Expensive Swiss mechanical watches don't have much practical use on the field, court, or track, though it's not uncommon to see the world's biggest athletes wearing high-end, luxury timepieces during their events.

Watch brands are eager to sponsor the world's most elite athletes, including fighters like Floyd Mayweather to tennis champions like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Scroll down to see 16 of the most expensive watches worn by the world's top athletes, ranked in ascending order by price:

SEE ALSO: 10 luxury watches that are actually worth the investment

Neymar — Gaga Milano, $2,100 (£1,569).

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Neymar's love of watches is well documented, with his trip to a Gaga Milano store ending in a $180,000 (£13,4620) purchase and an endorsement deal. Spending that much in one go might seem excessive, but when you're one of the highest paid football stars in the world it becomes a bit more understandable. Despite his own line of timepieces being on the lower end of the luxury watch bracket, it looks as though he has some special editions worth much more in his collection. 

Price according to Gaga Milano.

Andy Murray — Rado Hyperchrome XXL, $3,475 (£2,600).

When Andy Murray won his first Wimbledon back in 2013 he was a Rado brand ambassador, and as soon as he won, he reportedly hurried to slap on his Rado Hyperchrome. He put it on so quickly he didn't notice that it was seven hours out. He has since dropped Rado as a sponsor and instead works with brands such as Jaguar and Under Armour.

Price according to the Daily Mirror.

David Beckham— Tudor Black Bay Chrono, $4,480 (£3,350).

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David Beckham is one of the major sponsors for Tudor's Born to Dare campaign and is often seen wearing one of the brand's highly popular watches. Beckham sits alongside other high-profile ambassadors of Tudor such as Lady Gaga and the New Zealnds All Blacks rugby team.

Price according to Tudor.

Money: is there any point in having it if you can't unashamedly let the world know that you're one of life's winners who is unfamiliar with little-people problems like broadband bills? Debatable.

Is it insensitive to flaunt your sizeable wealth in the age of austerity? Yeah, probably.

Would we like to give it a go, just to see what it feels like? You're damn right we would.

Luckily for us, these days being a try-before-you-buy baller is easy. You see, getting on your filthy-rich flex can be a temporary identity, a disguise if you will.

Today, you can rent everything from your own private island to an oligarch's watch for a fraction of what they would cost to buy.

Yes, being a part-time playboy is definitely going to work out to be a hell of a lot more expensive than the average fly-and-drive to Alicante, but we imagine the never-ending stream of green-eyed gazes makes it all worthwhile. Andy Warhol may have famously predicted that in the future everyone would be famous for 15 minutes, but in the future we reckon that everyone deserves to live like Diddy (or whatever he's currently calling himself) for a day.

Not sure where to start your transformation from unassuming civilian to Billy big time? Here's our guide to getting your not so humble brag on.

A car

A flash car may be the universally recognised symbol of a mid-life crisis, but for those blessed with bulging wallets they're a way to get from A to B while letting motorists and pedestrians alike know that you're a bona fide money magnet. Forget taking a sports car for a spin around a race track for a day though, if you're going to put your foot to the metal, you need to go public.

That's where luxury car rental service Turo steps in, bringing all of Uber's usability and adding a catalogue of cars that make Jeremy Clarkson's garage look like a bingo hall car park. In the market for a Mercedes Benz S Class, a Jaguar F Type or a Lamborghini Gallardo? Take your pick, because they're all in the inventory.

Christin Di Scipio, communications coordinator at Turo says: "You can search by make and model, car hosts that offer delivery, even by colour. Our prices are also typically 35% cheaper than traditional rental car companies, so you can book a Porsche or Tesla without breaking the bank." That's your ride for your big school reunion entrance sorted then.

What it will cost you:£676 per day for a Ferrari California T

Find out more:Turo.com

A suit

For us, any mention of renting an aspect of your wardrobe instantly brings to mind some horrendously oversized suit that will inevitably end up sick-stained, cleaned and passed on to its next lucky recipient. In case you didn't already know, furiously scrubbed nylon doesn't shout luxury, or anything good for that matter. But in the days since your high school prom rental companies have got their act together — meaning that, for a price, you can borrow some seriously slick suits.

For those looking to go down the old-school route, Yardsmen offers a selection of luxury tailoring crafted from British wool and cut by Savile Row trained tailors.

For something a little more modern, The Black Tux promises to do away with all that bad PR renting suits accumulated with its high-end offering – think more Italian wool, less miscellaneous, ignitable cloth. What's so special about these suits? Well, they're cut modern and slim for a start (goodbye human rectangles), are crafted from natural fabrics like merino wool, and feature full canvas construction for a more natural fabric drape.

The company's CEO Andrew Blackmon says: "We weren't happy with quality and style of rental suits on the market, so we designed and manufactured our own, and developed the tools to get customers in the right sizes from the comfort of their own homes." No more feeling like an imposter at fancy dinners when it's this easy to go full on Bond for an evening.

What it will cost you: Rent a Bond-esque dinner suit from £110

Find out more:Yardsmen/Theblacktux.com

A watch

When the world needs to know that you've made it, there are few simpler ways to achieve peak big-timer than letting people see a Rolex. Sure, most owners probably don't have a clue about the complex horology that's gone into their expensive wrist decoration, but that's beside the point — a luxury watch is as close as you're going to get to conspicuously wearable money.

If you'd rather keep the lion's share of your house deposit savings where they are, you only need to dip into them to get some serious wrist candy. High-end horology rental company Eleven James offers a luxury watch subscription service that is undoubtedly more exciting than getting a weekly delivery of health (rabbit) food to your desk.

For a more short-term arrangement (or for a special occasion or big meeting), London-based haute horology service Mr Woolfe also has plenty of pulse-quickening hunks of metal to rent without a subscription requirement.

