Watch Paparazzi

Rapper Cardi B spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Cardi B was recently photographed wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 34mm in black ceramic, reference 77350CE — a watch that quietly doubles its retail price on the secondary market and draws serious attention from collectors who know what they're looking at.

The Royal Oak 77350CE is built around a 34mm black ceramic case, a material Audemars Piguet machines with notable difficulty given ceramic's brittleness during the grinding and polishing process required to achieve the Royal Oak's signature alternating brushed and polished surfaces. The 18K pink gold screws on the iconic octagonal bezel provide a warm contrast that elevates the piece beyond simple monochrome aesthetics. Powering it is the Calibre 5800, a self-winding movement with a 50-hour power reserve, beating at 28,800 vph, housed behind a sapphire caseback that reveals the finishing work AP is known for.

Gerald Genta's 1972 Royal Oak design remains one of the most consequential in modern watchmaking — the watch that proved luxury could wear a sports case and an integrated bracelet without sacrificing prestige. The ceramic iteration of the 34mm ref. 77350CE represents a more recent chapter in that story: a model that attracts buyers who find the standard steel versions either too common or too conservative. Black ceramic Royal Oaks in any size are produced in limited numbers relative to demand, a supply constraint that drives the grey market premium to nearly double retail.

Cardi B has built a watch wardrobe that reflects both her personal aesthetic and a growing seriousness about horology. Choosing a reference like the 77350CE — understated in colorway but technically and historically significant — suggests influences beyond the jeweler's showcase.

At a retail price of approximately $45,200, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 77350CE already occupies premium territory. On the secondary market, current valuations sit around $92,000, reflecting sustained demand and tight allocation. For collectors tracking both cultural relevance and investment trajectory, this sighting adds another data point.