Everyone likes to stand out by being different in some way. Whether it’s by having a quirky personality, an interesting hobby, or owning a unique object. As far as objects go, watches are pretty mundane. But not these.
All of these watches are distinctive and special in their own way. Meet some of the world’s most unusual watches
1. The Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication
This watch is so unique, the only competition it has is itself. The Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication beat its own record in 2015, again becoming the most expensive watch to sell at an auction. The price? Only $24.4 million or just a little under £21.5 million pounds.
It’s easy to see why. The watch took its creator three years to research and five years to build. The watch carries out 24 functions, making it the most complicated watch ever built. So much so in fact that only one was ever built.
What does this watch do? Among some of its complications are a celestial map and sunrise and sunset indications. This watch works so well, the last time it was wound was in 1969.
2. The Christophe Claret X-TREM-1
This is one of the more unusual-looking watches on our list. Its creator likes working with titanium, steel, and platinum, giving the finished watches a spare, modern look described as “steampunk” on the Christophe Claret website.
The watch features an angled tourbillon and a transparent watch face that features an unconnected hours-minute mechanism. The time is displayed and read on the left and right sides of the watch. Do you want one of these? Be prepared to pay almost a quarter of a million pounds.
3. The Cartier Crash Skeleton
If you see this watch on someone’s wrist, the first thing you are likely to ask the owner is if it was squished between something.
The watch was inspired by another that made it through a car crash and got sent back to Cartier in 1967. The artistry of this watch lies in its skeletonised design and surrealist, melted-looking shape.
The price though is not roadkill. You can have one at a cool £57,000 pounds.
4. The MB&F Space Pirate
This watch is excellent for people who love space and a watch that looks as though it’s about to blast off into it.
The case, which is usually made of titanium, stainless steel, or rose gold depending on the edition, features five bulging “eyes” two of which hold the watch’s hour and minute function. At the centre, the eye is a sketelonised display of the hour-minute mechanism.
How much to make the space on your wrist the final frontier? If you want this watch, be prepared to pay £170,000 pounds.
5. The Uwerk UR series
It’s said that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but could they be a watch’s? Members of the Uwerk UR series are coated in DLC, or diamond like carbon.
This coating is only micrometers thick but conveys the hardness and scratch resistance of a diamond as well as a deep black colour. This watch is a movie star and has been worn by Robert Downey Jr.’s character, Tony Stark.
If you want to be a superhero too, be prepared to shell out over £90,000 pounds for a timepiece in this series.
6. H. Moser & Cie Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon
A watch with a striking design, the first thing you notice about it is the deep, icy blue watch face. This watch is a collaboration between H. Mosier & Cie and another manufacturer featured on our list, MB&F.
It also has a three-dimensional cylindrical tourbillon and a skeletonised hour-minute feature that takes up only a quarter of the watch face.
Have an unusual timepiece that you’d like us to have a look at? We can help with watch valuations and watch repairs and we’d be delighted to see you. Call +44 141 946 6333 to make an appointment.