Time to be Amazed: Graff to Unveil Most Expensive Watch in History – the Hallucination

March 27th, 2014 by Noam Flint

For centuries, people have been wearing timepieces not only for practical purposes, but also to make a fashion statement. While endlessly different styles have emerged over the years, there are some that stand out among the rest.

The most striking watches combine exceptional craftsmanship with bold features and a timeless design. Moreover, these pieces are made to last throughout the years.

Regardless of how many elegant options you’ve seen throughout the years, nothing you’ve worn on your wrist is quite like the “Hallucination” timepiece from Graff Diamonds. Rapaport reported that this ultra-rare $55 million dollar multi-diamond watch may break a new record. More specifically, Graff has said it may be the most valuable watch ever made. One thing is for certain: No one will be looking at it to merely check the time. Featuring 110 carats worth of colored diamonds, this piece is sure to stun anyone that lays eyes on it.

The Graff Hallucination is a sculptural masterpiece; a celebration of the miracle of colored diamonds. For many years I have thought about creating a truly remarkable watch that illustrates our all consuming passion for diamonds. The Hallucination has made my diamond dream a reality.”

Said chairman Laurence Graff, as quoted by Rapaport

The timepiece will be on display at BaselWorld in Switzerland, a watch and jewelry trade show from March 27 to April 3.

A dazzling past

This isn’t the first time Graff Diamonds has leveraged the visual power of colored diamonds for a truly unique accessory. To celebrate the company’s 60th anniversary last fall, the brand launched a campaign inspired by the 1970 “Hair & Jewel” ad featuring a model wearing $500 million worth of rare and valuable diamonds set in highly unusual pieces, such as a butterfly brooch with a 33.11-carat D Flawless diamond, a 10.47-carat fancy vivid blue diamond briolette pendant and a 52.73-carat yellow diamond ring. Not unlike the original campaign, this ad – as well as the striking jewels showcased – made the brand stand out among the rest.

Additionally, almost exactly one year ago the brand revealed a jaw-dropping $100 million diamond peacock brooch at the TEFAF art fair in Maastricht, Netherlands. Forbes noted that according to Graff, the 20.02-carat fancy pear shaped diamond in the center is one of the rarest blue diamonds in the world. The piece contained 120.81 carats of colored diamonds in total. Blue, yellow and orange diamonds were set inside the bird’s tail feathers, with white diamonds around the tips of them. The brooch also came with an extra clasp in the back that allows the wearer to fashion and remove the blue diamond centerpiece in two different ways.