Eleven James' CEO Olivier Reza says: "By providing our members access to a new timepiece every three months from brands like Audemars Piguet, IWC, Patek Philippe and Rolex, we're repositioning luxury to be based around exploration, experimentation and experience – free from the traditional barriers of ownership and commitment." By our calculations, that's four different megabucks watches per year, and when you're wearing one, nobody need know that beans on toast is the source of your sustenance.

What it will cost you: $150-$200 (£110-£145) per month on Eleven James, depending on the subscription tier

Find out more:ElevenJames.com/Mr Woolfe

"He could not just wear a watch. It had to be a Rolex."

So says Ian Fleming in his debut 007 novel, "Casino Royale." But James Bond has never been one to follow rules (especially when there's a lucrative endorsement deal to be had), and over the past 56 years his weapon-grade wrist has played host to some of the most iconic and eclectic tickers in cinema history.

One line from that book has remained true, however: "A gentleman’s choice of timepiece says as much about him as does his Savile Row suit."

Here are 6 that said the most:

SEE ALSO: These are the 20 watches you should be investing in right now

1. Rolex Submariner

Seen in: "Dr No,""From Russia With Love,""Goldfinger," 'Thunderball"

The world-renowned OG of 007 timepieces, a "Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner" graced Sean Connery’s bushy, Richard Keys-ian wrist for the franchise’s first four films.

Recently sold at auction for $60,000, the iconic watch’s starring moment came in "Goldfinger," when Connery illuminated the dial with a lighter. Some fans believe that it was actually one of Connery's personal possessions.

2. Gruen Precision 510

Seen in: "Dr No,""You Only Live Twice"

While the Rolex Submariner has become synonymous with Bond’s early adventures, the first timepiece he actually wore on-screen was the Gruen "Precision." Bet you feel like a fool now, eh? In fairness, it was barely visible as Bond dealt cards in this scene.

The gold dress watch was a perfect low-key alternative to the sportier Submariner, with a black fabric strap and stripped-back design. Gruen, once one of the biggest watch manufacturers in America, went out of business in 1977.

3. Hamilton Pulsa P2/2900 "Astronaut"

Seen in: "Live and Let Die"

Ignore the fact that it looks like a Jetson family microwave. The Pulsar P2 was technically advanced for its time, and Roger Moore brought into the digital hype for 1973’s "Live and Let Die."

LED technology soon fell out of favour once LCD screens arrived on the scene, and Bond sheepishly ditched the timepiece forever. You can pick one up for around a grand.

• A new estimate suggests that Apple sold more watches than the entire Swiss watch industry last quarter.
• Estimates suggest Apple sold about 8 million watches during the holiday quarter. 
• The comparison shows the accelerating sales growth of Apple's smartwatch platform.

Apple is one of the biggest watchmakers in the world.

How big? Based on newly available statistics, it now seems certain that Apple outsold the entire Swiss watch industry combined last quarter. 

Yep. The company best known for making iPhones outsold Rolex, Omega, and even Swatch last quarter — combined.  

That's according to Apple Watch sales estimates from industry researcher Canalys and IDC, and publicly released shipment statistics from the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry. Canalys estimates that Apple sold 8 million Apple Watches in the last quarter of 2017. 

Apple's been making watches for four years. Switzerland has been making timepieces for centuries. 

Not a flop

Apple doesn't reveal official sales figures for the Apple Watch, making comparisons like this one difficult. 

Instead, it bundles Apple Watch sales into an "other products" category — which led some people, including yours truly, to brand the device a "flop," as it seemed like Apple was glossing over lackluster sales.

And for awhile, especially in 2016, it did look like sales growth stalled. But based on data points provided by Apple officials on earnings call earlier this month, it's possible for analysts to calculate a strong estimate of units and revenue. 

"It was our best quarter ever for the Apple Watch with over 50% growth in revenue and units for the fourth quarter in a row and strong double-digit growth in every geographic segment," Apple CEO Tim Cook said on February 1. 

In some ways, the comparison with the entire Swiss watch industry is a testament to Apple's scale. Some Swiss watches are meant to be luxury pieces, like Rolex watches, which cost tens of thousands of dollars. But other Swiss watchmakers are mass market, like Swatch, with watches that are priced in the same range as the least expensive Apple Watch — about $180. 

But other tech companies have similar scale, like Samsung and other Google partners — and their smartwatch sales aren't even close. 

Not just the watch 

However, Apple doesn't only have its eyes set on the smartwatch market — it's going for all technology you wear on your body.

In recent months, Cook has been speaking about Apple's "wearables" business, or Watch sales plus headphone sales from products like Beats and AirPods. "Wearables were the second largest contributor to revenue growth after iPhone, which is impressive for a business that started only three years ago," Cook said earlier this month. 

Although that product category is small for now, its easy to imagine Apple expanding it with smart Apple Watch bands, and perhaps a pair of smartglasses. Google has a smart fabric project, and Apple patents suggest it's experimenting with those technologies too. 

So now that Apple has conquered the old-school watch market, it's only a matter of time before people start comparing Apple's wearables business with companies like Nike. 

SEE ALSO: Private texts show FBI agents thought Tim Cook was a 'hypocrite' in the San Bernardino iPhone encryption fight

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Rolex watches are some of the most sought-after timepieces in the world. Last year, a vintage Rolex Daytona worn by Paul Newman was sold at auction for $17.8 million. Cara Barrett, editor at Hodinkee, fills us in on why Rolex's are so pricey. Following is a transcript of the video. 

Cara Barrett: There is a rumor that in order for a Rolex to actually leave the factory or be a Rolex design it has to be recognizable from 20 feet away.

Hi, I'm Cara Barrett, editor at Hodinkee, the leading online watch publication. Rolex is one of the few brands, if not the only brand that has a very specific aesthetic. They are sporty, they are active, they are tool watches that's kind of their main DNA.

