In the world of luxury pawnbroking, most of the major players are themselves enthusiasts of horology. Few objects offer as much financial credibility and awe as a Patek Philippe timepiece. Meticulously crafted, rare, and supported by a legacy that guarantees universal demand among discerning buyers and collectors, you can always raise collateral on a Patek Philippe watch because luxury pawnbrokers know that interest and demand will always be there for these Swiss masterpieces.

Let’s take a look at the ten best Patek Philippe watches that you can loan against.

1. Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010

The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime 6300A-010 is, without question, the crown jewel of pawnable watches. Auctioned at the Only Watch charity auction in 2019 for a record $31.19 million (around £25 million), it’s the world’s most expensive wristwatch. This unique piece is crafted from stainless steel, which is a rarity for a grand complication at Patek Philippe.

The timepiece features a reversible case with two complete dials and no fewer than 20 complications, including a grande sonnerie, minute repeater, instantaneous perpetual calendar, and striking acoustic alarm. 

It’s inscribed “The Only One,” underlining its singular production for charity, and its reverence among horologists and global collectors is legendary. No other timepiece combines technical innovation, unique design, provenance, and exclusivity like THE Grandmaster Chime 6300A-010. 

Of course, while there is only one Chime in this reference, there are other less rare versions in White gold, rose gold, and even with diamonds. If you need to raise collateral on a Grandmaster Chime, we’re always open for business.

2. Henry Graves Supercomplication Pocket Watch

The Henry Graves Supercomplication represents the peak of mechanical ingenuity from the early 20th century. Commissioned in 1925 by American banker Henry Graves Jr., this 18-carat gold pocket watch features a stunning 24 complications, including a perpetual calendar and sunrise/sunset times, as well as a celestial map of the New York sky as seen from Graves’ apartment. 

For over 60 years, it was the most complicated watch ever made. In fact, it was only decades later, when the Patek Philippe Calibre 89 was introduced, that it was superseded. 

Unique and museum-grade, it last sold at Sotheby’s in 2014 for $24 million (approximately £18.5 million), underscoring its mythic status. Should a comparable piece ever appear at a UK pawnbroker, it would invite international headlines and an avalanche of offers. We can always dream!

3. Ref. 1518 Stainless Steel

Perhaps the most sought-after vintage wristwatch, the Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 stainless steel perpetual calendar chronograph is legendary due to its extreme rarity, with only four confirmed examples known to exist worldwide. 

Conceived amidst the turbulence of World War II, it is both historically significant and a symbol of timeless elegance. At auction, a steel 1518 sold for over $11 million (roughly £9 million), making it one of the priciest wristwatches ever. It’s revered for pioneering the first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, now a signature complication. 

High-profile collectors, including culture icons and royalty, covet the steel variant for its understated prestige and unmatched resale potential. Even for luxury pawnbrokers, it would be the surprise and honour of a lifetime to see a ref. 1518 com e through the door. It’s safe to say that the owner would be able to secure a significant loan on a Patek Philippe 1518, regardless of the material it’s made of.

4. “Prince Tewfik” Pink on Pink Ref. 1518

Among the rarest and most illustrious vintage Pateks, the “Prince Tewfik” Ref. 1518 is a perpetual calendar chronograph in pink gold. It was purchased by Egyptian royalty in the 1950s, but has made headlines in recent years. A true “pink on pink” (which means a pink gold case and dial), it achieved over $9.5 million (£7.3 million) at Sotheby’s in 2021. A big part of achieving these prices was because of its complete documentation and connection to Prince Mohammed Tewfik A. Toussou, a descendant of Muhammad Ali, the modern founder of Egypt. 

This kingly provenance, combined with a run of only 14 models known with the copper-pink dial, partly explains the time pieces collectability and global visibility. While most luxury pawnbrokers would not expect a customer to call up with this rare pink on pink, they would be happy to entertain anyone who wanted to borrow against a Patek Philippe ref. 1518, of which there are about 281 known worldwide.

5. Nautilus Ref. 5711/1A-018 “Tiffany Blue” Dial

Launched as the ultimate swan song for the Nautilus line, the Tiffany Blue 5711/1A-018 is the epitome of modern Patek Philippe collector mania. Limited to just 170 pieces, it features a unique Tiffany & Co. signed dial in an eye-catching pastel blue, commemorating 170 years of partnership with the iconic New York jeweller. 

Secondary market prices in the UK routinely fall in the £1.5–£2 million range, with select auction results exceeding even these benchmarks. Celebrity demand is off the charts: Jay-Z, LeBron James, and Mark Wahlberg are all rumoured owners. 

