World's Most Complicated Watch Features 63 Extra Functions

Zurich. In the history of watchmaking, 'complication' refers to additional functions beyond telling time. Some watches are fitted with extra features such as a date display system, alarm, or stopwatch. 

Currently, the world's most complicated watch has 63 different such additional functions, which is considered a marvel in the field of watchmaking.

In 2015, artisans from the prestigious Swiss watchmaking company Vacheron Constantin unveiled a unique pocket watch named 'Reference 57260'. This watch was specially made according to the demands of an unknown private collector, which included requirements like the Hebrew calendar and a special chronograph capable of recording the time of multiple events simultaneously. It took eight years to make this watch, and this watch later became the basis for an even more complex watch, the 'Berkley Grand Complication'.

The Berkley Grand Complication watch, with a diameter of approximately 2 inches and adorned with an 18-carat white gold cover, weighs 2 pounds (960 grams). Previously, Patek Philippe's 'Caliber 89', considered the world's most complicated, had 33 complications. However, the Berkley Grand Complication has nearly double the number of additional functions.

• Eight Years of Effort and a Secret Revealed After Half the Work Was Done

Dominique Bernaz, head of the Atelier Cabinotiers department, told Forbes about this historic project, 'Since the previous most complicated watch had 33 complications, we aimed for 36.'

He added, 'As we worked together, when I asked the team if they could do it, they would laugh and nod.'

He stated that as the project was continuously evolving, they only knew how many complications it would have after half the work was completed. According to him, while each complication is a special achievement in itself, integrating them all into a single watch was the biggest challenge.

• Fitting a Watch That Should Be Football-Sized into a Pocket

Theoretically, many watchmakers could create a watch with double the number of complications, but its size could be as large as a football. The specialty of this watch is that the artisans of Atelier Cabinotiers have accommodated all 63 functions within an extremely small case and also arranged them to be easily visible from the outside. This double-sided pocket watch has 2,870 small mechanical parts assembled inside.

Although the official price of this watch, considered the world's most complicated, is kept secret, experts estimate its value to be over 10 million dollars (more than approximately 1.3 billion rupees). As a unique collectible item, its value is expected to increase over time.

As Swiss watchmakers have been competing to outdo each other for hundreds of years, there is a possibility that even more complex watches may be made in the future. But for now, Vacheron Constantin continues to maintain its strong hold in this field by continuously improving its old designs.