In the 50s they came out with the Submariner, the Explorer, the Milgauss, the GMT and they were all watches that were designed and made to be used as tools. And so that's their bread and butter and it still is today. It kind of evolved into a luxury brand later in life which now is what they're known for. So that's kind of the interesting thing about them is they initially were tool watches which have now become luxury. Rolex is kind of one of those brands that sits on the lower end of the spectrum as far as luxury watches are concerned.

The Submariner's $8,000. The entry-level watch at Rolex is $5,000 with the Oyster Perpetual. Their three qualities are self-winding, waterproof and precision. And they really focus on quality. It takes one year to make a Rolex. They go through extensive testing. The accuracy, the chronometer, the timing, it's all about telling the right time, keeping the right time. They also have extensive service work after, so if you ever have a problem with your Rolex, you can take it to them and they'll fix it.

The clasp is opened and closed a thousand times before it leaves so you know that when you get it, it's not gonna break. The whole point of a Rolex is you buy one now, it will last you for 20 years if you take care of it. It will last you for 100 if you really take care of it. That's ultimately why they're so expensive because you're buying something that will last you a lifetime presumably. And something that you can pass down to other generations as well.

In the collectors' world, there's the vintage Rolex market. And there's a whole underground of different nuances and you know there's a GMT with a matte dial, a GMT with a gilt dial and there are all these tiny little details that change and they make a watch more or less valuable.

There's the Paul Newman Daytona which sold for $17.8 million last fall and that's the most expensive Rolex that's ever sold at auction. The Paul Newman Daytona is a really good example where they came out with a Daytona back in the 70s and they put these exotic dials on them and they couldn't sell them. And now they're the most collectible watches on the vintage market.

No one knows how many Rolexes are produced per year, no one knows how many Rolexes are produced per model. But there are specific ones, like the Rainbow Daytona that came out this year, rumored to have X amount made, but very small quantities. You don't ever know exactly what the number is, but you do know that there aren't that many. And they're hard to get.

One of the best things about Rolex is anyone can wear any of them. They're very unisex and I think that that's refreshing 'cause a lot of times brands put a lot of diamonds on watches and kind of brand it as a woman's watch. Whereas Rolex does the same thing, but it's kind of unisex. I wear a lot of men's Rolex. But the ladies Datejust is actually, in two-tone, is actually the most sold Rolex model of all time. Which is a really fun fact.

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• Ellen DeGeneres wore a $175,000 watch on Jerry Seinfeld's "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee."
• The watch in question was a 1969 Rolex "Paul Newman" Daytona Reference 6241 on a steel bracelet.
• DeGeneres has made millions from her long-running, eponymous chat show and from flipping properties in Los Angeles.

Ellen DeGeneres recently appeared on Jerry Seinfeld's Netflix interview series "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee."

What fans of DeGeneres might not have noticed was her wristwear.

In the shot below, the talk show host is wearing a 1969 Rolex "Paul Newman" Daytona Reference 6241 on a steel bracelet — one of which has previously sold for $175,000.

According to Hodinkee, DeGeneres' watch was not always so highly sought after because no one wanted its exotic dials, which include a black acrylic bezel and push-down chronograph buttons.

The Daytona exploded in popularity, though, after racing driver Paul Newman was spotted wearing one — and he barely took it off.

Now, the Daytona has amassed a cult following and is one of the most highly sought-after watches in the world.

It's actually no surprise that DeGeneres can afford such a rare watch. As well as her eponymous talk show that has been running for 15 seasons (2,440 episodes at the time of writing), DeGeneres has made millions flipping homes in Los Angeles.

In 2004, DeGeneres bought a home that she nicknamed "The Treehouse" which has had various celeb owners since then, including producer David Weissman and actors Heath Ledger and Josh Hutcherson.

Two years later, she sold a property to Will Ferrell for $9 million. And in 2012, Ryan Seacrest bought one of her homes for over $36 million. In total, she's bought and sold around a dozen homes, according to Trulia, and has even published a book with interior design tips.

When asked about her house flipping reputation, Ellen told The New York Times: "I've never bought to sell. I always say: 'This is it. I'm never moving.' People laugh at me now."

DeGeneres is the latest in a recent string of celebrities to show off expensive watches in public. David Beckham recently showed how to wear a white t-shirt while wearing a $42,000 watch and Pharrell Williams wore an $815,500 watch to Paris Fashion Week.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: What happens when you hold in your pee for too long

• Drake watched Serena Williams play in the Wimbledon quarter-finals on Tuesday.
• The pair were romantically linked in 2015.
• Fans were worried that Drake's presence would distract the tennis star, but she triumphed in three sets to progress to the semi-finals.
• Drake wore tracksuit pants and a hoodie with an $18,000 Rolex.

Serena Williams may have spotted a familiar face in the crowd on Tuesday as she took on Camila Giorgi in the quarter-finals of the Wimbledon Championships.

Rapper Drake, who Williams was romantically linked with in 2015, came to support his ex in her 10th run in the grass court tournament.

The surprise appearance didn't seem to ruffle the seven-time Wimbledon champion's feathers, though, as she breezed past her opponent in three sets to reach the semi-finals.

Viewers, however, were distracted as eyes turned to the "God's Plan" rapper in the stands.

People on Twitter joked that Drake should leave the court after he was blamed for Williams' loss in the 2015 US Open semi-final.

It looked like history might repeat itself as Williams dropped the first set 6-3.

Fortunately, though, Williams came back to win the second and third sets 6-3 and 6-4, prompting viewers to proclaim the Drake curse broken.

Drake kept things casual with a dark green hoodie from his own clothing brand, October's Very Own, as he sipped Pimms in the stands.

Eagle-eyed viewers may have spotted a noteworthy accessory on Drake's wrist, though. The rapper wore a custom Rolex President Day-Date ref. 218348, according to D'Marge.

Drake's Rolex has 18-karat yellow gold construction paired with diamonds set around the dial's hour markers, taking its value to around $18,000.

