15 Vintage Watches That Are Worth a Pretty Penny

It can be difficult to earn extra income, but unknown treasures you already own could yield some good results. 

Vintage luxury watches are a big market, so sifting through your old jewelry box, asking your relatives about their timepieces, and lurking around thrift shops could make you some money.

Read on to learn more about 15 of the most expensive vintage watches around.

Patek Philippe manufactured the 3974 in 1989. This wristwatch has a pretty complicated setup, and has time of day, perpetual calendar, and moon phase displays on it.

It even indicates leap years on its sleek display, with a beautiful design featured on the lower center part of the face. In 2022, one of these timepieces went for $2.5 million at auction.

There are only four known copies of this incredible steel-banded watch, which was the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch introduced to the market.

The Patek Philippe 1518 is considered the most expensive watch in the world and went for a jaw-dropping $11,136,642 at auction after a heated war between seven bidders.

Speedmasters made in the 1950s and 1960s were built with aviation and motorsports in mind. In 1965, these watches became an official partner with NASA, and an ST105.012 was on Buzz Aldrin’s wrist when he landed on the moon.

There’s currently a used 1962 Omega Speedmaster listed on eBay for $39,000.

The last Emperor of Vietnam — who ruled from 1926 to 1945 — once requested the rarest Rolex ever in production. This gorgeous diamond-encrusted timepiece has a black band and face, with gold details and framing.

It features a moon and stars on the seconds clock. In May 2017, this watch went for what would be over $5,400,000 today at the world-renowned Geneva Watch Auction.

Only 12 Rolex 4113 models were manufactured, making it one of the rarest watches ever made. It's the only split-second chronograph Rolex ever released. 

While you won’t find them out and about, one of these watches went for $1.17 million in 2011, though it's currently valued at more than $2.4 million.

This model of Vacheron Constantin has only ever been brought to auction once, so it is unknown how many copies were made during its nine years in production.

This white gold chronometer watch has center-set seconds and long lugs, which make it striking as a timepiece. It was sold for today’s equivalent of around $133,500.

This watch was launched in 1963 and gained popularity after Paul Newman was seen wearing it out and about during his racing career. The contrasting colors and funky dial design were just two features that drew people to it.

Newman’s personal namesake Rolex was sold for $17.75 million by Phillips Auction House in 2017. Similar models can go for $90,000 or more.

Renowned watch designer Gerald Genta created the Royal Oak A-Series watch, which features an octagonal face and exposed screws.

It’s a luxury watch that uses stainless steel instead of precious metals, which helps to expand the capabilities of a “sports” watch. A 5402SA model is currently listed for $59,000.

If you have a watch from Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso that was released in the year 1950 or earlier, you may be able to get a pretty penny for it.

During World War II, the British Army used the Reverso in battle because of its durability. Models like the Classique, Duo, and Tribute Calendar can go for over $65,000. One is currently up on eBay for $29,000.

In 1961, Patek Philippe released the 3430, a square-faced evening watch with a simplistic, linear design featuring Geneve stripes. Per French rules, the solid yellow gold case and the back of the timepiece are signed.

You can currently score a gently used one with a brand-new leather band for $7,459 online.

In 1967, prestigious watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen released the 18K gold Swiss Gents timepiece.

The case displays an extra large, clean watch face and the famous axe lugs logo, and this model has a Swiss 89 manual wind caliber. There’s one listed online for $5,839.

If IWC Schaffhausen is thrilled with the value of their 1967 Swiss Gents model, their original 1961 model looks to be worth around the same amount.

This rose gold version has a linear design, is extra large, and was manufactured with a solid gold mesh bracelet. A used original, in tact, is available for $5,378.

This timepiece is set in a solid gold, signed case, housing a 10-200 classic 1950s manual wind caliber. One with its original, rare, 18k gold Guy Freres bracelet band is currently listed for $14,390.

Vacheron Constantin has been around since 1755, so the watchmaker was going to make multiple appearances on this list. This Swiss-made, yellow gold-on-gold wristwatch has a 34-mm face, brushed finish, and beautiful bracelet band.

There are several listed online for up to $42,000.

DuMarko’s Swiss Universal Geneve watch was manufactured in the 1960s, and features a 30mm-wide case in 18K white gold. The chain link bracelet is a smooth, slender and sophisticated addition to the clean watch face.

You can get an authentic one for $3,560 through DuMarko.

While it’s unlikely you’ll have a Bao Dai Rolex lying around, you could get ahead financially by checking your jewelry box or that thrift store down the street.

Don’t discount family heirlooms, and ensure your items are assessed by trusted professionals.