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Saud bin Mohammed Al-ThaniThe owner of the most expensive watch in the world
Date of Birth: 01.01.1946
Country:  Qatar |
Content:
The World's Most Expensive Timepiece
When Saudi billionaire Saud bin Mohammed Al-Thani passed away in 2014, his prized possession, the "Henry Graves Supercomplication," was auctioned at Sotheby's just days later. The pocket watch fetched a record-breaking price of over $21 million, making it the most expensive timepiece in the world.
The Cursed Complication
The Henry Graves Supercomplication, renowned as the "holy grail of horology," was crafted by Patek Philippe in the early 1930s for New York banker Henry Graves. Legend has it that Graves commissioned the watch in a bid to own the world's most intricate timepiece. With its astonishing 24 complications, including a stopwatch, moon phases, and a perpetual calendar, the Graves Supercomplication earned its reputation as the most sophisticated pocket watch for over half a century.
A Troubled History
However, the watch's reputation as a bearer of misfortune dates back to its first owner, Henry Graves. After acquiring the watch, his family reportedly faced a string of tragedies. Following Graves's death, the watch passed through several hands before being purchased by Saud bin Mohammed Al-Thani. The Qatari prince's untimely demise at the age of 48 only fueled the watch's ominous lore.
The Sotheby's Auction
After Al-Thani's death, it was revealed that he had incurred a large debt to Sotheby's. The Henry Graves Supercomplication was subsequently put up for auction, fetching an extraordinary $20.6 million (Swiss francs). The watch's new owner remains anonymous, proving that the allure of its complex craftsmanship and enigmatic history continues to captivate collectors despite its purported curse.
