Top watches of 2021 above $20k (Part 2)

To finish off the list of our favourite 2021 releases by budget, we’re going beyond the notion of affordability, and even beyond attainability. Whether or not you have half a million dollars to drop on a watch, doesn’t necessarily guarantee that you will be able to get one, and that just makes the prospect all the more tantalising. These are the watches that can quite easily end up haunting your dreams, so you know that if you see one and you’ve got the cash, don’t hesitate for a single moment.

Rolex Daytona Meteorite

2021 gave us a lot of surprises from Rolex, but one of the most shocking was a white-gold Daytona complete with a silvery-grey meteorite dial. It’s a material that’s been used in many microbrand watches, but set in a luxury context the jagged criss-crosses of mysterious metals have a beguiling appeal beneath the five-pointed crown. Attached to Oysterflex rubber, the monochromatic colour scheme just works perfectly.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon

This intriguing Royal Oak reference is a welcome evolution of the line in a subtle way, with the iconic and extremely wearable 41mm case remaining unchanged, yet the dial appearing surprisingly refreshing. Instead of the classic waffle dial, the Tapisserie has been morphed into a sunburst emanating from the flying tourbillon complication at 6 o’clock, and a fumé effect added around the peripheries of the dial. If you love the Royal Oak but want something unique, this is for you.

Cartier Mechanical Legends Crash Skeleton

Cartier’s Crash has always been one of their most elusive and beguiling case shapes, supposedly inspired by a deformed watch which survived a fiery car accident in late ‘60s London. In this Mechanical Legends edition, the skeletonised dial accentuates the molten style with the negative spaces creating morphed Roman numerals, also allowing the owner to see how the movement has been arranged to fit the strange shape. It’s definitely not the most legible watch out there, but it is intriguing.

Louis Vuitton Tambour Carpe Diem

The Tambour Carpe Diem is nothing short of artwork from Louis Vuitton, showing excellence in multiple craft disciplines and culminating in an exotic, gothic, and exciting half-million dollar watch. With the three dimensional and animated skull, snake, and hourglass on the dial aside, this delightfully dark watch boasts complications such as a jump-hour, retrograde minutes, and a minute repeater. The longer you stare at it, the more it pulls you in.

IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL

As perhaps the first modern pilot’s watch to be engineered for genuine modern pilots, the Shock Absorber XPL’s entire existence is based around the task of not only surviving a nasty knock against a jet’s cockpit, but also being scratch-free. The SPRIN-g PROTECT system isolates the movement from the case, able to sustain g-forces of up to and over 30,000. Paired with the Ceratanium case, this ultra-innovative limited production should remain as spotless as new forever.

Hublot Big Bang Integral Ceramic

The Big Bang Integral is purely and simply a masterclass in materials, as the simple and understated (for an Hublot) case shape meets the sleek, clever bracelet to display as much ceramic as possible. Available in white, blue, or grey, the variety brushed and polished surfaces allows the material to show the different effects it can have, from militant sportiness to fluid glossiness. Complete with the HUB1280 UNICO flyback chronograph movement, it’s truly a special watch.

Zenith DEFY El Primero 21 Felipe Panatone Edition

Felipe Panatone is one of the most prolific contemporary artists focusing on bold graffiti-like colours and greyscale optical patterns that boggle and excite the eye, so it makes perfect sense that his signature DEFY El Primero 21 from Zenith is one of the most exciting-looking releases we’ve seen. Covered in geometric intricacy, the hands, indices and some movement components really pop off the dial with a yellow-blue gradient reminiscent of heat treatment.

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[johnmcgill]

Am wearing a Breitling Premier Heritage B09 Chronograph, pistachio dial. Hoping to get a Glashütte Original PanoMaticLunar in red gold, which costs about $18, 000 USD.

[uptheorg]

Great list -- all beautiful watches. For me, I was fortunate enough to have a big increase in my budget this past year and bought several pre-owned pieces that cost north of $20k USD. The one I am wearing today is the Patek Phillippe annual calendar 5205g-013 (white gold blue dial) -- I know this one came out before last year, but it is one of the prettiest and most comfortable Pateks in their catalog.

