the outer limits

From the crazily expensive to the just plain crazy, these watches make a statement – even if we’re not always sure what that is

Greubel Forsey Platinum GMT

A GMT watch displays the hour in dual time zones, but this beast goes further, with a globe that spins in 24-hour cycles, not only lighting up the hour as it moves, but also moving a black scale to indicate night fall. $645,000, greubelforsey.com

Harry Winston Opus XII

Fifty-nine pivoting minute hands and eleven rotating triangles marking the hours vanish and reappear to give you a vague sense time passing. $410,900, harrywinston.com

Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari

The movement has a definite racing feel, with swivelling anodised cylinders displaying the hours minutes and seconds. Only 50 will ever be made. $325,650, hublot.com

HYT H1 Black DLC and Pink Gold

A piston and bellows are operated by the mechanical movement that pumps glowing yellow fluid around the bezel, highlighting the current hour. $209,500, hytwatches.com

MB&F HM5 on the road again RT

Inspired by the look of 1970s American sports cars, this uses sapphire prisms to magnify and project the time on to its side-mounted dash. $112,800, mbandf.com

Arnold & Son Time Pyramid

The pyramidshaped mechanism is hand-finished and hand-wound, with 27 inset jewels ensuring smooth running. $43,700, arnoldandson.com

Louis Vuitton Escale Worldtime

Of a limited edition of 20, this hand-painted face features 24 world locations, with the time picked out by three rotating dials. $72,850, louisvuitton.com.au