Watch Paparazzi

Singer Edward Kowalczyk spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Edward Kowalczyk, best known as the voice behind Live's landmark albums 'Throwing Copper' and 'Mental Jewelry,' was recently spotted on the wrist with an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver in stainless steel, reference 15710ST — a watch that rewards genuine horological curiosity over simple status signalling.

The Royal Oak Offshore Diver 15710ST sits in a distinctive corner of the AP catalogue. At 42mm in stainless steel, it inherits the iconic octagonal bezel and integrated bracelet architecture that Gerald Genta sketched overnight in 1971 for the original Royal Oak, but adds a unidirectional rotating dive bezel and 300-metre water resistance — capabilities backed by genuine engineering rather than marketing. The case construction moves away from the flat, finishing-intensive surfaces of the standard Royal Oak toward something more robust and wearable in real conditions.

Powering the 15710ST is the Calibre 3120, an entirely in-house automatic movement with a 60-hour power reserve, 22-carat gold rotor, and 280 components running at 21,600 vph. AP debuted this movement in 2003 and it remains one of the most respected mid-range manufacture calibres in the industry — smooth, reliable, and finished to a standard that justifies the price of entry. The dial on the reference 15710ST is offered in multiple colourways, and collectors often single out the blue and black versions as the most resolute.

Among collectors, the Offshore Diver occupies an interesting position. It lacks the white-glove prestige of the 15400 Royal Oak proper, but it offers something arguably more useful: a genuinely functional dive watch with AP's movement and construction quality. Pre-owned examples trade actively, and the reference has maintained solid grey-market interest without the speculative frenzy surrounding standard Royal Oak or Offshore Chronograph references.

For Kowalczyk — an artist whose music consistently engaged with themes of depth and authenticity — the 15710ST is a coherent choice. At a retail price around $19,900 USD, it sits well below the Royal Oak Chronograph but above the noise of fashion-driven luxury. Current grey-market values hover close to or slightly above retail, reflecting steady demand and limited availability on the secondary market.