Drake is in London following his surprise headline performance at Wireless festival.

And the rapper wasn't the only star in the stands that day — Justin Timberlake, who is performing at London's O2 Arena this week, and his wife Jessica Biel were also spotted enjoying some centre-court action.

Drake and Williams made headlines in 2015 when the pair were spotted kissing in a Cincinnati restaurant. 

The romance didn't last, though, and Williams married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in November 2017, after the birth of their first child in September.

Williams was forced to take a break from tennis after suffering health complications from her pregnancy and is now launching a full-scale comeback to the top of the tennis world.

"This is only my fourth tournament back, so I don't feel pressure," Williams told ESPN. "I don't feel I have to win this; I don't feel I have to lose this. I'm just here just to be here and to prove that I'm back. And I feel like I'm back. I still have a long way to go to be where I was."

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• Men everywhere are wearing broken watches, according to The Wall Street Journal.
• We spoke with Hamilton Powell, CEO of online luxury-watch market Crown & Caliber, to find out why.
• Powell said that although aesthetics play a big part, traditional watches are one of the few simple luxuries left in life and offer a rare distraction from the modern world.

The Wall Street Journal recently published an article suggesting that men around the world are wearing broken watches because they are now items of jewellery rather than timekeeping devices.

The author of the article, Jacob Gallagher, said: "With smartphones practically glued to our palms at all times and smartwatches muscling in, traditional timepieces are just no longer as vital as they once were in any practical sense."

It's logical, too.

"Any digital time-keeping device, be it a phone or a G-Shock, is going to keep much better time than any mechanical watch, no matter how high-grade," a mechanical watch collector told Gallagher.

But if they have been surpassed technologically, then why are men still wearing what have effectively become artifacts of the past?

We spoke with Hamilton Powell, CEO of online luxury-watch market Crown & Caliber, to find out.

"When I check the time, half the time I'm looking at my iPhone," Powell said.

But he added: "If the watch were a pure time-telling device then it would have been replaced years ago."

In 2017, Apple sold more watches than Rolex, Swatch, and the rest of the Swiss watch industry combined — a statistic that terrified traditional watchmakers everywhere.

Despite the disruption in the marketplace, smaller (often cheaper) watch brands like Marloe and Daniel Wellington are appearing all the time thanks to platforms like Kickstarter and Instagram.

Even Swiss watch exports seem to be recovering from a slump at the moment, and untracked sales through the grey market may mean the revival is even better than it seems.

"The fact that [the traditional watch] continues to not just survive but thrive has got to cause people to stop and think, 'What is a watch in 2018?'" Powell said.

So what is it?

Powell says the humble watch "represents something that mankind has been able to do through the forging of steel and gold and precious metal."

He adds: "We have been able to capture the most elusive thing that there is, and that's time. It's maybe the greatest engineering feat of humankind in that we've actually been able to measure time."

And a watch is a constant reminder of that feat.

In a world where we we are constantly connected, messaging and being messaged, and frequently receiving notifications, Powell said something as simple as winding a mechanical watch every morning offers a moment of serenity.

 "It's kind of a poetic thing," he said, adding that by winding a watch we "create a small moment where we're intentional about how we're going to use that time."

"So I think people have come to recognise that it's not about telling the time of day," he said.

"It's a moment where we remember that there's a beauty to not being so busy, there's a beauty to simplicity and this is actually the last simple thing that I own."

SEE ALSO: The 3 biggest mistakes people make when buying a watch, according to an expert

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• An ultra-rare "lemon dial" Rolex Paul Newman Daytona has come on the market.
• The Daytona 6246 has an estimated value of £1 million ($1.3 million) and is being sold by Xupes.
• Xupes says this is just the fifth known example of its kind to come to market.

It's not every day that a "lemon dial" Rolex Paul Newman Daytona comes on the market.

This particular Daytona 6264 is being sold by Xupes and has an estimated value of £1 million ($1.3 million).

Xupes says this is just the fifth known example of its kind to come to market.

Similar models have sold recently, one for $734,000 at Sotheby's in April and one for $871,500 at Christie's last year — but neither of those had solid gold bracelets like the one Xupes has acquired.

The yellow gold Daytonas were produced in fewer numbers than the steel models, and even fewer were made with a yellow "lemon" dial.

When it first hit the market, the Rolex Daytona was one of the brand's most undesirable models, far surpassed by Day-Date, Submariner, and Datejust, according to Hodinkee.

It was only when famous actor Paul Newman made a habit of wearing one that the fortunes of the Daytona turned around.

In the decade building up to 2013, the price of Paul Newman Daytonas increased 981% at auctions.

Last year, Newman's very own Daytona sold for $17.8 million, making it the most expensive watch ever sold.

"This piece has been beautifully preserved with all features in excellent condition," describes Joe McKenzie, Founder of Xupes.com.

"There are a few minor marks to lugs commensurate with age but the case retains its original profiles. There is some tarnishing to the yellow gold as the watch has not been worn for a number of years.

"We're extremely excited to have such an iconic timepiece take centre stage in our portfolio of luxury watches."

The watch comes with a period Rolex box, and on a solid gold, riveted bracelet with ref.71 end links.

SEE ALSO: Ellen DeGeneres casually wore a $175,000 Rolex in her latest interview with Jerry Seinfeld

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• Bob's Watches is the world's first and largest pre-owned and vintage Rolex watch exchange. The brand makes buying and selling luxury watches an easy and comfortable experience.
• Unlike some other watch dealers, Bob's Watches brings transparency to the luxury watch market by openly listing buying and selling prices for watches.
• Every watch sold is guaranteed to be 100% authentic with authentic parts inside, and expert watch specialists and watchmakers double- and triple-check before any transaction takes place.
• In addition to Rolex, Bob's Watches is also a reliable source for other luxury brands like Omega, Audemars Piguet, Breitling, Patek Phillip, Tudor, Cartier, and more.

