The most expensive watch in the world currently on sale is the ‘Graff Hallucination’, with a rather hefty price tag of $55 million. Introduced by Graff Diamonds in 2014, this masterpiece remains unmatched in luxury and craftsmanship to this day. The Hallucination is completely covered in over 110 carats of rare, colourful diamonds, including pink, yellow, blue and green, all hand-selected. The dial itself is small and simple, but surrounded by a spectacular rainbow of gemstones, making the watch more of a work of art than a traditional timepiece. A matter of taste, but we wouldn't want to be associated with it. Kitsch of the highest order.
The ‘Graff Hallucination’ is a pure sample of extravagance and kitsch, created for the super-rich who are looking for a statement piece that shows not only their wealth, but also their sense of exclusive beauty, if you like, bad taste. Laurence Graff, the founder of the jewellery house, personally supervised the selection of the diamonds, adding to the mystique and prestige of this particular piece of jewellery. But does it also perform well? Although the Hallucination stands out primarily for its design, technology plays a secondary role; the focus here is entirely on the visual splendour and value of the gemstones. Still, the watch is equipped with a reliable quartz movement, which ensures daily accuracy, although it is unlikely to be worn often given its value.
We prefer to go for the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, another precious piece currently available, with a price tag of around $33 million. This watch is a technical marvel with 20 complications, including a minute repeater and a calendar that can predict the year for the next century. Just a little saving left.
