Pricey options

Top brands offer watches that are set well into the six-figure category.

On average Dh500 watch may serve the mere mortals who buy a watch to simply tell the time but for those who want something a little extra there are numerous extravagant options. Many top brands offer watches that are set well into the six-figure category.

If Dh700,000 is within your price range the men's category has lots to offer. Intricate designs include chronograph functions for time laps, moon phase, indicators for tracking of the lunar pie and perpetual calendar functions that track days, months and years.

The Grande Complication by Jean Dunand is loaded with complexity. The timepiece has a split-second chronograph, split-second hand isolator, mono-pusher, minute repeater, bi-retrograde, tourbillon, perpetual calendar and even a see-through sapphire back signed by its creator Christophe Claret. The Grande Complication lives up to its name — it's complicated.

As one of the most expensive watches in the world, with only a limited edition of six —three in 18-carat rose gold, two in 18-carat white gold and one in platinum, the Grande Complication ranges from $700,000 (Dh2.5 million) to $800,000 (Dh2.9 million) per piece.

While men's mechanical watches are loaded with grand complications, ladies watches are dripping with jewels.

Premier designers, including Patek Phillippe, Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet and Girard Perregaux, supply watches in the price range of about $200,000 (Dh734,540).

In a bid to outdo each other, Swiss watchmakers add more and more features to fine timepieces. Features range from power reserve indicators that alert you when your watch needs rewinding or multiple time zones that make life easier for travellers.

Like most features at the priciest level, it's convenient, unnecessary and totally cool.

The Tour De L'lle by Swiss watchmaker Vacheron Constantin marked the watchmaker's 250th anniversary in 2005. The watch has 834 separate pieces and 16 complications and indications inside, including tourbillon device, power reserve, striking-mechanism, torque, moon phase, sunrise and sunset time, perpetual calendar, sky chart and more. Only seven were produced, and it can be yours for the bargain price of $1.5 million (Dh5.5 million). Their designs are as timeless, complex and remarkable as they come.

Based in the UAE, Damas provides various premier branded watches, ranging from Vacheron Constantin, Ulysse Nardin to Corum and Montega to designer names such as Chanel and Tag Heuer. According to Damas representatives, fine timepieces range from Dh18,000 to Dh6 million. Brands from Montega range from Dh5,000 to Dh2.2 million.

Haissam Chamsine, Vice President of BinHendi Watches and Jewellery, explains what the high-end products have to offer and why they are the most desirable pieces in the industry. "Jacob & Co has the Quenttin with a 31-day power reserve (744 hours), supplied by the energy of seven barrels and displayed through vertical rolls. Priced at Dh1.6 million, it is one of the most exclusive complication watches we sell," says Chamsine.

The Quenttin also boasts vertical mechanical movement with manual winding escapement and incorporates a Swiss anchor mounted in a tourbillon cage that is suspended without roller bearings and is positioned vertically. It winds with an integrated key, external hand key or can be motorised in the box. It is a limited edition with only 18 pieces available in rose gold.

"We usually sell these expensive pieces to watch collectors. Jacob & Co also has the Royal Baguette. It is one of the largest diamond-set pieces we have and has five time zones. This is a very popular piece — we have sold two, both costing Dh4 million each. The watch is heavily priced because of its large jewels," say Chamsine.

The Five Time Zone Watch — Royal Watch is a limited edition, presented in 18-carat white gold. It has 329 baguette and five rose cut diamonds (on crowns). The bracelet has an impressive 224 baguette diamonds.

In today's market, the most expensive wristwatches are advertised by the beautiful and handsome Hollywood and Bollywood stars and, quite frankly, it's only they who can really afford them.