 horological complications, the “Henry Graves Supercomplication” clockwatch is “the most famous watch in the world,” Sotheby’s said, also referring to it as the “Holy Grail” of watches.
In 1925, prominent New York banker Henry Graves commissioned Patek Philippe to produce the most complicated watch in the world.
After years of research and effort, the Swiss watch company produced the Supercomplication in 1932.
The gold open-face minute-repeating chronograph clockwatch features Westminster chimes, as well as a perpetual calendar, moon phases, sidereal time, power reserve and indications for time of sunset and sunrise, as well as an illustration of New York’s night sky.
It retained the title of the world’s most complicated watch for 56 years but, eventually, lost that title to watches produced by technicians working with the aid of computer-assisted machines.
It still remains, however, the most complicated watch ever made completely by hand.
The watch was first sold in 1999 as part of Sotheby’s New York’s Time Museum sale, where it garnered $11 million and became the most expensive timepiece ever sold at auction.
On Tuesday, the Supercomplication went up for sale again as part of Sotheby’s Geneva’s Important Watches sale, which totaled $32.6 million.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s LifeCommercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Is Current Diamond Industry Turbulence Shaping a ‘New Normal’? Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is OutThe first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.
WatchesOct 04, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Clocks Another Acquisition—HodinkeeThe company said Benjamin Clymer will return to his role as head of the watch news website, which will maintain editorial independence.