More than just timepieces, luxury watches are viewed as symbols of status, and Rolex is often revered as the pinnacle of them all. It's true that some watch brands -- Rolex, for one -- aren't priced for everyone, but too many people completely write themselves off as being too far removed from the upper echelon who will have the luxury of owning a high-end watch one day.

Aside from high retail prices, the luxury watch market is full of grey areas for the inexperienced watch buyer. Obscure resale prices and counterfeits lead consumers to believe that buying directly from a Rolex store (where prices are undoubtedly hefty) is the only way to ensure a genuine purchase, but online site Bob's Watches is bringing clarity to the market with a level of transparency unlike that of many other watch dealers.

The world's first and foremost pre-owned and vintage Rolex watch exchanges, Bob's Watches prides itself on maintaining fair prices, providing useful market information, and building trust with consumers by openly listing buying and selling prices for every watch.

The business was founded in 2010, when Rolex collector and expert Paul Altieri purchased the domain from retiring watch salesman Bob Thompson for $8,000. Altieri's decision to use a name that wasn't his own started out as a way to jump right into the online space with the domain's relatively inexpensive price and some existing traffic from online search engines.

Today, the brand is much bigger than he could've ever imagined. What started out as one man buying and selling his own personal collection online, Bob's Watches has grown into one of the largest online watch sites and a successful brick-and-mortar store in Huntington Beach, California, with a 24-person team including both Rolex specialists and watchmakers. 

Rolexes are built by highly skilled watchmakers using the finest materials and Swiss-made internals, so they are known to last a lifetime with proper care, which is one reason why their market is so robust. Another reason is that Rolexes are collector's items. Unlike most used cars that depreciate drastically as soon as you drive them off the lot, they're great at retaining value and, eventually, increase in value.

Still, many online watch dealers specifically capitalize on consumers' lack of knowledge and access to reliable alternatives. For example, a $6,000 Rolex being bought for $2,000 and sold for $10,000 is an all too common occurrence within the watch industry. Bob's Watches, on the other hand, gives consumers true insight on value. The practice leaves buyers and sellers equally comfortable with making transactions online. Yes, Bob's Watches will make a profit when you buy or sell a watch, but they're completely transparent about it--they even list buy and sell prices side by side. For that reason, Bob's Watches has become the place to buy Rolexes online.

Here's how it works: Buying a watch from Bob's Watches is as simple as picking which one you'd like and checking out. Every watch listed on the site is in stock, ready to ship out, and guaranteed to be authentic with authentic parts used inside.

Selling is also hassle-free. You can fill out a quote request form here. Once your request is received, Bob's will confirm your requested amount and send you a prepaid shipping label to have your watch sent in for appraisal. Once your watch is received by Bob's Watches, the package is opened and inspected on camera by a watch specialist. The video gives owners peace of mind in knowing that their prized watch won't be swapped out with a fake and sent back with an unexplained failed inspection. Once your watch is inspected and meets the original description, Bob's will contact you to ask your preferred payment method — cash, check, or instant transfer.

In addition to Rolex, Bob's Watches is also a reliable source for other luxury brands like Omega, Audemars Piguet, Breitling, Patek Phillip, Tudor, Cartier, and more.

If you've ever wanted a real-deal luxury watch, you no longer have to shell out an astronomical retail price or blindly navigate a resale market full of scams, fakes, and shady prices. Bob's Watches offers users a huge selection of guaranteed authentic luxury watches at reasonable prices, and with trust and integrity being at the core of not only the brand's mission but their very existence, Bob's Watches won't leave you disappointed (or duped) with your purchase.

Shop all Rolexes and other luxury watches at Bob's Watches now.

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Professional golfers have come to be synonymous with a number of style choices — some better than others.

Aside from loudly-coloured polo shirts and garishly-patterned sweater vests, golfers are known for their watches — most of which are very expensive.

Business Insider teamed up with experts at online watch marketplace Crown & Caliber to find out what the sport's biggest stars are wearing on their wrists.

Unsurprisingly, many of the watches run into five figures. Scroll down to see them ranked in ascending order of price.

SEE ALSO: The most expensive watches worn by 20 of the world's most elite athletes

Rory McIlroy, OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra — $4,200

Source: Crown & Caliber.

Tommy Fleetwood, Omega Seamaster Co-Axial Master Chronometer — $4,600

Source: Crown & Caliber.

Phil Mickelson, Rolex Cellini — $8,600

Source: Crown & Caliber. 

The British royal family is worth somewhere between $500 million and $600 million. They are by no means the richest royal family in the world, but half a billion dollars is nothing to be sniffed at.

Given their worth, one would expect the wrists of Britain's monarchy to be glinting with the finest Swiss timepieces available, common accessories among the rich and famous. However, that's not necessarily the case.

It's surprisingly rare to see a royal sporting a watch at all these days — let alone one with a huge price tag — and it's even less common for those in direct line to the throne.

Read more:The 10 richest royal families in Europe, ranked

This might be because royals don't want to be seen checking the time at an event, because they know the tabloids would have a field day commenting on how bored they looked.

Or, it might be because the royal family is playing down its opulence at a time when many Brits are bemoaning them as an outdated institution and a waste of taxpayers' money.

That being said, when the royals do step out wearing a timepiece, it's usually a very elegant choice.

INSIDER spoke to the experts at Crown & Caliber to determine the make and models of seven timepieces worn by key members of the royal family.

Scroll down to see them ranked in ascending order by the price of a preowned model.

Prince Harry, Breitling Aerospace Avantage — $2,200

Pricing source: Crown & Caliber.

Prince Harry has a number of expensive watches in his collection, including a more valuable Rolex Explorer II, but he hasn't been spotted wearing either of them out and about in a number of years.

