Watch Paparazzi

Entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and one of Silicon Valley's most recognizable venture capitalists, was recently spotted on the wrist with an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 'Elephant' in stainless steel, reference 26470ST — a watch that rewards the closer look far more than a casual glance might suggest.

The Royal Oak Offshore 26470ST measures 42mm in stainless steel and houses the Calibre 3126/3840 automatic movement, a self-winding manufacture calibre offering approximately 50 hours of power reserve. The dial is the defining feature: a deep grey 'Méga Tapisserie' pattern — an amplified version of the classic Royal Oak 'Grande Tapisserie' — which earned the ref. 26470ST its collector nickname 'Elephant.' Matching grey chronograph subdials, a grey rubber strap with AP folding clasp, and the signature octagonal bezel secured by eight hex screws complete a package that is unmistakably Offshore in character.

The Royal Oak Offshore line was introduced in 1993 as an oversized, sportier interpretation of Gérald Genta's 1972 Royal Oak icon. The 26470ST represents the line's modern refinement phase — retaining the Offshore's inherent aggression while dialing back some of the excess that defined earlier generations. Among collectors, the 'Elephant' is regarded as one of the more understated and wearable references in the Offshore catalog, which has historically skewed toward louder colorways and material combinations. That restraint has translated into steady demand.

Ohanian's watch sensibility aligns well with the 26470ST's positioning. As a tech entrepreneur turned investor — and husband of Serena Williams — he occupies a cultural space where serious horology intersects with a certain understated confidence. The Offshore 'Elephant' projects exactly that: substance over spectacle, brand heritage over flash.

On the market, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 26470ST carries a UK list price in the region of £23,000, translating to roughly $29,000 USD at retail. On the grey market, demand for stainless steel Offshore references has remained firm, with the 26470ST typically trading at or modestly above retail — a reflection of AP's broader supply discipline and the ref.'s enduring collector appeal.