Footballer Virgil van Dijk spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk was recently photographed wearing a rare vintage Audemars Piguet Bamboo in 18k yellow gold, a timepiece that exemplifies the Swiss manufacture's most daring design experiments of the 1980s. The watch appeared on his wrist during a formal event, paired with a cream linen suit and dark sunglasses—a styling choice that amplified the Bamboo's distinctive sculptural presence.

The Audemars Piguet Bamboo Ref. 5300BA houses a manually-wound calibre, housed within an 18-karat yellow gold case measuring approximately 32 mm in width. The defining characteristic is its octagonal case geometry, inspired by the organic segmentation of bamboo stalks, coupled with a fully integrated yellow gold bracelet featuring articulated links that follow the case contour. The dial presents a minimalist cream or champagne tone with applied indices, while the case exhibits Audemars Piguet's signature curved bezel and polished surfaces. Water resistance reached 30 metres, appropriate for a dress sports watch of that era. Production spanned the early-to-mid 1980s, with relatively limited output compared to the brand's more conventional steel sports models.

The Bamboo holds particular status among vintage Audemars Piguet collectors as a reference that bridged haute horlogerie with speculative design. Unlike the steel sports Code 11.59 or Royal Oak lineages, the Bamboo occupied a niche position—expensive, singular in aesthetic, and deliberately limited in distribution. Vintage examples in excellent condition command sustained interest, particularly those retaining original bracelets and unpolished cases, both of which demonstrate collectibility rarely matched by contemporary production-era references.

Van Dijk's choice reflects a growing appreciation among high-profile athletes for authentic vintage horology over contemporary luxury watches. The Bamboo's understated 32 mm proportions and refined materials align with a broader shift toward vintage dress sports watches within contemporary collecting culture.

Grey-market pricing for Audemars Piguet Bamboo Ref. 5300BA examples ranges from $45,000 to $65,000 USD, contingent upon condition, provenance, and bracelet completeness. Original retail pricing during the 1980s approximated $8,000–$12,000 in contemporary dollars. Scarcity, combined with renewed collector interest in 1980s design innovation, sustains upward market momentum for well-preserved examples.