Prince William, Omega Seamaster 300M — $3,100

Pricing source: Crown & Caliber.

Prince William's Omega Seamaster holds great sentimental value to the royal — it was reportedly a gift given to him by his late mother, Princess Diana.

Meghan Markle, Cartier Tank Française — $3,300

Pricing source: Crown & Caliber.

Meghan Markle is seldom seen with a watch on since becoming a member of the royal family.

Back when she was just a celebrity, she was often spotted wearing a Cartier Tank Française.

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• Black Friday offers a chance to get fantastic deals on watches.
• Whether you're looking for a Rolex or something more affordable, take a look below at some of the best Black Friday watch deals available.
•  Be sure to check out the rest of our Black Friday deals coverage for more savings.
• To potentially save more on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you can visit Business Insider Coupons to find up-to-date promo codes for a range of online stores.

Black Friday is here, meaning that this is the time to snag the holiday season's best deals. Whether you're shopping for friends, family, co-workers, or yourself (no judgement — I'm definitely treating myself today), you can get fantastic savings on things like the Apple Watch, kitchen appliances, video games, Amazon purchases, and even future travel.

Insider Picks is covering Black Friday deals throughout the day, so be sure to check out what else is on sale.

If you're looking for a new watch, either for yourself or as a gift for someone else, there are a handful of deals available. Take a look below at a few of our favorites.

Bob's Watches

• Bob's Watches sells Rolexes and other luxury-brand watches. From November 23-26, take $100 off orders over $2,000, $200 off orders of $4,000 or more, and $400 off orders of $15,000. Shop bobswatches.com.

MVMT

Popular watch startup MVMT is offering up to 25% off sitewide. You can take a look at a few of our favorite options here.

Fossil

• Save 30% sitewide with promo code "BF30."

Jomashop

• Save up to 75% sitewide. Plus, get a free Royce leather wallet on orders over $100 by using the promo code "FREEWALLET" at checkout. Shop jomashop.com.

Linjer

• Save up to 50% in-stock watches sitewide. Shop linjer.co.

Timex

• November 23-26, save 30% on everything. Shop timex.com.

Apple Watch Series 3

Several retailers are offering discounts on the Apple watch:

• Macy's: Apple Watch Series 3 GPS 38mm Space Gray Case and Black Band, $199 (originally $279 — you save 28%)
• Target: Save $80 on all Apple Watch Series 3 models

Fitbit Versa Smartwatch

• Amazon: Fitbit Versa, $149 (originally $199.95 — you save $50.95)
• Best Buy: Fitbit Versa, $149.95 (originally $199.95 — you save $50)

Looking for more deals? We've rounded up the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on the internet.

The best Black Friday deal roundups

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• Bob's Watches is the world's largest pre-owned and vintage online Rolex watch exchange. The company makes buying and selling luxury watches an easy and comfortable experience by listing true market value for every watch.
• For the holiday season, the site is holding its first ever 12 Days of Rolex auction event.
• Every day until December 21, Bob's Watches will auction off one vintage, rare, or sought after Rolex watch. Each auction lot begins at 8 a.m. PST and ends at 4 p.m. PST. 
• With the ability to place live bids, you can potentially save big while also keeping your budget in check if you're not willing to spend more than a certain amount.

Most people live under the assumption that they'll never own a luxury watch, let alone be able to buy one as a holiday gift for someone else. Now, the world's first and largest pre-owned and vintage watch dealer is convincing people to get rid of both preconceived notions by offering authentic Rolexes at fair prices.

For the first time ever, Bob's Watches is holding a series of holiday-themed public auctions with The 12 Days of Rolex. Every day until December 21, the site will auction off a different Rolex, starting at a far lower price than you'd ever expect to pay.

While you can get a great deal on Rolexes (and a slew of other luxury timepieces) year-round at Bob's Watches thanks to its transparency with buying and selling prices, the ability to bid means you can potentially get a watch for less than its listed market value. 

On top of that, Bob's Watches doesn't charge a buyer's premium and shipping is free, so you won't find any extra fees tacked on to your purchase.

Here's how it works: 

Each auction lot begins at 8 a.m. PST and ends at 4 p.m. PST. During that time, you can place live bids on the watch, which, like every watch Bob's sells, is guaranteed to be authentic with only genuine Rolex parts. Although there's plenty of room for savings, you shouldn't expect to steal a watch at auction for a few bucks. To make sure serious potential buyers are bidding, each watch has a starting bid and a reserve price to meet.

Some of the watches that will go up for auction during The 12 Day of Rolex include vintage Rolex Sea-Dwellers and Submariners, race-inspired Rolex Dayton as, an unworn Rolex Cellini, the iconic Rolex President Day Date, and more.

Whether you're looking to treat yourself with an end-of-year splurge or you and your family are chipping in to buy someone special the ultimate holiday gift, there's no reason not to check out the auctions.

Even if you're interested in buying a watch outside of the auctions, you can receive it before Christmas when you order by December 20.

To participate in The 12 Days of Rolex auctions, register here>>

Learn more about buying and selling luxury timepieces at Bob's Watches here>>

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• The 10 most expensive watches sold at Christie's this year ranged in price from $566,000 to $3.2 million.
• The auction house also celebrated 25 consecutive years as the leading jewelry auction market in 2018.
• Topping this list, a rare Patek Philippe wristwatch sold for a whopping $3,234,905 at Christie's.

In a time when smartphones reign supreme, it's fascinating to find that there are still people willing to pay a pretty penny for a good old-fashioned watch.

Whether they simply value the old way of telling time or are looking for a way to display their style on their wrist, watch buyers were willing to drop some serious cash with Christie's this year.

