Watch Paparazzi

Athlete Teddy Riner spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

French judoka Teddy Riner — arguably the greatest judo competitor in history — was recently spotted with an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph on his wrist, a pairing that feels entirely natural given the watch's own deep roots in athletic performance culture. The sighting, captured in a candid setting, shows Riner in characteristically understated style, letting the timepiece speak for itself.

The watch in question is the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph reference 26401RO.OO.A002CA.01, introduced as part of AP's ongoing exploration of mixed-material case construction. The 44mm case is crafted in 18k pink gold, while the octagonal bezel — the signature architectural element Gerald Genta conceived in 1972 — is rendered entirely in black ceramic. The result is a chromatic tension between warm rose gold and cool, matte black that has proven consistently popular with collectors. The black rubber strap with rose gold integration loops completes the sports-luxury aesthetic.

Under the dial, AP's calibre 3126/3840 automatic movement runs at 21,600 vph and delivers an impressive 59-hour power reserve. The grey "Méga Tapisserie" dial carries three subsidiary chronograph registers and maintains the dial legibility that has been a hallmark of the Offshore line since John Quincy Brown's brief oversaw its 1993 debut. The oversized pushers in black ceramic are both functional and visually dominant.

For collectors, the rose gold and ceramic Offshore occupies a compelling middle ground: more restrained than fully diamond-set special editions, yet far more distinctive than the stainless steel references that dominate the grey market. It appeals to buyers who want demonstrable material value — gold is gold — without the ostentation of a fully yellow or white gold execution. The reference has held its value steadily, trading above retail in robust secondary markets.

Teddy Riner's association with high-end horology is unsurprising. A ten-time world champion and three-time Olympic gold medallist, Riner occupies an elite stratum of global sport that routinely intersects with luxury watch culture. His choice of the Royal Oak Offshore — a watch conceived to out-perform conventional luxury on the sports field — is a statement of personal coherence as much as aesthetic preference.