Audemars Piguet 26240CE

Audemars Piguet

Ref. 26240CE

Watch n° 195 for number of VIPs spotted with this watch
Audemars Piguet n° 37 for number of VIPs spotted with this watch
Number of VIPs spotted with this watch: 5
Number of total spotted: 5
Preferred VIP category: comedian (1 VIP)
List price: unknown
Market price: $172,000

The Audemars Piguet 26240CE has built a following that cuts across industries in a way few watch references manage. Our database shows sightings on Inter Milan chairman Steven Zhang, who was photographed wearing it during the club's 2023 Coppa Italia victory celebrations, England international Declan Rice, rapper and producer DJ Khaled, reggaeton star Nicky Jam, and comedian and actor Kevin Hart. That combination of a billionaire sports executive, a Premier League midfielder, two musicians rooted in Latin and hip-hop culture, and one of Hollywood's highest-paid comedians tells you something meaningful about where the 26240CE sits: it appeals to people who collect seriously and people who wear watches as cultural signalling, often at the same time.

Demand for the Audemars Piguet 26240CE has consistently outpaced supply since the reference was introduced as part of the brand's 50th anniversary Royal Oak lineup. At retail, the ceramic chronograph carries a price in the region of $40,000–$45,000 depending on market and configuration, but authorised dealer waitlists have made it effectively unobtainable through official channels for most buyers. On the secondary market, the reference has traded at meaningful premiums above retail, reflecting both genuine collector appetite and the scarcity that comes with Audemars Piguet's controlled production volumes. The black ceramic case and bracelet version in particular benefits from a perception of relative rarity compared to stainless steel Royal Oak variants.

The 26240CE is the Royal Oak Chronograph in black ceramic, running AP's calibre 4401 with a column-wheel flyback movement and a 70-hour power reserve. High-profile sightings — particularly Zhang's at a major trophy presentation and Hart's across his heavily documented social media presence — have helped push the reference into broader public awareness beyond traditional watch collecting circles.