At pawnbrokers, these watches generate near-instant liquidity and top-tier loan value, particularly if accompanied by original papers and boxes. The Tiffany Blue ref. 5711 would be quite a sight at even the most exclusive luxury pawnbrokers. However, stainless steel versions occasionally appear, with secondary market prices in the early six figures, ensuring that pawning a Patek Philippe is always a reliable way to raise capital.

Listen to our podcast episode on the most appreciated Patek Philippe timepieces at high-end pawnshops:

6. Ref. 2523 “Silk Road” World Time

The Patek Philippe Ref. 2523 is extraordinary among world timers. It boasts mind-boggling artistry and technical sophistication, featuring a cloisonné enamel dial that depicts Eurasia in vibrant, hand-rendered detail. 

With fewer than 10 known specimens, the “Silk Road” is revered for both its micro-mechanical invention and its status as a show-stopping piece of wearable art. Public auction sales for these models have surged, with the most recent sale reaching around £6 million. 

If you want to pawn a Patek Philippe ref. 2523, provenance, condition, and enamel dials free of restoration are crucial to value. Of course, their scarcity makes any ref. 2523, an unexpected surprise at a pawnbroker.

7. Gold Chronograph Ref. 1527

One of the ultimate trophies in vintage Patek collecting, the Ref. 1527 was created in the early 1940s during World War II, with many suggesting these pieces are emblematic of this era of ingenuity. The only two known examples were auctioned for over £4.5 million, buoyed by the reference’s unusually large 37.6 mm case, triple calendar, and chronograph complications. 

Its rarity is compounded by its direct genealogical link, serving as design inspiration for later, now-beloved Patek models. The 1527’s status is enhanced by provenance, with one piece belonging to renowned tastemaker Charles Stern. 

With only two known examples worldwide, it would be a remarkable event for any shop to see someone try to get a loan against a Patek Philippe 1527, though they would not be short of offers.

8. Grand Complications Ref. 5270P-001

The platinum-cased 5270P-001 is the poster-child of Patek Philippe’s modern haute horlogerie. This perpetual calendar chronograph, distinguished by a “salmon” opaline dial and sapphire exhibition back, sums up the sophistication contemporary collectors demand in an heirloom asset. 

On the UK market in 2025, expect values between £180,000 and £300,000, with boxed, fully documented examples achieving the top-end of offers. Athletes and platinum-status celebrity investors frequently favour this reference, which only increases its desirability. Pawnbrokers value the 5270P for its blend of mechanical complexity, benchmark aesthetics, and reliable resale. Its market is deep and international, ensuring liquidity for clients. What’s more, its platinum case and exceptional movement finishing appeal particularly to connoisseurs, making it a winning option if you need to generate capital with a Patek Philippe.

9. Aquanaut Travel Time Ref. 5164A-001

Blending luxury and sportiness, the 5164A-001 Aquanaut Travel Time is the modern globetrotter’s Patek. With a dual-time zone complication, robust steel case, and distinctive rubber strap, it’s tuned to a new, younger generation of high-net-worth watch buyers. 

UK resale prices in 2025 typically range from £90,000 to £120,000. The Aquanaut’s versatility, water resistance, and iconic checkerboard dial appeal to tech entrepreneurs and athletes. Indeed, several Premiership footballers and Formula One stars have been snapped wearing this outstanding timepiece 

For pawnbrokers, the Aquanaut is highly liquid. Quick to move, always in style, and accepted with confidence by all serious buyers, you can always get a loan against a Patek Philippe Aquanaut. A boxed, unworn full set from recent years would yield substantial advance loans 

10. Golden Ellipse Ref. 3738-100R

The Golden Ellipse 3738-100R is a classic, reliable Patek watch that anchors any list. Launched in 1968 and celebrated for its mathematically harmonious, “golden ratio” case, this model, particularly in rose gold, is a masterclass in understated luxury. 

A favoured choice of design icons and discreet wealthy elites, it’s renowned for its slim profile, deep blue dial, and in-house calibre. Secondary UK market rates for mint or new-old-stock pieces are typically between £22,000 and £38,000 in 2025, with steady collector demand, particularly for early production numbers or flawless original dials. 

For pawnbrokers, the Golden Ellipse is highly recognisable, always resellable, and often supported by decades-spanning documentation. Its enduring, reserved elegance makes it an easy Patek Philippe to pawn, with lasting appeal and strong loan-to-value metrics.

Final thoughts on Pawning a Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe’s legacy, driven by exclusivity, innovation, and narrative, means that every serious pawnbroker for watches is attuned to these models’ market movements and enthusiastic to make offers to meet the strong, evergreen appetite among the world’s elite buyers. As media attention continues to track new highs for these models at auction and resale, one truth remains: nothing delivers instant liquidity, prestige, and admiration at a luxury pawn counter like a true Patek Philippe watch.