Watch Paparazzi

Basketball player Kyle Kuzma spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards forward and one of the NBA's most consistently adventurous watch collectors, was recently spotted wearing one of Audemars Piguet's most visually arresting references — the Royal Oak Chronograph in 18K white gold with a frosted finish and purple dial, reference 26331BC, available through boutique dealer Wrist Aficionado.

The 26331BC is built around the calibre 2385, Audemars Piguet's self-winding integrated column-wheel chronograph movement beating at 2.85Hz with a 40-hour power reserve. Housed in a 41mm white gold case, the watch features the Royal Oak's signature octagonal bezel secured by eight hexagonal screws and the iconic Grande Tapisserie dial — here rendered in a deep purple that shifts dramatically under different lighting conditions. The case thickness sits at a relatively slim 10.9mm for a chronograph, a testament to AP's movement integration expertise.

The frosted gold technique is what truly separates this reference from a standard Royal Oak Chronograph. Developed in partnership with Carolina Bucci, the Florentine goldsmith, the process involves hammering the metal surface with a diamond-tipped tool to create thousands of microscopic facets that scatter light in every direction. First introduced by AP in 2016, frosted gold pieces have rapidly developed their own collector following, sitting at the intersection of haute horlogerie and artisan jewelry craft. The purple dial variant is among the more limited and sought-after executions in the frosted lineup.

Kuzma has built a reputation as one of the league's more knowledgeable watch enthusiasts, regularly gravitating toward high-complication and aesthetically unconventional pieces. The 26331BC suits his profile precisely — it is technically serious and visually loud without crossing into gimmick territory.

On the secondary market, the 26331BC commands significant premiums over its already substantial retail positioning. With a listed price of approximately $264,000, this is firmly top-tier Royal Oak territory, reflecting both the precious metal content and the relative scarcity of frosted gold chronograph references with exotic dial colors. Grey market values have tracked closely to retail or above, given sustained demand for white gold Royal Oaks among global collectors.