Read more: I went to NYC's biggest luxury watch show, and the most memorable part wasn't the $1.8 million diamond watch or the $182,000 piece they let me try on

In 2018, the auction house said it made $492.3 million in total jewelry sales ($484.5 million in live auction and $7.8 million online). The sales total earned Christie's its 25th consecutive year as the leading jewelry auction market. It also saw a new record being set with a bottle of Macallan 60 Year Old selling for a whopping $1.5 million (incidentally, that bottle broke the record set by another bottle of Macallan 60 Year Old, which had sold for $1.1 million just two months prior).

Here are the top 10 most expensive watches sold by Christie's in 2018, ranked from least to most expensive.

SEE ALSO: 5 signs you're probably not part of the middle class

10. Designed and signed by Richard Mille, this rare platinum and baguette-cut, diamond-set tourbillon wristwatch sold for a cool $566,014.

Source: Christie's

9. A unique Patek Philippe chronograph wristwatch, 18k white gold and diamond-set with a degradé black dial, brought in $614,766.

Source: Christie's

8. This Patek Philippe 18K gold perpetual calendar chronograph watch with moon phases and a tachymeter scale sold for $668,862.

Source: Christie's

• A lot of people are talking about Adam Levine's nipples, which he exposed during Maroon 5's gig at the 2019 Super Bowl halftime show.
• What people may have missed, however, was his sparkling wristwear.
• Levine was wearing a Rolex Rainbow Daytona in Everose gold.
• Rolex UK told INSIDER that the watch retails for £74,700 ($97,200).
• According to Hodinkee, the Everose gold edition of the Rainbow is one of the hardest watches to get on the planet right now.
• Levine is a big-time Rolex fan, though, and counts many rare vintages as part of his collection.

Adam Levine made a lot of headlines when his band, Maroon 5, took the stage for the 2019 Super Bowl halftime show.

The band was criticized for an all-too-brief "Spongebob Squarepants" tribute, which the band previously teased on Twitter.

Levine also sparked cries of hypocrisy when he took his shirt off. While Janet Jackson was ostracized for a revealed nipple for 9/16ths of a second in 2004, Levine bared both of his for several minutes without condemnation.

And, finally, the overall performance was almost universally panned by the media, calling it "utterly conventional" and "the musical equivalent of a jar of mayonnaise."

Read more:Adam Levine has responded to the harsh criticism of Maroon 5's Super Bowl halftime show

What many may have missed in the midst of all this controversy was Levine's sparkling wristwear, which turns out to be a very rare piece indeed.

He was wearing a Rolex Rainbow Daytona in Everose gold.

The Rainbow Daytona launched in 2012 in very limited quantities, achieving instant cult status among watch aficionados.

Last year, at Baselworld Watch and Jewellery Show, Rolex unveiled the Everose edition, which is made from Rolex's own alloy of pink gold.

It features Pink Gold Crystal sub-dials, 36 baguette-set sapphires in the bezel, 56 diamonds set into the lugs and case, and colored sapphire indexes.

Rolex UK told INSIDER that the watch retails for £74,700 ($97,200).

According to the watch experts at Hodinkee, the Everose gold edition of the Rainbow is one of the hardest watches to get on the planet right now.

But Levine is a big Rolex fan and counts vintage Paul Newmans, Day-Date Stellas, and a GMT-Master as part of his collection.

On the night, Levine was outshone by his own timepiece.

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• Sotheby's 2019 Geneva online watch auction ended on February 25.
• The top 15 most expensive lots sold include two items each from high-end Swiss manufacturers Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and Rolex.
• The two Patek Philippe items — a watch and a set of gold lighters — claimed the top two spots, each selling for around $32,500.

Sotheby's most recent watch auction ended after five days of online bidding for its Switzerland sector.

As Mikael Wallhagen, head of Sotheby's watches department in Geneva, told Business Insider in an email, "We’re very pleased with the results of the auction, which saw every lot in the Top Ten sell above pre-sale estimates, and 86% of lots sold overall."

Sotheby's online watch auctions include 16th to 21st century timepieces alongside other accessories. Similar to other luxury broker sites, Sotheby's offers watch auctions in various locations, including auctions in Dubai, New York, and London.

Read more:The top 10 most expensive watches sold by Christie's in 2018, ranked

"Those buying in our online sales may be starting out with their collection, or choosing watches which complement their existing one and which are perhaps more suited to be enjoyed day-to-day," said Wallhagen.

Keep reading for a look at the 15 most expensive items sold at Sotheby's Geneva watch auction, ranked from least to most expensive. Conversions from the Swiss Franc to USD are to the closest dollar.

SEE ALSO: I went to NYC's biggest luxury watch show, and the most memorable part wasn't the $1.8 million diamond watch or the $182,000 piece they let me try on

15. Rolex: Submariner, Ref 16613 — Stainless steel and yellow gold wristwatch with date and bracelet circa 1991

Estimate: CHF 8,000 - 12,000 ($7,998 - $11,997)

Sold for: CHF 10,000 ($9,998)

14. Omega: Seamaster Planet Ocean, Ref 23263465101001 — Pink gold chronograph wristwatch with date circa 2013

Estimate: CHF 4,000 - 6,000 ($3,999 - $6,398)

Sold for: CHF 10,6250 ($10,622)

13. IWC: Antoine de Saint Exupéry, Ref 387805 — Limited edition pink gold chronograph wristwatch with date circa 2013

Estimate: CHF 6,000 - 8,000 ($5,998 - $7,998)

Sold for: CHF 10,625 ($10,622)

• The Jonas Brothers wore matching Rolex GMT-Masters on Monday night's episode of "The Late Late Show with James Corden."
• Kevin and Joe opted for the same "Pepsi" red and blue edition, while Nick went for a pricier yellow gold style.
• Despite being the youngest in the band, Nick is probably the wealthiest Jonas, Money magazine reports.
• Watch experts at Crown & Caliber told INSIDER that the watches had a combined value of around $80,000.

In case you've been living under a rock for the past week: the Jonas Brothers are back, and they're celebrating with a one-week residency on "The Late Late Show with James Corden."