[ulrichk]

Love to see the Daytona Meteorite Oysterflex featured - I just happen to be wearing the RG version. Also, agree with the shift towards Cartier pieces. I got 2 Cintrees and 2 Cloches in 2021, love them all.

[gianpakasa]

Finally a Rolex that isn't the usual Rolex. Second best is hard to say : Zenith colours and Hublot shapes?

[andersjensen]

I believe the Piaget Polo Skeleton came out in 2021 - that would be on my list and the Patek 6119R is just a future classic

[barfymann]

The Shock Absorber IWC being swung by Toto Wolff as he smashes his Boss Headsets are exactly the kind of advertisement they need, haha. That race was insanity, and then the Abu Dhabi GP nearly started WW3.

[nathanbee]

Enjoyed these video's immensely - breath of fresh air not seeing video after video of Rolex only as other channels seem to do!

[ToolwatchBoutique]

From this list, I'd definitely choose the Zenith. What an amazing looking watch!

Today wearing my IWC Mark XVIII with the white dial.

[blurryn]

Wearing my girard-perregaux laureato infinity edition, the onyx dial is really amazing to look at!

[melspinella]

Great video Andrew - such excellent choices (except for the Hublot : ) - that LV Tambour Carpe Diem (which I think is US$459k) is literally to die for (pun intended). Nice to spend a few minutes dreaming. On my wrist is the amazing Doxa Sub 600T Pacific Blue - thanks for bringing this one to life - such an incredibly cool watch!

[matgorelsp]

My pick would definitely be the IWC
still wearing my Victorinox infantry mechanical chronograph. These videos have been great.

[markoon]

That white Big Bang integral is on my list for my next watch. Would love if you guys could do a full hands on video of that one specifically!

[tuck]

wow, loved the zenith! we can certainly still be friends. not wearing my T+T zenith defy night surfer, had to get a little wrist time with my nomos club sport neomatik! I'll rock the zenith tomorrow! will be dreaming of that F.P. version tonight though!

[Zeriod]

Absolutely superb choice of dream watches 👏

On my wrist is a Rolex Deepsea Blue which I’ve dreamed of owning for as long as they’ve been in production. It’s one of my grail pieces and still can’t quite believe I’m lucky enough to own one 😁

[ChocoIatx]

Have my engraved JLC reverso large w/ small seconds ok today for a casual friday 🤙. I’m right there with you Andrew on the RO tourb, it’s amazingly beautiful and really showcases the beautiful symmetry of the design. Although given a money is no object approach, I think I like the super sonnerie more since like my JLC is has a small seconds comp but includes the rare minute repeater function.

[lousyshot]

I want a finissimo. Have the $ but just waiting for the right time to spend it.

[dimitriostsiganis]

Thank you for not including any hideous RM.
You did include a couple hideous pieces, it goes with the category I guess.
As a Swatch fan I agree that Hublot is like a luxury Swatch, which is weird because it beats the whole point of the Swatch concept. Anyway I think the Hublot is a good piece. Also I'm wearing a Swatch 007 Q2

[NJS]

that white gold daytona meteorite osterflex is crazy

[bornabosnjak]

Wearing my Kurono Toki! Surprised Czapek wasn't mentioned in any of the lists with their Antarctique. Definitely worth a look in the category. Anything from MB&F or the Greubel Forsey GMT Sport more than worthy of mentioning as well

[vgcamara]

We have radically different tastes, to put it nicely 😂 my unlimited budget watch collection would include a Gronefeld, a Moritz Grossman, a Mb&f (perpetual evo), a FP Journe, an Akrivia AK-04, a Lange chrono, a Ferdinand Berthoud FB2RE and an RM 21-01 to top it off. Wearing my GS SBGN003 as I type this

$115k for that Bulova-IWC is ridiculous btw.