10 of the Most Expensive Watches on the Market

It's fun to take a look at some pictures of the most expensive watches available, whether you are in the market to purchase one or want to see what the upper class is wearing these days.

There are many styles from which to choose -- watches for men, watches for ladies, and even a few unique watches you might not have seen or heard of before. Get an idea of some of the top-priced watches around the world.

With origins dating back to 1735, Blancpain has a long history of innovative, prestigious watches. The company considers watchmaking an art, as well as a science.

These watches come in three different collections: Villeret, Fifty Fathoms, and Métiers d'Art. However, if you're looking to buy one of these luxury watches, prices vary by piece. For example, the Fifty Fathoms Automatique costs $15,700, while the Villeret Carrousel Repetition Minutes costs $514,000. It all depends on the uniqueness of the piece you're looking to purchase.

A household name among luxury Swiss watches, Rolex offers various designs and styles for both men and women. The Rolex styles are broken down into classic and professional designs. The cost of a Rolex depends on the style. One of the more expensive Rolex watches includes the GMT Master II Ice starting at $480,000. The attention to detail, craftsmanship, and popularity of Rolex keeps their price points higher.

Known for their wristwatches and writing instruments, Ulysse Nardin started producing their luxury watches in 1846. Using a handcrafted, distinctive style for their products, Ulysse Nardin offers Marine, Diver, Freak, Executive, and Classico collections. Ulysse Nardin watches start at $6,500 but can cost as much as $455,000. The collections can feature rubber and leather straps, and many are water-resistant.

You can't have an article featuring expensive watches without discussing Cartier watches. One of the most iconic watch brands, Cartier features an array of distinguished styles worn by celebrities and millionaires. Their high-end materials and use of Roman numerals make this brand that started in 1847 stand out. Cartier has a variety of styles for men and women, including the Ballon Bleu de Cartier and Pasha de Cartier. Prices for a Cartier watch range from $500 to $50,000.

Audemars Piguet is one of the top luxury watch brands started by Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet in 1875. A top Swiss watch brand, Audemars Piguet uses a mix of precious metals and leather to create their one-of-a-kind timepieces. Some of the most expensive watches in their repertoire are found in the Royal Oak collection. One of their distinguished pieces is the Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph, which features 18-carat pink gold bracelet and costs $63,600.

The Franck Muller Cintrée Curvex Vegas 18 karat white gold and diamond watch for men retails for an incredible $54,500. Needless to say, this isn't a watch with a price tag for the faint of heart. However, if you are in the market for a highly efficient and ultra-gorgeous time-keeping device, this Franck Muller consistently gets five stars.

The history of your luxury watch matters. This is probably one reason that one of the oldest manufacturers, Vacheron Constantin, is on this list.

Founded in 1755, Vacheron Constantin is known for their precise details and styles through collections like Patrimony, Traditionnelle, Fiftysix, Overseas, and Heures Creatives, among others. While they have watches available costing several million dollars, the more affordable Traditionelle Manual has a price tag of $61,500.

Ebel is a swiss watch company featuring multiple styles of men's and women's watches. From basic designs to those featuring diamonds, you can find whatever you are looking for.

The basic Ebel collections include the Sport Classic, Wave, Discovery, Brasilia, and Beluga. Ebel watches range from about $1,500 to $21,000. The Beluga Round comes with 40 diamonds and 18K 3N yellow gold and a price of $21,900.

When it comes to Swiss luxury watches, IWC Schaffhausen knows what they are doing. A top name in luxury watches since 1868, IWC Schaffhausen has multiple styles to suit any buyer. The different collections include Pilot's watches, Portugieser, Portofino, Ingenieur, Jubilee Collection, Da Vinci, and Aquatimer. Each different style has a distinct price point. For example, the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph costs $30,000, while the Pilot's watches start at $4,000.

Concord watches come in a variety of price points, making them more affordable than some brands. For example, the men's Saratoga watch ranges from $2,000 to $5,000, which falls into the sports luxury watch category. Additionally, the women's style Impresario costs over $6,000. This watch can be a perfect accessory for a large event or wedding. Concord's Swiss watch company features an array of designs and price points.

There are a lot of different expensive watches out there. Many are crafted by true artisans in the field and top-quality metals, gems, and leather. When it comes to luxury watches, there is a style and design for every personality. Whether you want a more vintage style or a professional appeal, you are only limited by your imagination and funds.