Nick, Kevin, and Joe have been chatting to the host about their reunion, appearing in sketches, shooting a segment of "Carpool Karaoke," and taking part in the show's challenges like "Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts."

Read more:Joe Jonas almost leaked the news of the Jonas Brothers' reunion to Will.i.am in a London airport, but he didn't realize they'd split up in the first place

Among various revelations, the brothers' residency has shown us that they share more than a surname — they also have very similar tastes in wristwear.

For their first appearance on the "The Late Late Show" on Monday, the brothers wore very contrasting outfits: Nick in a camo zip-up under a casual grey suit, Kevin in a vintage-style brown jacket, and Joe in a green bomber.

They couldn't have looked more distinct if they tried.

There was one common denominator, though: their watches.

The trio were all wearing Rolex GMT Master IIs.

Kevin and Joe completely twinned, opting for the same red and blue colours (which gives it the nickname "Pepsi" for obvious reasons). The watch experts at Crown & Caliber told INSIDER that they would be worth around $25,000 each. You can buy a similar model second-hand for around $18,000.

Nick, meanwhile, brought the big guns, opting for the yellow gold edition with a green dial. Crown & Caliber notched this one up to around $30,000.

Despite being the youngest in the band, Nick is probably the wealthiest Jonas, Money magazine reports.

During the Jonas Brothers' six-year hiatus, Nick released two solo albums and toured with Demi Lovato, selling more than 280,000 seats and grossing more than $16 million.

He also appeared in 2017's "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle," which earned over $939 million worldwide, and is set to appear in the sequel due to be released in December this year.

In a new edition of "Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts," Joe even said he'd rather go on a vacation with Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra Jonas over Kevin Jonas and Danielle Jonas, "just because if they're paying, it's going to be amazing."

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• Ryan Chong, a watch specialist at Christie's Auction House, says there are three main questions you should ask when you're looking to buy a vintage watch.
• The most important question is what kind of condition the watch is in, which includes whether it has all of its original parts as well as its box and paperwork.
• You should also ask to see the service history to see if any original parts have been changed.
• And finally, Chong says, you should ask yourself if you really love the watch, or if you just want to buy it in hopes of making money off it later.

The prestigious Christie's Auction House is known for curating some of the world's finest art, jewels, wines and spirits, and of course, watches. 

I recently visited Christie's at Rockefeller Center in New York City and met one of the auction house's watch specialists, Ryan Chong.

Christie's watches department comprises a global team of 30 people with auction sites in Dubai, Geneva, Hong Kong, and New York. The team sells about $100 million worth of watches each year from luxury brands that include Patek Philippe, Rolex, Vacheron Constantin, Omega, and Audemars Piguet, Chong said. 

The auction house's specialty, though, is vintage watches. 

"Our bread and butter at Christie's, as an auction house, are vintage watches," Chong said at a press event at Christie's. "Those brands, the top three are Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Audemars Piguet."

Anything over 20 years old is considered a vintage watch, he said.

Read more: The top 10 most expensive watches sold by Christie's in 2018, ranked

If you're in the market for a vintage watch, the first thing you should do is find a dealer or a store that has a good reputation, Chong says. Many dealers specialize in a certain brand.

"Work with a specialist, someone who knows vintage watches and what to look for," he said. "Because otherwise, it's a little bit like the Wild West."

Once you have your eye on a particular vintage watch, there are three main questions you should ask before you buy it, Chong told me. 

1. What kind of condition is it in?

"Vintage watches, the main thing with those to look for when purchasing, is condition," Chong said. "Condition trumps everything. That would mean unpolished, all original, with box and papers if possible."

That means the watch should ideally come with its original box and paperwork, which could include the manual, warranty information, and any certificates of authenticity. 

Having those is important "because it helps to back up where [the watch] comes from — where it was born, you could say," Chong said.

2. Is there a service history?

If there's a service history, you'll definitely want to see that, Chong said.

"You want to see if anything has ever been changed in terms of parts, if movement work has been done," Chong said. "Because as I mentioned, the biggest factor in value of vintage watches is condition, and that mostly applies to originality. So if the case is unpolished, if the hands are original, if the dial's been refinished, that could all affect the value."

3. And finally, do you really like it?

Vintage watches can be great investment pieces.

But Chong says you should always buy what you like instead of buying solely for investment purposes.

"Because if you buy for investment purposes and it goes down and you don't like it, then you're stuck with an asset that's decreased in value and that you don't like," Chong told me. "So you've got to make sure you love it."

Buyers are willing to drop some major cash on watches they love at Christie's.

In 2018, the 10 most expensive watches sold at the auction house ranged in price from $566,000 to $3.2 million. The year's most expensive sale was an 18K gold Patek Philippe chronograph watch, signed by Philippe and featuring a perpetual calendar and moon phases, which went for $3,234,905.

SEE ALSO: From a $100 Swatch to a $20,000 Rolex, these are the watches worn by the most powerful people in business and finance

DON'T MISS: There are 3 staples every wine cellar should have, according to an expert at Christie's

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• The RealReal is going public and could be valued at $1.6 billion when it begins trading on Friday.
• We visited the luxury reseller's NYC location where an authentication expert walked us through how to spot fake designer goods. 
• We looked at two versions of Adidas Yeezys, Hermes Birkin bags, Chanel shoes, Louboutin heels, and Rolex watches to try and figure out which one was real and which was a cheap counterfeit.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. 

We went to The RealReal, a luxury resale store, where an authentication expert walked us through how to spot fake designer goods. We looked at two versions of Adidas Yeezys, Hermes Birkin bags, Chanel shoes, Louboutin heels, and Rolex watches to try and figure out which one was real and which was a cheap counterfeit. Exactly what should you be looking for when buying expensive shoes, handbags, and jewelry?

EDITOR'S NOTE: This video was originally published on December 17, 2018.

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